Climb to Contribute: Mount Baker

TRIP DATE: Aug 22nd to 24th 2025 (Open to All)

Climb Mt. Baker – please join us for an adventurous experience of a lifetime – guided by some of the most experienced and world re-known Sherpa Mountaineers.

Climb to Contribute is a 3 day trip to climb Mt. Baker hosted by Northwest Sherpa Association. This is an annual fundraiser to support NWSA “Sherpa Community Center” project. All proceeds from will go to build a NWSA Sherpa Community Center. This climb is open to participants of all skill levels, including beginners, and we expect the spots to be filled quickly so early registration is highly encouraged and requested. Mount Baker, standing at 3,286 meters (10,781 feet), is the third-highest peak in Washington and the fifth-highest in the Cascade Range.

This year’s climb will be led by Mr. Jangbu Sherpa, accompanied by Mr. Nima Nuru Sherpa. Jangbu Sherpa, an IFMGA-certified expedition guide, has an impressive record of significant climbs on mountains worldwide, including Everest, Lhotse, and Denali. With over 100 guided trips on Mt. Baker and Mt. Rainier and notable ascents and rescue operations in the world’s highest peaks, his expertise is Mountaineering and doing so safely is unparalleled.

Northwest Sherpa Association is a non-profit organization, founded in 2003 with members from various parts of the Northwest region, including Vancouver B.C, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. The mission of NWSA is to preserve and promote Sherpa language, religion, tradition, culture and unite all the Sherpas residing in the Pacific Northwest of the United States of America including Oregon, Montana, Idaho, and Vancouver B.C., Canada. This is our annual fund drive to support the “NW Sherpa Community Center” project in the greater Seattle area.

If you have any questions, please contact: nwsherpa@gmail.com

TRIP ITINERARY

Gear check and orientation day before the climb to ensure everyone has the required gears for the climb and talk about Leave No Trace at 2 pm. Please plan to attend as it is mandatory. It will take the afternoon.

  • DAY 1

    Depart at 6:00 AM from Seattle. After 2 to 3 hours of driving we will reach Schrieber’s meadow trailhead.  Hiking starts at 3,400 ft and for the first hours we will be traveling through pine forest. This trail will connect to the Railroad Grade Trail which will get us to Sandy Camp, where we will camp overnight. Sandy Camp is approximately 6,500 ft high. After setting the camp there will be a basic snow school which will take 3 to 4 hours and include approximately 4 miles of hike.

    We will have the option of summiting on day 2 or day 3 depending on weather.  If we decide to summit on day 3 then we will have the snow school on day 2.

  • DAY 2

    If the weather allows, we will wake up around 4:00 AM and depart at 5:00 AM. We will be climbing through Easton glacier until the crater rim which is at 9,800ft. From here we can look down at the crater. On your right we will have a great view of Sherman peak. After a quick rest, the climb will continue up the famous Roman Wall and over the summit plateau to the summit of KomaKulsan. It will probably take around 5to 6 hours to reach the summit and half of that time for descent. On the summit day we will cover 6 miles (to and from).

  • DAY 3

    Pretty leisurely morning, after breakfast we will pack up and descend to Schriber’s meadow which will take us 2 to 2.5 hours. Then drive back to Seattle, optional we can stop in between for lunch.

EXPERIENCES AND FITNESS

This climb does not require previous mountaineering experience but should have backpacking and camping experience. You must be able to carry 35 to 40 lbs during your climb from Schriebers Meadow trailhead to Sandy Camp comfortably. We recommend training with heavy backpack, hiking up hill and down hill few months before the climb.

GEARS LIST

  • Ice axe
  • Crampons
  • Climbing harness with 2 locking carabineers
  • Trekking poles
  • Single boots
  • Gaiters
  • Two to three pairs of woolen socks
  • Light trail shoes
  • Base layer top and bottom
  • Long sleeve hooded base layer top
  • Soft shell pant and jacket
  • Hard shell pant and jacket
  • Mid layer top
  • Insulated puffy jacket
  • Liner gloves
  • Soft shell gloves
  • Insulated mittens
  • Climbing helmet
  • Headlamp with fresh batteries
  • Buff
  • Woolen hat
  • Sunglass
  • Ski Goggle
  • Climbing bag pack 60 to 75 litters capacity
  • Inflatable sleeping pad
  • Sleeping Bag 15-20 degree
  • Foam pad
  • Water bottles 2 one litters capacity
  • Cup, bowl and spoon
  • Small toiletry bags Toothpaste, toothbrush, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, feminine hygiene for female climbers
  • Sun screen and lip balm
  • Earplugs
  • Small first aid kits such Moleskin, Band-aids, basic painkiller, First aids tape, anti-septic wipes etc
  • 3 -Trash compacter bags

FOOD

We will provide dinners, breakfast and hot drinks during your climb on the mountain. But you are responsible to bring your own lunch. For lunch, bring what works best for you.

