Mt. Shuksan -- adorned with chaotic hanging glaciers and deep cirques, sharp jagged aretes and ridges, and steep walls of rock and snow -- epitomizes the jagged alpine peak.  For climbers interested in exploring the skills and environs of summer alpine climbing, the North Cascades offers world class terrain in which to learn.

We first establish a comfortable, well stocked base camp from which to make day and overnight trips.  Mountain living skills are reinforced on these forays. With numerous routes to choose from and low guide-to-guest ratios, we can satisfy all of our team members' climbing interests.

Using ice ax and crampons, we concentrate first on basic mountain travel skills on snow and ice.  Once mastered, we are ready to venture out into the heavily crevassed glacier, moving in rope teams of three or four.  We talk about glacier formation, hazard evaluation, and route finding, then rope management and protection in mixed terrain.  As we learn, we can make a number of ascents in the area ranging from snow and ice climbs to technical rock.

We maintain a 4:1 guest-to-guide ratio while climbing.  We develop the day to day itinerary as a team to suit the level of skill, interests, and commitment of our members.

This expedition is well suited to those with some basic mountaineering background.  Team members must have strong three-season mountain living skills and some winter camping experience.  They need not have previously climbed technical rock or ice routes, but a working knowledge of common climbing knots and rope management is advantageous.

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