Alpine Rock Climbing

NCMG guide and author of the Supertopo guide to Washington pass, Ian Nicholson, calls this area “the best alpine rock destination in North America.”  With scores of classic climbs covering the full spectrum of difficulties, there is truly something here for everyone.  Offering an all snow approach in the early season, these climbs can have a distinctly alpine feel in the Spring and early Summer.  Later in the Summer, the approaches become snow free and most of these climbs can be reached in a pair of approach shoes in only an hour or two.  This allows us the unique opportunity to spend the night in a comfortable bed in Mazama, climb to the top of a major alpine peak and return to the Valley in time for dinner.  While popular in Europe, this is one of the few areas in the U.S that allow climbers this comfortable style of climbing.  Our guides are skilled at helping to choose a route that is an appropriate and rewarding experience for you.  To get a sense of some of the climbs offered here, we have selected some of the most classic routes at Washington Pass.  Click on the links below for more information on each route.  

Trip Details

Our guides are skilled at helping you choose a route that will be an appropriate and rewarding experience for you. To get a sense of some of the climbs available at Washington Pass we've listed some of the most popular routes below.

Itinerary

We start the day meeting early in the morning at NCMG's headquarters in Mazama. Your guide will go through with you: the itinerary for the day, weather and route conditions, all clothing and equipment needed and any remaining paperwork. Soon afterward, we head for the trailhead, after a quick stop at the Mazama store for any last-minute snacks and nutrition.

The vast majority of our alpine routes begin at one of the following trailheads: Cutthroat, Wine Spires pullout, Hairpin and Blue Lake, and all begin with a scenic hike to the base of the route.

There are hundreds of possible climbing and scrambling routes in the Washington Pass area - from 3rd and 4th class scrambles to moderate alpine classics to aid climbing lines. We are able to customize trips for climbers of all abilities.

Equipment List
Available Guides
  • Profile picture for user Jeff Ward

    Jeff Ward

  • Profile picture for user Larry Goldie

    Larry Goldie

  • Profile picture for user Paul Butler

    Paul Butler

  • Profile picture for user Drew Lovell

    Drew Lovell

  • Profile picture for user Josh Cole

    Joshua Cole

  • Profile picture for user Steph Williams

    Steph Williams

  • Profile picture for user Ryan Audett

    Ryan Audett

Skills Required

Climbers should arrive able to hike off-trail and potentially on snow in challenging terrain and possess basic climbing skills such as:

  • Ability to safely belay a lead climber
  • Ability to "clean" traditional gear
  • Ability to rappel 

If you're concerned that you don't have the requisite skills, please send us an email or give us a call to discuss, and check out our Multi-Pitch Rock Climbing Course .