Comprised of the Eldorado, Inspiration, McAllister, Klawatti, and North Klawatti glaciers, the Eldorado Icecap is a tremendous volume of ice. The Ice Cap Slam gets you up close and personal with this adventurous and starkly beautiful environment as you live, sleep, and climb for 5 days traversing the entirety of the icecap summiting all of its major peaks along the way. The Ice Cap Slam is a must for anyone wanting to experience some of the best views the Cascades has to offer!
The Pickets are the most rugged, wild, and unexplored region of the North Cascades. With limited access points, steep terrain, brushy valleys, and glaciated peaks, the Pickets Traverse offers a unique challenge to those looking to really “get away from it all.” After getting a few miles from the trailhead, it’s common to not see another soul for days on end. Join us on an adventure like none other.
The highest peak in the Olympic Mountains, Mount Olympus towers over Washington’s western shore and the rest of the range. The standard route is one of the most geographically diverse climbs in the Pacific Northwest and moves through stunning and varied terrain.
The long approach through old-growth temperate rainforest starts near sea level and winds into the alpine, where climbers ascend the Blue Glacier to Olympus’s craggy summit. The Blue Glacier features moderate climbing for thousands of feet before a final rocky scramble to the summit, looking out over Puget Sound, the Cascade Crest and the Pacific Ocean. Beginner mountaineers with a love of backpacking and experienced climbers looking for a wilderness experience will all love an ascent of Mount Olympus.
Glacier Peak is Washington’s most remote and least summited volcano. Climbing to its summit is a true wilderness experience, complete with hiking miles of trail through old growth forests, crossing ridges and glaciers, and enjoying scenic and peaceful camps deep in the backcountry. The final ascent up the Cool Glacier to the summit presents moderate climbing with spectacular views. Climbers of all skill levels who are looking for a classic wilderness experience will enjoy traveling into the heart of the cascades for this beautiful climb.
While skiers and riders have long known how expansive the terrain in Western Washington is, it takes multiple days to truly feel the vastness of the Cascade backcountry. A North Cascades ski traverse is the best way to explore the region in the snowy months. With a variety of trips available, Cascade Mountain Ascents can help you plan your dream ski traverse through the Lower 48’s most wild alpine terrain. Whether you’re looking for one steep descent after another, glaciers spilling from mountain flanks or total solitude in snow covered hills, you’ll find your calling deep in the North Cascades.
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