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Domestic & International Trips & Courses with Professionally Trained Mountain Guides
Course

Alpine Ice Course - Mt. Baker

Overview

This 3-day course is packed with information. You will learn about the important classic crampon techniques, steep ice climbing, and  anchor systems as they relate to alpine ice.  We will cover basic rope handling techniques in alpine and glaciated terrain, create multi pitch scenarios and talk about gear and route selection. If you have any ambition of climbing some of the classic snow and ice routes, you should strongly consider this course.

$1,040 Per Person
3 Days
Difficulty
Ratio:
4:1, 8:2

Trip Information

$1,040
Price based on 3-4 climbers per guide. Please contact us directly for private trips. 425-888-6397 x2 | info@proguiding.com

This course has a slightly different focus than the winter Ice Climbing course or our Mountaineering Courses. There will be a stronger emphasis on crampon technique as well as movement in alpine ice terrain. We will cover steep ice climbing, anchor systems and rope handling in an alpine setting.  All this will happen in glaciated terrain of the Lower Coleman and Roosevelt Glaciers, which will allow us to cover multi pitch scenarios, gear selection, route and site selection and much more. If you are an aspiring alpinist who wants to be prepared for the amazing variety of challenges alpine ice can throw at you, don't miss this course.

Duration: 3
Ratio: 4:1, 8:2
Difficulty Level:
Click here to learn more about difficulty ratings.

Overall Difficulty: Moderate

Skills Required: No climbing experience required

Fitness Level: This trip is strenuous. Good good physical fitness is required;  you should be able to hike or climb for 3 to 6 hours with a pack varying from 20 to 40 lbs. and ascend  up to 3,000 feet of vertical gain per day for consecutive days.

 


Private Trips Available

Don't see a date that works for you? Pro Guiding Service offers any trip or courses on a private basis. We are flexible! Call or email to inquire.
Learn MoreView Dates & Availability

Itinerary

Course Curriculum
1. Introduction to Gear
• a short history of crampons and ice axes
• comparing different ice axes and crampons
• general gear selection for alpine ice terrain
2. Crampon and Ice Axe Techniques
• the progression of classic crampon technique - uphill, downhill, side hill
• the progression of ice axe use - uphill, downhill, side hill
• easy crampon technique circuit on glacier ice
• hard crampon technique circuit using fixed ropes on glacier ice
3. Anchors
• ice anchor, ice bollards, V - threads
4. Movement on Crevassed Glaciers
5. Alpine Ice Climbing
• multi-pitch techniques on classic ice routes
• rappelling on classic ice routes
• retrieval of ice screws after a rappel
• moat problem solving

Private Trips

Pro Guiding Service proudly offers the most diverse ski touring and ski mountaineering programs of any guiding service in the Northwest. Smaller, more intimate custom itineraries or instructional tours are available for any of our destinations. Tell us what you want to do, and we can create a customized plan for you.
View Private Trips

Pricing

$1,040
per person
Price based on 3-4 climbers per guide. Please contact us directly for private trips. 425-888-6397 x2 | info@proguiding.com
View Dates & Availability
Payment Policy
If booking a domestic trip that is over 60 days away or an international trip that is over 90 days away, you can book your trip by paying a 20% deposit.  View Full Policy
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel for any reason 60 or more days before domestic trips or 90 or more days before international and Alaska trips, we will refund everything you have paid minus half of your deposit. No refunds will be provided if you cancel your trip for ANY REASON (this includes but is not limited to illness including CoVid-19, injury, or work-related issues) within 60 days of the start of domestic trips or 90 days of international and Alaska based trips.  View Full Policy

