See You Next Year!

Summer is officially over.  Bill Cook snapped this great shot on his 9/20 climb.

9/28 Mount Rainier Climb: The Last Climb of the Season Summits!

We're very proud to report that the last Rainier climb of the 2015 Summer season was victorious and made it to the top of the mountain early this morning!   It was a windy day and a bit of a white-out on the summit, but the whole team made it down to Muir safe and sound.   Only a mere snowfield separates them from celebratory burgers and beers.

Additionally, everyone's favorite mountain-guiding, Coke drinking Scotsman, AAI Guide Stuart Robertson, snagged his 150th summit of Rainier this trip.   And with that, our season in the Cascades has come to a close.     For all of you armchair mountaineers, there are still spots open for the 2016 season.   Maybe next year is YOUR year to tag the summit of Rainier too.   Thanks so much for following along and we'll catch you next year!

9/28 Rainier Summit Climb: Enjoys a Beautiful Day on the Mountain

The team just called from Camp Muir where they are enjoying a bout of absolutely beautiful weather.  Spirits are high as climbers work on mastering the fine art of walking in crampons, self arresting, and generally being a safe member of a rope team in sunny snow school.   Best of luck to our LAST climb of the season!

9/26 Mount Rainier Summit Climb: Victorious!

Guide Brent Langlinais here, happy to report that our 3-day Muir team is back in high camp after an incredible end of the season Rainier summit.  The temps were chilly but the sky was clear, the moon was full, and our small summit team is thrilled we stood on the tippy top, greeted by a glorious sunrise. Snow storms from the last few weeks have left firm consolidated snow and a direct route which is safer and faster than we have seen in months. Hiking down now for much deserved burger and beer!

Don't worry, the did not take the route iteration with this scary ladder. 

This is the way they DIDN'T Go! 

9/24 Mount Rainier Summit Climb

Due to the unfavorable forecast, the team wasn't able to summit.   However, a great time was had by all despite the weather.   Fantastic attempt!

9/22 Mount Rainier Summit Climb

The team called on their way back down from Camp Muir.   They weren't able to summit due to high winds, but everyone is doing well and is excited to get off the mountain and refuel with bacon cheeseburgers at Copper Creek.

September 22- 24 Rainier climb Moving up to High Camp

Our 3-day Rainier climbers are doing well and enjoying pretty nice, but breezy weather today. This morning the group did snow school at Camp Muir before dividing up into rope teams and moving up to Ingraham Flats. They will be watching the weather and conditions for their summit attempt in the early hours tomorrow. All is well with the team.

Sept 20-22 Rainier climb Summits!

 Congratulations to our September 20-22nd climbing team for their successful summit this morning!
With the ongoing efforts of all three guide services to maintain the route on the upper mountain, the route is in good shape and our climbers made the most of it. Everyone is safely back down to high camp, and will be starting their further descent down the mountain shortly.

9/20 Mount Rainier Summit Climb

The team just checked in from high camp where they are enjoying beautiful weather.   Everyone is psyched to head for the summit tonight.  Good luck team!

9/16 Mount Rainier Summit Climb

 Our summit attempt was thwarted by fresh snow, deep drifts, and loaded avalanche prone slopes. But our team had a great time swapping stories, learning new mountaineering skills, and enjoying incredible winteresque views from Camp Muir. All team members did great in the tough conditions and we are now are back to civilization making our way home. Cheers. ~Brent 

September 16-18 Rainier Team Checks in from Muir

All is well with our climbing team at Muir. It started snowing yesterday evening and snowed all night, and continues to snow today as well. The team will get out and do snow school and skills this morning at Muir. They will then evaluate the weather and conditions before deciding whether or not to move to high camp later today.

100% Summit Success for Sept. 14-16 Rainier Climb!

Congratulations to our Rainier team for their 100% summit success today! They left at dawn due to cold temps and conditions, and their efforts were rewarded with views from the summit. The guides called in late morning descending from high on the mountain and all is well with the team. They have a very full day in store with descending back to Paradise before heading to Ashford for a celebratory meal followed by a van ride back to Seattle. Nice job, team!

