April 12, 2012

Since Mt. Baker is relatively new to the IMG lineup let’s take a look at the spec sheet:

Height:*10, 781 (4th highest in WA).
Weight: This is an excellent question. First you take ∏ • r² (Pi times radius squared) to get the area of a circle. Next you take into account the density of water vs. magma…add in the massive snowfall (see record below)…carry the 1 and you come up with… climbing Baker is easier than math.
Record:  Undefeated. It is a volcano!
Official Record: *1140 inches of snowfall (1998-99).
Glaciers: *13. Covering 16 square miles.
First Climbed: *1868 (Edmund Thomas Coleman)
(*Source: US Forest Service)

Mt. Baker

Forget the math and join us on the Easton Glacier on Mt. Baker in the North Cascades. Whether you’re a first time climber or a seasoned veteran of the Pacific Northwest we’re certain you won’t be disappointed.

Dates
July 19-21, 2012
August 4-6, 2012 (one space left)
August 24-26, 2012 (three spaces left)

Landcost: $850 (includes guides, group gear, breakfasts & dinners – among other things).

Tye Chapman

February 28, 2012

We just received our annual permit from the National Forest Service and are now happy to announce our 2012 Mt. Baker dates!

Mt. Baker

August 21, 2011

Mt. Baker

Quick update from IMG Guide Aaron Mainer who called in from high camp on Baker to report that the team summited this afternoon (a day early due to the forecast) and are safely back at camp. They’ll enjoy a full night in their sleeping bags tonight before making their way out to the trailhead tomorrow.

Tye Chapman

August 5, 2011

IMG client Katie Kaluza chimes in with her recent Mt. Baker experience with IMG…

“When I signed up to climb Mt Rainer with IMG this past spring, I had no expectations.  The whole idea started and ended over beers in Mexico.   Without much research my friend Trish and I decided it was something we just had to do and sent in our forms once back in the states!  Once we realized what we actually committed ourselves to, we were scared! With training, the right gear, great weather and a super fun group we had a ball, one of the best times ever.  We failed to summit but either way, I was hooked. While the guides did an excellent job of giving us tips, pointers, and showing us the proper technique for “blue bagging”, the most important thing I learned on Rainier is that I didn’t know anything at all. Which brings me to Mt Baker.

I decided for my next climb I needed some serious training so I would not be the “Dope on a rope” as teammate Joe named us.  One afternoon, while hard at work surfing the IMG website I saw they had a new climb! A three day Baker trip that included crevasse rescue, rope skills, all while getting the chance to summit.  I was in! SOLD! Sent in my form and showed up on a beautiful Friday morning in late July.

We met at the ranger stating in Sedro Woolley. After a quick gear check, assignment of group food/gear, several coats of sunscreen we were off.   Again, I was blessed with a wonderful, kind and fun team, including one of the same guides from Rainer, Dustin! Our route was to be the Easton glacier. We made our way across a stream, over rocks, through the trees and came out at Schreiber’s Meadow, looking up at the summit, breathtaking.  We continued up the railroad grade and came to rest at 6500ft, set up camp and started dinner (Which was delicious)! Who knew mac and cheese with sausage and peas would be such a great combo, a mountain delight. Maybe we were just hungry.   Ty and Dustin decided that due to weather, we would summit the following day.  Before bed we went over rope travel, walking with crampons, and various other glacier travel skills.

We woke up at 4:45, when an “independent” team decided to go over rope training right outside our tents. Not happy. We saw them again on the mountain and were thankful for the expertise and knowledge of our guides.   After a quick breakfast we were off.  The views were incredible. After 5 hours we made the summit! We celebrated with high-fives, water and a snack, all while taking in the views.  We scurried down back to camp, unloaded our packs and got ready for training. We went over gear, and how to use it. Again, I was reminded of how much I didn’t know and how much I need to learn, which is why I was there.  With the assistance of our guides Dustin and Ty, we set up a pulley system and learned how to pull someone out of a crevasse, should someone go in.  After another delicious dinner we packed up our gear and retired to our tents, ready for our Sunday decent.

This trip was different than my Rainer climb. Smaller group, more training and less pressure. It was a perfect way to spend weekend in the pacific NW and something I’d highly recommend.”

-Katie Kaluza

July 31, 2011

A tasty treat after summiting. (Photo by Dustin Balderach)

IMG Guide Dustin Balderach reported 100% on top of Mt. Baker yesterday. The team climbed a day earlier than scheduled taking advantage of yesterday afternoon’s weather window and from the sounds of it, they had a heck of a climb. They made it back to camp for dinner and even an evening training session.

They’ll wake up (already having summited – nice) have a leisurely breakfast then jump into a short training session to round things out before making their way to the trailhead.

Nice work everbody!

Tye Chapman

July 30, 2011

Yesterday afternoon got word from IMG Guide Ty Gimenez, who is leading our team on Mt. Baker – “all is well”. They camped at 6500ft. and given the strength of the team and iffy weather forecast they were considering climbing today. We’ll know more on the teams decision & progress later this afternoon or tomorrow morning.

Good cell reception on the Easton Glacier allowed IMG Guide Dustin Balderach to sneak out a couple photos.

Tye Chapman