6 Beginner Mountains to Climb in the Pacific Northwest
Take your hiking to the next level and add these mountains to your list to climb. All of these volcanoes require training which you should start at least three months before your climb! It’s very important to have a training plan in place, learn the skills you need, the gear needed, what you need to pack, and many other tips and tricks. AdventureTripr.com has guided climbs on several of these mountains, should you choose to go down the guided route to learn from professional and experienced guides. So we have included links to these guided trips and also courses in which you can learn the skills to equip you to climb these mountains on your own!
Mt. St. Helens, WA
We suggest you start by climbing Mt. St. Helens in Washington! This is a single day, adventure-filled climb. From the summit, you’ll find panoramic views of the surrounding landscape such as parks, rivers and on a clear day Mt. Hood, Mt. Rainier, and Mt. Adams, the Pacific Ocean, and even the crater below you! It’s a great way to challenge yourself both physically and mentally. It can also be a great way to bond with friends or family members who are also interested in outdoor activities.
You could tackle this climb via the Monitor Ridge summer route, which is 10 miles long with 4,500 feet of elevation gain. Or climb it during the winter and spring months via the longer 12 mile, 5,700 feet elevation gain Worms Flow route. For the winter route, you will need to acquire snow skills covering the use of crampons to walk up snow fields, the use of an ice axe to self-arrest, and acquire basic avalanche awareness.
Just like any climb, it's important to be prepared and plan ahead. Check out ‘Mountaineering 101: How to Get Started’ and ‘Mountains have the power to transform lives’ to help you get motivated.
Mt. Adams, WA
Climb the second tallest peak in Washington on this Mt. Adams adventure. You can climb this mountain peak over various durations ranging from a single day to over 3-4 days. We recommend the South Climb or the Lunch Counter approach as a beginner mountaineer. A 2-3 itinerary gives you a relaxed pace and time to summit without pressure. It’s a great mountain to learn/practice using crampons and an ice axe and camp on a mountain. You will be rewarded (on a clear day) with views of Mt. Rainier, Mt Hood, and Mount Saint Helens in the distance, and get to glissade (slide) down the mountain which is both amazingly fun and a quicker way to get down while saving your knees!
Mt. Baker, WA
Mt. Baker is located in the North Cascades in Washington State and stands at 10,781 feet. It’s a popular choice for climbers who are new to mountaineering, as it is a challenging but less technical climb than Mt. Rainier.
Many climbers choose to climb Mt. Baker first to gain experience in mountaineering, roping up, and glacier travel before attempting Mt. Rainier. Climbing Mt. Baker can help build skills and confidence for more technical climbs which can be more challenging and demanding.
Mt. Rainier Prep Course, WA
If your target is getting prepared to the max, you’re already conditioned and ready to take on Mt. Rainer, in Washington then we recommend this four-day prep course on which you will learn all the skills from professional and highly experienced guides. On this course, you'll also get to practice all the skills you have learned by attempting to reach the summit of Mt. Baker. These include crevasse rescue, techniques to climb steep snow, proper use of an ice axe, travel in balance, self-belay, and self-arrest.
Mt. Hood, OR
Mt. Hood is the tallest volcano in the state of Oregon and the second most climbed mountain in the world. Don’t let that fool you into believing that this will be an easy hike up the mountain. Climbing Mt. Hood can go from a hike up a mountain to a steep, icy climb requiring technical skills and tools, depending on the conditions on the mountain. Like most beginner volcanoes in the Pacific Northwest, this mountain can also be climbed at a push in a single day. However, if you’d like a guided climb to Mt. Hood, we recommend climbing it over two days so you spend a day with experienced guides to learn the skills specifically required to climb the steep, icy slopes that you can encounter on this mountain. Climbing Mt. Hood can also serve as an excellent training opportunity for those who want to prepare for a more advanced climb or other mountaineering activities.
Its glaciated flanks are known for notoriously stormy conditions however, the snowy peaks are well worth the climb. This makes it both difficult and beautiful to ascend but don’t worry, you’ll have some great fully qualified guides to help you along the way.
Mt. Shasta, CA
Why should you take the plunge and climb Mt. Shasta? It offers incredible views of the surrounding landscape, including the Shasta Valley, the Cascade Range, and the Siskiyou Mountains. On a clear day, climbers can see as far as the Sierra Nevada! This is again a great beginner mountain to learn and practice snow skills and walk steep snow fields, not to mention the amazing feeling of accomplishment.
You can climb Mt. Shasta over 2-3 days. You can sign up for a two-day or a three day guided climb of Mt. Shasta via the Avalanche Gulch route in California! This route is perfect for beginners in the world of mountaineering.
On the three day guided climb, the guides devote half a day to teaching you the snow skills, such as selecting the correct clothing and equipment, walking with an ice axe, traversing a slope, kicking steps, self-arrest techniques, plunge stepping, glissading, assessing snow conditions and crampon use.. You will also experience snow camping on this climb. Please note that it does require training as it’s a challenging and strenuous climb that requires physical fitness, technical skills, and the ability to endure high altitude conditions.
Mt. Whitney, CA
For many hikers and mountaineers, climbing Mt. Whitney is a significant bucket list achievement that represents a lifelong goal. It is the tallest mountain in the lower 48 of the United States, standing tall at 14,505 feet. It can be a thrilling and exciting adventure, allowing one to push personal limits and explore new terrain.
Mt. Whitney can be a non-technical but fairly strenuous single day hike up in the summer months but you can choose to take the mountaineers route or climb during the winter months to learn the basic mountaineering skills.
The Mount Whitney mountaineers trail takes hikers through a beautiful alpine wilderness area with pristine lakes, meadows, and forests, starting from the Lone Pine and can take 2-4 days depending on weather and avalanche conditions and also where the snow levels start which drive the starting point at the time of your climb. The climb includes steep switchbacks and high-altitude conditions that can test even the most experienced climbers. Therefore, solid hardcore training is critical.
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