Mt. Baker, Easton Glacier

Activity Notes

Mt. Baker, known as “Koma Kulshan” to the Lummi Tribe of Puget Sound (meaning ‘’broken or damaged’), stands 15 miles south of the Canadian border and is the most northern of the stratovolcanoes of the Cascade Range. Mt. Baker is the third highest peak in Washington. It is considered by geologists to be the next most likely of these volcanoes to show major activity.  Fumaroles, thermal springs, and areas of warm ground remind us of that and of the potential for periodic releases of snow, rock and mud from Sherman Peak.  The marine warm air from Puget Sound (just 30 miles away) brings a great deal of snowfall and glaciers which end up feeding three important rivers. Next to Mt. Rainier, Mt. Baker is the most glaciated peak in the lower 48 states. Due to the glaciation and possible crevasses, it is very important that climb members be fluent in crevasse rescue. The Easton Glacier route is the most moderate on the peak, with the first ascent in the 1880s.