Mountain Climbing | Mount Baker (10,781 feet) - Coleman Deming Route

This vent is rated a D7 due to the extreme conditions.

Join us for this challenging and adventurous guided mountain climb to the summit of Mount Baker (via Coleman Deming Route) at 10,781 feet!  Our outfitter and guide for this scheduled climb will be Baker Mountain Guides. 

“The mountains are calling and I must go.”
― John Muir 

ABOUT BAKER MOUNTAIN GUIDES:

Check out their website:   https://www.bakermountainguides.com/

Baker Mountain Guides is a family owned and operated company based in Bellingham, WA. This is a region marked by serrated peaks, immense glaciers, and the world’s most abundant snowfall. It’s a backdrop that practically cries out for adventure. At Baker, we make that adventure possible.

In both our adventures and courses, our focus is always on you, our guest. Our deep, local knowledge and flexible approach enable us to personalize your trip for a truly unique experience. Beyond adventure, we give you the opportunity to make unexpected and inspiring discoveries— both on the mountain and within yourself.

DURATION: 3 Days (You will want to fly in on Aug 17, or sooner, and secure lodging for the night)

SCHEDULE: August 18 – 20 

DIFFICULTY

The climb will be difficult, steep hiking, wearing crampons, and carrying a 45-50 lb. backpack the first and last day on Mount Baker. 

OVERVIEW

The Coleman Deming is a wild and adventurous experience on the north side of Mount Baker. The route traverses under the beautiful Black Buttes, and ascends to the Coleman Deming saddle at 9000 feet. The final push up the Roman Wall is an exciting climb on 40-degree snow. Large crevasses, active icefalls, and grandiose scenery make for an inspiring objective.

Additional information: http://www.summitpost.org/coleman-deming- glaciers/155420

RENDEZVOUS

7:00 AM on day of departure (Aug 18) at Backcountry Essentials: 214 West Holly Street, Bellingham, WA 98225.

ITINERARY

Day 1 (Aug 18) Approach:  We’ll rendezvous at Backcountry Essential in Bellingham for orientation and gear check. Transportation will be provided to the Heliotrope Ridge Trailhead. We’ll follow the trail through temperate rainforest, and ascend the Hogsback Ridge to our camp at 6000 feet.
 
Day 2 (Aug 19) Snow School: We’ll spend Day 2 covering mountaineering skills important to our safety on the upper mountain. Guests can expect to learn the basics of cramponing, self-arrest, and rope travel. We’ll retire early in anticipation of summit day.
 
Day 3 (Aug 20) Summit Day and Descent: We’ll wake before dawn and head up the mountain. The route follows the Black Buttes up the crevassed Coleman Glacier, before the final and steeper climb up the Roman Wall. After summiting, we’ll descend to camp and continue to the trailhead.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW NOW:

We are intentionally creating a wait list to determine the qualifications of each participant. If you do not have a history of D4 or higher backpacking and D5/D6 hiking with the club, you will be contacted to confirm your experience. In addition, you should be able to carry a 45-50 lb. backpack for this event and meet the physical requirements listed on Baker Mountain Guides website.

The trip leader(s) reserves the right to consider participant's past history and to make the final determination for participation on this event.

Baker Mountain Guides event description and details can also be found at: https://www.bakermountainguides.com/adventures/mou nt- baker-coleman-deming/

Prior to signing up for the event, please contact the AOC trip leaders (Tom Jarosz & Rafique Ali), or Baker Mountain Guides Jennie Minier or John Minier at 360-319-1160 / jenni@bakermountainguides.com for any quesitons, event details, or additional information related to the event.

Once approved by the event trip leaders, you will need to contact Baker Mountain Guides, Jenni Minier or John Minier, and let them know you're with the Atlanta Outdoor Club and ready to register and pay online at their site. You will then contact the AOC trip leader(s) to be moved off the wait list to the active list. 

Outfitter and/or trip leaders will provide you with recommendations on where to fly, what airline, hotels, or any other questions you might need answered.  

Total number of AOC participants not guaranteed.  

Space for the event is not guaranteed and openings are limited and can change any time. 