Equipment List

Clothing
Base Layer
  • 1 Bottom - midweight or lightweight
  • 1 or 2 Tops - midweight or lightweight
  • Socks - 2 pair
Mid Layer
  • Windshirt or light soft shell jacket
  • Fleece or similar warm layer
  • Synthetic climbing or hiking pants
Outerwear
  • Lightweight Waterproof/Breathable Jacket
  • Lightweight Waterproof/Breathable Pants
  • Warm Hat - should cover your ears
  • Sun Hat - baseball cap or visor
  • Lightweight Gloves made of grippy materials (an extra pair is a good idea)
  • Ski Gloves/Mittens
  • Down or Synthetic Puffy-type Jacket
  • Gaiters - low top or full size
Personal Gear
  • Internal Frame Pack - 50 Liter/3100 cu.in. minimum
    • Everything must fit inside except ice axe, crampons, helmet, and pad
    • If approach shoes are worn, mountaineering boots may be on outside of pack as well
  • Sleeping Bag - down or synthetic, 20º F or warmer
  • Compression Sack - for sleeping bag
  • Sleeping Pad - closed cell foam or self inflating (or both)
  • Headlamp - lightweight LED recommended
  • 2 Water Bottles - liter bottles, wide mouth recommended
  • Water purification - tablets or filter
  • Bowl and Cup - bowl is optional if eating from freeze-dried meal bags
  • Spoon, Fork, or Spork
  • Small Knife
  • Sunglasses - adequate for snow travel
  • Sunscreen - SPF 25+, waterproof
  • Lip Balm - SPF 15+
  • Lighter
  • Personal Toiletries - keep it simple: toothbrush, tiny toothpaste, hand sanitizer
  • Small Personal First Aid Kit - just the basics: blister care, ibuprofin, prescription meds, etc.; your guides will have a substantial group first aid kit
  • Toilet Paper (blue bags provided by PGS)
Technical Gear
  • All round ice axe (steel head), about 50cm
  • Mountaineering Boots - crampon compatible
  • Boot Crampons - 10-12 point steel with anti-ball plates, pre-fit to boots
  • Climbing Harness - mountaineering style preferred (no padding; ex: Petzl Altitude, Black Diamond Couloir)
  • Adjustable Trekking Pole(s) - nice to have for approach/crevasse navigation
  • Helmet - climbing helmet UIAA approved
  • other equipment for ice climbing and anchor construction:
    • 4 Locking Carabiners - 2 large/2 small with at least 1 large HMS style
    • 4 Non-locking Carabiners - any style, we recommend wire gates
    • 1 Single Length Dyneema/Dynex Runner/Sling (60cm/24in diameter loop)
    • 1 Double Length Dyneema/Dynex Runner/Sling (120cm/48in diameter loop)
    • 1 Cordelette - 6 mm cord, 6 meter length
    • 1 Cordelette - 6 mm cord, 3 meter length
    • 1-2 Prussik Loops - 3-4 feet of 6mm cordelette tied in loop with double fisherman's knot or a Sterling Hollowblock
    • 1-2 ice screws - 13-17 cm long
Optional Items
  • Ear Plugs - essential for sound sleep
  • Camp Booties
  • Thermos - vacuum type
  • Electrolytes - tablets/powder/gel/blocks
  • Note Pad and Pencil - Rite-in-the-Rain brand waterproof notebooks work well
  • Compass - adjustable declination a must
  • Altimeter - Suunto watch works well
  • Map Case - large Ziploc bag works well
  • Maps - contact guiding office for appropriate quadrangles
  • Tibloc and/or MicroTraxion devices
  • Collapsible Water Canteen - good for storing snowmelt at camp
  • Liner socks - if blister-prone
  • Warm Socks - to sleep in
  • Approach shoes--lightweight running shoes work well
  • Foot Powder
  • Neck gaiter - for protecting your face from sun, wind, cold
  • Post-course care kit (to leave in car): cotton T-shirt, flip flops, favorite treats

PGS Supplied

  • Tents
  • Elaborate First Aid Kit
  • Ropes
  • Emergency communication devices
  • Stoves, Fuel
  • Blue Bags
Equipment Sales & Rental

Gearing Up Adventurers Since 1999 

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FAQs

Should I tip my guide?

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 a flat amount that you are comfortable with.

Why Book With Us? 

Certified Professional Guides & All Access
All of our guides have the highest quality training and certification in the industry, and you can be sure that we have the permits, licenses and insurance in every location we operate.
Safe, Well-Planned Tour Design
Every tour has a carefully thought-out guide-to-customer ratio. You always get a safe, high-quality trip or learning environment with us.
Pioneers In The Industry
You will travel and learn from experts. We've pioneered several alpine climbing routes, ski descents, and traverses and we've written books on skills and routes in the industry. 
Read Our story
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