Climb to Contribute: Mount Baker

TRIP DEPARTURE DATE

Aug 16th to 18th 2024 (Open to All)

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

After the successful trip of the first Nepali Mt. Baker (KomoKulsan) team in the summer of 2022, we are planning to organize three trips in 2023 due to high demand from both Nepali and non-Nepali communities here in the States and from abroad. This climb is designed for novice climbers, and we expect the spots to be filled quickly so early registration is highly encouraged and requested.

Climb to contribute is a 3 day and 2-night trip to climb Mt. Baker. All the funds raised will be earmarked toward building the NW Sherpa Community Center in the Greater Seattle area. The trip will be led by Mr. Lakpa Rita Sherpa, who was the first Sherpa to summit 7 summits and widely regarded as the best Sirdar for Everest Expedition. Mr. Lakpa Rita Sherpa will be supported by IFMGA guides Mr. Jangbu Sherpa and Mr. PhurbaGyaljen Sherpa, and Mr. Jigme Sherpa who has climbed local PNW mountains before. Rising to 3,286 meters (10,781 feet) in elevation, Mount Baker is the third highest peak in Washington and the fifth highest in the Cascade Range.

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: [email protected]

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.

Lakpa Rita Sherpa
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (206)288-9220

Jigme Dorji Sherpa
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (508) 648-0540

Register Now

OUR GUIDES

Lakpa Rita Sherpa

Lakpa’s climbing and guiding achievements are significant, with 17 summits of Mt. Everest on over 23 expeditions (record 253 climbers’ 22 guided summits of Cho-Oyu and numerous other peaks in Nepal. He also been high camp manager with Alpine Ascents and guide on Aconcagua, and Denali and has guided numerous peaks in the Cascades including Mount Baker and Rainier. Currently, Lakpa and his family reside in Seattle. He is a guide, leader and friend of the highest quality. Lakpa summited Mount Vinson 13 times, and Mount Rainier over 200 times. He also is known as “The Best Sirdar in the Khumbu”, His legendary strength is veiled by his charm and humility. As Sirdar (Sherpa captain) he directs and organizes Alpine Ascents team of Sherpa for every Himalayan expedition. Possessing unparalleled expertise in the mountains, Lakpa is one of the only Sherpa working as a full-time Mountain Guide around the world. In February 2009, Lakpa became the first Sherpa, and first Nepali to climb the Seven Summits. Lakpa was named one of Outside Magazine’s “Adventurers of The Year” for 2013.

CERTIFICATIONS
  • Wilderness First Responder/CPR
  • Avalanche Level II
  • Leave No Trace Traine

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

Phura Geljen Sherpa

Phura Sherpa is an IFMGA certified professional mountain guide with over fifteen years of experience. He has successfully led multiple trips in Nepal including Everest, which he summited six times, and other eight-thousanders. He feels at home in the mountains and after settling in the Seattle area has led multiple trips on Mt. Rainier and Mt. Baker. He has also gone through various training such as WFR and Avalanche. He is also an instructor in the mountaineering field.

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.

Mount Rainier Climbing Team
CCR1: Family Donor Team
August 3rd to August 5th, 2023
CCR2: Alpine Ascent Sherpa Community Contribution Team

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