Price Glacier  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Page Views:  1,995. Good page?    Administrators:  Peter Franzen, Kristine Hoffman, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  ChrisZ on Aug 25, 2008 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event  Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu 70° | 37° 73° | 45° 72° | 41° 57° | 37° 63° | 39°

Description 

The Price Glacier is on the northwest aspect of the Shuksan massif. It's steep, heavily crevassed, and doesn't see the traffic that other Shuksan routes see.

Getting There 

Take Hwy 542 towards Baker Ski Lodge. About 10 to 12 miles before the lodge, turn left onto NFD 32 just before a bridge crossing the Nooksack River. There is a sign for the Nooksack Cirque Trailhead. Follow NFD 32 to the Trailhead.

From the Nooksack Cirque Trailhead, cross Ruth Creek and follow the trail for about 2.5 to 3 miles, paralleling the North Fork of the Nooksack River. Where Price Creek empties into the river there will be a small (and easy to miss) climber's trail that heads down to the river. Find a log crossing and cross the Nooksack. Follow Price Creek up to Price Lake. There is a trail on the right side, or a bushwack on the left.

Eventually gain the lateral morain adacent to the lake and follow it until you can climb onto the ridge that will bring you to the base of Nooksack Tower. Drop onto the glacier below the tower and aim for a notch in the ridge separating this glacier from the Price Glacier proper.

Beyond the Nooksack River crossing, there doesn't appear to be much regular travel. You may find some evidence of trails here and there on your way up to the lateral moraine, but mostly you'll be bushwhacking and finding your own way. It can be less than enjoyable if it is raining or has rained recently.

The Classics

Featured Route For Price Glacier

Price Glacier Route Easy 5th WI3-4 Steep Snow  WA : North Cascades : ... : Price Glacier

After crossing beneath the Nooksack Tower to a point at about 6500 ft, step onto the Price Glacier and enjoy route finding on steep snow, alpine ice at grades around AI-2 to AI-3. Avoid seracs and slough chutes as needed. Ascend to the bergschrund(s) at approximately 7800 ft and choose your line: rock to the left, an ice line up the middle, or mixed to the right. Probably variable by season. Once this last major obstacle has been surmounted, continue up the steep snow or ice-field to the base of...[more]   Browse More Classics in WA