Rope Team Rising: Mount Baker for Girls & Young Women

An Adventure Like No Other

Imagine standing on a glacier, surrounded by the breathtaking peaks of the North Cascades, as you embrace challenges, build skills, and tap into the immense power of your potential. That’s what this Pacific Northwest Mountaineering Course called Rope Team Rising is there for: it is designed exclusively for girls and young women aged 14–22 to present a transformative adventure that inspires confidence, leadership, and connection in the mountains.

The Story Behind Rope Team Rising

A Legacy of Empowerment: Lucy Westlake’s Vision

This all-girls Mount Baker mountaineering adventure exists thanks to the vision and determination of Lucy Westlake, the youngest American woman to summit Mount Everest at just 18 years old. As a teenager training for her historic climb, Lucy struggled to find mountaineering courses that would take her seriously without her parents present. Even more challenging? She rarely saw other teenage girls in the mountains.

Lucy didn’t just overcome those barriers—she made it her mission to break them down for others. After receiving recognition at the ESPYS and a grant from legendary Billy Jean King for her Everest feat, she partnered with AWExpeditions and the Summit Scholarship Foundation in 2022 to create this annual mountaineering experience, designed specifically for girls and young women aged 14–22.

Rope Team Rising reflects Lucy’s journey and passion for inspiring the next generation of female climbers. While Lucy isn’t leading each course herself, her story and mission drive the heart of this program. You’ll be part of a legacy that encourages girls to dream big, climb high, and redefine what’s possible.

Be a part of this movement—secure your spot today!

Lucy leads two youth climbers back to camp during the inaugural Mount Baker course in 2023.

Why Mount Baker?

Mount Baker is the ideal mountain for your, or anyone’s, first mountaineering adventure. Also known as Komo Kulshan, Mount Baker is a stunning glaciated peak that stands 10,781ft tall. It is relatively easily accessible from Seattle – if you consider a three+ hour drive easy. Our Rope Team Rising expedition follows the same itinerary as AWExpeditions’ Mount Baker Mountaineering School (read more here), with four days of mountain time and plenty of opportunity to learn and practice fundamental mountaineering skills. The main difference between AWE’s regular Mount Baker Mountaineering School and Rope Team Rising is that we convene the Rope Team Rising adventure directly in Seattle, and include a night of pre- and post-climb lodging in the expedition fee to make for easy, worry-free logistics: all you need to do is get yourself to the Seattle airport; we’ve got it from there.

We provide airport pickups for all of our Rope Team Rising participants who are younger than 18 years of age. If you are 18 or older, we ask you to meet us directly at our Seattle team hotel which is about a 15 minute drive from SeaTac airport.

Why This Adventure is Perfect for You

• Build Lifelong Connections: Share this unforgettable experience with other young women who share your adventurous spirit. You’ll create bonds and memories that will last a lifetime.
• Empowerment Through Adventure: Push your limits in an encouraging, all-female environment where every challenge—whether it’s setting up camp, learning glacier skills, or summiting Mount Baker—helps you build confidence and resilience.
• Learn Valuable Skills: From glacier travel and crevasse rescue techniques to leadership and decision-making in the backcountry, this course equips you with tools you’ll carry with you on and off the mountain.
• Inspiration in the Mountains: Under the mentorship of young-at-heart but highly experienced female guides you’ll hear and see firsthand what it takes to achieve big goals and how the mountains can shape a person’s path in life.

What You’ll Take Away

• Technical Skills: Glacier travel, crevasse rescue, roped team climbing, navigation, and more.
• Confidence: Discover how capable you are when faced with challenges.
• Leadership: Learn to make critical decisions and work effectively as part of a team.
• Inspiration: Be motivated to pursue your own “Everest,” whether in the mountains or in life.

Rope Team Rising Komo Kulshan Youth Mountaineering School Details

Total Trip duration: 6 days total, with 4 mountain days
Max group size: 9 climbers
Price: $2,250 + 8.45% sales tax
Upcoming Dates: June 28 – July 3, 2026

All reservations require a $500 deposit at the time of signup, with the balance due in two installments 60 and 90 days prior to departure. Ask us about flexible payment plans to space out payments further.