About
Craig is an IFMGA Guide that has worked in the outdoor industry for over 20 years. Beginning as a National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) instructor where he accrued over 100 weeks in the field, Craig is passionate about helping others foster deep and meaningful connections to wilderness. From a 40 day canoe expedition in Australia to climbing unnamed peaks in Alaska, Craig's penchant for adventure has taken him to some unique places. He is a recipient of the American Alpine Club, Copp-Dash Inspire Award and the Gor-tex Shipton-Tilman grant for his expedition to the remote Neacola Range of Alaska where he established multiple first-ascents, traveling on handmade wooden skis and pack-rafting 70 miles to the ocean. Throughout his guiding career, Craig has continued to merge his artistic and outdoor passions. In 2017, Craig assisted a paraplegic climber ascend El Capitan, and produced an award winning film telling the story. Craig is also a proud father, runs a small art business (www.muderlakart.com) and regularly carries art supplies into the mountains.
Client Types
Individuals
Small groups
Experts
Trips
AIARE 1 Avalanche Course - Snoqualmie Pass
This 24-hour course follows the standard AIARE 1 curriculum. The level 1 course is an introduction to managing avalanche hazard. Youwill learn how to use a repeatable process to manage your risk and learn from your experiences in the backcountry. You will also practice preparing for and carrying out a backcountry tour. The importance of record keeping, communicating, and making continuous decisions about hazards while in the backcountry will be demonstrated while in the field and you will learn rescue techniques if an avalanche occurs and someone is caught.
Seasonality
Jan
Dec
AIARE 1 Avalanche Course - Crystal Mountain
This 24-hour course is an introduction to managing avalanche hazard. Youwill learn how to use a repeatable process to manage your risk and learn from your experiences in the backcountry. You will also practice preparing for and carrying out a backcountry trip. The importance of record keeping, communicating, and making continuous decisions about hazards while in the backcountry will be demonstrated while in the field and you will learn rescue techniques if an avalanche occurs and someone is caught.
Seasonality
Jan-Mar
Dec
AIARE 2 Avalanche Course
The AIARE 2 course builds on your experience as a backcountry traveler. You will learn tools to apply the AIARE Framework, the repeatable process you learned in an AIARE 1, to new situations and to self-direct your learning after the course. You will learn more skills to connect weather, snowpack and avalanche processes, and identify how these processes relate to observations and travel within avalanche terrain. This can enable you to act as a leader within a small travel group and to identify and target reducing uncertainty about the terrain or conditions. We offer this course with field days at Snoqualmie Pass or Crystal Mountain.
Seasonality
Jan-Mar
Dec
Mt. Baker North Ridge
The Mount Baker North Ridge is one of top 5 classic ice routes in the lower 48 states and one of the 50 classic climbs of North America. Standing at 10,781 feet, Mount Baker is the third highest peak in the State of Washington. This route is a super classic.
Seasonality
Jul-Aug
Forbidden Peak Climb
Climbing Forbidden Peak via any route is a quintessentially North Cascadian experience. All the classic ridge routes - the famous West Ridge, the East Ridge, or the lonely North Ridge - are well worth the effort and provide an unforgettable experience in a stunning setting.
The three principal ridges of Forbidden Peak radiate in almost perfect symmetry away from its 8815 foot summit. The approach into the Boston Basin is steep, but reasonably short. It is about 3 to 4 hours from the car depending on which camp you choose. The lower camp is at 5400 feet and the upper camp at 6200 feet. The routes themselves do not offer any particularly high grade of climbing but the terrain is transition intensive, exposed, and constantly demands your attention.
The three principal ridges of Forbidden Peak radiate in almost perfect symmetry away from its 8815 foot summit. The approach into the Boston Basin is steep, but reasonably short. It is about 3 to 4 hours from the car depending on which camp you choose. The lower camp is at 5400 feet and the upper camp at 6200 feet. The routes themselves do not offer any particularly high grade of climbing but the terrain is transition intensive, exposed, and constantly demands your attention.
