Base camp -- located at approximately 6200 feet.
The approach to base camp from the trailhead took about 4 hours total. We hiked through lush forest for a couple hours before coming out onto the snowfields that separate the vegetation from the glaciers. We pitched our camp on a small outcropping of rock at the foot of the Easton Glacier.
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This location would serve as home for the remainder of Saturday, all
day Sunday, and a brief period on Monday, summit day.
Sunday served as a day for "snow school" when our guides would ensure each team member had the basic skills necessary to embark on a safe summit ascent the next day. Practiced were such techniques as self belay, self arrest, roped team travel and ice axe usage. Our guides, Doug and Mark of Mountain Madness, were consummate professionals for the entire three days. Their enthusiasm and willingness to teach were truly extraordinary. Being experienced climbers themselves, it is no doubt challenging to herd a bunch of relative neophytes up the face of a majour mountain like Baker, a daunting task at best. Nevertheless, their focus was always on our safety, well-being, enjoyment of a mountain environment and, of course, eventual success towards our final goal. My hat goes of to both of these gentlemen! |
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