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.

Private Cascades Course: Snapshots from Eldorado!

8/14 Baker Climb

Our 8/14 Baker climb just checked in from a pretty wet Mount Baker.  They team is camped low in the woods due to a bit of a lightening storm.  Despite the precipitation, spirits are still high!   We'll keep you posted as the team moves up the mountain.

8/9 6-Day Mountaineering Course

Our 6-Day Mountaineering Course just checked in from beautiful Mount Baker.  A very exciting lightening storm (rare in the Pacific Northwest) delayed our team a bit this morning.   Nevertheless, they had a great summit attempt but had to turn around at the bergschrund at 9,400'.  Conditions weren't conducive to continue higher.  The team had front row seats to the Perseid meteor shower!   They saw a ton of meteors.  

8/10 Emmons Heading Back to Seattle

After a victorious climb to the top of Mount Rainier via the Emmons, our 8/10 team is heading down the mountain.  Everyone is safe and doing great!

8/11 Rainier 3-Day Climb Summits!

Our 8/11 3-Day Rainier climb summited early this morning.  Everyone made it back down to high camp safe and sound.   Spirits are high and stomachs are ready for celebratory burgers and beer in Ashford.   Congrats team!

August 8-20th 13-day Course Calls from Shuksan Summit!

The team called to check in today from the summit of Mt. Shuksan in the North Cascades. They had a great summit climb this morning and are also happy to report much less smokey conditions. They will be packing up camp this afternoon and starting the transition to their next part of the course- rock climbing in the climbing mecca of Leavenworth, Washington. Everyone is doing well and having a fun trip!

August 9th 6-day Course Checks In

The group is doing well and happy to report it is much less smokey today. They are working on crevasse rescue today and will make a summit attempt tomorrow. Thanks to Peter Moore for sending over a couple pics during a brief period of cell reception!

August 10th Emmons Climb Summits!

We just got a quick message from the team after a successful summit this morning. They are at 12,500' and headed back down to Camp Schurman where they will rest and recover for the night. Congrats!

August 9th 6-day Course Doing Great

Just like on Mt. Shuksan, no bluebird skies today for our 6-day crew due to the forest fires burning in the eastern part of the state. Even so the team is doing great and working on knots, anchors, and movement on glaciers today.

August 10-13 Emmons Climb Doing Well

We just received a quick check-in from the Emmons team. All is well with the group and they are on their way up to Camp Schurman. Yesterday involved lots of route finding and even hail! At least they got a great sunset as a reward.

13-day course working on crevasse rescue

The 13-day course is doing well and working on crevasse rescue today. They are dealing with some smokey conditions from one of the forest fires burning east of them in the Cascades. They are in no danger where they are on Mt. Shuksan, but they don't have the clear skies of yesterday. Tomorrow they plan to make a summit attempt and hopefully the smoke will blow out in the next day.

Aug 9-11 Rainier Climb Summits!

Guide Brent Langlinais here, pleased to report our 3-day Rainier team made good time this morning under overcast skies and a steady breeze, and we are all back down to camp safely. Here is a photo of the gang enjoying their moment on top. Long hike down in store for the rest of the days. Thank for following along. Ciao!

8/8 13-Day Mountaineering Course

The team is having a great day practicing their steep snow footwork on Shuksan today.  Look at that bluebird sky!

8/9 6-Day Mountaineering Course: Snow School Day!

Our 6-Day Mountaineering course just checked in from the south side of Mount Baker.  Everyone is doing great and their enthusiasm and energy are off the charts!  The team is nothing short of stoked. Thanks to a very warm summer and a low snow year, there's very little snow around.  They did 1/2 of snow school this morning but are going to hike up higher in seek of softer snow for self-arrest training.

8/8 13-Day Course: Sets up Camp on Mount Shuksan

After an awesome day climbing in rock shoes AND mountaineering boots at  Mount Erie, our 13-Day course headed to Mount Shuksan.   After a gorgeous hike in, they are currently setting up their tents and thinking about whipping up dinner.

8/2 8-Day Cascades Course: Summits Shuksan!

After refueling with burgers and a dip in the lake, our 8-Day Cascades course set their sights on Mount Shuksan.  After the clouds cleared out early this morning, the team set off for the summit at 6AM.   With great weather and conditions setting the stage, the whole team summited at about 1PM!

8/7 3-Day Mount Rainier Climb Summits!

