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Summiting mt. rainier

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ride-rider
Posts: 1761 - Karma: 20
have any of you guys summited mt rainier?  My dad and i are thinking of doing it next spring.  How hard was it? did you train alot?
Dec 27 2007 8:01PM
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skier_boy26
Posts: 11295 - Karma: 502
Watch out for the altitude, its amazing how much of a difference it can make on energy and sickness. Do train pretty well, because depending on how you break it down, it can be very strenuous. If you do an RMI-esque climb (one night, summit day leave muir around 12-1am) it'll be hell, so break it up a bit more and enjoy it more.

Practice a shit ton of crevasse rescue skills. In the early and late spring, crevasses arent as much an issue, especially on the main routes (but check updates often), but they do happen. Quite a few people fall into them, but most people are fine with proper practice. If you aren't as tech, you can go up the main route (DC route) and usually RMI has fixed lines and shit, and even ladders if necessary. Lots of people go on that route, so its practically a trail up at times.

Weather in the spring can fluctuate far more than mid summer. I remember going up to Muir... was perfectly sunny leaving Paradise, but was practically a blizzard by the time I got to camp muir. So have alllll the shit you need.
Dec 27 2007 8:14PM
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SirFryanator
Posts: 11149 - Karma: 1,415
All you need to know right there, except I don't recommend RMI. It's really not that fun of a climb and acclimation is close to none. I did a 4-day climb. That was a lot of fun, very scenic, yet still required all of the rescue skills that are needed to have the safest possible climb.
Train before the hike for several months, 10-20 mile day hikes. It's the PNW it really shouldn't be hard to find that, especially loop trails. I'm a pretty small guy and I had to build up leg muscle in the spring before august, did a 15 miler every month and then did a timed test by climbing up and down mt. si in 2 hours with a pack. That's a good test for anyone.
I don't know if you need to do THAT much, but I really suggest it. Have a fun time up one of the most beautiful mountains in the world!
Dec 27 2007 8:25PM
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skier_boy26
Posts: 11295 - Karma: 502
Yea, I would discourage using RMI. They work for some people, but damn its pricey (climbing gear is expensive enough) and they make you climb in like compact caterpillars, and just give no lee way. Just use their gear that they place :)

Good workout regimen... it really helps.
Dec 27 2007 8:31PM
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ride-rider
Posts: 1761 - Karma: 20
ya my dad climed it when 3 times last time he did it was like 10 years ago, and he summited and came all the way down in 1 day.  im not gonna try for this but, im thinking mayby doing it in 2 days.  But ya so you dont need to worry about cravasses as much on the main trail correct?  it their any scetchy spots, like steep angles or stuff like that, or is it more of an endourance type of a climb?
Dec 27 2007 9:03PM
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SirFryanator
Posts: 11149 - Karma: 1,415
there are SOME sketchy spots, but barely any if you go the RMI route. It's definitely an endurance climb.
Dec 27 2007 9:04PM
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skier_boy26
Posts: 11295 - Karma: 502
Crevasses are definitely not as much of a factor on the main DC route, but it is still very important to be competent at crevasse rescue, just incase. The only sketchy parts (which are less sketchy in the Spring) is usually the traverse gaining the cleaver, since there can be nasty rockfall. Gaining the spine of the cleaver can be interesting, but RMI usually has fixed lines there, but not always. Usually from there is pretty mellow, just tiring.
Last year, however, the route from the top of the cleaver onto the Emmons was all wacky, with some jumbled crevasse crossings and shit. that was about the worst of it.
Dec 27 2007 9:14PM
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wev-skis
Posts: 564 - Karma: 10
a guy from my town died climbing it a few years ago. It was sad, he was a good guy.
Dec 27 2007 10:07PM
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RudyGarmisch
Posts: 25443 - Karma: 13,844
The power-climb (two dayer) is what my dad suggests for most peaks in the lower 48. Its good if you just have a weekend and are fucking nuts.

Do it in the summer, much better weather, better views, bad crevasse danger, but at least the routes are easier to see and manage. If you want a good day summit and ski descent, do Mt Pilchuck.
Dec 27 2007 10:28PM
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KRAMPUSNTROLLZ
Posts: 2715 - Karma: 355

i would like to climb it but i don't know if anyone will want to with me

Dec 27 2007 10:42PM
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Tucks
Posts: 2120 - Karma: 161
My dad did it he said the bathrooms sucked but that was to be expected
Dec 27 2007 11:02PM
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pbandj
Posts: 5610 - Karma: 28
my aunt climbed it years ago, i believe in march 1979 , but on her climb in particular there was a slide which killed two of the people climbing in her party, one of which was Willi Unsoeld who was one of the first american's to summit everest, rainier is nothing to fuck with bro, be careful
Dec 27 2007 11:07PM
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ride-rider
Posts: 1761 - Karma: 20
Ya im so pumped to do it.  i feel pretty confident going with my dad sense he has done it so many times, and where probly gonna have a group of 5 or so.  Im going to be the youngest though. (15) 
Dec 28 2007 12:28AM
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Billiards.
Posts: 6853 - Karma: 816
props man thats gonna be siiick.
Dec 28 2007 12:29PM
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GetPitted
Posts: 3443 - Karma: 2,299
My dad summited it last summer
Dec 28 2007 1:49PM
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Nicholas.
Posts: 10905 - Karma: 60
my cousin fell down almost the entire thing in an avalanche, like 1300 feet of falling. his climbing partner died, he broke almost every bone in his body but managed to build a fire with broken legs and arms and survive.
Dec 28 2007 2:10PM
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Fish_Sandwich.
Posts: 9108 - Karma: 16
Holy fuck.
Dec 28 2007 2:55PM
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Nicholas.
Posts: 10905 - Karma: 60
yeah man hes hardcore.
Dec 28 2007 2:59PM
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Billiards.
Posts: 6853 - Karma: 816
to put it lightly, wow.
Dec 28 2007 3:58PM
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cousinmark
Posts: 939 - Karma: 29
summiting a mt like rainer is a impressive accomplishment at the age 15. props if you do it. post the summit picture.
Dec 28 2007 4:18PM
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Legion
Posts: 1374 - Karma: 29
My dad owns a guide service which takes people up. PM me if you have any questions.  Trust me, it takes a couple months of training to get fit enough to climb it
Jun 3 2008 6:50PM
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