David Moore, who lives with his family in America, has embarked on a mission to climb Mount Rainer.

Mount Rainier, at 14,410 feet, is the most extensively glaciated volcanic peak in the continental United States. It offers limitless mountaineering possibilities to both aspiring and experienced mountaineers. The combination of high altitude, various route choices, and northwest weather make this a truly unique experience.

David’s program has been intense for this climb, Training Saddleback Mt 5,695 feet. Climbed aprox 20 times of past months with 25 to 70lbs, 15-22 miles depending on route.

Conditions on Mount Rainier are rapidly changing from spring to summer. Most of the snow is melting at Paradise (5,400’) and the meadows are beginning to emerge. The established trail up to Pebble Creek (7,200’) is turning from snow to dirt, and it will not be long before the permanent snowline is at Pebble Creek.

The Disappointment Cleaver route is in great shape for this time of year. A thick winter snow pack is covering most of the rock and scree on the Cleaver from 11,000’ to 12,300’. The snow not only reduces the amount of rock fall on the cleaver, but also makes ascending and descending much easier. Several hundred feet above the top of the cleaver the route crosses a small break up where the Emmons glacier pulls away from the rock. This is the start of a long (mostly level) traverse to the Emmons shoulder where the route then ascends in a series of switchbacks up to around 13,000’. From here the trail heads back to the south in an ascending long traverse crossing several crevasses at the top of the Ingraham glacier, and on up to Columbia Crest. Temperatures are forecasted to break records in the Seattle area this week pushing up into the mid 90’s. The heat will be felt on Rainier as freezing levels climb up to near 15,000’

3 Day Summit Climb Itinerary

We begin the morning with a welcome and introduction of team members and guides. Guides will offer some final packing and clothing suggestions, and answer any questions. We depart Base Camp immediately following our initial preparation. Transportation is provided between Base Camp and Paradise, where your training begins. The entire day is spent on the lower snow slopes of Mt. Rainier, just above Paradise between 6,000 and 6,600 feet.

Our Climbing School offers participants an overview of various techniques which help meet the challenges set forth by this magnificent mountain. It serves as a great introduction or as a refresher if you haven’t been in the hills for a while. You should find that our guides are excellent teachers relaying this information to you in an easy to understand manner. On this day you will be introduced to a number of skills, from the basic techniques of efficient mountain travel (rest-stepping and pressure breathing) through cramponing, roped travel, and ice axe arrest practices.

Our first priority is the safety of our participants. Participation in the Climbing School within the current season is required for joining our Summit Climb. During the School you will be asked to demonstrate that your fitness will allow you to climb safely, and that you are able to perform the new climbing skills proficiently. We will continue to assess each team member throughout the course of the training and the climb.

Following the day of training, the shuttle takes our group back to Rainier Base Camp.

Our Summit Climb takes place over the course of two days. On the first day we hike to Camp Muir, and on the second day we make the attempt on Mount Rainier and return to Ashford. The hike from Paradise (5,400’) to Camp Muir (10,060’) is nearly 4.5 miles, and will take us most of the day. The hike travels through the spectacular alpine zone and onto the Muir Snowfield, named after John Muir who climbed the peak in 1888. The Snowfield is climbed for some 3,000 vertical feet, opening up grand vistas of the wooded lowlands and flanking glaciers. Groups typically climb for about an hour and then break for 10 to 15 minutes.

Once at Camp Muir, the climb leader will address the specifics regarding the rest of the climb, including route conditions, food, equipment, clothing recommendations, and any further questions you might have. Accommodations at Muir consist of a small mountain hut with bunks and sleeping pads. The Muir hut is locked during the climb, so items not needed for the summit bid may be left behind.

Early the following morning we don ropes, crampons, helmets, and grab our ice axes. Our route begins with a rising traverse across the Cowlitz Glacier, and ascends the steepening switchbacks of Cathedral Gap. This allows us to gain the Ingraham Glacier; one of the mountain’s largest and longest glaciers. We then climb onto the steep ridge known as Disappointment Cleaver, the namesake and physical crux of the route. The remaining slopes and hours are whittled away as we zig and zag through the many crevasses of the upper mountain. It is truly a spectacular climb, and one that you are likely to remember for a while to come. As we make our ascent, we climb steadily for one to two hours at a stretch followed by a 10 to 15 minute break.

The summit of Mount Rainier is spectacular. A large crater dominates the summit, with steam rising out of the cavernous summit vents. The bare ground near the summit will be warm to the touch. We always hope to cross the quarter-mile wide crater to stand on the high point of the mountain, Columbia Crest. At 14,410 feet, Mt. Rainier is the highest point in Washington. After spending some time on top (depending on the weather), we begin the descent to Camp Muir. This takes about half the time of the ascent, and also requires significant effort. (Accidents are traditionally recognized as more likely to occur on descents. Because of this, we ask that your training specifically includes preparations for descending. This will help ensure that your ability to safely descend is not compromised.) Once back at Camp Muir, the group will take a break to pack for the final hike down to Paradise. A shuttle will then take our group down to Rainier Base Camp. We plan on arriving back at Ashford in the late afternoon or early evening.

If anyone is interested in sponsoring David to reach the summit, then please click the link below for further details.

Good Luck David………………..

All information on David’s climb will be published on the web site to keep you up to date.

Click here for sponsorship