September 14-16 Climb doing well

Our Sept. 14-16th climbing team checked in and all is well. The high winds from the past few days have dropped off significantly and all was calm at Camp Muir this morning. The group was working on snow school, before moving to high camp today. They plan to leave camp before dawn for a summit attempt tomorrow morning. Good luck to the team!

Sept 12-14 Rainier Team gives it a shot

Our Rainier team gave it a go trying to make the summit this morning but were turned back due to high winds. All is well with the group. Here's a photo of the group from the early hours this morning. Thanks to guide Brent Langlinais for sending that along. 

9/12 Mount Rainier Climb: Valiant Effort

In spite of the high winds blasting the mountain, the team put forth their best effort as they made a summit bid from Camp Muir early this morning. They made it to the Flats before having to turn around due to extremely windy conditions.  Nice effort!

9/12 Mount Rainier Climb: Battens down the Hatches!

The team just checked in from Camp Muir.   Everyone is doing well and learning lots in snow school!   The climbers can practically tap dance in their crampons.  Due to high winds on the mountain, the team will be launching their summit attempt from Camp Muir instead of Ingraham Flats. Good luck team!

9/10 Mount Rainier Climb: Summits!

It was a beautiful but slightly windy day on top of Mount Rainier yesterday morning.  The team is super excited to have made it to the top!   

Alpine Ascents Fall Guide Training: Working Hard in Leavenworth!

A lovely day for technical rock rescue. 

9/10 Mount Rainier Summit Climb: Catches Beautiful Views

All is well with our 9/10 Rainier Summit team.   They are doing well at high camp and are super excited for their summit bid later tonight.

September 8-10th Rainier Climb Summits!

Congrats to our Rainier team for being the first ones to make the summit in a few climbs! The team made it back down safely and had a beautiful day to summit and descend the mountain. 

Sept 8-10 Rainier climb

Here are a couple more photos from the group. Looks like a beautiful day at high camp!

Sept. 8-10 Rainier Climb Doing Great

Our group checked in earlier and all is well at Camp Muir. The team was working on snow school and getting ready for their move to high camp. The forecast is calling for decreasing winds and sunny skies so everyone is hopeful about getting to the summit. Best of luck to the team! Here's a neat pic from the guides of the Mt. Rainier NPS bringing supplies up to Camp Muir via helicopter. These flights occur throughout the season to manage supplies and the removal of human waste in a very popular day-hike destination and stop for those going to the top!

6-day Course Enjoying a Beauiful Day in the Mountains!

The group just checked in and all is well. After a drizzly and rainy day yesterday they are happy to see the sunshine! It's a beautiful day today and forecasted to be the same for the rest of the week. They are working on learning about and building anchors now, and everyone is doing well.

Sept 6-8th 3-day Rainier Climb

Our September 6-8th Rainier climb made a summit attempt yesterday and made it up to around 13,000' before making the call to descend. The team still had a great trip and were the first to make it to the upper mountain above the Cleaver since the stormy weather over the past week. The forecast looks to be improving for the coming days with sunny, warm weather for this weekend.

6-day Mountaineering Course Doing Well

The group has been making their way up to the Eldorado base camp and enjoying the tough but beautiful hike in. Everyone is doing well and tomorrow they will be working on more snow school and glacier travel skills.

September 6-8th Rainier climb

Our guides called in from a snowy Mt. Rainier.This morning the main cloud level dropped to around 8,000' making for better visibility and weather. The team spent the morning fueling up on pancakes, eggs, bacon, and coffee before doing snow school for a few hours. The team will then be moving up to high camp and hopefully going for the summit in the early hours tomorrow. We will post when we hear from them again!

9/4 Mount Rainier 3-Day Summit Climb: Another Snowy Day on the Mountain

The team just checked in from a very snowy Camp Muir.   Everyone is doing great and snow snow is about to get underway.   Climbers will learn the art of walking in crampons, being a safe member of a rope team, and how to self-arrest.   After school is out, they will rope up and head to High Camp to get ready for a summit attempt tonight.   Good luck team!

8/2 Mount Rainier 3-Day Summit Climb: Enjoys a Snowy Day at High Camp

Our 8/2 team sent over this amazing shot from high camp on Mount Rainier.  You can just see Little Tahoma poking its pointy head through the clouds.   It certainly looks like fall on the mountain!

