MULTI-DAY TRIP: Mt Baker & Mt Shuksan

Total Distance: 30.5 miles round trip (15 for Baker, 15.5 for Shuksan)
Total Elevation Gain: 14,300' (7500' for Baker, 6800' for Shuksan)
Altitude: 2500' - 10,779'
Terrain Description: Trail to start on both peaks, then roped glacier travel, and a class 3-4 summit block on Shuksan
Approximate Hiking Time: 32-40 hours (16-20 for Baker, 16-20 for Shuksan)

Come celebrate the Fourth of July at high camp at the edge of a glacier on Mount Baker!

This will be a trip to summit two nearby prominent glaciated peaks in northern Washington state. For this trip you must have taken or be taking a snow school class this winter, with glacier experience preferred. These are serious mountains!

This trip will require strong physical fitness, strong crevasse rescue skills, and good teamwork from all participants. Participants will be chosen solely at the coordinator's discretion. Just because you are on the going list on Meetup does NOT guarantee you a spot. And vice versa, if you are on the waiting list, you may be chosen over someone on the going list.

That being said, if you are motivated to go, and train with the group, as well as on your own, you can go. We will have some training, both training hikes, and crevasse rescue practice leading up to the trip, but the bulk of the training and practice is on the individual.

The plan is do Baker first, meeting at 8am at the trailhead for the Easton Glacier route on Mt Baker (Schriebers Meadow). Friday morning 7/4, we will pack in to base camp for Baker. Saturday, 7/5, we will rope up and get an alpine start to go for the summit of Baker, return to camp, and pack out.

Then we will make the short drive to the trailhead for Mt Shuksan via the Sulphide Glacier route. Climbing Mt Shuksan does require a permit. We have a permit for 6 people. We may be able to get it via email, or we may have to pick it up the ranger station when they open at 8am. Either way, we would hike in to base camp Sunday 7/6, then with a semi-alpine start, rope up, and go for the summit Monday 7/7, before decending to camp, breaking camp and hiking out. The summit block of Shuksan is 500 feet of class 3-4 scrambling, often complicated by patches of snow and ice. We likely will free climb it, but rappel down it.

We can figure more logistics as it gets closer. I plan to drive, but flying is a more time-efficient option.

We can discuss more about gear, but you everyone will need:
Crampons
Ice Ax
Helmet
Mountaineering boots that work with your crampons
Harness (with rappel device and at least 4 carabiners, of which at least 2 locking)
4 Prussiks (2 for personal self-rescue, 2 for team crevasse rescue)
Gaiters (optional)
A variety of layers for all types of weather
Sleeping bag rated to least 20 degrees
Sleeping pad

Then, group gear to be shared:
Tents
Snow pickets
Shovels
Ropes
Water Filters
Stoves/Fuel

Please remember to answer the question after RSVPing. If you are using a phone, the question may not appear. If not, please check back again to answer the question.

To participate in this outing, you must be a current, paid member of LVMC. You can obtain a membership via this link: https://lvmc.org/joinrenew. It is $20 per year for a family/roommates or $15 per year for an individual. Please contact your organizer if you have any questions.