The first five days of the Alpine Mountaineering and Technical Leadership program are held on Mount Baker. After a quick gear check at AAI's office in Bellingham, we pack up and drive to the trailhead and begin our approach to camp.

We typically hike in to the south side of Mount Baker and approach via the Schrieber's Meadows trail. The hike is about 5.5 miles and we camp at just under 6000 feet below the toe of the glacier.

The south side of Mount Baker from the Baker Lake road.


A pit-stop on the way to the trailhead.


An AAI group casts off on the Schrieber's Meadow's trail headed
for camp below the Easton Glacier.


Breaking out of the forest with Mount Baker and the Easton Glacier in the distance.


Alpine meadows on the south side of Mount Baker.


Looking down the moraine of the Easton Glacier from the edge of "The Railroad Grade."


An AAI group reaching "The Railroad Grade" below camp on Mount Baker.


Looking up the moraine to the toe of the Easton Glacier.


Looking down on Schrieber's Meadows.


Reaching camp at 5800 feet.


The Easton Glacier as seen from camp.


The Easton Glacier's moraine as seen from camp.


An AAI group takes a load off after the hike.


Climbers getting into dinner mode on the first afternoon of Part 1.





All of the comforts of home! Alpine commodes courtesy of the National Forest.





The sun sets on a perfect day in the Cascades.


Evening light on the Twin Sisters Range from camp on Mount Baker.


Looking back on camp at 5800 feet.


Climbers moving camp to 7000 feet in preparation for snow
skills and an ascent of Mount Baker in the days to come.





At the toe of the Easton Glacier.


An AAI team setting up high camp below the Easton Glacier.