This two- or three-week mountaineering expedition in the North Cascades offers students seeking a bit more physical challenge a chance to explore the breathtaking mountain range known as the "American Alps". Course includes a focus on technical skills including rock climbing and class will include a peak attempt. This course achieves higher altitude and more significant physical challenge than the two week North Cascades Backpacking course.

The North Cascades is the perfect setting for multi-day ridge traverses that are sure to capture alpine glow sunsets and sunrises over hundreds of unnamed peaks. Climbing in this same area provides some of the notorious "50 classic climbs" in North America. On the North Cascades Mountaineering, Climbing and Leadership Expedition, you'll experience a glaciated remote region that is very Alpine intensive with very dramatic & rugged terrain, and high exposure.

 The Outward Bound Difference

Course Description

Take this unique opportunity to rock climb, rappel, make peak ascents and navigate your way through the Sawtooth Wilderness Area, the North Cascades National Park and the Pasayten Wilderness in the Grizzly Bear mountain range. Early on, the instructors will be teaching all of the skills necessary for backcountry travel and camping. The second phase allows you to practice skills learned. A solo phase allows time for reflection and rest. The final expedition is your opportunity to put all of the learning and practice to the test as you and your teammates travel independently of the instructors. There will be several days of rock climbing during and if possible, you will also participate in a service project where you will assist the Park Service or a community organization. Learn low impact camping, navigation, natural history, mountaineering techniques and work on leadership skills that you can utilize when you return home.  All courses will start at the Seattle airport, where you will meet your group before you venture together into the mountains. Come travel with Outward Bound and reach some of the most beautiful terrain in the country.

In the early season (May-June), courses typically have a significant amount of snow travel and students will be sleeping on snow for a good portion of the experience. After winters with heavy snowfall and when passing onto glaciers, students will learn rope team travel and team self arrest skills, along with the use of ice axes and glissading. The weather is the most diverse during this time with a mix of snow, rain and sun. During the mid season (July-August), courses will expect snow on glaciated areas and in isolated patches. Students may sleep on snow, but it is less common due to the increased temperatures. Ice axes are usually incorporated in the course curriculum, but are usually not used with roped team travel. The focus of these courses tends to shift from snow to more rock and navigation skills based.