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Trip

Classic Alpine Adventures in the North Cascades

Overview

Choose your own adventure! For a week we will climb some of the nicest north faces, ridges and classic alpine routes of the North Cascades. Trips usually run 6 days and can be scheduled at your convenience.  July, August, and September are the ideal months for this adventure.  Please contact us to schedule your Classic Alpine Adventure!

$2,700 Per Person
7 Days
Difficulty
Ratio:
2:1

Trip Information

$2,700
Price based on 2 climbers per guide. 425-888-6397 x2 | info@proguiding.com

Choose your own adventure. For a week we will climb some of the nicest north faces, ridges, and classic alpine routes of the North Cascades. Here are some suggestions: Mount Shuksan North Face, Mount Buckner North Face, Forbidden Peak North West Buttress, Mount Goode North East Buttress, Mount Baker Coleman Headwall, Johannesberg Mountain Northeast Face. This strenuous week offers some of the best climbing in the Pacific Northwest. It will be a week you will never forget.

Most of these weeks are arranged on a private basis, so the particular itinerary generally depends on the weather, conditions, and the wishes of the people who sign up.  See below for a shortlist of suggestions out of a very long list of possible objectives.

Route suggestions:
  • Mount Baker North Ridge
  • Forbidden Peak West Ridge
  • Forbidden North West Buttress
  • Torment – Forbidden Traverse
  • Forbidden Peak North Ridge
  • Formidable North Ridge
  • Mount Johannesburg1963 Route
  • Mount Goode NE Buttress
  • Mount Triumph
  • El Dorado West Ridge
  • Goode North East Buttress
And much more…..
Duration: 7
Ratio: 2:1
Difficulty Level:
Click here to learn more about difficulty ratings.

Overall Difficulty: Difficult

Skills Required: Prior mountaineering experience required; One should have glacier travel experience, solid cramponing and rock climbing skills up to 5.6 YDS. Continuous movement in exposed terrain should not be a problem. Elementary rope handling skills such as tying in, rappelling, and belaying are required.

Fitness Required: Excellent physical fitness; you should be able to hike or climb for more than six hours with a pack varying from 20 to 40 pounds and ascend 4,000 to 5,000 feet of vertical gain per day for up to a week.


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

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

$2,700
per person
Price based on 2 climbers per guide. 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
  • Sock liners - 1 pair
Mid Layer
  • Windshirt or light soft shell jacket
  • Fleece or similar warm layer
  • Synthetic climbing or hiking pants
  • Approach shorts (if weather is appropriate)
Outerwear
  • Lightweight Waterproof/Breathable Jacket
  • Lightweight Waterproof/Breathable Pants --may substitute soft shell pants if forecast is good
  • Warm Hat - should cover your ears
  • Sun Hat - baseball cap or visor
  • Lightweight Gloves - wind block or fleece/wool (an extra pair is a good idea)
  • Light Down or Synthetic Puffy-type Jacket
  • Gaiters - low top or full size (may not be necessary in late season)
Personal Gear
  • Internal Frame Pack - 50 Liter/3100 cu.in. minimum
  • Sleeping Bag - down or synthetic, 20º F or warmer
  • Compression Sack - for sleeping bag
  • Sleeping Pad - closed cell foam or self inflating
  • 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, ibuprofen, prescription meds, etc.; your guides will have a substantial group first aid kit
  • Toilet Paper (blue bags provided by PGS)
Technical Gear
  • Ice axe - 50-55 cm, light (may not be necessary in late season)
  • Light Mountaineering/hiking boots or approach shoes- crampon compatible
  • Boot Crampons - lightweight/aluminum (may not be necessary in late season)
  • Rock climbing shoes (depending on objective)
  • Climbing harness
  • Climbing helmet - UIAA approved
  • Climbing equipment:
    • 2 Locking carabiners - 1 regular and 1 large HMS style
    • 4 Non-locking carabiners - any style, we recommend wire gates
    • 1 Single Length Sling (60cm/24in diameter loop)
    • 1 Double Length Sling (120cm/48in diameter loop)
    • 1 Belay Device
    • Personal Anchor System
Optional Items
  • Ear Plugs - essential for sound sleep
  • 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
  • Collapsible Water Canteen - good for storing water at camp
  • Adjustable Trekking Pole(s) - nice to have for approach/crevasse navigation
  • Warm Socks - to sleep in
  • Neck gaiter - for protecting your face from sun, wind, cold

PGS Supplied

  • Tents
  • Ropes
  • Stoves
  • Fuel
  • Blue Bags
  • Technical group gear (rock protection, etc.)
  • Emergency communication devices
  • Elaborate group first aid kit
Equipment Sales & Rental

Gearing Up Adventurers Since 1999 

Be prepared for every adventure by visiting our sister business—Pro Ski and Mountain Service. Order online or visit us in store in North Bend, Washington. Check out our discounts on rentals and purchases when you book a trip or course with us.
10% Off purchases and 20% Off rentals for Pro Guiding Service guests
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FAQs

Where will we be climbing?

We will be climbing in the North Cascades National Park or in the Mount Baker Wilderness. Access roads to the various trailheads are quite diverse and will be communicated to you once the climbing objectives have been established.

Does PGS provide food?

No, you are responsible for your own food. We are glad to help with food suggestions, though!

What size pack will I need?

Try to fit your gear into a 50 liter pack. If the week is conducted out of an established basecamp, you could consider a bigger pack along with a summit pack.

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
Resources

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