The Forbidden West Ridge: Grade 3 / 5.6
The Forbidden Peak West Ridge is one of the 50 Classic Climbs in North America - with good reason. An approach from camp of about one hour will get you to the base of the Unnamed Glacier which is located below Forbidden Peak's South Face. We will ascend the glacier and then climb up the well-known access couloir to the actual West Ridge. In early season this is a fairly straight forward affair involving basic crampon and ice axe work. Eventually the couloir melts out and we then access the West Ridge via one of the rocky gullies that border the snow couloir on its west side.
Once on the West Ridge, we follow the ridge to the top. This ridge is where the route truly earned its reputation. The rock quality is great, the exposure is spectacular but not overwhelming and the scenery is stunning in every direction. Round trip time from camp to camp is approximately 8 to 10 hours.
The Forbidden East Ridge Direct: Grade 3 / 5.8
The initial approach from camp is the same as for the West Ridge, but before truly reaching the Unnamed Glacier we trend east and up a broad shoulder to the base of the East Ridge. The good news is that the East Ridge is easily accessible any time during the summer season - no matter how melted out conditions are. The East Ridge Direct followed by a subsequent descent of the West Ridge is a popular way to complete the route. Either way, it should be a great time. If you are up for a bit harder climbing, this might be the route for you. The rock (Skagit Gneiss) on the ridge is very good, and the 5.8 sections of climbing provide significant exposure. Round trip time from camp to camp is approximately 8 to 10 hours.
The Forbidden North Ridge: Grade 4 / 5.7
This climb involves a crossing of the famous Sharkfin Col from the Quien Sabe Glacier to the impressive Boston Glacier on the east side of Forbidden Peak. On a side note, the Boston Glacier is the biggest of the over 300 glaciers in North Cascades National Park. Once on the glacier, we head north to access the toe of the North Ridge. From here we have the option of following the entire ridge to the summit or drop onto the Forbidden Glacier which allows us to access the ridge proper via a snow and ice shield (it is called the Northwest Face of the North Ridge). Either way - you will feel that you are in a magnificent setting. The actual rock climb on the ridge is always enjoyable and pretty straightforward, since the rock is solid and favorably layered for movement. We highly recommend to do this climb as a three day climb, since the approach to the toe of the North Ridge already involves over 6000 feet of vertical gain and a lot of distance. The extra day increases the trip price, but it is well worth it.
The NW Buttress and the South face direct offer more challenging climbing and are usually done in 3 days. Please contact us if you'd like us to put together a trip for you to climb one of these routes.
Seasonality
Jul-Aug
Mount Rainier Climb
Mount Rainier is extraordinary. At 14,411 feet Mount Rainier is the third highest peak in the lower 48 states and arguably the most massive, high alpine peak. We will climb Mount Rainier via the Emmons Glacier for a more enjoyable experience away from the crowds. We also have the option of climbing the Kautz Glacier if a group is committed to obtaining the permits one to two years ahead of time. These routes are slightly more advanced than the standard Disappointment Cleaver Route.
Seasonality
Jul
Mt. Shuksan - Fisher Chimneys
Mount Shuksan's Fisher Chimneys is one of the very classic Cascadian alpine routes up the most iconic (and most photographed) peak in North Cascades National Park. To get to this 9127 foot summit, you will do it all. Start with a scenic hike, climb a complicated series of chimneys, camp in an amazing setting, cross several glaciers and climb the spectacular summit pyramid to the summit of Mount Shuksan. The Fisher Chimneys route is longer and more involved than the standard Sulphide Glacier route and our three day program offers an ideal itinerary to make the experience enjoyable. The Fisher Chimneys route is also a great preparatory climb for any of our climbs offered in the Alps. All routes on Mount Shuksan culminate with the imposing 700 foot summit pyramid. It is commonly climbed up a central snow and rock gully, or the aesthetic mid fifth class rock of the southeast ridge.
