PRICE
$2995
SCHEDULE
June 19 – June 21, 2023 – Sold Out
Mount Baker climb dates available
DETAILS
Grade: Beginner
3 Day Summit Climb
$2995
June 19 – June 21, 2023 – Sold Out
Mount Baker climb dates available
Grade: Beginner
3 Day Summit Climb
As both the most prominent and the most glaciated peak in the contiguous United States, Mount Rainier offers superb climbing opportunities. Known as “Tahoma” to Native Americans, the mountain is set within the pristine wilderness environment of Mount Rainier National Park and is covered in 26 major glaciers. It is an exceptional training ground for aspiring mountaineers and a focal point of North American mountaineering.
Northwest Alpine Guides’ 3-day expedition includes a full day of mountaineering skills instruction before the summit climb. During our ascent, we start at Paradise Meadows on the south side of the mountain, then climb the Muir Snowfield to establish a high camp at Camp Muir (10,188 feet). We then ascend the classic Disappointment Cleaver Route and the upper Emmons Glacier to the summit on Columbia Crest at 14,411 feet.
Join our seventh annual Climb for Nepal fundraiser and support schoolchildren in Nepal while you summit Mount Rainier. Proceeds from the expedition benefit The Himalayan Outreach Project (THOP), which supports childhood education in the foothills of Nepal. Learn more about our outreach projects.
Our three-day itinerary opens with a full day of mountaineering instruction near Paradise Meadows, followed by a two-day summit climb via Camp Muir and the Disappointment Cleaver Route. Our professional guides will teach the fundamental glacier mountaineering skills necessary for a safe and successful summit climb, including:
The Beginner’s Handbook Climbing Mount Rainier by Greg Yatman
Greg Yatman provides helpful insight in his eBook
Day 1 • Climbing School
Day 2 • Hike to Camp Muir
Day 3 • Summit Day
This ascent is an entry level summit climb and is suitable for climbers in excellent physical condition with no prior mountaineering experience. A full day of introductory skills training is included in the program. No extra acclimatization is necessary for this program. Read our Goals and Fitness page for recommendations on how to best physically prepare for this adventure.
We lead the Mount Rainier Disappointment Cleaver Route at a 3 to 1 climber to guide ratio to ensure that you receive personal attention and hands-on instruction throughout the climb.
Northwest Alpine Guides is an authorized special use permit holder in Mount Rainier National Park
Plan to arrive the day before the climb begins.
Meet 9:00 am at Paradise Inn (front patio area) in Mount Rainier National Park, WA.
Our alpine guides will meet you for team introductions, gear check, and group gear distribution. Northwest Alpine Guides will provide you with a detailed PreClimb departure book upon registration, including a gear list specific to your trip, meeting location and driving directions.
We will hike approximately 30-45 minutes from Paradise Meadows to our training area in Edith Creek Basin at 5,600 feet. The day is dedicated to learning the fundamentals of mountaineering. Course instruction includes snow climbing, ice axe and crampon technique, self-arrest, and rope travel.
Each team member will be assessed throughout the mountaineering school. You will need to demonstrate adequate fitness and proficiency in climbing skills as your safety is our priority.
After mountaineering training, we return to Paradise Meadows by mid-afternoon. The team is welcome to enjoy dinner with the guides at a restaurant in Ashford, WA.
Vertical gain hiking: 200-500 feet
Accommodations are not included: Overnight at Paradise Meadows or return to a hotel in Ashford, WA
Meals Included: None
Meet 7:00 am at Paradise Visitor Center.
We ascend the Muir Snowfield for 4,800 feet to Camp Muir over 5 to 6 hours. We set camp, enjoy dinner and take in the scenery before going to bed early to prepare for the next day’s climb.
Vertical gain climbing: 4,800 feet
Climbing time: 5 to 6 hours
Accommodations: Tented Camp
Meals Included: Dinner (D)
Our summit day begins early with a pre-dawn alpine start. We rope up in camp to cross the Cowlitz Glacier. Then we ascend over Cathedral Gap to Ingraham Flats. After taking a short break, we traverse to the base of Disappointment Cleaver, a prominent, steep, rocky ridge. We ascend to the top of the Cleaver at 12,300 feet, where we take another rest break, then climb the upper Emmons Glacier to our high break at 13,600 feet. The route then climbs the mountain’s snow dome to the lip of the summit crater. A short walk takes us across the flat expanse of the crater to the summit of Mount Rainier on Columbia Crest at 14,411 feet. We gain 4,300 feet from Camp Muir to the summit of Mount Rainier.
We and enjoy the view and celebrate on the highest point in Washington, then descend our route back to Camp Muir. We break camp, pack our gear, and retrace the hike back to Paradise Meadows.
We usually arrive back to the trailhead by late-afternoon and conclude our adventure in Ashford, WA.
Vertical gain climbing: 4,300 feet
Climbing time: 10+ hours
Meals Included: Breakfast (B)
Plan to depart the day after the climb ends.
