Mount Baker (Komo Kulshan) Mountaineering School For Women, By Women – Build Your Mountain Skills in the Cascades Mount Baker, or Komo Kulshan, is one of the best glacier training grounds in North America. AWExpeditions’ Mountaineering School is designed for women adventurers looking to develop essential mountain skills while tackling a world-class peak. Led by experienced female guides, this expedition blends hands-on learning with an unforgettable summit experience. Whether you're dreaming of future high-altitude climbs or simply want to expand your skillset in a supportive, women-centered environment, this course will give you the confidence and technical know-how to take on bigger mountain objectives. What You’ll Learn: ✅ Crampon & Footwork Techniques – Move efficiently on glaciated terrain ✅ Ice Axe Handling & Self-Arrest – Learn critical safety skills for steep snow ✅ Rope Systems & Glacier Travel – Rope team fundamentals for safe movement ✅ Crevasse Rescue (Time Permitting) – Intro to essential rescue techniques ✅ Glacier Navigation & Route Selection – Learn how to assess terrain like a pro By the end of the trip, you’ll walk away with practical mountaineering knowledge, increased self-reliance, and a summit under your belt. ItineraryDay 1: Welcome to the Mountains 📍 Arrive in Burlington, WA by 4 PM Meet your team for a gear check, trip briefing, and welcome dinner Discuss the adventure ahead and finalize any rental gear If using the AWE lodging & transfer package, our shuttle departs Seattle-Tacoma (SEATAC) at 1 PM Day 2: Hike to Base Camp & Camp Craft Training 🚶‍♀️ Hike ~4 miles with ~3,000 feet of gain to our glacier base camp 🏕️ Learn essential camp craft and expedition skills 🥾 Enjoy your first night sleeping under the stars Day 3: Full Skills Training Day 🧗 Hands-on technical training: Crampon use & footwork on snow and ice Ice axe handling & self-arrest drills Rope team movement & glacier travel basics Knots, snow anchors, and crevasse rescue (time permitting) Day 4: Summit Attempt or Additional Skills Training 🏔️ If conditions allow, summit bid via glacier route (~4 miles, ~5,000 feet of gain) 📍 If the weather doesn’t cooperate, continue technical skills training Day 5: Backup Summit Window or More Training 🔄 Flex day for a second summit attempt if needed 🌨️ If already summited, reinforce skills and mountain navigation techniques Day 6: Descend & Celebrate 🛤️ Hike back to the trailhead (~4 miles) 🎉 Wrap up with a final team dinner in town 🚐 AWE shuttle returns to SEATAC by 11 AM the next day for those using our transfer package FAQ: Mount Baker (Komo Kulshan) Mountaineering SchoolWho is this trip for? This course is designed for women of all experience levels looking to build their mountaineering skills. You should have a solid fitness base and be comfortable hiking with a 40+ lb pack in steep terrain. Do I need prior mountaineering experience? No prior glacier experience is required! This school is meant for those new to mountaineering or looking to refine technical skills before bigger climbs. What kind of fitness do I need? To thrive on this trip, you should be able to: Run a trail half-marathon OR hike 12–15 miles with a 45 lb pack in a day Be comfortable climbing 3,000–5,000 feet of elevation gain in a day Is summit day guaranteed? We prioritize skill-building and safety first, so summit success depends on weather and conditions. That’s why we schedule two summit windows (Days 4 & 5) for flexibility. What gear do I need? A detailed gear list is provided, and rentals are available. Essential items include: Mountaineering boots, crampons, ice axe, climbing harness, helmet Technical layering for high-altitude conditions What’s included in the expedition fee? ✔️ All guiding & instruction with experienced female mountaineering guides ✔️ Group gear (tents, ropes, cooking equipment) ✔️ Meals at base camp + welcome and final team dinner ✔️ Optional transfer from SEATAC available What’s not included? ❌ Personal mountaineering gear (rentals available) ❌ Travel to​/​from Burlington, WA ❌ Rescue insurance (required) & travel insurance (recommended) Why Join This Expedition? 🌍 Train in the best glacier mountaineering classroom in North America 👭 Join a women-led team in an empowering, inclusive environment ⛏️ Gain the skills and confidence to take on bigger mountain objectives 🏔️ Summit one of the most iconic peaks in the Pacific Northwest This is more than just a climb—it’s an education, a challenge, and an unforgettable adventure.