Our 3-Day climb of Mount Rainier just checked in from a brief break at the top of the Cleaver.  The team was happy to report that they reached the summit this morning!   Everyone is doing well and celebratory burgers are imminent!

8/8 13-Day Mountaineering Course: Climbs in Erie!

Today our 13-Day Mountaineering Course started their climbing extravaganza today with rock climbing at Mount Erie.  Conditions were nothing short of perfection!

August 5-7 Rainier climb summits!

Our Aug. 5-7 Rainier climb summitted early this morning. They enjoyed clear weather and beautiful views. Everyone made it safely back down to Camp Muir by late morning, and then headed down to Paradise. Congrats to the team!

8/2 8-Day Cascades Course: Baker Summit Attempt

Our 8-Day Cascades course just checked in from the field.  They made Mount Baker summit attempt yesterday but were turned around by a very large and dubious snow bridge.  With the warm conditions and slushy snow, it wasn't safe to ascend higher.  However, spirits are still high!   The team is going to hike out today, eat well deserved burgers in Concrete (yes, that's actually the name of a town) and then head out to Mount Shuksan with their rock gear in tow.  

7/29 10-Day Mountaineering Course: Summits Rainier via the Kautz!

Our team had a successful climb to the tippy top of Rainier yesterday after a long and eventful day.  They navigated penitentes, ascended the ice chute, and followed a very circuitous route to the summit.  Everyone made it back to high camp safe and sound.   Today the team is going to hike out via wildflower filled Comet Falls and will be back in Seattle sometime this evening.

7/29 10-Day Mountaineering Course: On Route to the Top!

After wild and very windy night at High Camp, it's a beautiful day on Mount Rainier!   The team just checked in from the top of the ice chute at about 13,000'.  Everyone is doing great and are psyched to be getting closer and closer to the summit.  Stay tuned for updates!

8/5 3-Day Rainier Climb

Our 8/5 Rainier climb just checked in from Camp Muir.  They are learning the ropes (literally) of glacier travel and plan on using their brand new cramponing skills to climb up to High Camp shortly.  Everyone is doing great!

8/2 Emmons Climb Summits!

Very long, circuitous route today on the Emmons glacier.  8 hours of struggling against a stiff breeze and crossing dozens of crevasse bridges required both physical and mental stamina.  Our team did great to stand on the summit of Mount Rainier at about 8am, and after fighting our way back down to high camp I'm happy to report everyone is back safe and excited for a big dinner. 

7/29 10-Day Course: At High Camp on the Kautz!

Our 10-Day Mountaineering Course has already come so far!   From Mount Baker to high camp on the Kautz, the team is literally moving up in the world.  Everyone is doing well.  They are resting and enjoying piping hot drinks.  They are looking forward to climbing tomorrow.  Stay tuned!

7/2 8-Day Cascades Course: Crevasse Rescue Today!

Our 8-Day Cascades Course just checked in from Mount Baker where they wrapped up a day of crevasse rescue practice before retiring to their tents to escape the rain.  In typical Pacific Northwest fashion, the rain is bit relentless.  However, spirits can't be dampened by the dismal weather.  Moral is still high!

Rainier 8/3 REI climb

The REI climbers taking snow school seriously.

August 2nd 8-day Cascades Course Checks in from Mt. Baker

The guides called to check in this morning and reported the team is doing well. It's cloudy today, which for some may be a welcome change from the hot and sunny conditions we've been experiencing this summer. Today the group will finish up working on anchors, will continue practicing rope team travel, and hope to have time to check out some crevasses on the Squak glacier. They may do some belay/rappel work this afternoon or else tomorrow, depending on the timing. All is well and there's a lot to learn!

August 2-5 Emmons Climb at Camp Schurman

Guide Brent Langlinais here, checking in from Camp Schurman on the Emmons Glacier route, Mount Rainier.  We arrived here half an hour ago under cloudy skies with a cool breeze making for a pleasant slog to camp. We are planning an afternoon nap, early dinner, and  predawn start to a summit attempt tomorrow. Cheers! ~Brent

7/29 10-Day Mountaineering Course

The team just checked in from Mount Baker.  They are having an awesome day.  Look at that bluebird sky.  On the docket for today is snow protection and anchors, ice climbing, rappelling and prussiking!  

7/30 Rainier REI climb summits!

7/30 3-day Muir climb

The REI climbers at Camp Muir on Friday throw themselves into self arrest practice with vigor.