Hey there, fellow mountain-curious beginners and alpine enthusiasts. I'm just a guy from Kansas who moved to Seattle for tech and fell in love with the mountain life. If you've ever wondered what it takes to go from sea level to summit, this video is for you.
I'll take you through my experiences on some iconic peaks, sharing what I've learned about gear, techniques, and the mental game of mountaineering:
Mount Baker (10,781 ft): An excellent place to learn glacier travel and crevasse rescue skills. The Roman Wall presents a challenging final push to the summit. From the top, you're treated to spectacular views of the North Cascades and even Vancouver Island on clear days. The mountain's glaciers are some of the most studied in North America, offering a firsthand look at climate change impacts. With its slight technical challenges (you rope up a bit to cross those crevasse risk areas), Baker is an excellent introduction to big mountain climbing in the Pacific Northwest.
Eldorado Peak...