Even though the climb is a "guided climb" and not an "instructional course", we love to teach along the way and you can expect to be exposed to movement in exposed fourth class terrain, extensive roped glacier travel, potentially some crampon front pointing and some mid fifth class rock climbing. It is important to be physically well prepared for this exciting climb. The climb is strenuous and the terrain demanding. Strong physical fitness will make your experience much more enjoyable.
Seasonality
Jul-Aug
Whistler Backcountry Hut Trip
The high alpine ski touring in Garibaldi Provincial Park features everything you want in a hut trip: easy access, a spectacular setting in the backcountry of Whistler/Blackcomb ski area, heavily glaciated terrain, and lodging at the new Kees and Claire hut! It seems incredible that terrain of such quality and easy access (we take the lift to the top of the Whistler ski area) can still offer so much solitude and such a wilderness experience.
Seasonality
Mar
Spearhead Traverse
Europe has the Haute Route. The Northwest has the Spearhead Traverse. This high alpine ski tour in Garibaldi Provincial Park features everything it takes to become a classic. Easy access, a spectacular setting in the backcountry of Whistler/Blackcomb ski area, heavily glaciated terrain and even a hut (Yes! A stay at the new Kees and Claire hut is part of our trip!) make it a must for anybody who is serious about ski touring.
It seems incredible that a ski traverse of such quality and easy access (we take the lift to the top of the Blackcomb ski area) can still offer so much solitude and a true wilderness experience.
Seasonality
Apr
Isolation Ski Traverse
The Isolation Traverse takes you through the mountain wilderness north of Eldorado. From the high peaks of the Colonial-Snowfield group to the glacial expanses of the McAllister and Inspiration glaciers, this trip is a true North Cascades adventure. We will cross high cols, summit lonely peaks, and cross big glaciers. It's a natural and compelling route that offers some great skiing and an unforgettable adventure.
Seasonality
Unknown
Forbidden Ski Traverse
Martin Volken pioneered this multi-day ski tour in 1999 and we still love guiding it. The combination of the high alpine atmosphere, the great skiing and mountain wilderness make this trip a must for every serious backcountry skier. The region hosts every element that is needed to show what advanced ski touring in the Cascades is all about.
Seasonality
Apr-May
3 Day Mount Baker Ski Summit
Mount Baker offers some of the best ski touring in the state. It's hard to argue with 8,000 feet of vertical in one of the world's largest snow factories. The terrain is high alpine and as severe as you want to make it. It's a beautiful summit and we love guiding it!
Seasonality
Apr-May
Snoqualmie Ski Tour
For advanced backcountry skiers only! The mountains in Seattle's backyard hold a collection of backcountry skiing gems that should not be missed. There are couloirs to ski, peaks and slopes with views hard to find, and hidden powder lines to discover. If you are an experienced backcountry skiier, come with us and discover the amazing terrain of Snoqualmie Pass
Seasonality
Jan-Apr
Advanced Backcountry - Crystal Mountain
For advanced backcountry skiers only! The peaks around Crystal Mountain hold a collection of backcountry skiing gems that should not be missed. There are couloirs to ski, peaks and slopes with views hard to find, and hidden powder lines to discover. If you are an experienced backcountry skiier, come with us and discover the amazing terrain of Crystal Mountain's backcountry.
Seasonality
Jan-Apr
The Tooth - South Face Climb
The South Face of the Tooth is the most easily accessed, moderate multi-pitch alpine rock route in Western Washington. The trailhead is at Alpental at Snoqualmie Pass, under an hour from Seattle. Going at 5.4, this climb is the definition of "5.FUN" climbing! Trips available every day May through October
Seasonality
Jul-Oct
Chair Peak Climb
Chair Peak in the Alpental Valley near Snoqualmie Pass offers several routes of varying difficulty in an alpine setting barely one hour from Seattle. Chair Peak is a great day trip for anyone looking for a quick alpine outing or a solid training peak for bigger objectives.
Seasonality
Jul-Oct
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