Mountainerrs climbing a mountain at sunrise

Picture or a beautiful mountain standing tall above clouds

Glacier Peak

Max 5 people Moderate difficulty Intermediate experience

Overview

Called Takobia or Dakobed by the Native Americans of Puget Sound, Glacier Peak is the most remote of all volcanoes in Washington State. Its heavily glaciated slopes are guarded by alpine meadows leading down to ancient old-growth fir & cedar forests. During this four-day trip, we take the Gerdine and Cool Glaciers route, involving trail, cross country navigation, and glacier travel. Our guides provide instruction in backpacking and mountaineering during the approach and on the climb. Due to the distances that must be covered, previous backpacking experience is required for this trip.

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Trip host

Glen Young

Glen has been working as an alpine guide for sixteen years, having led trips in North America, South America, Africa, Asia, and the South Pacific. Glen's climbing and guiding career has included sixteen climbs above 20,000 ft., including technical climbs of peaks such as AmaDablam and Kyajo Ri in Nepal and big glacier routes in Alaska. He's climbed routes on El Cap, Half Dome, and Big Walls in Zion in addition to hundreds of multi-pitch rock routes around the globe. Here in the Northwest he enjoys guiding complex alpine climbs such as the North Ridge of Forbidden and the Fischer Chimneys on Mt. Shuksan. Previously, Glen guided white-water expeditions and taught martial arts. When not in the office or the field he runs a nonprofit in Nepal that provides training to Nepalese mountain guides and funds infrastructure in remote areas of the Himalayas (www.karmaproject-nepal.org). Glen is an AMGA apprentice Rock Guide and Alpine Guide who is working toward IFMGA certification.

Itinerary

Day 1: Hike to base camp

We meet very early at a Park and Ride in the Seattle Area. It is important that water is filled and backpacks are already packed and ready to be carried when we meet at the trailhead. Because of the early time of our departure, stores may not be open to purchase last minute food and supplies. After a 2.5 hr. drive we reach the North Fork Sauk trailhead along a gravel road. The trail begins relatively flat until reaching the Mackinaw Shelter (2,950 ft.) after five-and-a-half miles. We refill our water and begin the steep three mile climb to White Pass (5,904 ft.) with awesome views of the Cascades such as Indian Head, Cadet, Mt. Johnson, Monte Cristo, Sloan Peak, and White Mountain. We may camp near White Pass or continue on, depending upon the weather forecast for the coming days and the condition of our team. If continuing, another two miles and 800 ft. of elevation brings us to Glacier Peak Meadows where there are many campsites and glacier melt for water. This day will be between nine and twelve miles of hiking with more than 5,000 ft. of elevation. It will take between eight and eleven hours of walking to reach camp.

Day 2: Skills Practice

Day 3: Summit Day

Day 4: Return

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Accommodations

On day 1, for 3 days

We will provide tents and expect you to being your own sleeping pads and sleeping bags.

Pricing

Included:

Accommodation

Guide fees

Excluded:

All meals

Alcoholic beverages

Gratuities

Transfers

Flights

Admission fees

Porter

Visas

Travel insurance

Personal gear

Luggage transfers

Airport transfer

International flights

Domestic flights

Local guide

Some meals

Do not forget to arrange for the requisite passport, visa and travel insurance, if you are booking an international trip.

We try our best to ensure accurate and up-to-date guide information, but in some cases this may change due to emergencies or other unforeseen guide scheduling challenges. In any case, another highly-rated, certified guide with similar experience would lead your trip and you will be kept informed of any such case.