Itinerary Notes
Northwest Alpine Guides makes every effort to uphold the scheduled itinerary, although our guides are given discretion to adapt the itinerary for reasons beyond our control or due to the needs of the group. Meal schedule: (B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner
At 9:00 a.m. on the morning of the climb, we meet in Mount Rainier National Park, for an equipment check and orientation before heading to the trailhead. We will email you detailed PreClimb information including a gear list and full departure details upon receiving your registration.
Our instructors are highly skilled professional guides who have been selected based on their technical proficiency, proven safety records, careful judgment, patience, and supportive teaching styles. They are dedicated to a climbing lifestyle, and collectively have climbed throughout the earth’s major mountain ranges. Our guides are friendly, very willing to share their own experiences, and can help you develop a plan to achieve your own climbing ambitions. All our guides carry current certification in wilderness first aid.
Our guides are dedicated mountain professionals who work hard to ensure your success and wellbeing on the mountain. If you have a positive experience, gratuities are an excellent way to show your appreciation. An average tip is 10 – 20% percent of the cost of the program, usually $100 – $200.
Northwest Alpine Guides cannot guarantee that you will reach the summit. Weather, route conditions, your own abilities, or the abilities of other climbers may create circumstances that make an ascent unsafe, and you or your entire party may have to turn around without reaching the summit. Failure to reach the summit due to a person’s own lack of fitness or to any of the events associated with mountaineering (such as weather, route, avalanche hazard, team dynamics, etc.), are not NWAG responsibility and will not result in refund or reschedule.
We highly recommend that all participants consider travel and trip cancellation insurance after making a deposit. Travel insurance offers the best protection in the event of a sudden, unexpected illness, an injury prior to or while traveling, or a possible family emergency.
If you choose not to purchase insurance, you assume full responsibility for any expenses incurred in the event of a medical emergency and/or evacuation, as well as for trip cancellation, interruption, lost luggage, etc. Northwest Alpine Guides does not insure you against these risks. We ask that you consult your travel insurance carrier directly with questions.
For more info about current coverage plans and quotes please visit.
Travel, evacuation and rescue coverage designed for adventure travelers.
For a quote, or to purchase travel insurance, please click this link Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™
We recommend Signature Travel Insurance. For travel insurance or Global Rescue membership.
For a quote, or to purchase travel insurance, please click this link Global Rescue
Date changes are not available for this departure.
Since departures require a minimum number of participants, Northwest Alpine Guides must adhere to a stringent refund policy. The policy is intended to protect participants who have otherwise committed time and resources to the departure. Please read our Online Reservation for Terms and Conditions.
During the Mount Rainier Climb, Northwest Alpine Guides will provide group meals consisting of one (1) breakfast and one (1) dinner. You will need to provide your own lunch and snack food on the mountain. Video Resource: Mountain Snack and Lunch Ideas
We recommend that you bring a variety of snack food to eat while moving (about 150-200 calories each break). On each day, we will encourage you to eat at regular, short maintenance breaks, roughly once every hour. These snacks can be critical for maintaining a steady supply of energy while moving up and down the mountain. We will not stop for a big lunch break.
Some examples of snack foods include dried meats (salami), jerky (turkey, beef, fish), tuna fish, cheese, crackers, bagels, dried fruit, nuts, chocolate, candy bars, gummy candy, cookies, energy bars and trail mix.
We cannot overstate how critical it is for you to bring foods that you enjoy eating. Eating properly is the key to maintaining strength in the mountains. We recommend a selection of sweet, sour and salty food.
When preparing lunches, please do not bring food items that require cooking or extensive preparation.
Day 1: Mountaineering school
8-hour training includes a 30-minute lunch break, two 15-minute snack breaks
Day 2: Lunch & snacks for hike from trailhead to Camp Muir
Four 15-minute lunch & snack breaks (about 150-200 calories each break)
Day 3: Lunch & snacks for climb to summit and descent
Four 15-minute snack breaks on the ascent from camp to summit, two or three 15-minute snack breaks on the descent from summit to camp (about 150-200 calories each break)
Day 3: Remaining snacks for the descent to trailhead
Northwest Alpine Guides may provide and prepare one or more of the following items for group breakfasts and dinners:
Breakfast: Oatmeal, Toasted Bagels with Cream Cheese, Pop Tarts, Granola Bars
Dinner: Chicken, Beef, Pork, Cheese, Noodles, Spaghetti, Tortellini, Rice, Beans, Fresh Vegetables, Tasty Bite Indian Meals, Freeze-Dried Meals
Hot Drinks: Coffee, Caffeinated Tea, Herbal Tea
We can accommodate most common food allergies. We do not serve fish, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, milk or eggs. For vegetarian diets, we are easily able to leave out the meat before serving group meals. For those with other dietary concerns, we recommend bringing food to supplement the pre-planned meals we provide. The Guide Hut offers a wide variety of freeze-dried meals for purchase, including vegan and gluten free options.
At 9:00 a.m. on the morning of the climb, we meet in Mount Rainier National Park, for an equipment check and orientation before heading to the trailhead. We will email you detailed PreClimb information including a gear list and full departure details upon receiving your registration.
Most climbers will fly into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) the evening before the program and rent a car for the hour and forty-five minute drive to Ashford, Washington. Please note that Seattle traffic is worsening and driving times from Seattle and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport may be significantly longer.
