Rainier 8-day mountaineering course makes summit attempt

Just a quick update from the 8-day Rainier mountaineering course. The team made a summit attempt yesterday and climbed up to 13,200' before turning around. They all made it safely to high camp at Schurman last night, and got some well-earned rest. Today the team descends the mountain and heads back to Seattle this afternoon.

Rainier 3-day Summits!

The June 24-26th Rainier 3day climb made it to the summit of Mt. Rainier yesterday. It was hard to tell since they were in whiteout conditions, but they made it! The team did well and after a long day descending the mountain, enjoyed burgers and beverages before heading back to Seattle.

Rainier 8 Day Course at high camp

View isn't great right now, but we're all prepping to leave for the summit early tomorrow morning. 

Photo: Devin Bishop

Rainier 3-day 6/24-26

Wrapping up snow school before heading up to high camp on Day 2. Blue skies above!

Rainier June 22-24 Climb Summits!

The June 22-24 DC climbers got the full mountain experience in the past three days with variable weather ranging from sunny to whiteout snow conditions. Despite the less than perfect weather, the team was able to summit successfully and returned to Seattle yesterday evening. Nice work team!

June 16th-25th 10-Day Mountaineering Course

The 10-day Mountaineering Course is back safely. They made a summit attempt yesterday but turned around due to weather. They had a great trip and arrived in Seattle yesterday.

8 Day Course June 20-27: Day Five

Spent the day wandering up the wild and wooly Winthrop, scouting a route to Camp Schurman. Team did well and the views were fantastic. Back now at lower Winthrop camp, ready for an early morning move to Schurman high camp tomorrow. 

Winthrop wandering

View from Schurman

Photos: Devin Bishop

10 day team descends Kautz early

The team woke to snowy & windy conditions this morning at 11,200 on the Kautz. After waiting for a few hours we decided today wasn't the day to go to the top. We are in good spirits and making our way down the mountain in search of beers and burgers! 

Rainier 6/22-24 Climb all doing well

The 3-day DC climb checked in and all is well at Camp Muir. The team was doing snow school this morning before moving up to high camp at Ingraham Flats. They are looking ahead at the forecast and will be timing their summit attempt to give them the best chances of summitting.

10-day course on Rainier

The 10-day course has made the transition from the North Cascades to Rainier. The team spent the day on the initial approach up to the Kautz, and is camped at 7,800'. The crew is doing well and enjoying the fine weather on the mountain today. Tomorrow they will continue making their way up to their high camp, from which they will make their summit attempt as weather and conditions allow.

June 20-22 Rainier climb summits

Amidst warm weather and calm winds, the 3-day team summited via the Disappointment Cleaver route. The team had a great time on the mountain this weekend, and were rewarded with a successful summit!

8 Day Course: Day 3

Bluebird day. Spent most of it practicing walking on steep snow and self arrest techniques. Now we're learning about snow anchors from Kyle. 

Setting camp yesterday

Working on our crossover steps

Who says you can't eat well in the backcountry?

Rainier 8 Day Course: Day Two

Just got done carrying some monster packs up St. Elmo's Pass. Now enjoying some great views and learning about glaciology and navigation. 

Winthrop Glacier and Liberty Ridge from St Elmo's Pass:

Photo by Devin Bishop

8-day Course Summits!

The 8-day mountaineering course participants returned safely yesterday. A few members of the team summitted safely while others chose to stay at Camp Schurman and rest up that day. Regardless of summitting, the team reported another great week in the mountains.

June 18-20 Rainier Climbers all well at High Camp

The group checked in from our high camp at Ingraham Flats. All is well with the team, and they are resting up for their summit attempt tonight/tomorrow. Best of luck!

June 16-18th Rainier climb Summits!

The 3-day climbers successfully summitted via the DC route yesterday. It was a windy day on the mountain, but sunny, and the route continues to be in great shape. The snow from earlier in the week only accumulated on the lower mountain, and climbers had a smooth trip to the summit and back. Congratulations to the team!

8-day Emmons course at Camp Schurman

Looks like the team had stellar views heading up to high camp today. All is well and everyone made it there safely. 

June 16-18 Rainier 3-day Climb getting ready for bed

The 3-day climbers are doing well and feeling strong at our Ingraham Flats high camp. The team is wrapping up dinner and will try to get some shut-eye before a late night/early morning wake-up call for their summit attempt. The weather looks good for a summit attempt with winds predicted to decrease overnight, so hopefully that holds true. Best of luck to all the climbers!

