Mt. Shuksan – North Cascades National Park
Standing 9,131 feet tall, Mt Shuksan’s rugged metamorphic walls and spectacular hanging glaciers have made it one of the most photographed peaks in the world. Our three day climb of Mt. Shuksan offers beginner-level climbers a challenging and breathtaking experience, with expansive views over North Cascades National Park and Mt. Baker.
Our professional guides will help you navigate the Sulphide Glacier route, complete with massive crevasses, moderate snow and ice slopes, and a 700ft. section of rock scrambling. Once at base camp we will coach you on the skills necessary for safe glacier travel, including ice axe arrest, use of crampons, climbing knots to attach to the rope, and rockfall hazard assessment. Following this climb you will have the skills necessary to attempt more challenging routes in the Cascades, such as the West Ridge of Forbidden Peak or the North Ridge of Mt. Baker.
Skills Covered during the climb:
- Selection of personal gear and packing for a glacier climb
- Ice axe positioning and self-arrest techniques
- Walking on steep snow slopes with and without crampons
- Climbing knots
- Glacier travel skills
- Navigation and route finding
- Hazard assessment
- Cold weather camping skills
- Leave No Trace
Duration
3 DaysPassport
Not Required for AmericansMinimum Age
13 years oldActivity
MountaineeringAccommodation
Tents
- All permits and fees
- Stoves/Cook Kits
- Tents
- Group climbing equipment
- Guide Services
- Pre-trip Planning/Information session on packing and gear
- Backpacking, mountaineering, and general outdoor safety skills

- Transportation (We will help arrange carpools or transportation can be provided for extra fees)
- All Meals, Hot Drinks or Snacks
- Gratuities for Guides
- Meet at a convenient Park & Ride at 8:00 am in the Seattle Area. Set up carpools.
- Drive from Seattle to the trailhead (2,500 feet). Approximate driving time is 3 hours.
- Listen to a briefing at the trailhead.
- Hike to base camp (5,400 feet) taking breaks to eat, hydrate, enjoy views, and take pictures. Approximate hiking time 5-6 hours.
- Set up camp with the help of your guides.
- Begin lessons about snow walking and basic ice axe skills.
- Review snow walking, ice axe skills, and crampon use
- Learn the ropes: knots, rope management, rope team travel, anchors
- Basics of glacier travel: attaching to a rope, team movement around crevasse hazards, and rockfall hazard and management
- Skills practice time
- Set up rope teams. Pack summit packs for the summit attempt.
- The summit day begins early with an alpine start. Usually we wake-up around 2 am, depending on conditions and the fitness of our team.
- Rope up and start climbing by 3 am.
- Depending on route conditions and group fitness we usually summit between 7 and 9 AM
- Return to base camp. Pack-up, head down and celebrate a great climb.