The fit to climb workout schedule emphasizes long hikes which, in my experience, are the key to mountain climbing. This reserve also encompasses the mountain with a glacier fixed atop 14,400 feet height mount rainier. Climbing mountains can be hard work, getting the right gear shouldnt be. A climber must be at least 18 years old to climb mount rainier.
There has been significant snow on the mountain in the last two weeks and we are expecting more in the next few days. Mountaineers books has been in the publishing market for several years, and the mountaineers books. Name any route on rainier, and he can describe its rewards and specific challenges hes summited rainier more. On mount rainier climbers must pack out all human waste unless they use a toilet. The combination of high altitude, variety of routes, and unpredictable northwest weather make climbing mt. Fall is upon us at mount rainier and that means winterlike conditions on the upper mountain. Mike gauthier, who spent 19 years 19902008 as a climbing ranger at rainier and has summited more than 180 times i lost count after 150, says, yeah, if properly prepared, chase the dream. About 10,000 people a year climb the glacierclad slopes of rainier, the fifthhighest peak in the lower 48 states at 14,410 feet, and typically about half reach the summit, according to park. Each lesson we learned allowed time for repetition and practice.
Helens 8,330, a rainier climb requires mountaineering gear e. Rainier, the most extensively glaciated mountain in the continental united states, rises 14,410 above the nearby pacific and offers limitless mountaineering possibilities. A climbing guide by mike gauthier 1999, paperback at the best online prices at ebay. Books about mount rainier in washington go northwest. Pacific northwest national parks and forests association. If youre seriously considering climbing rainier or hiring a guide to take you up rainier, id recommend reading this book to familiarize yourself with the route or routes you are planning to take. Now climbers can get away from the crowded dog routes and experience a wide array of rainiers most fun, challenging, and complex routes.
This is an incredible eightday training course, culminating with a summit climb on mount rainiers emmons glacier. Rainier is arguably the best alpine climb in the us lower 48 states. The weather at paradise during the day was foggy with light rain and wind. Powered by the worldleader in book sales you will get the best pricing and customer service guaranteed. Top 10 books on mount rainier national park best book. That group, sponsored by national geographic, chose rainier. The measure of a mountain is a mountain climbers book in the same way that edward abbeys books are for the desert explorer, it is about the relationship with the mountain not the climb. It is the best introduction to mountaineering anywhere in the lower 48 states. Mt rainier independent climbers 1 day rental 2 day rental 3 day rental 4 day rental 5 day rental 6 day rental 714 day rental view all options. Anyone younger than 18 years of age must have the permission of a parent or legal.
Rainier mountaineering recommends climbing hills, stairs and stadium steps while wearing a backpack as ideal training to simulate the exercise of climbing mt. A climbing guide is the consequence of their dedication to providing customers with all of the facts theyre going to need to thrive. More than twothirds, and in some years almost threequarters, of the 10,000plus climbers who attempt a summit bid on mount rainier will head up the disappointment cleaver routetromping up 9,000 feet of elevation gain in about nine lateral. Utilize the mountain hut at camp muir 10,060, sitting high alongside mt. Many of the most accomplished us alpinists have learned their skills on mount rainier. Mike gauthier is the lead climbing ranger at mount rainier national park. The mountain was originally named tahoma or great snowy peak by the yakima indians. Rainier climb, ascending 9,000 from its alpine meadows to its glaciercapped summit. An active volcano, mount rainier is the most glaciated peak in the contiguous u. Not only do you train in one of the most ideal locations for. An afternoon orientation and one full day of mountaineering training to prepare for the climb. There are three great guiding services on rainier, each offering threeandahalfday training and summit climbs.
Subalpine wildflower meadows ring the icy volcano while ancient forest cloaks mount. This type of climb is allowed, but requires a commercial use authorization. Baker was one of the most amazing experiences of my life 2017 climber. At over 14,000 feet it is the tallest mountain in washington state, its treacherous frosted slopes and glacial like conditions are what draw in the hundreds of climbers year after year to climb the icy volcanic terrain. Rainier, at 14,410 feet, is one of the largest and most challenging endurance climbs in the united states. Gauthier has an almost surreal relationship with mt. Mt rainier 3 day muir climb alpine ascents international. The glaciercapped mountain s highest accessible height is 6,400 feet where visitors can admire the look of rainer and other surrounding volcanic mountains including mt.
This name was hotly contested for over 100 years, because americans felt it shouldnt. We have simplified outfitting for your rainier climb. A climbing guide, 3rd edition mountaineers books by mike gauthier june 2017. And many of the rest of us dream of one day standing on its majestic. An adventure story of friendship and survival on mount rainier, jim davidson, with the help of kevin vaughan, shares some of his lifes experiences, especially with mountain climbing. A climbing guide features 39 of the mountains best routes, complete with details on the approach, the climb, and the descent, as well as elevation gain, difficulties and hazards, and season. If youre planning to climb mount rainier, you must be in excellent physical shape, properly trained and. My climbing guide was telling a story about how his climbing partner had written a book about the two of them climbing everest together and finding the body of a climber friend of theirs. Bruce barcott writes in a way that captures howy we in the northwest engage with mt. The essential guide by fred beckey, alex van steen, 1999. There are dozens of climbing routes up mount rainier, offering a wide range in difficulty and popularity for mountaineers. Unlike walkup peaks such as mount adams 12,276 feet and mount st. The links below will open a new browser window with book details and purchasing info from. A climbing guide is the authoritative book to own when considering any climbing trip on rainier.
