The Route:
Easton Glacier, Mount Baker
Located on the south side of Mt. Baker, the Easton Glacier offered our climbers a fun and moderate line of ascent to the summit of a classic northwest volcano. Our three-day program included all the training needed for a climb on one of the most picturesque glaciers in the U.S.
Trip Highlights:
10 Climbers
4 Guides
25K raised to fund innovative ovarian cancer early detection research.
8K raised for creative ovarian cancer awareness.
Research Funded:
“Deep-learning enhanced computer-aided diagnosis for comprehensive early
detection of ovarian cancer from ultrasound images.” Dr. Heather Whitney, University of Chicago
One Climber’s Testimonial:
Day 01
We started with 10 women fundraisers/climbers and 4 young woman guides. We were led by the amazing Jess Wedell, an ovarian cancer survivor and professional mountaineer who summitted Everest last year. We were in very good hands. We started out in a heat advisory. And believe me that 40 pound pack on a 95 degree day made us sweat all the way to out campsite which was at 6500 feet, just below the glacier. It was also smoky- so not dangerous, but not as pretty as a clear day for sure. We set up camp on the rocky ground about a 20 minute walk below the glacier.
Day 02
Morning:
We had snow school on the snow just above camp. We learned to ice arrest and to walk in our crampons with various techniques. 1 PM, we headed up the mountain for a sunset summit. It was about a 20 minute walk through the walks to get onto the glacier, where we strapped on our crampons and roped up. Each rope group had a guide and 2-3 climbers. We took three planned breaks on the way up and two on the way down for water, snacks and rest. Two climbers had to turn back and so two guides headed back necessitating the remaining reshuffling climbers into two reaming groups. This meant we lost some time. Therefore, by the time we started up the final, and steepest pitch, we were behind schedule. We did not want to summit after dark, and so we hustled up from there. This was many of our first time on a rope. You really had to concentrate to keep the right interval between the person in front of and behind you. The snow had also gotten very soft during the day and on the steepest part, it felt like a step up and a half step slide back down. By the time we were at 10,000 feel some of us felt short of breath.
Evening:
SUCCESS!!! Summit achieved. Photos were taken, sunset enjoyed, then we strapped on headlamps and booked back down. Hit camp by midnight and we were so happy to take our rental boots and sleep.
Day 03
Woke up to crystal clear skies- smoke had entirely cleared. Gorgeous. Took lots of photos and packed up camp. Leisurely return down the mountain, then a goodbye late lunch in Sedro Wooley with the gang. Then back to Seattle and a hot shower!
There will be new mountains, new quests, new creativity, and tremendous views from the summits we gain.
Up Next
Mt. Rainier Climb
Join and experience an exclusive mountaineering fundraising program designed to give you the training, technical support, and guide services you need to summit mountains safely. This climb is open to all who are ready to take on the challenge of summiting a mountain.
Funds raised by participants will go directly to ovarian cancer early detection and prevention research awareness efforts.