8/2 Rainier 3-Day Summit Climb: Encounters Some Weather...

Our ultra-tough 8/2 team just checked in from High Camp on the Flats.   As you can see, viability is a little low.   After a break in the weather and bluebird skies this afternoon at Muir for snow school, Mount Rainier continues to dish out some classic fall weather.  Here's hoping that conditions allow for a summit attempt tonight.  Good luck team!

Alpine Ascents Fall Guide Training: Our Fabulous Guide Team Trains and Enjoys Life Off the Glacier

From September 1-4, Alpine Ascents guides have descended upon Leavenworth, WA to learn new systems, practice rock rescue scenarios, and generally keep their skills sharp. Odd are that they will manage to slip in a few after hours pitches.   Look for the guys and gals in the white hats in Der Town until tomorrow!   

8/31 Mount Rainier Summit Climb: Photos Galore!

Our 8/31 Mount Rainier summit team is back to Seattle safe and sound.  While the crew wasn't able to make a summit attempt due to unstable, wind-loaded snow slopes, they had an amazing time on the mountain nevertheless.   Fall is in full swing on Mount Rainier.   Look at all that fresh snow! 

8/30 6-Day Mountaineering Course: Explores the Sulfide Glacier

Our 6-Day Mountaineering course just called in from low camp on Shuskan.   It feels like fall in the North Cascades as the team continues to be dusted by snowflakes.   Today the team is going to bundle up and head out on the Sulfide in search of a softer snow (for snow anchor building purposes) and hopefully a crevasse rescue ground school.   The team will be coming out of the field tomorrow!

Aug 30- Sept 4th Cascades 6-day Checks In

The 6-day group on Shuksan has certainly learned a lot about self care in wet weather over the past couple days. The group is in high spirits and doing well. Today they are getting out and working on anchors, movement on snow, and rope team travel after sticking closer to their tents yesterday in rainy conditions. They did lots of skills such as navigation, and knot tying which will be put into practice in the coming days.

Aug. 31- Sept 2nd Rainier Climb Going for the Summit, weather permitting

Washington has been hit with quite a system of low pressure the last few days. While we certainly need the precipitation given the drought and fires, it makes climbing more dynamic and challenging as well. The upper mountain has gotten quite a bit of snow and our Muir team hopes to check it out on a summit attempt this morning! If the forecast and conditions permit they will be getting out there and seeing if they can get to the top. Good luck to the team!

8/22 13-Day: Climbs Vantage

Our 13-Day Course escaped from the pervasive Pacific Northwest rain by heading out to Vantage, WA for sunshine, basalt, and lots of rock climbing!   After four days in the desert, students were leading sport routes and building bomber anchors.  They also worked on their crevasse rescue systems.   Today, they will be crack climbing and learning how to place gear.   Tomorrow, they will be heading out to new location.  Stay tuned! 

8/29 Mount Rainier 3-Day Summit Climb: Stopped by Stormy Conditions

The storm that settled over Mount Rainier a few days ago is still going strong.  Unfortunately, our team wasn't able to make it to Camp Muir due to high winds, heavy precipitation, and downright miserable conditions.   Everyone is currently safe and dry back in Seattle.   It was a valiant effort!

8/27 Mount Rainier 3-Day Summit Climb: Turned by Terrible Weather

Unfortunately a bit of a storm is hitting Mount Rainier at the moment.  High winds and heavy precipitation at Camp Muir yesterday kept the team from moving higher on the mountain.   However, everyone made it off the mountain safe and sound.   Luckily, the team had dry clothes and shoes waiting for them in Paradise and nobody was forced to eat burgers and sip huckleberry milkshakes in waterlogged clothes.  Here's to hoping the weather improves!

8/25 Mount Rainier 3-Day Summit Climb: 100% Summit Success!

We're proud to report that our 8/27 Mount Rainier climb had a 100% summit success rate!   Here's to proving September wrong.   Congratulations team!

8/24 Rock Climbing Course Wraps Up!

Our Rock Climbing Course is wrapping up a stellar five days of sampling Leavenworth granite today!  Everyone is adequately tired and doing great after oodles of climbing. 

