Experience Iconic Alpine Climbing In Boston Basin

Climb Forbidden Peak or other classic mountains in Boston Basin with local, AMGA certified guides. Boston Basin is one of the most popular backcountry zones for alpine climbing in North Cascades National Park and for good reason: the comparatively short approach paired with the high quality and densely stacked quantity of alpine climbing routes on Forbidden Peak make it a perfect destination for climbers to continue to visit and explore year after year. The iconic Forbidden Peak towers above Boston Basin, a triangular peak with ridges dropping sharply off the summit in all compass directions. Most well known is the West Ridge of Forbidden Peak, listed as one of the 50 Classic Climbs of North America. But the other nearby routes, such as the North Ridge of Forbidden Peak, East Ridge of Forbidden Peak, and the challenging test-piece the Torment Forbidden Traverse offer similarly high quality alpine climbing with a more private experience. Each route in Boston Basin has its unique flair but all have extensive exposure requiring au cheval technique (translated to on a horse, climbers straddle the ridge with one leg on each side) and stunning views overlooking Moraine Lake, nearby Eldorado Peak and the heavily crevassed Boston Glacier.

Carabiner icon with gold outline, depicting a guided alpine climb on Forbidden Peak.

Intermediate to advanced alpine rock climbing on classic routes

Icon of a mountain, depicting the prerequisites required for hiring a guide to climb Forbidden Peak.

Multipitch rock climbing experience is required for all routes in Boston Basin

Calendar and clock icon, depicting the schedule for a guided climb on Forbidden Peak in the North Cascades.

Most routes in Boston Basin are a 3 day itinerary
Linkups and custom itineraries are available upon request

Waypoint icon, depicting Forbidden Peak and Boston Basin as the climbing destination for a guided trip.

North Cascades National Park
Forbidden Peak
8,815 ft / 2,686 m

Which route do you want to climb?

A guide leads up the summit block on the West Ridge of Forbidden Peak with the large glaciers around Eldorado Peak in the background.

West Ridge of Forbidden Peak

Intermediate alpine rock climb

A climber with a blue hooded shirt and red backpack is climbing a steep rock tower on the East Ridge of Forbidden Peak with Boston Basin below.

East Ridge of Forbidden Peak

Intermediate/advanced alpine rock climb

A view of the West Ridge and Torment-Forbidden Peak as viewed from the summit of Forbidden Peak. A turquoise moraine lake is below with the snowy Eldorado Peak in the background.

Torment-Forbidden Traverse

Advanced multi-day alpine climb

A climber with a red helmet and red backpack climbs the final steep rock headwall on the North Ridge of Forbidden Peak with the ridge splitting the Forbidden and Boston Glaciers below.

North Ridge of Forbidden Peak

Advanced multi-day alpine climb

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