Third time's a charm Climbing and skiing Mt. Shuksan in a day Story by Ian Ferguson, photos by Paul Nicholson Like me, Paul was new to glacier travel, so when he looked down at a hole in the snow …

Labor Intensive A climbing epic By John Minier Labor Day is an interesting holiday. Originally, it was meant to be an exhibition of the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor …

Vital Climbing Gym Bellingham's new hangout By Ian Ferguson, photo by Kaili Koo A reasonable drive from both the North Cascades and the granite walls of Squamish, Bellingham is a popular home base …

FROM BALI TO BAKER Story and photos by Pat Grubb Ascending the local volcano is within your reach. Two years ago, I had the good fortune to spend nearly a month in Bali. The Balinese are a deeply …

Dual Adventure A human-powered approach to Ruth Mountain Story and photos by Jason D. Martin My friend said he wanted to ride a bike to Mt. Baker, ski it and ride home in one day. Riding up to the …

THE LOCAL CRAG Story and photos by Ian Ferguson Rock climbing on Mt. Erie. If Ky Nayfield slips or loses his balance, he will fall 20 feet before the rope catches him and swings him back into the …

Hiking the Hidden Lake Peaks Story and photos by Aubrey Laurence Explore an alpine wonderland. It may sound strange, but if you hike often enough you can become desensitized to many of the great …

Cold & Bold Story by Jake Merrill A winter traverse of the Twin Sisters The Twin Sisters, lower than both Mt. Shuksan and Mt. Baker, stretch from Mt. Baker Highway roughly 45 miles south to …

Total Commitment A daring Isolation Traverse Story by John Minier “OK, brake is up this time,” I say. Jenni wrinkles her brow and gives me a concerned look. “But brake is down,” she responds. …

Mt. Baker Mountain Guides New guide service launches in Bellingham Story by Brandy Kiger Originally from Alaska, and a veteran on Colorado slopes, John Minier knows his way around the backcountry, …

One week at Baker equals a season anywhere else Story and photo by Molly Baker Norway. Chile. British Columbia. Argentina. Utah. Colorado. Montana. Wyoming. California. Idaho. These are just some of …

Nothing like the experience of ice climbing By Jason D. Martin Photos by Kurt Hicks and Jason D. Martin Swing. Thunk. My ice axe bit deeply into the vertical blue ice. Swing. Thunk. The pick of my …

Don't go into the backcountry without it Story by Pat Grubb Photos by Louise MugarIt’s pretty simple, actually. There’s only one thing you need to know about avalanches and this is it – you …

The communication rule to live by TALK BACK The communication rule to live by Story by Molly Baker Photo by Jefferson Morriss Many people have theories about what makes skiing, backcountry skiing in …

When a shortcut turned dangerous By Erik Burge Photo by Jay GoodrichThree of us decided to take a shortcut traverse across an exceedingly steep pocket meadow while we were boot packing to our …

A series of mistakes led to a near-fatal disaster. Story by Patrick Kennedy Photos by Patrick Kennedy and AAI Photo Collection Five days of cool nights and rain on my metal roof had lulled me to …

Mountains beg to be climbed. Their tall, unwavering peaks inspire dreams of conquering towering heights and call with siren-like attraction, daring men and women to risk life and limb to make the …

Big, sharp and pointy A talk with Dunham Gooding about the American Alpine Institute By Pat Grubb The American Alpine Institute (AAI) has grown from its beginnings in 1975 as a small outfit offering …