Climb Glacier Peak!
Kula Climb – Glacier Peak
A Guided 4-Day Climb
Trip Vision:
Glacier Peak (Dakobed) is the fourth highest peak in Washington, but it’s unique in its remoteness. Climbing Glacier is like climbing the heart of the Cascades. Over four days we’ll backpack into the peak, make an attempt at the summit and return home. But truly we’ll try hard and laugh; learn some mountaineering skills and share beautiful sunsets. Glacier peak truly feels like an expedition.
Beginners Welcome:
Glacier Peak welcomes strong, seasoned hikers with no prior mountaineering experience AND experienced climbers seeking a more remote climb destination in the Cascade Range. Our four-day itinerary provides sufficient time for our guides to teach mountaineering skills, ensuring a secure and successful ascent.
What’s Included:
- All group mountaineering gear: ropes, carabiners, slings, group tents
- Expert guides
- Breakfasts and dinners
- Pre-Climb Zoom meetups to create camaraderie and connections before the trip,
- Suggested Training hikes
- A few Kula surprises
What’s NOT Included:
- Transportation to the trailhead
- Personal outdoor gear (see gear list)
- Lunches and snacks for the climbing days
- Tips for guides
- Northwest Forest Pass for Parking at the Trailhead
Day 1: We’ll meet near Sedro Wooley at 9:30 am to go through gear and make sure we have everything we need for our adventure. We’ll start the hike in through beautiful old growth and make camp overlooking the Cascades.
Day 2: We’ll hike to our advanced basecamp and prepare ourselves for summit day the following day.
Day 3. Summit day! An early wakeup and we’ll do our best to be standing on the summit by afternoon.
Day 4. We’ll hike the whole way out to the cars and return back to Seattle. Don’t worry… it’s almost all downhill.
Climb Glacier Peak
Gear List
Please see the gear list here.
Gear rental:
If you do not have all of the necessary equipment, REI’s Flagship Store in Seattle has a Rental Department with very affordable Mountaineering Packages that includes: mountaineering boots, crampons, ice axe and helmet starting at $64.
I n addition, they have excellent resources on:
Food Planning
Meals will be delicious backcountry cuisine. We’ve spent a lot of years in the backcountry and we like to eat well! That being said, we also don’t love heavy packs. Our meals strike a balance between dehydrated backpacker food and gourmet fresh — in that balance are delicious meals without crazy weight. We can accommodate most dietary restrictions if they’re clearly explained on your signup form. Please reach out with questions. We will be unable to change the menu within 3 weeks of the trip start.
We will supply all the breakfasts, dinners, and occasional desserts for the trip. We ask guests to pack their own lunch snacks. On our trips, lunch is between when breakfast ends and dinner begins — snack away!
Some things to think about when packing snacks:
- Plan for around ⅓ to ½ pound of snacks per day depending on your appetite.
- Try to find foods that are low bulk but high calories.
- Pack your snacks in bags so they’re not loose in your backpack
Snack ideas:
Trail mix is a go-to for many, but the list of tasty snack options is expansive. Banana chips, no-bake energy bites, chocolate-covered cashews or almonds, spicy nuts, dried fruit (apples, mangos, cranberries), fruit leather, string cheese, crackers, fig bars, peanut butter pretzels, cookies, Chex mix, sesame sticks, pumpkin seeds, gummy bears, licorice and candy bars are just a few choices. For more ideas, read Snack Hacks for Any Outdoor Adventure.
Physical Training
This is a physically demanding climb and you should be in the best shape of your life to undertake it. Most people underestimate the physical challenges of the long hike in with a heavy pack and the demands of climbing above 10,000 feet. As a result of this underestimation they spend more time struggling internally and have less resources to appreciate their surroundings. It’s better to show up over prepared than under prepared, but struggling throughout the climb is a natural and important part of the experience.
Climbing Glacier Peak will be hard. Three things can make it easier:
- Being in the best shape of your life when you arrive
- Having a light pack and
- Did we mention being in good shape and having a light pack when you arrive?!
Accomplish these goals and your trip will be more enjoyable. If you think you could possibly do without an item… don’t bring it… you probably won’t miss it on the way up. If you have questions about how necessary something is, please reach out.
To get in shape we recommend regular hiking for several months before the trip starts. Start hiking with low weight and slowly build up until you’re hiking with around 30-45 pounds in your pack. Plan to do one hike like this per week for 1-2 months.
That being said, everyone has their own way to get in shape… do what works for you. Anything that builds endurance and tendon / ligament flexibility will be great (think running, biking, cross country skiing, hiking, rowing).
Cancelation Policy & Risk Management
If you haven’t already, please read the cancelation policy here.
As for all of our expeditions, we will carry satellite communication devices. In keeping with recommendations from emergency medical and rescue services, we will make conservative decisions. We will screen participants for COVID-19 symptoms prior to beginning the expedition, and ask participants to be fully vaccinated. If you have a medical reason for not being vaccinated, please let us know.
We highly recommend purchasing trip insurance and emergency evacuation service. Trip insurance covers the cost of your trip should you need to cancel at the last minute. Emergency evacuation insurance covers you in case of expensive or prolonged transport due to accident or injury. A simple way to get Emergency evacuation coverage is by becoming a member of the American Alpine Club Here.
A bout Our Guide, Jack Bynum
Owner, Lead guide – Indigo Alpine Guides
Jack has 10 years of experience guiding backcountry trips around the world. He has traveled over 20,000 miles by bike, sea kayak, foot, raft, and skis. He became the youngest person to solo Denali and has put up first ascents on 6,000 meter peaks in the Himalayas.
In 2016, his solo ascent of Bhandar Lek was listed as one of 20 most significant global ascents of the year by the prestigious Piloet d’Or. He calls Seattle home, but is often around the world leading trips or on personal adventures. His favorite trip to lead is the Wrangell Mountains 8 day trip or any custom trip to a new place!
- AMGA Advanced Rock Guide
- AIARE Avalanche Pro 1
- NOLS Wilderness Medicine WFR
- WRI Swiftwater Rescue Tech
- Leave No Trace Master Educator
Final Thoughts
Thanks so much for reading all the way through! We’re super excited you’ll be joining us. As always, don’t hesitate to call, text, or email us with questions about preparing for the trip, life, or anything at all.
Can’t wait to see you on the mountain!
J ack Bynum – Indigo Alpine Lead Guide
A llison Tapert – Kula’s Director of Chaos and Fun
