Summit and Ski Cascade Peaks
Summit and Ski Cascade Peaks
Summit and Ski Cascade Peaks
Summit and Ski Cascade Peaks
Summit and Ski Cascade Peaks
Summit and Ski Cascade Peaks

Summit and Ski Cascade Peaks

Starting from

$749.00
/

This trip is booked on a custom basis. Call us to learn more and start planning your adventure today!
(206) 413-5418

Location

The cascade volcanoes provide the perfect opportunity to combine mountaineering with backcountry skiing. This one-day, 12 hour guided trip will take you through big glaciers, and up steep snowy faces of Mt. Hood or Mt. Baker. You'll be rewarded with the ski run of your life! Surely the most fun and adventurous way to descend these mountains. In our opinion, this is the best way to explore the mountains in the Pacific Northwest!

This is an advanced course. Previous mountaineering and backcountry touring experience is a must, along with excellent fitness. Please see the "Walk in With" tab below for entry requirements.

Duration

  • 1 day
  • 12 hours

Season

  • Winter

Client:Guide Ratio

3:1 Mt Baker/2:1 Mt. Hood

Minimum Participants

2

Mt. Hood - This trip requires an alpine start. Meet your instructor at Timberline Lodge at 4pm the day before your climb to go over equipment and finish loading your packs. Try to get a few hours of sleep in the parking lot before a midnight wake up. We will get moving right away, skinning or hiking as conditions allow. We will take breaks approximately every hour/1000ft of elevation gain. Plan to travel on or with skis until reaching the Hogsback around 10,400ft. Under most conditions we will drop our skis there and continue to the summit on foot. When we return, your skis will be waiting for you to carve and float 4,500 vertical feet back down to the base. You can expect to be back to the parking lot around 1pm.

Mt. Baker - This trip requires an alpine start. Meet your instructor at the trailhead at 4pm the day before your climb to go over equipment and finish loading your packs. Try to get a few hours of sleep in the parking lot before a midnight wake up. We will get moving right away, skinning or hiking as conditions allow. We will take breaks approximately every hour/1000ft of elevation gain. When we arrive at the glacier we will rope up and continue up the mountain. Under most conditions we will be able to travel on or with skis to the summit itself. From there an epic 7,000 foot descent awaits! You can expect to be back to the trailhead around 2pm.

  • AIARE Level 1 Certification.
  • Mount Hood Skills Course or equivalent.
  • Ability to safely travel on moderate to steep snow slopes with crampons and ice axe.
  • Backcountry Ski/Split Beginner Course or equivalent experience.
  • At least 2 full years of ski/splitboard touring experience.
  • Advanced skiing or snowboarding skills (ability to ski or ride black diamond runs and off-piste in all snow conditions).
  • Avalanche Rescue Course or ongoing practice is recommended.
  • Any additional backcountry or mountaineering experience will enhance your ability to learn, but is not required.
  • Ability to skin & hike for 8+ hours and ascend 5000-7000' with a 30-40 lb pack.

Mount Baker

All of the above PLUS:

  • Upon registration, you will receive a confirmation email full of important information - make sure to read it thoroughly!
  • 7-10 days before your trip you will receive an email from your guide containing even more details, including the exact meetup location and time.
  • Plan to attend a virtual pre-trip meeting in the evening a few days before your course begins. This is required and a great opportunity to meet your guide, review gear, discuss your trip plan, and ask any last minute questions. For Sat-Sun AIARE courses plan on Thursday 6:30-8:30pm; otherwise the exact time of your meeting will be set by your instructor and noted in their welcome email.
  • Leading up to your course, make sure to eat healthy, drink extra water, and get plenty of sleep.
  • Please arrive on time and ready to go at your pre-arranged meeting location. Upon arrival, we'll distribute any group gear and finish loading our packs. From there we will caravan to the trailhead.
  • All along the way, our office team is available via email or phone to answer any questions you may have.

This trip will leave you with knowledge and practical application of:

  • The special equipment, knots, and hitches needed for ski mountaineering.
  • Glacier rigging, rope team travel and rope management.
  • Use of navigational tools.
  • Using crampons and ice axe on steep slopes.
  • Self-Arrest and self-belay.
  • Building snow anchors.
  • Decision making and communication in a small group.
  • Self-care in the mountains.
  • Mountain weather.
  • Mountain hazards and safe travel practices.
  • Route planning and summit planning.
  • Basic emergency response.

PLUS:

  • A fun experience you’ll remember forever! 
  • A sense of accomplishment in achieving your goals for the trip.
  • Confidence in your newfound skills and where to take them next.
  • Tips and tricks to add to your toolbox from our professional and knowledgeable guides.

Payment & Cancellation Policies

Travel Information & Trip Insurance

Meet the Team

Gratuities

FAQs

Equipment Lists

Required Gear

  1. Helmet and goggles for downhill riding
  2. Ski or splitboard setup
    -boots *hard boots are strongly preferred for splitboarders
    -skis/splitboard
    -appropriate bindings
    -climbing skins
    -poles 
  3. Mountaineering crampons that fit your boots *or mountaineering boots and crampons if using soft splitboard boots
  4. 30-50L backpack to carry gear *including avalanche safety equipment 
  5. Insulating/puffy layer
  6. Waterproof layers *hooded jacket and pants/bibs
  7. Head/face protection 
    -sun hat *baseball cap is great
    -neck gaiter *buff
    -sunglasses with good side coverage
  8. Moisture wicking, non-cotton base layer top and bottom
  9. Climbing gear
    -harness
    -2 pear-shaped locking carabiners 
    -mountaineering axe
  10. 2 pairs of gloves 
    -insulating gloves
    -waterproof gloves
  11. Personal kit
    -sunscreen *SPF 40 or higher
    -lip balm
    -headlamp and extra batteries
    -toiletries *please bring a plastic baggie for waste
    -personal medications and first aid
  12. Avalanche safety gear
    -transceiver
    -shovel
    -probe *longer is better for the maritime snowpack
  13. Water bottles/thermos with 2L capacity


Not Pictured/Optional Gear
☐ Pre-made lunch items, easy to eat with gloves on
☐ Handy pocket items; gel, chews, bars, etc. ☐ Ski crampons  ☐ Whistle ☐ Area maps and compass 
☐ Heavy duty plastic trash bags (for water-proofing)
☐ Camera ☐ Watch ☐ Half foam pad to stand/sit in snow ☐ Bandana

Car Equipment (items to keep in your car) *All of these items are optional but recommended when traveling in the mountains in winter.
☐ Water bottle or thermos ☐ Non-perishable food (salty snacks!) ☐ Comfortable and warm cloths, socks, and shoes ☐ First aid kit ☐ Folding saw ☐ Shovel ☐ Warm blanket or sleeping bag ☐ Tire chains

What Kaf Provides

  1. Climbing rope
  2. Group first aid kit and medical supplies 
  3. Snow/ice protection *ice screws and pickets