Our Northwest programs begin at the date, time and meeting location listed in the itinerary in your PreClimb Information. Meeting locations may vary depending on program destination. Climbers flying to Washington State must arrive the day before their program begins in order the meet the group for an early morning gear check and orientation. Return times on the final day of the program are difficult to predict. We strongly recommend that climbers book a hotel night following the final day of their itinerary and schedule departure flights on the following day. If departing on the last day of the program, we recommend booking a flight later than 10 pm.
Transportation between the meeting location and the trailhead is not included in the price of the trip. Guides are not responsible for providing transportation to team members. We serve both local and out-of-town climbers in our Northwest programs, and many of our guests prefer to use their own vehicles. Team members are free to organize rideshares with other team members. With your permission, our office staff can share your name and contact information with other team members so that you can organize ridesharing. The NWAG office does not coordinate ridesharing or carpooling and we are unable to share customer or guide contact information due to privacy concerns.
You will need to pay for the one-time entry fee to Mount Rainier National Park, or obtain a National Parks Pass or equivalent parking permit to leave your car at the trailhead lot.
Lodging in Ashford, Washington. If you wish to stay close to the meeting location the night before your climb, we recommend the following options:
Nisqually Lodge
31609 WA-706
Ashford, WA 98304
Paradise Inn
Paradise, WA 98368
These items are required for our Mount Rainier climb.
The Guide Hut offers a selection of mountaineering equipment and clothing for purchase and rent. Gear may be purchased from the Guide Hut in person on the morning of your climb, or in advance via our Online Gear Shop. Rental gear must be reserved in advance online at TheGuideHut.com. Please read our Guide Picks blog post for gear recommendations by specific brands.
Note: Proper hardshell rain gear is required on all trips.
Note: Women may want to bring an extra sports bra in case one becomes wet.
Note: Please read our Mountaineering Boots and Crampons guides for recommendations.
● Double plastic mountaineering boots or heavyweight synthetic/leather mountaineering boots are required for Mount Rainier.
X – NO backpacking or trekking boots are allowed above high camp on any trip. Climbing boots must be full shank and crampon compatible.
Note: An adequately sized backpack is required. You are responsible to carry all of your personal gear and food, as well as a portion of group gear (tents, ropes, stoves, fuel, etc.). We do not recommend an additional pack for summit day. Backpacks smaller than 65 liters are not acceptable.
Note: CamelBaks and other bladder-style hydration systems may be used in addition to two water bottles, but are not sufficient. Bladders may pop and hydration hoses freeze in the cold.
Note: Pack basic medical supplies in a compact package. We recommend basic painkillers, Moleskin, first-aid or athletic tape, Band-Aids, and anti-septic wipes or gel.
Note: All solid waste must be carried out of the backcountry. One waste kit per 1-3 days is typically sufficient.
Physical fitness is the foundation of every mountain adventure. A strong cardiovascular system, endurance, core strength, flexibility and balance let us safely enjoy the spectacular terrain and close camaraderie we find in the planet’s highest places.
Mountaineering is a strenuous activity that imposes unique demands on our bodies. Running, swimming, cycling and other sports may help you prepare for your climb, but they are usually not sufficient. Even strong runners may struggle to carry a heavy pack over steep, uneven terrain for hours at a time. Do not underestimate the importance of climbing-specific training.
The following fitness guidelines will help you prepare for your climb. For your safety and the safety of your rope team, you must be able to maintain the pace set by our guides while maintaining reserves of strength. Moving more slowly can be dangerous. As the climbing day lengthens, we become fatigued and dehydrated. We lose precious daylight hours and we expose ourselves to quickly shifting mountain conditions and weather.
To safely enjoy this climb, you must be able to meet these benchmark times while maintaining reserves of strength. Our guides may turn around climbers who are unable to do so. We recommend training for Mount Rainier at least 3-6 months in advance.
The Disappointment Cleaver Route demands more than 9,000 feet of elevation gain from trailhead to summit. On day three of the Mount Rainier Climb, we ascend to the summit, descend to high camp, then pack up and hike down to the trailhead. Participants should prepare for 12-14 hours of combined climbing and hiking time.
Paradise Meadow Trailhead to Camp Muir:
Camp Muir to Summit Roundtrip:
Please read our Goals & Fitness guide for strategies to help you train for your climb.
Many climbers, particularly those who are new to the sport, will benefit from a workout plan designed to prepare you for the rigors of mountaineering. We recommend the following training resources:
No matter if you have never climbed before, our instructors are prepared to help you learn mountaineering from the ground up. In addition to professional instruction in climbing skills, most importantly, you will learn skills that will keep you safe in the mountains. With an adventure sport like mountaineering, safety is paramount.
All our instructors have advanced avalanche training, wilderness medical training, and will instruct you how to be self-reliant in the mountains. Mountain climbing can be unpredictable – weather conditions can change in a moment and one wrong step can lead to an injury. Northwest Alpine Guides will instruct you how to climb safely and successfully.
Click to read more about the Peaks of the North Cascades in Washington State.
Click to read general Frequently Asked Questions