Interested in a mountaineering adventure? If so, this course is for you! People come from all over the world to experience the crown jewel of the Cascade Mountain Range. Mt. Rainier is the most glaciated peak in the contiguous United States, and climbing it requires teamwork, perseverance, and appropriate weather. What sets our course apart from many other Rainier expeditions is we want you to LEARN the skills necessary to travel in high-alpine conditions.
With its icy blue crevasses, wind-sculpted snow structures, and ancient flowing glaciers, this course will take you into the seldomly-traveled terrain of the highest point in the Pacific Northwest as you get the opportunity to climb Mount Rainier. Travel along the icy glacier on rope teams, with our experienced instructors leading the charge. You’ll be introduced to mountaineering tools like ice axes and crampons that are essential to the journey. Experience the spiritual benefits of physically and mentally challenging yourself in God’s creation and see how God uses the wilderness and mountains to speak. Join us for this classic Pacific Northwest mountaineering adventure!
Mount Rainier Course Elements & Skills Learned
- Glacier travel
- Self-belay with ice axe
- Personal snow anchors
- Crevasse Rescue
- Cooking at altitude
- Setting up basecamp
- LNT practices
- Risk assessment: assessing conditions, weather & group status
- Familiarization and use of equipment associated with glacier travel
- Self-care at high altitude
Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1
Mountaineering adventure begins. Meet at White River Campground in the morning at 10am. We will pack up and hike to Glacier Basin Campground (3 miles). This is a relatively easy day to get us acclimated and used to the heavy packs. We will be attempting the Emmons Route.
Day 2
From Glacier Basin we will hike to Camp Sherman.
Day 3
Rest day. We will prepare for our summit bid including some basic mountaineering training. Early dinner and bed before an early start!
Day 4
Summit Bid–climb Mount Rainier!
Day 5
Hike back to White River where the adventure began.
Pricing
Everything is included in the price below except the transportation to and from Rainier and some of the gear needed for the expedition. We will provide a list of gear needed upon registration, which you will be able to rent from the local mountaineering shop on the way into Rainier National park. We will provide food, tents and technical gear such ice axe, helmet, harness, stoves and cookware for meals.