One of the hidden gems in the Central Cascades.  Vesper Peak has several multi-pitch rock climbs on its North Face.  Ragged Edge (5.7 6 pitches), True Grit (5.8 5 pitches), The North Face (5.7 4 pitches), and Fish and Whistle (5.10a 5 pitches) are all great options.  

Learning how to tour in the backcountry with touring skis or a splitboard can be a daunting endeavor. NCMG’s experienced guides will help you learn foundational skills, including skinning techniques, avalanche rescue, layering and packing considerations, and terrain selection. We help take the frustration out of learning to tour and keep things fun! Instead of heading out into unfamiliar backcountry terrain on your own, with no previous experience, our guides will take you to terrain they know and ski all the time and instruct you on the nuances of touring.

Index is home to some of the best granite climbing in the state of Washington. The climbing is similar to what you would find in places like Yosemite or Squamish. Index is best known for it’s difficult crack and face climbs but there are many quality moderate routes as well. Routes such as Godzilla (5.9), Great Northern Slab (5.7), Pisces (5.6), Princely Ambitions (5.9) and Breakfast of Champions (5.10a) are just a few of the classic moderate routes on the Lower Town Wall.

Experience NCMG's Women's Backcountry Series this winter! Guides Steph Williams and Adrienne Schaefer are offering a progression of courses and adventures for Women seeking to take their backcountry game to the next level. Here are the details:

North Early Winter Spire (NEWS) stands out among the Liberty bell group as it rises above Blue lake basin with its sheer west face being among the cleanest and steepest sweeps of granite in the whole basin.  The clean stripe of the West face route stands out against the dark wall, so much so that you would hardly believe that what you are looking at from all this ways away, is a finger crack. 

The Coleman-Deming route is an ideal ski route on one of the most iconic mountains for skiing in the lower 48, and if you're a skier, it's the perfect tool for Mount Baker since you get to combine a beautiful summit climb with a spectacular ski descent of moderate difficulty.

Standing alone on the opposite side of the valley from Liberty Bell, Cutthroat peak rises dramatically above the beautiful alpine meadows near Washington Pass.  While there are a number of popular routes on this peak, the classic is surely the South Buttress.  The South Buttress of Cutthroat is a long, moderate route that weaves a clever path through slabs, overhangs and chimneys up the sunny, broad buttress of this major peak.  While none of the climbing is too difficult, this is a long route that requires good fitness and the ability to move quickly over low to mid fifth class rock.  

The Alps are the birthplace of alpine climbing and still to this day have the highest concentration of high-quality routes of any mountain range on the planet.  Combine that with well-developed infrastructure, such as lift systems, public transportation, and charming towns, and the Alps are the best choice for a place to maximize your climbing to time away ratio.  With most of the approaches done via a lift or gondola and overnight accommodations in mountain huts or hotels, we can climb long, classic high mountain routes with nothing more than a daypack.   Thanks to the public transportatio

Mount Baker, a heavily-glaciated stratovolcano that tops out at 10,781 feet, is the tallest peak in the North Cascades and the third tallest in Washington. This massive snow and ice covered peak offers one of the best alpine training grounds for learning snow and ice climbing, glacier travel skills and as a place to prepare for higher peaks around the world.

Set 3-day group climbs with up to four guests and one guide.

Or set up your own custom climb if you would like to extend your trip!

North Cascades National Park contains some of the best alpine climbing in North America.  NCMG offers both climbing courses and custom guided programs in the "Alps of North America".  The vast majority of our programs are booked on a private basis and are guided by some of the best guides in the business.  Book your trip today and climb with the local experts.  

Click on the route links located in the sidebar for more information on climbing in the North Cascades National Park.