Glacier Peak is the most remote of the five active volcanoes in Washington state. Known as DaKobed by the Sauk-Suiattle and other Indigenous peoples, it is considered a very sacred mountain. Its name reflects its role as "the great parent" or a giver of life. Come join a group of wonderful women for 4.5 days on the most isolated volcano in the Cascades.

Price: $1400

2027 Dates:

July 23 - 27

Difficulty: Beginner

Embark on a transformative journey to one of the Pacific Northwest’s most remote and majestic volcanoes: Glacier Peak, known as DaKobed, “the great parent,” in Lushootseed. This multi-day guided expedition offers an unforgettable adventure into the heart of the Glacier Peak Wilderness, blending physical challenge with spiritual connection to the mountains.
Upon meeting, we will go through all gear and get to know each other. We will then head to the North Fork Sauk River Trail to camp for the night.
Round trip, Glacier Peak is 38 miles with up to 8,000 feet of elevation gain. The trip is well worth the effort. Much of the terrain we will cover is well-defined trail. As we get deeper into the wilderness, the trail turns into rocky paths with difficult route finding. Towards the end of the mountain, we will transition to glacier travel. No prior experience on glaciers is needed. We will cover the necessary skills required to travel on a rope team together.
Glacier Peak stands at 10,541 ft, with views of all the volcanoes in Washington. If you are someone who likes backpacking, this is an amazing way to get your feet wet in the world of mountaineering.
Our goal is for you to leave feeling more connected to the land, appreciative of the hard work your body has done, and connected with other women in the community.
Day 1: Arrival and Preparation
Time: Meet in Darrington at 4:00 PM.
Activity:
- Gear check and group introductions.
- Discuss trip expectations and goals.
Accommodations:
- We will have a group camp site near the trailhead. If you would rather arrange your own accommodations, please feel free to do so.
Day 2: North Fork Sauk Trail to White Pass
Distance: 8 miles with close to 4,000ft elevation gain
Details:
We will begin the journey from the North Fork Sauk River Trail. Hike through lush forested valleys with well-defined trails. We then transition into rocky alpine terrain as we ascend to White Pass. This is a long day of hiking, but starting fresh from near the trailhead sets us up for success.
Camp: Overnight at the beautiful White Pass, surrounded by stunning mountain views.
Day 3: White Pass to Glacier Base Camp
Distance: ~5 miles with 1500ft of elevation gain.
Details:
Leave White Pass and venture into the remote and breathtaking Glacier Peak Wilderness, then hike through some of Washington’s most pristine backcountry. We will enjoy your first up-close view of Glacier Peak as we approach its base. Once we arrive at camp, we will set up camp at Glacier Base Camp. We will then spend the afternoon learning basic glacier travel techniques to prepare for the summit.
Day 4: Summit Day and Return to White Pass
Distance: ~8–10 miles round trip with 3700ft of elevation gain.
Details:
We start early to witness the sunrise on our way to the summit, then ascend Glacier Peak as a rope team, navigating snowfields and glaciers. We then descend back to base camp, pack up, and return to White Pass for the night.
Day 5: White Pass to Trailhead
Distance: ~9 miles mostly downhill
Details:
Hike out from White Pass to the trailhead.
We warmly welcome women, trans, and femme identifying individuals.
You don’t need to be an ultra-athlete or worry about being the weakest link. You are not required to have prior mountaineering experience. We do require prior backpacking and camping experience.
To participate, you should be capable of hiking 4,000 vertical feet with a 45 lb pack, slowly throughout a day of travel.
Included:
- Ropes
- Pickets
- Tents
- Breakfast and Dinner
- Climbing / Camping Permits
- Cookware
- Expert guidance
Not Included:
- Snacks/lunch
- Personal gear
- Transportation
- Trip Insurance
- Gratuity
After signing up, you will receive a confirmation email from Origin. Please open this email to find the pre-trip packet. This packet contains all of the logistical information you will need to prepare for the trip, including the gear list.
You will receive an email from your guide the week before your trip with an exact meeting location in the town of Darrington and route information.