Mountaineering - 2005
Day 1-5:    AAI Office, GearHeads, Hiking Up the Moraine, Mountaineering Skills Work
The 1st day of the 6 day trip we did an early gear check at the AAI office and then headed to the mountains / Mt.Baker north of Seattle.  Mt. Baker is the northernmost and most isolated of the Cascade volcanoes in the U.S.A.  After Mount Rainier, it is the most heavily glaciated of the Cascade volcanoes:  the volume of snow and ice (.43 cubic miles) on Baker is greater than that of all other Cascade volcanoes combined (excluding Rainier). 

At the trailhead, we hiked approximately 3 miles to a camping area below and next to the glaciers
Dave on Trail Hiking a lateral moraine enroute to camp We camped near the glacier A great morning sunrise... Water for Hot Apple Cider!!
For the next few days, our group learned and practiced various mountaineering skills.  Here are a few pics of the camp, skills work and the beautiful scenery around Mount Baker.
Skill Work Self-rescue in crevasse - (edges outlined for you) Like scuba diving, it's a different world!! Tip:  Keep the ice-axe away from your face! Can't just do it the easy way...
About 50 yards away... Digging in my feet to hold a team member's fall Teams out practicing Four score & a million years ago... Mt. Baker scenery
More awesome scenery from camp Another awesome view... All Work and No Play! The Night Owls! Supposed to be bedding down, but who'd miss this??