Article Highlights:

  • Climbing the Seven Summits sponsors the 2025 Global Rescue Photo & Video Contest with a Mount Baker Classic Climb prize.
  • Photography is central to Climbing the Seven Summits’ philosophy, showing that expeditions are about more than summits.
  • The Mount Baker Classic Climb teaches glacier travel, ice axe use and rope techniques under expert instruction.
  • Day-by-day itinerary includes base camp setup, skills training and a summit push with sweeping views of the Cascades.
  • Contest entries close October 2, 2025, with nearly $10,000 in prizes across all categories.

 

Adventure is never just about a destination — it’s about the journey, the people, the lessons and the moments that live on long after the trail has ended. In 2025, Global Rescue is celebrating this truth with the Global Rescue Photo and Video Contest, themed Travel Boldly. This year’s contest is a tribute to explorers, storytellers and dreamers who dare to transform their travels into works of art.

Global Rescue has joined forces with extraordinary partners to create prizes that go far beyond the ordinary — nearly $10,000 in guided expeditions, immersive experiences and Global Rescue memberships are waiting for winners. Among the most exciting prizes is a spot on the Mount Baker Classic Climb, offered by Climbing the Seven Summits, one of the world’s premier mountaineering outfitters.

 

Photography as the Language of Adventure

At Climbing the Seven Summits, images and videos are more than just souvenirs — they are tools for storytelling. “Photography and video allow us to show that expeditions are about much more than the summit,” the team explains. “They highlight preparation, teamwork and resilience, while inspiring future climbers and connecting families to the journey.”

For many climbers, the mountain experience is almost indescribable. The crunch of crampons on ice, the breath of thin air, the camaraderie at camp — these details are hard to put into words. Through photos and videos, Climbing the Seven Summits can capture these fleeting sensations and share the deeper meaning of the climb.

 

The Power of Capturing the Journey, Not Just the Summit

Every climber dreams of a triumphant summit shot, ice axe raised in victory. But Climbing the Seven Summits believes the most memorable photos are often taken long before the peak.

“One of the best views in the Khumbu Valley is the first sight of Everest and Ama Dablam rising above Namche Bazaar,” a guide reflects. “That moment captures both the anticipation and the beauty of the community and landscape that make the Khumbu so special.”

For climbers on Mount Baker, equally powerful memories can be found along the trail — sharing a sunrise coffee at base camp, practicing rope techniques on the glacier or catching the first glimpse of the North Cascades stretching endlessly on the horizon. These images preserve not just a destination, but the very essence of the adventure.

 

How Photos Keep the Mountain Alive

Long after an expedition ends, photographs and videos become time capsules of emotion. “A strong photo or video brings back the feeling of the moment as much as the scenery itself,” Climbing the Seven Summits explains. “Looking back, climbers remember the laughter at camp, the nerves before a summit push or the joy of reaching the top. The visual memory makes the experience last forever.”

In fact, for many clients, these images become the spark for future adventures. A single snapshot of standing on Baker’s summit ridge or navigating an ice field can reignite the desire to set bigger goals, inspiring climbers to take on peaks across the world.

 

The Prize: Mount Baker Classic Climb

As part of the 2025 Global Rescue Photo and Video Contest, Climbing the Seven Summits is offering winners the chance to join its 3-Day Mount Baker Classic Climb in Washington State.

Mount Baker is an active stratovolcano rising more than 10,000 feet, and it serves as the perfect training ground for mountaineers. The experience blends instruction, practice and challenge, offering both an introduction to alpine climbing and a stepping stone toward bigger objectives.

Here is a closer look at what the winners can expect:

Day 1: Orientation and Ascent to Base Camp

The adventure begins with a gear check, safety briefing and introduction to the climbing team. Participants then hike from the trailhead through lush forest toward the mountain’s lower slopes. As the group ascends, the views of the North Cascades open up, with rugged ridges and distant snowfields hinting at the challenges ahead.
By late afternoon, climbers arrive at base camp, where they set up tents, review camp craft and enjoy their first night on the mountain. The evening often includes an orientation to glacier travel and basic safety techniques.

Day 2: Skills Training on the Glacier

On the second day, climbers move onto the ice for intensive skills training. Under the guidance of expert instructors, participants practice essential mountaineering techniques:

  • Rope team travel and communication
  • Self-arrest with an ice axe
  • Crampon use on snow and ice
  • Crevasse rescue basics
  • Proper pacing and efficiency on steep terrain

This hands-on instruction builds confidence and ensures that every climber is prepared for the summit attempt. The day ends with a hearty camp meal and an early bedtime to prepare for the climb.

Day 3: Summit Attempt

Summit day begins well before dawn. Climbers set out in rope teams by headlamp, ascending the glacier in the stillness of night. As the sun rises, the snowfields glow pink and gold, revealing the dramatic skyline of the Cascades.
The final push to Baker’s 10,781-foot summit is both challenging and exhilarating. Reaching the top, climbers are rewarded with panoramic views stretching from Mount Rainier to the Canadian border. After photos and celebration, the group descends safely back to camp and eventually to the trailhead, completing an unforgettable three-day journey.

The Mount Baker Classic Climb is designed to teach essential skills, build confidence and leave climbers with both lifelong memories and the ability to take on bigger adventures.

And to ensure peace of mind, winners also receive a 14-day Global Rescue membership, which provides world-class medical and security advisory and evacuation services should the unexpected arise.

 

Beyond the Mountains: A Philosophy of Bold Travel

Climbing the Seven Summits has built its reputation by guiding climbers of all levels, from those tackling their first glacier climb to seasoned adventurers chasing the Seven Summits challenge. At the heart of their work is a belief that travel — especially in wild, demanding environments — can be transformative.

Every climb offers moments of challenge and triumph, but also cultural encounters, friendships and a newfound respect for the natural world. This is what Climbing the Seven Summits encourages its climbers to capture: not just the pinnacle of achievement, but the small, authentic moments that tell the whole story.

Why Bold Travel Deserves to Be Shared

Global Rescue’s 2025 Photo and Video Contest, with its theme Travel Boldly, is about more than aesthetics. It’s a recognition that images have the power to connect us across cultures and inspire new journeys.

For Climbing the Seven Summits, this theme resonates deeply. Every expedition is built on bold choices — from the decision to leave home and step into the unknown, to the courage to learn new skills and push personal limits. Photography and video preserve those bold choices, turning fleeting experiences into lasting legacies.

 

Contest Details

The Global Rescue 2025 Photo and Video Contest is open for submissions until October 2, 2025. Adventurers are invited to submit their most powerful images and videos that embody the spirit of Travel Boldly.

Once entries close, a panel of expert judges will review submissions, searching for photographs and videos that tell unforgettable stories of exploration and connection. With nearly $10,000 in prizes — including the Mount Baker Classic Climb with Climbing the Seven Summits — the contest offers both recognition and extraordinary adventure opportunities for winners.

Whether you’re an experienced photographer or someone who captured a spontaneous, breathtaking moment on your phone, your work has the potential to inspire others to venture into the world boldly.

Enter the Global Rescue 2025 Photo and Video Contest.