Summiting mt. rainier

ride-rider

ride-rider

Active member
have any of you guys summited mt rainier? My dad and i are thinking of doing it next spring. How hard was it? did you train alot?
 
Watch out for the altitude, its amazing how much of a difference it can make on energy and sickness. Do train pretty well, because depending on how you break it down, it can be very strenuous. If you do an RMI-esque climb (one night, summit day leave muir around 12-1am) it'll be hell, so break it up a bit more and enjoy it more.

Practice a shit ton of crevasse rescue skills. In the early and late spring, crevasses arent as much an issue, especially on the main routes (but check updates often), but they do happen. Quite a few people fall into them, but most people are fine with proper practice. If you aren't as tech, you can go up the main route (DC route) and usually RMI has fixed lines and shit, and even ladders if necessary. Lots of people go on that route, so its practically a trail up at times.

Weather in the spring can fluctuate far more than mid summer. I remember going up to Muir... was perfectly sunny leaving Paradise, but was practically a blizzard by the time I got to camp muir. So have alllll the shit you need.
 
All you need to know right there, except I don't recommend RMI. It's really not that fun of a climb and acclimation is close to none. I did a 4-day climb. That was a lot of fun, very scenic, yet still required all of the rescue skills that are needed to have the safest possible climb.

Train before the hike for several months, 10-20 mile day hikes. It's the PNW it really shouldn't be hard to find that, especially loop trails. I'm a pretty small guy and I had to build up leg muscle in the spring before august, did a 15 miler every month and then did a timed test by climbing up and down mt. si in 2 hours with a pack. That's a good test for anyone.

I don't know if you need to do THAT much, but I really suggest it. Have a fun time up one of the most beautiful mountains in the world!
 
Yea, I would discourage using RMI. They work for some people, but damn its pricey (climbing gear is expensive enough) and they make you climb in like compact caterpillars, and just give no lee way. Just use their gear that they place :)

Good workout regimen... it really helps.
 
ya my dad climed it when 3 times last time he did it was like 10 years ago, and he summited and came all the way down in 1 day. im not gonna try for this but, im thinking mayby doing it in 2 days. But ya so you dont need to worry about cravasses as much on the main trail correct? it their any scetchy spots, like steep angles or stuff like that, or is it more of an endourance type of a climb?
 
Crevasses are definitely not as much of a factor on the main DC route, but it is still very important to be competent at crevasse rescue, just incase. The only sketchy parts (which are less sketchy in the Spring) is usually the traverse gaining the cleaver, since there can be nasty rockfall. Gaining the spine of the cleaver can be interesting, but RMI usually has fixed lines there, but not always. Usually from there is pretty mellow, just tiring.

Last year, however, the route from the top of the cleaver onto the Emmons was all wacky, with some jumbled crevasse crossings and shit. that was about the worst of it.
 
The power-climb (two dayer) is what my dad suggests for most peaks in the lower 48. Its good if you just have a weekend and are fucking nuts.

Do it in the summer, much better weather, better views, bad crevasse danger, but at least the routes are easier to see and manage. If you want a good day summit and ski descent, do Mt Pilchuck.
 
my aunt climbed it years ago, i believe in march 1979 , but on her climb in particular there was a slide which killed two of the people climbing in her party, one of which was Willi Unsoeld who was one of the first american's to summit everest, rainier is nothing to fuck with bro, be careful
 
Ya im so pumped to do it. i feel pretty confident going with my dad sense he has done it so many times, and where probly gonna have a group of 5 or so. Im going to be the youngest though. (15)
 
my cousin fell down almost the entire thing in an avalanche, like 1300 feet of falling. his climbing partner died, he broke almost every bone in his body but managed to build a fire with broken legs and arms and survive.
 
My dad owns a guide service which takes people up. PM me if you have any questions. Trust me, it takes a couple months of training to get fit enough to climb it
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top