Learn new mountaineering skills and build the confidence to tackle your own summit! This 4 day adventure course takes place on the glacier of El Dorado Peak in the North Cascades, and includes a summit attempt on day 3. It is geared towards aspiring mountaineers looking to gain experience and knowledge on a classic North Cascades Peak. With stunning summit views and a knife edge ridge leading to El Dorado Peak, this route provides the optimal environment for learning while still retaining a sense of adventure. Students will learn glacier travel on a rope team, self arrest techniques, crevasse rescue, and other skills necessary to safely ascend glaciated peaks.
Day 1: Meet your guides at 7:00 am at the Park and Forest Information Center in Sedro-Woolley, Washington. Do a quick gear check before traveling to the Wilderness Information Center for permits, then it’s onwards to the trailhead (approximately 2 hours drive total). Hike to low camp on Eldorado Ridge, following the trail through dense forest, over boulder fields, and past rushing waterfalls (8-10 hours hike time, 4,000 ft ascent). Set up camp and enjoy a hot meal.
Day 2: After breakfast, you’ll have a morning alpine skills course, including self arrest techniques and traveling on a rope team. Afterward, you’ll pack up camp and hike up Eldorado Glacier to high camp on Inspiration Glacier (4-5 hours hike time, 1,500 ft ascent). Set up camp and dinner while taking in sweeping views of the North Cascades, surrounding glacier lakes, and tomorrow’s summit. There will be additional skills review as time permits.
Day 3: Set off on your ascent of Eldorado Peak, via the Knife Ridge, a 1,300-foot ascent (using your newly acquired mountaineering skills). This route is challenging both physically and mentally, but the 360 degree views of Mt. Baker, Glacier Peak, and Forbidden Peak are well worth the effort! Return to high camp, where you’ll have lunch and pack, then hike back to low camp to spend the night.
Day 4: Break down camp and hike back to the trailhead (6-8 hours), then return to Sedro-Woolley for the conclusion of the trip.
Trip includes: Permits, transport to trailhead, group gear (tents, stoves, etc), technical gear (mountain axe, crampons, helmet), meals, and a professional guide.
Day 2: After breakfast, you’ll have a morning alpine skills course, including self arrest techniques and traveling on a rope team. Afterward, you’ll pack up camp and hike up Eldorado Glacier to high camp on Inspiration Glacier (4-5 hours hike time, 1,500 ft ascent). Set up camp and dinner while taking in sweeping views of the North Cascades, surrounding glacier lakes, and tomorrow’s summit. There will be additional skills review as time permits.
Day 3: Set off on your ascent of Eldorado Peak, via the Knife Ridge, a 1,300-foot ascent (using your newly acquired mountaineering skills). This route is challenging both physically and mentally, but the 360 degree views of Mt. Baker, Glacier Peak, and Forbidden Peak are well worth the effort! Return to high camp, where you’ll have lunch and pack, then hike back to low camp to spend the night.
Day 4: Break down camp and hike back to the trailhead (6-8 hours), then return to Sedro-Woolley for the conclusion of the trip.
Trip includes: Permits, transport to trailhead, group gear (tents, stoves, etc), technical gear (mountain axe, crampons, helmet), meals, and a professional guide.