Rock & Alpine
Welcome to the American Alps
Glaciated peaks, rugged approaches, endless alpine rock: there’s a reason the North Cascades are the heart of alpinism in the Lower 48. From the iconic splitter granite of the core Cascades to the massive glaciers of Mount Shuksan, the range offers a lifetime’s worth of classic climbs—all within a short drive of our Bellingham homebase. Rope up with us and experience this storied range for yourself.
North Cascade Trips
Twin Sisters
The Twin Sisters are the closest mountains to those living in Whatcom and Skagit counties, but see the least amount of traffic. For those looking for a truly alpine adventure, the Twin Sisters offer a seemingly endless supply of long, exposed ridges, towers, and summits broken up by small
Dorado Needle
Located one mile north of Eldorado Peak, Dorado Needle stands proudly at the western high point of the McAllister and Inspiration glacier systems. With several classic moderate alpine rock climbs of various lengths available, Dorado Needle is an excellent objective for those looking to challenge themselves in bigger
Eldorado East Ridge
Eldorado's East Ridge is one of the Northwest's most classic climbs with moderate glacier travel ending in an airy knife-edge summit ridge. Located in the heart of the North Cascades, the views are hard to beat and is a great introduction to glacier mountaineering and climbing moderately steep
Ruth & Icy
The Ruth & Icy Traverse is a moderate snow climb with glacier travel known for having some of the finest views in the North Cascades. This long ridge traverse in the shadow of Mount Shuksan gives climbers passage through amazing alpine terrain with two beautiful peak ascents and a
West Ridge of Forbidden
One of North America’s most sought after alpine challenges, the West Ridge of Forbidden Peak is an exposed and engaging route. Combining glacier travel, snow climbing, scrambling and multipitch rock climbing, you’ll get the full alpine experience as you ascend this world class objective. The summit ridge provides excellent
Shuksan Fisher Chimneys
The Fisher Chimneys is a long, classic alpine route that leads climbers through varied terrain to the airy summit of Mount Shuksan. An unlikely series of moderate features breach Shuksan’s sheer Southwest Face, yielding access to the upper glaciers and summit pyramid where climbers navigate through a maze of
Shuksan Sulphide
The Sulphide Glacier is a house favorite at Cascade Mountain Ascents. Mount Shuksan is among the most iconic peaks in North America, and for good reason. The Sulphide serves up moderate glacier travel, alpine rock climbing, and amazing camps. The route culminates with a climb of Shuksan’s epic
Vesper
Vesper Peak is a gem of an alpine rock climb in the North Cascades. With an amazing bivy site at it’s base, 5-6 pitches of technical climbing on solid rock, and a beautiful summit, this is a budding alpinist’s dream. Multiple high quality routes breach the headwall leading directly to
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