Winter Trips...

There are still a couple of trips going this winter if people are looking for things to do. There are a few spots left on the Antarctic Ski Cruise if people are interested. We will be meeting in southern Argentina on the 5th of November and heading off to Antarctica to have the trip of a lifetime! Skiing, penguins, and lots of ice!

After that trip I will be guiding a trip on Aconcagua in early December. This is a small group trip, so is limited to only one, maybe two more people. If you are interested in getting to the top of the highest mountain in South America let me know.

I will be spending my time Skiing in France in Jan. and Feb. I will be based out of La Grave, but will be up in Chamonix a little bit as well. If you haven't skied in the Alps before, it is a must-do. The trams take you up for longer runs than anywhere in the states and you can ski mellow glaciers or steep couliours. It is the perfect place to really learn how to ski-mountaineer.

In March and April I will be back up in Alaska for the heli-season. Points North really does provide the full package. We all stay at a killer lodge with full-time chefs and the beautiful blue heli's are parked right outside our door. Massive Alaskan powder filled faces are the name of the game up here.

Get in touch with me at benmitchell17@gmail.com if you are interested in any of these trips. I may be available in late Dec. for some ice climbing in the States as well as May in Alaska or Europe if anyone has any custom ideas..... Hope everyone is getting out and staying safe!

Last Trip on Mt. Rainier!

Heading up for my last trip on Mt. Rainier this season. It has been tough climbing the last week or so. The weather has been going off and the snow and winds have been up. Since I was up just a few days ago it has snowed over a meter on the upper mountain and people are skiing on the Muir snowfield where we were wearing crampons only a short time ago. Hopefully we can punch through the new snow and stormy weather. It is looking like we might be getting a little window on the tail end of this storm tonight, so I am hopeful!

More fun from the summer

This was a panorama that I took looking south from our camp on the North side of Forbidden peak. That is Dale and Marc, our two examiners in the photo. It is really an amazing place, that North side. It gets overlooked because it is so easy to access the West Ridge from Boston Basin. Although the rock might be a tad bit better on the West Ridge of Forbidden, I think for full value alpine appeal, it is hard to beat that NW Face of the North Ridge. You cross big glaciers to get to it. Ascend a big snow face to get on the ridge, then stellar rock climbing to the summit....

Some Pics from the summer...

Danny wet and miserable on Eldorado

The NW Face of the North Ridge of Forbidden

Fall in the Cascades

It is certainly fall here in the northwest. The weather has changed and although we seem to be getting days of good weather here and there. It is not summer anymore. As I spent the last two days couped up inside watching the deluge of rain come down I can attest to the current wet state of Washington weather.

I attempted to climb Mt. Rainier last week with a group, and we got turned around at about 13,000 feet due to weather. I will say that the entire mountain is as bare as I have seen it in years. We are all wearing crampons up the Muir snowfield and the route, although it still goes, is no cakewalk. I am heading back to big snowy to begin my last program of the season there. It would be nice to get up one last time!