September 28-30 Climb safely at Muir post summit-attempt

The September 28-30th climbers made a summit attempt and made it up onto the Cleaver before the weather and conditions warranted the group turning around. Precipitation along with high winds on the upper mountain prevented further progress, but the team did well and gave it their best shot. They are descending from Camp Muir this morning and will enjoy a meal together in Ashford before heading back to Seattle this afternoon.

Sept 26-28 Rainier Climb Summits!

The September 26-28th team pushed through strong winds and heavy rain on Day 1 to make it to Camp Muir. Everyone was grateful for hot drinks and homemade burritos in the dry weatherport that evening. Day 2 dawned with clear skies and a fresh coat of snow on the upper mountain. The team got outside and had a couple hours of snow school in the morning. In the early hours on Day 3 (Sept. 28th) the team packed up for the summit and made their way up the Cleaver and on up to the summit! They enjoyed awesome views including Mt. Adams, Mt. Hood, Mt. Baker, and all the way south to Mt. Jefferson, before descending safely all the way back down to Paradise yesterday. Congratulations to the team!

September 24-26 Rainier team gives it their best shot

The Rainier ascending Rainier team headed out in snowy weather in the morning yesterday. They made a valiant effort getting up to Camp Muir, but turned around at Moon Rocks (around 8,800') due to high winds and blowing precipitation. The group did a great job staying safe in challenging conditions and made it down to the Paradise parking lot tired but safe. The forecast looks to be improving in the next 24-36 hours, and is calling for partly sunny skies all weekend.

Rainier September 22-24- Fall is upon us!

The September 20-22 climb was able to sneak in a summit in the early hours yesterday as wind and unsettled weather moved into the area. The guides on the current Sept. 22-24 climb called to check in this morning and they are experiencing the same frontal system today. Conditions around Camp Muir are blustery with some mild precipitation. The team had a great pancake, eggs, and bacon breakfast this morning to fortify themselves for snow school and the weather at hand. They will decide on whether or not to move up to Ingraham Flats depending on how the conditions are as the day progresses. If they don't move up, there is still the option of making a summit attempt from Camp Muir if there is a break in the weather. The guides will make the call depending on what happens in the next 24 hours and in the meantime will be able to teach skills and techniques around Camp Muir and in the weatheport as well.

Sept. 20-22 Rainier Climb is enjoying a glorious Sunday on the mountain!

All is well on the mountain!  Last night the team refueled after the hike up to Muir with super special carne asada burritos with fresh peppers.  They were legendary.   The weather was slightly breezy for snow school but otherwise it's a beautiful fall day.  After learning the ropes (literally) and practicing glacier travel techniques, the team is heading up to High Camp and will head to the summit in the very very wee morning hours. 

Our view as we head up to Camp Muir

September 18-20 Rainier Climb- all is well!

The guides checked in a little while ago from Camp Muir. The team is doing well and was just finishing up breakfast before starting snow school. After snow school they moved up to Ingraham Flats and are spending the afternoon resting up in preparation for their summit attempt tonight/tomorrow morning. The forecast looks promising so hopes are high for a successful summit.

Snow school-

Here's a nice shot from high camp today as well-

Alpine Ascents Participates in NPS Volunteer Days!

AAI guides Nik and Patrick joined the NPS for four days of trail work along the Wonderland Trail this week. Days consisted of hiking, shoveling drains, and removing debris from trails around Paradise and the West Road. The weather was stellar and it was the perfect opportunity for AAI guides to see new areas of the park as well and provide some TLC to the trails we frequently use on our climbs. Thanks to the NPS for showing us a great time!

Sept 16-18 climb doing well

The team just checked in and all is well at Camp Muir. They are getting some weather but able to work on snow skills and glacier travel before heading up to high camp.

Sept. 14-16th climb doing great!

Matt Nightengale called to check in from the climb yesterday but it looks like he had trouble getting a blog post out so here's an update from the group. He reported the team was looking strong getting up to Camp Muir and everyone was feeling good for the move up to high camp. Matt also sent along this picture of Sam working hard (?!) digging out a new platform for the weather port. The warm temps mean it's an ever-present task for guides to shovel snow around the weather port and keep it looking spiffy all season. Sometimes it means digging out a new platform and moving the whole weather port, as Sam is helping out with here.

