Women's Mount Baker Ski Mountaineering Course and Summit

Do you want to take your backcountry skiing to the next level? Our Mount Baker Ski Mountaineering Course is the perfect course for the already experienced backcountry skier who is interested in exploring ski mountaineering in glaciated terrain. It is also suited as preparation for multi-day ski tours that are not hut supplied. The course takes place on the north side of Mount Baker on the Coleman Glacier. Geared for women who have a passion for the backcountry and a desire to explore further.

May 30, 2019 - June 2, 2019

$820.00
Difficulty rating and Skill requirements

Difficulty Rating System Explained

Overall Difficulty Level: Difficult

Skills Required: Advanced skiing ability and prior ski touring experience

Fitness Level: Strenuous due to ski touring with overnight pack

  • Category: Ski
  • Type: Instructional
  • Ratio: 4:1

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2018 Women's Ski Mountaineering Summit & Ski Descent
Our Mount Baker Ski Mountaineering Course is the perfect course for the already experienced backcountry skier who is interested in exploring ski mountaineering in glaciated terrain. It is also suited as a preparation for multi-day ski tours that are not hut supplied. The course takes place on the north side of Mount Baker on the Coleman Glacier.  It is hard to imagine a better course setting than the heavily glaciated terrain of the Coleman, Roosevelt and Deming Glaciers. Over the course of the three days you will also get an opportunity to summit Mount Baker. This is a learn-on-the-go course with a full curriculum. Prior ski touring experience and good fitness are a prerequisite. 
 
Day One: We will meet in the little town of Glacier, WA and commute up the Glacier Creek Road to the vicinity of the Heliotrope Ridge trailhead. We might have to walk a mile or so on the road before we get to climb up to the Hogsback Camp via old growth forest  or the upper reaches of Glacier Creek. Either way we will make our camp at around 6000 feet. This should give us enough time to cover the following topics.
• Review of the basics of a ski touring course
• The difference between ski touring and ski mountaineering explained
• Equipment specific to ski mountaineering
• Mapwork and time calculations reviewed
• The basic function of a glacier explained
 
Day Two: After a leisurely start we will move camp to a spectacular camp on the Coleman Glacier at around 7200 feet. Becoming efficient at braking down and setting up camp is part of the course and can prove invaluable on future multi day ski touring adventures. In the afternoon we will work on the following:
• Crevasse formation and crevasse fall prevention
• Glacier travel on skis
• Roped travel on skis uphill and downhill
• Snow anchors in a ski mountaineering setting
• Crevasse rescue for ski mountaineering
• Self rescue for ski mountaineering
 
Day Three: From our camp we climb up the Coleman Glacier under the North Face of Colfax Peak to the Coleman Deming Col and onward to the summit via the Roman Wall. There should be enough time during the climb to cover the following course topics:
• Rappelling while side slipping on skis
• Basic snow climbing
• White-out navigation in crevassed terrain
• The principles of short-roping
• Elaborate rescue sled "construction"
• Improvised rescue sled
 
 

Sign up for a course or a trip and receive a 10% discount on purchases and a 20% discount on gear rental. Go to Pro Ski and Mountain Service


Pro Ski and Mountain Service is our retail specialty store. It has been located in North Bend, WA since 1999.


The past trips and courses have had a large influence on what we sell. Many of our Pro Guiding customers come on trips and courses with gear they purchased from our store. Not only do we want our clients to have the right gear for the job; we also receive direct feedback from them while they are using it in the field. Trust us - if the gear does not work - we won't sell it.


CLOTHING
BASE  LAYER
o  1 Bottom - midweight or lightweight
o  Non-Cotton Underwear
o  1 or 2 Tops - midweight or lightweight
o  Sock Liners - 2 or 3 pair
o  Ski Socks - 2 pair
MID LAYER
o  Windshirt, Soft Shell, Fleece - only one of these is necessary
o  Schoeller™ type pants - soft shell
OUTERWEAR
o  Lightweight Waterproof/Breathable Jacket
o  Lightweight Waterproof/Breathable Pants 
o  Warm Hat - should cover ears
o  Sun Hat - baseball type or visor
o  Lightweight Gloves
o Ski Gloves
INSULATION
o  Down or Synthetic Jacket
PERSONAL GEAR
o  Internal Frame Pack - 50 Liter (3100 cu in.) minimum
o  Sleeping Bag - down or synthetic, 15º F to 20º F minimum
o  Compression Sack - for sleeping bag         
o  Sleeping Pad - closed cell foam or self inflating
o  Headlamp - lightweight LED recommended
o  Water Bottles - 1 or 2 liters, wide mouth
o  Bowl or Cup
o  Utensils
o  Small Knife
o  Sunglasses - adequate for snow travel
o  Goggles
o  Sunscreen - SPF >25, waterproof
o  Lip Balm - SPF 15+
o  Lighter
o  Personal Toiletries 
o  Small Personal 1st aid kit  and blister repair (Compeed™)
SKI GEAR
o   Skis - Alpine Touring or Telemark
o   Ski Boots - Alpine Touring or Telemark – no downhill boots
o  Ski Poles - telescopic poles work well, but not required
o  Climbing Skins
o  Ski Crampons - THESE ARE REQUIRED!
o  Ski Brakes or Removable Ski Leashes
SAFETY GEAR
o  Transceiver - single frequency,  457 kHz only
o  Shovel - compact, lightweight, metal blade preferred
o  Probe - dedicated probe only, ski poles do not suffice
TECHNICAL GEAR
o  Ice Axe - 55-70 cm length, lightweight
o  Boot Crampons - check fit prior to departure
o Anti-Ball plates - for crampons
o Climbing Harness - lightweight, BD Alpine Bod style (no padding)
CREVASSE RESCUE KIT
o 4 Locking Biners  - at least 1 large HMS style and 1 regular locker
o 4 Non-locking Biners  - any style, we prefer wire gate type
o 1 - 6 meter Cordelette (6mm)
o 1 - 3 meter Cordelette (6mm)
o 1 Single Length Runner (60cm)
o 1 Double Length Runner (120cm)
 

Should I tip my guide? And how much should I tip them? Although tipping is not a requirement it is considered standard practice in the guiding industry and is appreciated by our guides. We generally recommend roughly 10%-15% of your course or trip cost or flat price tip that you are comfortable with.