Cost: $1395
Duration: 4 days
Ratio: 4:1, 2 participant minimum. 1:1 trips are available at a different rate.
Prerequisites:
- 18 years old
- Previous glacier travel experience is recommended, but not required
- Able to carry a moderately heavy backpack for 4 consecutive days
Cost Includes:
Climbing Permits
Guide fees
Hot water for meals and drinks while on the mountain
Group & guide equipment including tents, ropes, and cooking gear
Cost Does Not Include:
Transportation
Personal equipment or rentals
Food / drinks
Hotels/lodging/food/beverages before & after the climb
Any expenses due to an early departure (transportation, evacuation fees, extra hotel stays, etc.)
Trip cancellation insurance
Proposed Itinerary
Day 1:
Meet your guides at Edgeworks Bellevue at 6:00AM to do an equipment check and distribute group gear. From here, we will caravan to the North Fork Sauk River Trailhead. Approximate driving time is 2.5 hours, depending on traffic. After leaving the trailhead, we will spend the day backpacking deep into the wilderness and our first camp. We will camp where the forest starts to transition to alpine terrain, about 9 miles in. This location provides excellent views of the surrounding mountain scenery.
Day 2:
This day will be spent moving to our high camp at Glacier Gap. Throughout the day, we will be traveling through rugged alpine terrain that tells the tale of glacial history. After making camp, we will practice and learn snow and glacier travel techniques in preparation for our summit attempt. The remainder of the day will be spent resting, and preparing for the next day’s climb.
Day 3:
Summit Day! This planned summit attempt will start early, as the pre-dawn hours often contain the best traveling conditions en route to the summit. There are some steep sections on this route, but for the most part, the climbing is not overly difficult. After summiting, we will reverse our route back to high camp. Once at camp, we will eat lunch, take a nap, and then move our camp down the mountain.
Day 4:
Our last day will be spent basking in the amazing wilderness on the hike out to the trail head.
*Note: Like any day in the mountains, maintaining flexibility with the itinerary is paramount. There are many things outside of our control such as route conditions, weather, and human factors that could alter the planned itinerary.
Gear List - Mountaineering
Rentals
Helmet -- Available for rent or purchase
Harness -- Available for rent or purchase
Crampons - Available for rent
Ice Axe - Available for rent
Tent - Available for rent
Stove - Available for rent
If you do not have any of the gear on this list, contact us at guiding@edgeworksclimbing.com to secure rentals or set up a purchase.
Alpine climbing is very challenging, and for many, an
adventure into new terrain. It is essential to be prepared for alpine climbing
objectives, not only to have a greater chance of success, but also to have the
most enjoyable climb possible. Below is a list of our programs that are
designed to help you prepare for this climb.
- Personal
Training – Developing a strong level
of base fitness is essential for success on any alpine objective.
- Alpine Climbing
School – We have numerous courses that will prepare you technically for
this climb. We highly recommend taking a Crevasse Rescue Course, or better yet,
an Intro to Glacier Travel program prior to this guided trip.
Outdoor Terms & Conditions
This policy applies to ALL Edgeworks programming that occurs outdoors including, but not limited to, Outdoor Climbing School courses and Guiding. Edgeworks has carefully crafted this policy to ensure fairness to both our clients and our guide staff. Our programs have significant pre-departure expenses, including permit fees, equipment preparation, staff training, and scheduling. Please contact us for clarification about this policy.
Payment Timeline
- Full payment is due at the time of booking.
- Twenty-five percent (25%) is considered the trip deposit and is NON-REFUNDABLE.
Cancellation & Rescheduling Policy
When you cancel or reschedule:
- All requests must be made in writing to guiding@edgeworksclimbing.com and be received in our office within the deadlines stated herein.
- If you cancel less than 30 calendar days before the trip, no refund or credit will be issued.
- If you cancel more than 30 calendar days before the trip, the 25% trip deposit is non-refundable.
- If you reschedule more than 30 calendar days before the trip, all fees will be credited to the new trip.
- If you reschedule less than 30 calendar days prior to the trip, it will be treated as a cancellation and no refund will be issued.
- If you ‘no-show’ to a program or any portion of a program, no refund or credit will be issued or pro-rated.
- Once you leave the trailhead or program start area, no refund or credit will be issued for any reason including instances of inclement weather, environmental conditions, personal fitness, or injury.
- We will attempt to accommodate changes and cancellations when necessary, waiving certain fees when feasible. Reschedule requests due to documented injury will receive the most accommodations.
- If it is not possible to reschedule in the foreseeable future, a non-refundable credit will be offered for future trips.
When we cancel or reschedule:
- Edgeworks reserves the right to cancel or reschedule a program at any time for any reason.
- A full refund will be issued.
- We will try to place you in the same program at a later date, if space is available.
Weather Policy
All of our outdoor programs are subject to the weather and environmental conditions that exist on the dates you have chosen. In signing up for a trip, you are agreeing to attempt the program even if conditions are not “ideal.”
- Before the trip begins -- if conditions are deemed unsafe by the guide, we reserve the right to change the venue, itinerary, or activity. If we decide that conditions are unsuitable for any alternative activities, we will work with you to reschedule or refund.
- After your trip begins -- if weather or conditions make the original plan not feasible, you are not entitled to a refund.
Trip Cancellation Insurance
Edgeworks strongly encourages the purchase of trip cancellation insurance that covers losses in the event that illness or injury prevents participation in your chosen program. There are many providers of this service; we have had positive experiences with TravelGuard.com.
Cost Includes
- Group Equipment
- Instruction/Guiding
- Certification, permit, or documentation fees, if applicable
Cost Does Not Include
- Personal Equipment
- Rental Equipment
- Guide Gratuities
- Transportation or Lodging
- Guide transportation on custom trips
We love seeing kids enjoying the outdoors. Edgeworks allows minors to participate in our outdoor programs under the following conditions:
- All forms must be completed by their parent/legal guardian before the activity
- Minors are not allowed on scheduled overnight programs, unless their parent/guardian is also present
Winter & Mountain Programs – Scheduled Courses
- Ages 15 and below - not allowed on scheduled courses/trips
- Age 16-17 – participant’s parent/guardian must be present during the course
Custom Winter & Mountain Events | Family Groups, Scout Groups, Community/School Groups
- At least one parent/guardian must be present at all times
- Age 14+
