The second day of our Alpine Mountaineering and Leadership course is the snow skills day on which we venture out onto the glacier for the first time and practice walking in crampons and techniques for climbing moderate snow and ice slopes.

We typically practice snow skills at the edge of the glacier or on non-glaciated snow slopes so that we don't have to rope-up or worry about crevasses while practicing skills.

An AAI group reaches high camp below the Easton Glacier at 7000 feet.


Climbers heading for the snow skills area on Mount Baker.





A Part 1 group getting geared up for snow skills practice.


The view from the edge of the glacier towards Baker lake and the Cascade foothills.


Climbers look on as guides demonstrate self arrest techniques.


Climbers suiting up for snow skills practice.





AAI Guide Seth Hobby prepares the group for glacier travel.


Roping up for glacier travel on the way to practice crampon use.


Heading onto the glacier to practice ice axe and crampon skills.





Taking a rest on the Easton Glacier.


An AAI group breaks for lunch on the Easton Glacier.


AAI Guide Seth Hobby demonstrates crampon techniques.


Climbers look on as guides demonstrate cramponing skills.


Seth Hobby illustrating French crampon techniques.


Climbers practicing ice axe and crampon use.























Heading back to camp after a skills day on the glacier.