10-day Mountaineering Course Practicing Skills on Mt. Baker

10 day course crew working on knots at 6400' camp, S side of Mt Baker. Looks like a nice table they are utilizing!

8-day Emmons course checks in

The June 12-19th Rainier 8-day course checked in to let us know all is well and folks are doing great. The team has been experiencing a bit of the typical "Juneuary" conditions with some snow and cloudy weather, but it looks to improve in the next couple days. Yesterday the team practiced crevasse rescue, and today will be moving up to high camp at Camp Schurman. In addition, two more Alpine Ascents guides are joining the group today, in anticipation of a summit attempt. Best of luck to the team!

June 14-16th 3-day Enjoys a chilly summit day!

The Rainier 3-day climbers were able to climb above the clouds and weather into clearer conditions. The group successfully summitted and descended in snowy conditions down the snowfield. The route continues to be in great shape and an enjoyable climb!

June 12-14 Muir Climb - Summit!

Enjoyed a spectacular sunrise this morning and near perfect summit conditions. After a celebratory dinner at the Copper Creek the team is on their way home to Seattle. 

Photos: Devin Bishop

June 12-14 Muir Climb

All rested up at high camp, downing some grub, ready to go!

10-day course Summits via Kautz!

The 10-day climbers successfully summited Rainier via the Kautz and are headed down. Thanks to Dave for the photo!

10-day course Enjoys the sunshine!

Guides Patrick and Dave enjoy the sun after the group moved to high camp today at around 11,200'. All is well and they plan to attempt to go for the summit tomorrow if the weather cooperates. 

Rainier Emmons Climb returns

The June 8-11th Emmons climb has returned. The group had a great trip, despite turning around on summit day due to weather. Being on the north side of the mountain is a nice change of pace from the busier south side. The team was the only group at Camp Schurman, and enjoyed the scenery by themselves!

June 8-10 Rainier climb Success and 10-day checks in

The June 8-10 Rainier D.C. climb was able to summit successfully yesterday, despite somewhat blustery conditions on the upper mountain. Special shout out to guide Nick Mullan who summited on his birthday. Happy Birthday Nick!

The 10-day Mountaineering course checked in briefly to say all is well. The group was camped at around 8,600' last night and today is making their way up "The Turtle"- a steep snowfield on the way to high camp around 10,000'.

June 6-8 Rainier climb success!

The June 6-8 Rainier 3-day climb enjoyed the continuing beautiful weather we had over the weekend. Here's the team heading out of high camp, ready to go for the summit! The route is still reportedly in great shape, making for fun climbing and great views all around.

High Camp for 6/8-6/10 3-day Muir

Made it to High Camp in less than one hour today from Camp Muir. Everybody is doing well - just need the winds to stay reasonable for tomorrow's climb.

Lee Lazzara

10-Day Mountaineering Course displaying perfect echelon formation

Here's a great shot of the mountaineering course practicing proper rope-team travel in glaciated terrain. The group is back in Seattle for the evening, before they head down to Rainier to make a attempt on the mountain via the Kautz glacier route. Best of luck to all!

Photo by Devin Bishop

June 4-6 Rainier Climb

We just heard from the June 4-6 3-day Mt. Rainier climb and everyone made it to the summit! They had beautiful weather and the route was in great condition.

A perfect sunset summit!

Yesterday evening we climbed to the top of Mt Rainier, and watched the sunset in our way down.

June 2-4 Rainier climb...100% Success!

To update further from the post on Tuesday, all 12 team members (guides and climbers) successfully summitted Mt. Rainier via the Disappointment Cleaver route in the early hours yesterday! Congratulations to all!

Up at high camp, preparing for the climb

We are now up at our high camp and getting ready to start our climb to the summit. Great weather today! We are soaking up sun at the Ingraham Flats (little Tahoma in the background).

A beautiful day on Rainier

After hiking up to Camp Muir yesterday and a restful night sleeping at 10,000' we are training today and looking forward to climbing up to our high camp.

May 31- June 2

Hi all,

The May 31- June 2 Rainier 3-day climb returned today after a beautiful and successful summit day. The team got to experience an amazing mountain shadow reflected on the surrounding peaks while they climbed. There was a bit of technical difficulty with the phone but everyone had a great climb and is down safely.