8/22 13-Day Mountaineering Course: Photos Galore!

Our 13-Day course kicked off with glacier skills in Boston Basin followed by a beautiful summit of Sahale.  Here are some belated photographs from the first chunk of the course.  The team has since moved on to rock climbing in Leavenworth.   Everyone is doing great!

8/23 6-Day Course: Summits Shuksan!

Our 6-Day Mountaineering Course just checked in from the summit of Mount Shuksan,   Everyone made it to the top and enjoyed beautiful views, sunshine, and the rush of summit victory!   The last rope team is heading down toward camp now.  Tomorrow they will work on navigation and anchors before heading back to Seattle.  They hope to roll into town sometime tomorrow evening.

8/22 13-Day Course: Climbs the Tooth!

Our 13-Day Mountaineering Course enjoyed a sunny summit of The Tooth, a moderate classic a stone's throw from Seattle.  Everyone is having a blast (and working on their tans)!

8/24 Rock Climbing Course: Even More Fantastic Climbing!

It's the fourth day of the Rock Climbing Course and all is well in Leavenworth. It's clear again with  no smoke, luckily. Bruce's Boulder in the Castle Rock climbing area has been a perfect venue for continuing to work on their skills today. Everyone is stoked!

August 23rd 6-day Working on Crevasse Rescue

The team is doing well on Shuksan. They are doing crevasse rescue practice today and reviewing rope team travel. This evening two additional guides will join the group for a summit attempt tomorrow. All are looking forward to putting their skills to use and hopefully getting to the top. Best of luck to the team!

Aug 23-25 Rainier Climb Summits!

The Rainier team made the summit in the early morning hours yesterday and had a really beautiful day on the mountain. After a safe descent back to camp they headed down the mountain and enjoyed a nice meal before heading back to Seattle.

8/25 Muir climbers

13-day Course Summits Sahale Peak

Our 13-day course guides called to check in. They had an early morning summit of Sahale Peak in Boston Basin this morning. After resting a bit they did fun fixed line ascension practice. Due to all the wildfires on the east side of the Cascades it's gotten really smoky in Boston Basin again today. They will be packing up and heading out tomorrow, and will be going to Leavenworth for the rock climbing portion of the course. They are looking forward to the next few days!

August 23rd 6-day Course doing Great!

The guides called in from a beautiful day on Mt. Shuksan today. They are working on snow travel skills and enjoying the views. Right now the plan is for a summit attempt on Thursday. All is well with the team and they will check back in tomorrow.

13-Day Course: Skills Practice in Boston Basin

Our 13-Day Mountaineering Course checked in from beautiful Boston Basin.  The team is camped on the Sahale Arm. Today they worked on building anchors and other important skills.  Tomorrow they will go for the summit of Sahale and then get ready for rock climbing in Leavenworth.  Good luck team!

8/23 3-Day Mount Rainier Climb: All is Well

Our 8/23 3-Day Rainier summit climb is currently having snow school up at Camp Muir in preparation to head up to High Camp.  Everyone is doing great!  The team is excited for their summit push tonight.  Stay tuned!

8/21 3-Day Mount Rainier Climb: Summit Success!

Our 3-Day Mount Rainier climb summited very early Sunday morning.  Congratulations team!

8/16 6-Day Course: Summits Shuksan!

After a great course, the climbers on our 6-Day course put their new alpine climbing skills to the test with a Shuksan summit attempt.  They passed with flying colors and got to take it gorgeous views at the top.  Strong work team!

Climbers coming up the summit pyramid on Shuksan

8/18 Mount Rainier 4-Day Emmons Summit Climb

Our Emmons climb just checked in from around Camp Curtis.  Last night they went for the summit but were turned back by poor route conditions at around 10,500'.   Despite not reaching the tippy top, the team was psyched that they gave the route a go.   They will roll into back into Seattle late tonight.

8/19 Mount Rainier 3-Day Climb

Our 3-Day Rainier summit climb just checked from Camp Muir.  Snow school is in session as the crew prepares to head to the upper mountain.   From walking in crampons to being part of a rope team, the climbers are learning all the moves to take them over glaciated terrain safely.   It's a bit breezy but spirits are high nonetheless!  