Photos from a recent 6-day course

Thanks to climber Johnathon Lewchuk for passing along a few photos from his recent 6-day course with us on Mt. Baker. The team successfully summited after days of skills practice and review, putting their new-found knowledge into practice.

Getting ready!

Learning about rope team travel and proper rope care

The view looking up from Sandy Camp

3 Day Muir 9/12-9/14

The group made great time up the Muir Snowfield yesterday and had a relaxing evening filled with burritos and sleep. Breakfast consisted of copious amounts of coffee, eggs, bacon, and blueberry pancakes. We are currently finishing up snow school before we move up to high camp at Ingraham Flats (11,200 ft). The weather looks stellar for our climb tonight! 

Sep 10-12 summit success

Indian summer continues! Another spectacular climbing day was enjoyed by all, followed by a raucous celebration dinner at the Wildberry. Good times!

Sunrise

Summit shot

Photos: Devin Bishop

6-day Course has a great week!

In a brief check-in with the Sept. 7-12th 6day course yesterday afternoon, the team reported all was well and the group was safe in Boston Basin. They've had a great week practicing skills and enjoying the scenic North Cascades. The team descends back to the trailhead today and then will stop for a well-deserved meal before returning to the office this afternoon. The group wraps up our season in the North Cascades.

Muir Climb Sep 10-12: Day Two

Everyone is up at at high camp enjoying the luxuries of high speed internet and FaceTiming friends and family. Weather is splitter, looking forward to dinner and an early morning summit bid tomorrow.

The mountain pokes out of the clouds while hiking the Muir Snowfield Wednesday. 

FaceTime time!

Photos: Devin Bishop

Sept. 10-12 Rainier climb checks in day one- all doing well

The Rainier climbers did a great job getting up to Muir yesterday. They checked in briefly to say all is well and the weather is beautiful. If they get enough cell signal they will post a photo and update today as well. Looks to be another sunny, warm climb for the trip!

September 8-10 Rainier climb doing great!

It's a beautiful day up at high camp! The team is doing great, resting up, and excited for their summit attempt tonight.

Sept. 6-8 Climb Checks In

The Sept. 6-8 climb checked in yesterday afternoon from high camp. The team was enjoying warm and beautiful late season weather, and were resting in preparation for their summit attempt today. They planned to leave in the early hours this morning for the summit and will then make the long descent back down to Paradise.

Muir climb Sep 4-6 summit success!

Awesome conditions ruled. Summited at 5pm with stupendous views. September climbing doesn't get any better!

Photos: Devin Bishop

Muir Climb Sep 4-6: Day Two

Everyone is at high camp in good spirits. Psyched for our summit attempt! Weather is awesome - great conditions for climbing!

Aug. 31-Sept.5th 6-day Course doing great!

The 6-day course checked in yesterday evening. The team had just returned from a long and successful summit day. It included a fairly circuitous route given the late season nature of the glacier but they found a way through and were rewarded with a summit! The team has had a great week with some wild stormy weather followed by beautiful high pressure and sunshine. They've spent the week learning lots of skills and putting them to use on reaching the summit. Today they head back down to the trail head and will enjoy a meal before returning to Seattle this afternoon.

Sept. 2-4 Rainier trip doing well

The Rainier team checked in yesterday after moving to high camp at Ingraham Flats. The team enjoyed eggs, bacon, and blueberry pancakes before a few hours of training at Camp Muir. They practiced different techniques for walking on varied terrain; self-arrest; and how to move effectively as a rope team. The group made it to the Flats and were resting in preparation for their summit attempt.

Aug. 31- Sept. 2nd Rainier climb Summits!

Congrats to the climbing team on their successful summit! As we move into September the weather can start to get colder and a bit less predictable but the guides are reporting the route is in great shape and fun to climb.

Aug. 31- Sept. 2nd Rainier group doing great!

The Rainier 3-day climb checked in from high camp yesterday. All was well with the group and everyone was doing great. The team was resting up in preparation for their summit attempt.