Day 1: about 1000 calories lunch for this day.

  • Pizza or sandwich
  • Fresh fruits
  • Candy bars
  • Meat and cheese
  • Electrolyte drinks mix

Day 2 or summit day: about 1200 calories of foods for this day

  • 3 to 4 energy bars
  • 2 energy gel or shot blocks
  • Some salty snacks Mix of Nuts

Day 3: 600 to 800 calories of foods for this day

  • Your favorite candy bars
  • Bagel with meat and cheese
  • Nuts or trail mix etc Total of 3,000. Calories of lunch you need to bring for

TOTAL DONATION

$1300

*Tax Deductible

Please make your check payable to:

The Northwest Sherpa Association

PO BOX 917, Mercer Island, WA 98040

In order to confirm your reservation, please make sure to pay the amount within specified time. $500 Deposit must be paid immediately with your registration and the remaining $800 must be paid before 120 days of Trip Date. Please note that the $500 Deposit amount is non-refundable. Due to logistics concerns, NO refund will be made if you cancel after less than 90 days remaining for Trip Date.

Contact our Guides

For further question regarding this climb please contact one of our guides.

Jangbu Sherpa

Email: Sjangbu@yahoo.com
Phone: (413) 335-6565

Jigme Dorji Sherpa
Email: nwsherpa@gmail.com
Phone: (508) 648-0540

OUR GUIDES

Jangbu Sherpa

Jangbu Sherpa has climbing in his blood. He has lived most of his life in Nepal surrounded by the majestic Himalayan Mountains. He has been guiding for 12 years, leading countless treks and climbing trips with Australian and European clients. Jangbu was fortunate enough to stand on the top of the world on the summit of Mt. Everest in 2011. He has also led two successful expeditions on Ama Dablam in 2009 & 2011. Jangbu came to the United States in 2012 and was certified as a Wilderness First Responder. At the beginning of 2013, he also finished his certification as an International Mountain Guide. Jangbu is very proud to have been a part of only the third class in Nepal to finish this rigorous program. He is also an experienced canyoneer and was part of an expedition that opened the highest canyoneering route in the world in Naar Phu, Nepal. When he is not in the mountains (which is always his first choice!), Jangbu enjoys trail running, gardening, and keeping in touch with his family and friends on Skype.

CERTIFICATIONS
  • IFMGA Certified Guide
  • Wilderness First Responder/ CPR
  • Leave No Trace Trainer
  • Avalanche Level I

Nima Nuru Sherpa

Nima Nuru Sherpa is a passionate outdoor enthusiast and a valued member of the Northwest Sherpa Association. Originally from Solukhumbu, Nepal, he began his guiding journey at a young age, leading treks through Nepal’s stunning landscapes. After moving to Renton, WA, Nima continued his love for the outdoors by hiking, camping and climbing prominent peaks in the Pacific Northwest, including Mt. Adams, Mt. Rainier, and Mt. Baker.

Nima has contributed by guiding at NWSA’s fundraising climbs on Mt. Baker and Mt. Rainier every year. An avid skier and adventure seeker, he exemplifies dedication to both his community and the outdoors.

Jigme Dorji Sherpa

Jigme was born and grew up in Pangboche on the foothills of Mt Everest. His dad, Lama Geshe, renowned monk in the area, blessed climbers on their way up to EBC. During school years, Jigme would shuttle back and forth between Kathmandu and Khumbu. After completing his high school, he moved to the US for further studies and has Bachelor’s in Accounting and Economics and master’s in accounting. Currently, he lives in Greater Seattle area with his wife and two kids. When he is not working, he is usually in the mountains either hiking or climbing. In the past few years, he has summitted Rainier two times (once as a client and the other time as a guide), Baker three times (first time with friends and family, second time as part of 6-day mountaineering course through Alpine Ascents and third time as a guide), and St. Helens and Mt Adams one times each.