August 15-17th Rainier... Photo of the MLS Supporter's Shield on the Summit!

Our August 15-17th Rainier climb had an extra special piece of gear along. This Fred Hutch Climb for Breast Cancer Climb not only raised money for the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, but also for the first time ever brought the Major League Soccer "Supporter's Shield" for a trip up Mt. Rainier! The shield is presented to the MLS team with the best record in a given season and was awarded to the Seattle Sounders at the end of the 2014 season. Guides and climbers were able to summit with the Shield in the early morning on August 17th under bluebird skies.

What a unique and fun challenge to be a part of. Go Sounders!

August 17-19 Rainier Climb

The 3-day Rainier climbers called to check in yesterday before their move to high camp. They were doing great and working on snow school after a hearty breakfast. All was well with the group and they were looking forward to their summit attempt early this morning. We will post another update when we hear from them today.

13-day Course Revewing Skills in Washington Pass

After a fun and successful climb of Cutthroat Peak yesterday, our 13-day group is taking it a bit easier today, reviewing skills and working on wrapping up. For their final day they will drive to the north side of Mt. Baker for some some ice/serac climbing before packing up a final time and heading back to Seattle. They've all had an action-packed and fun time over the past couple weeks!

August 16th 6-day Course Checks In

The August 16th 6-day course checked in from Mt. Shuksan. They are doing well and enjoying the sunny weather while working on skills. There will be two additional guides joining them this afternoon in preparation for their summit attempt. Stay tuned!

8/8 13-Day Course: Enjoying the View from the top of Liberty Bell

They guys just called in from the top of Liberty Bell in Washington Pass.  They had an absolute blast climbing up the NW Face (5.9), a classic route that avoids the crowds.  The view is nothing short of spectacular.   Tomorrow, they are torn between heading back to the Liberty Bell Group and hopping on the Southeast Buttress of Cutthroat.  Stay tuned!

8/14 Baker Climb Summits!

After a bout of sustained lightening for the first day of the climb, the weather forecast took a turn for the better.  The team summited Mount Baker under beautiful conditions yesterday.  Everybody is stoked.  Congratulations team!

8/8 13-Day Mountaineering Course: Climbing Everything

The boys just checked in from everyone's favorite mock Bavarian village, Leavenworth.  They spent the day climbing at Castle Rock and sampled some of the town's finest moderate multi pitch climbs.  The team linked up the ultra fun three pitch Catapult with Saber/Canary.  Everyone had a blast!  Next, they are off to Washington Pass. Stay tuned for tales and shots of fabulous alpine climbing.

KEXP Charity Climb: Summits Eldorado

Our KEXP charity climb just checked in from high camp on Eldorado.  After highly dubious weather for the first part of the climb, the forecast took a turn for the better.  The whole team summited early this morning!   Now they are packing up and getting ready to head back to Seattle.  Congratulations team!

8/14 KEXP Charity Climb: A Little Wet on Eldorado

Ben Jones and the KEXP Charity climb just checked in from beautiful Eldorado in the North Cascades.   There was a bit of a lightening storm last night which forced the team to camp low.   Despite the drizzle, everyone is doing great!   They are planning on moving up this afternoon to a higher camp.  They are evaluating the weather and will try their best to make it happen!

8/8 13-Day Mountaineering Course: Rock Climbing!

The fun continues on the 13 Day Mountaineering course!  The crew is thoroughly enjoying the fine granite in Leavenworth.  The proximity to tasty brats and baked treats doesn't hurt either!  This morning they climbed R&D, a classic and fun four pitch route.  This afternoon, they are headed to Clamshell Cave to climb single pitch doses.   Everyone is having a blast!

8/8 13-Day Course: Snapshots from Shuksan

Our 13-Day Mountaineering Course spent four days on Mount Shuksan working on crevasse rescue, anchor building, glacier travel, and a host of other essential alpine skills.  While the team is currently crushing rock in Leavenworth, here are a few snapshots from their course.  

Our 13-Day Course wrapped up an amazing four days of skills on Mount Shuksan.  The summit was just the cherry on top of a sundae of North Cascades awesomeness.  They are heading out to Leavenworth to go rock climbing for the next leg of their journey.  Here are some photos from their adventures on Shuksan.