As an option we can discuss possibly sharing lodging and ground transportation for the event.  However, you are responsible to secure your transportation and lodging.

We will be backpacking and sleeping in tents on the mountain Aug 18th and Aug 19th.  You must be willing to share a tent.

Outfitter will distribute group gear and food to backpack up the mountain.  Meals will be prepared by the outfitter.

Travel and Trip insurance recommended.  Can be purchased at: http://www.travelguard.com/

We will plan a pre-trip meeting in the next 1-2 weeks to answer any quesitons you might have and for open trip discussion on travel plans, lodging, etc.

Additional information: http://www.summitpost.org/coleman-deming- glaciers/155420

Specific timeline and airports will be made available after being moved onto the active list and during planning session.

The Trip Leader(s) for this event has (have) elected either to personally collect the funds that event participants are required to pay, or to require participants to pay funds directly to a third party. No funds will be paid to the Atlanta Outdoor Club for this event. Therefore, by registering for this event, you acknowledge and agree to the following: (1) the monies paid by registrants will not be monitored, managed, or otherwise accounted for by the Atlanta Outdoor Club; (2) that the Atlanta Outdoor Club bears no financial responsibility for this event; and (3) you waive any and all claims against the Atlanta Outdoor Club, and hold the Atlanta Outdoor Club harmless for the loss of any monies you paid for this event.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, any paying registrant may request directly from the Trip Leader, prior to the event, a breakdown of funds collected, estimated expenses, and deposits made in anticipation of the event. Following the event, the Trip Leader must complete his or her financial accounting for the event, with supporting documentation, within 30 days of the completion of the event, and a paid registrant may request a breakdown of funds collected, money spent and supporting documentation after that time. If you are unable to obtain requested documentation, please contact the Director of Paid Events.

Notes on Payments, Cancellations, General Program Policies for Baker Mountain Guides:
1. PAYMENT SCHEDULE

Full payment is due at the time of registration.

2. CANCELLATIONS

30 – 60 days before departure – 50% refund

Less than 30 days before departure – no refund will be issued

Travel insurance is highly recommended. Most insurance policies are required to be purchased within 21 days of your program deposit.

3. GENERAL PROGRAM POLICIES

If a participant cancels for any reason, Baker Mountain Guides is not responsible for preprogram or preparation expenses. If these expenses were covered by Baker Mountain Guides, the participant’s card will be charged accordingly. If Baker Mountain Guides cancels a program for any reason, a full refund will be issued to all program participants. Scheduled programs may be cancelled if minimum enrollment is not reached. Every effort will be made to transfer participants to another program. If transfer to another program is not possible, a full refund will be issued. If a program is cancelled due to made-made disasters, natural disasters, or prohibitive weather or snowpack conditions, Baker Mountain Guides will offer participants a raincheck. Participants may forfeit their raincheck for the purposes of collecting travel insurance. No refunds will be given for early departure from a Baker Mountain Guides program. Baker Mountain Guides and its employees maintain the right to change a program’s itinerary or route based on conditions or participants’ ability. No refunds will be given for a change in route or itinerary. We make every effort to provide transportation from our office on all our programs. However, if we cannot provide transportation, participants will not be refunded for transportation costs. Baker Mountain Guides is not responsible for any evacuation or search and rescue fees. Travel insurance is recommended.

***Additional details can be found at Baker Mountain Guide web site: https://www.bakermountainguides.com/wp- content/uploads/2017/04/Program-Policies-2017.pdf

If you are moved onto the event, you will be instructed how to pay your portion of the event.  AOC will not receive the monies.  The monies will be paid directly to the outfitter:

https://www.bakermountainguides.com/adventures/mou nt- baker-coleman-deming/

Total Trip Cost: $820 + Bellingham Sales Tax - Combined (8.7%) = $891.34

You're responsible for paying your own trip cost including event tax, travel, lodging, meals, tips, insurance, rental gear, and other costs not covered by Basic Mountain Guides.

Baker Mountain Guides provides:

-Transportation from Outfitter meetup location to trailhead

-Tents

-Stoves

-Fuel

-Breakfasts and Dinners

-Avalanche Beacons

*Cost does not include personal climbing gear and equipment