Mt rainier has been called one of the hardest endurance climbs in the upper 48. The second section is devoted to the 39 climbing routes and variations. A climbing guide by mike gauthier cascade alpine guide. Rainier national park by jeff smoot january 1991 paperback, 182. When i read that chapter, the description of the climb put me right back on mt. It is the most imposing glaciated peak in the lower 48 states and has long been a premier training ground for climbs such as denali, aconcagua and the himalayas. Its got everything mount rainier hasglaciers, crevasses, ice falls, steep ice, steep snow, craggy rock spiresand more. In 1870, stevens along with van trump become the first successful documented climbing party to summit mount rainier. A climbing guide, 3rd edition mountaineers books by mike gauthier. Weve included rainier hiking books, rainier climbing books, national park history books, rainier visitor guide books and much more. Rainier is the best training grounds in the lower 48 states for glacier climbing and expedition skills. Every piece of gear and clothing on this list is guide pick, selected as best in class for your trip by the rmi guide team. Captain george vancouver renamed it after admiral peter rainier of the british navy during a scouting expedition on may 7, 1792.
Climbing guide references mount rainier national park u. Includes descriptions of tourist trails, nature trails, offtrail hiking, bike routes, minor peak scrambling, skiing and snowshoeing areas, and of course, summit routes. These descriptions are easy to read and understand. Consider our 8 day, 9 day, and 10 day programs this threeday instructional course and summit climb will teach you some of the basics of glacier mountaineering, including selfarrest training and glacier travel techniques, as we lead you up to a summit attempt of mt.
I appreciate this book as a guide practical, informative, conveying to climbers how to do it safely. One of author mike gauthiers primary duties as lead climbing ranger for mount rainier 41 principal routes and their variations, with aerial photos and route overlays extensive material on rainiers unique weather, terrain, high altitude and glacier training opportunities, and more. On the morning of september 10, a party consisting of elmer post 39, david post 19 and james bartram 19 attempted to make a one day hike to camp muir from paradise and return. Rainier is a serious endeavor and one that demands good. Rainier, and olympic national park fullcolor travel guide by fodors and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. You can order these books online using a major credit or debit card, amazon store card or checking account. For any climber wishing to add iceclimbing and steep snowclimbing skills to their resume, mount baker is perfect. Browse the amazon editors picks for the best books of 2019, featuring our. Learn about the physical preparation, logistics considerations, route selection, and gear needed to tackle this grade iv climb. The national park service keeps climbing statistics on 23 major routes on rainier. Six climbers are missing on mount rainier the new york times.
Dont let the 4 6 week delivery time influence your purchase. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. Route conditions uptodate route conditions are posted on the mount rainier climbing blog avalanche information pdf. Mount rainier reigns as the single resource, packed with everything you need to climb the mountain, from your first time to your fifth. Rainier but has not done so already, should read chapter, summit day. Shop for guide books, mountaineering sagas and more at whittaker mountaineering. Rainier summit climbs and courses with international. Published march 16th 2005 by mountaineers books first published october 1999. There is no substitute for training and realworld practice before attempting big, glaciated mountains. The books were written by the people who did the climb or who have been intimately involved with the climbing community at mount rainier. This creates a particularly hazardous condition where the. Disappointment cleaver route and climb to bring the ashes of our patriarch, joe lambert, to the summit of mt. There are several guide books available that cover mt.
I am focusing on the muir route disappointment cleaver and the emmonswinthrop since they are used by over 90% of rainier climbers and the ones i did in 2004 with 8 friends using rmi and 2012 and 2015 with friends on our own. Rainier aficionados can find steep, challenging climbing on ptarmigan ridge, curtis ridge, and mowich face. A climbing guide features 39 of the mountain s best routes, complete with details on the approach, the climb, and the descent, as well as elevation gain, difficulties and hazards, and season. About half of the climbers attempting to summit reach the top. It is important to wear a pack when training and be comfortable carrying weight approx. I was sitting in a bunk in a small shack up at 10,000 ft on mount rainier. Ascending to 14,410 feet above sea level, mount rainier stands as an icon in the washington landscape. Bibliography of mount rainier national park wikipedia. Also covered are the latest in permit and park regulations, preparation, the high camps and bivvy sites, summit day, and winter climbing. Find all the necessary information on climbing the rainiers famed glaciers including logistics, regulations, d permits along with search and rescue. Serving in the massachusetts state legislature, receiving the congressional medal of honor for the capture of fort huger, virginia in the american civil war, and representing american interests against the british in settling san juan islands.