Komo Kushan / Mount Baker Ski Mountaineering Course

Three-Day Komo Kushan / Mount Baker Ski Mountaineering Course in the North Cascades

This Mount Baker ski mountaineering and glacier climbing course is designed for individuals seeking to build essential skills in snow, ice, and glacier travel on one of Washington’s most iconic glaciated peaks. Students learn current industry standard mountaineering techniques for safe ascent and descent, preparing them for successful climbs and ski descents on glaciated mountains in the North Cascades and beyond. The goal of this course is to develop confident, self-reliant ski mountaineers ready to explore Mount Baker and other major alpine objectives independently. This program offers an excellent foundation for skiers looking to gain independence in the alpine environment and develop ski touring skills for glaciated terrain.

Set in the dramatic alpine terrain of Komo Kushan / Mount Baker, this three-day course provides unmatched hands-on instruction in a real glacier environment. Active glaciers, variable snow conditions, and sweeping views of the North Cascades create an ideal learning setting for glacier travel, crevasse rescue, and ski mountaineering skills. The course typically concludes with a Komo Kushan / Mount Baker summit attempt, giving participants the opportunity to apply newly developed skills on a classic Pacific Northwest alpine climb.

Mount Baker Ski Mountaineering & Glacier Climbing Course Overview

Course Level & Prerequisites

This is an intermediate to advanced-level Komo Kushan / Mount Baker ski mountaineering course designed for experienced skiers and riders looking to expand their skills in glaciated alpine terrain. Level 1 avalanche training, intermediate ski ability, and previous ski touring experience are strongly recommended. The course is open to alpine touring skiers, telemark skiers, and splitboarders.

Participants should be prepared for the physical and technical demands of ski mountaineering on Mount Baker’s glaciers and steep snow terrain.

Physical & Technical Requirements

This course involves challenging terrain and demanding conditions commonly found on Komo Kushan / Mount Baker and other North Cascades peaks, including:

Skiing with a day pack and overnight pack up to 45 lbs
Travel in intermediate to advanced alpine terrain, including slopes up to black diamond difficulty
Glacier travel and steep snow climbing
Long days in potentially adverse mountain weather
Strong fitness and confidence skiing variable snow and terrain

Skiers and riders should be in excellent physical condition and capable of moving efficiently in complex alpine environments.

Komo Kushan / Mount Baker Ski Mountaineering Course Curriculum

Instruction focuses on the practical skills needed for safe and efficient travel on Mount Baker’s active glaciers, with an emphasis on real-world application.

Terrain Management

Hazard assessment, efficiency, and movement speed
Uphill track setting and terrain management
Downhill terrain evaluation and decision-making

Snow & Glacier Travel Skills

Snow climbing techniques and ice axe positioning
Self-arrest techniques
Crampon use for snow and ice climbing
Roped glacier travel and route finding through crevassed terrain

Technical Mountaineering Systems

Snow and ice anchor selection, construction, and equalization
Prusiking and team crevasse rescue
Rappelling and rope management

Mountain Awareness & Navigation

Glacier formation, glaciology, and crevasse pattern prediction
Navigation using maps, altimeters, and compasses
Mountain weather, alpine ecology, hazard assessment
Leave No Trace ethics in alpine environments

Komo Kushan / Mount Baker Ski Mountaineering Course – Itinerary

Itinerary

Day 1: Approach to Base Camp & Snow Skills Training

6:30 a.m. orientation begins with an initial meeting and full equipment check, followed by a drive to the Mount Baker trailhead. From there, we begin the approach to base camp. This approach is very strenuous, typically taking 4–6 hours, depending on route choice, snow conditions, and group fitness—this is where your training pays off.

You’ll skin through ancient forests and snow-covered alpine meadows en route to our Komo Kushan / Mount Baker basecamp. After camp is established, instruction focuses on foundational snow and ski mountaineering skills, including:

Proper ice axe use and positioning
Traveling in balance on snow
Self-belay and self-arrest techniques
Placing snow protection and constructing snow anchors
Basic belay techniques

We cap the day with a short evening ski run before dinner.

Day 2: Glacier Travel & Crevasse Rescue on Komo Kushan / Mount Baker

Day two begins with instruction on crampon use and steeper snow climbing. The focus then shifts to the skills required for safe and efficient glacier travel on Komo Kulshan / Mount Baker, including:

Roped glacier travel techniques
Proper rope spacing and team management
Self-rescue and prusiking techniques
When to rope up while traveling on skis versus snowshoes or crampons

We continue building glacier travel skills and dive into crevasse rescue training. Students gain hands-on experience with:

Placing effective snow anchors and bollards
Equalizing anchors to create strong, redundant systems
Crevasse rescue pulley systems, from fundamentals to advanced techniques

After learning proper rope team travel techniques, the group completes a short glacier tour, reinforcing the day’s lessons in real terrain. We’ll finish with a ski run down to camp.

Day 3 (Summit Day): Mount Baker Ascent & Descent

After an alpine start and early breakfast, the group begins the climb toward the summit of Komo Kushan / Mount Baker. This is where participants apply the full range of skills developed throughout the course while ascending a classic Cascade volcano.

Depending on conditions and group pace, the ascent typically takes 5–8 hours. After enjoying summit views, a snack, students lead their rope teams back toward high camp, finishing with a well-earned ski descent.

We then break camp, pack up, and return to the trailhead.

Itinerary Note

While we strive to follow this itinerary, ski mountaineering on Mount Baker requires flexibility. Weather, snow conditions, and route safety may require adjustments to ensure a safe and rewarding alpine experience.