September Mountaineering course

[lanceolsen]

I'm thinking of taking a 12-day mountaineering course with American Alpine Institute starting September 4th. I'm wondering if this is too late in the season for this area. The mountains they go to are Mt. Baker, Mt. Shuksan, Glacier Peak, Cutthroat Peak, South Early Winter Spire, Liberty Bell, and Silver Star. Would I be better off taking a course up in Canada if I have to go so late?

 

Also, can anyone give me advice on other schools I might look at for a course of this length. My goal is to learn and practice as much as possible, rather than bagging peak after peak. In particular, I've been looking at Alpine Ascent International's 13-day course.

[DPS]

September is a wonderful time to climb in the Cascades, actually it is my favorite month! The only issue is that the glaciers will be more broken up and will require some route finding, but the standard routes on Baker, Shuksan, and Glacier should still be fine. (The other peaks you mentioned do not involve glacier travel.)

 

I have climbed with a number of folks who got their start by taking an AAI course, any they spoke very highly of the guide service and their experience. I don't think you can go wrong with AAI.

[mattp]

September has been pretty rainy the last two years, but usually it is one of our sunny months.

[RocNoggin]

Sep can be a great time to go and the American Alpine Institute is a great organization to go with. someone else to consider for instruction/training is Dan Mazur with SummitClimb.com. checkout their website and drop him a line if you are interested.

[Shan]

Dan Mazur runs courses on Baker and Rainier without permits. If you are caught while on a trip, it could come to a quick end.

 

Whatever course you take, be sure to ask where exactly it will take place and how well-trained the guides are. All courses are not equal. AAI, Alpine Ascents, and North Cascades Mountain Guides all run excellent programs with qualified guides. I think AAI runs the best instructional courses for the money.