May 18 Ten-Day Course wraps it up

Inclement weather kept our first ten-day course from summiting Mount Baker last week, though a valiant attempt in an extreme whiteoute was made. 

Lead guide Devin Bishop navigating blind on the Easton Glacier. (photo: guide John V.)

Weather for the Rainier portion was much improved and the team enjoyed spectacular settings on their approach to the Kautz Glacier route. 

Day One:

Upper mountain view (photo: Devin B.)

Sunset over clouds (photo: Devin B.)

Day Two:

Approaching high camp (photo: John V.)

High camp (photo: Devin B.)

Day Three:

Snow conditions slowed our team down on summit day, but the climbers enjoyed an exciting ascent of the Kautz ice chute before turning around at 12,000 ft. 

So awesome! (Photo: Devin B.)

Rocking the Kautz (photo: Jangbu Sherpa)

Jangbu's team in the upper ice chute (photo: Devin B.)

Climbing the upper Kautz chute (photo: Jangbu Sherpa)

Day four:

We descended back into the clouds and battled our way back through whiteout and soft snow to Paradise. Good times. 

Final stretch across the Nisqually Glacier (photo: Jangbu Sherpa)