Mount Rainier
Difficulty Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Mount Rainier is a fantastic climbing experience for all types of climbers – beginner, intermediate and developed mountaineers! Mt. Rainier’s 14,411-foot (4,392 meters) summit is the highest point in Washington State and 5th tallest in the lower 48. Mount Rainier is solitary and dominates the south eastern view in most of the Seattle-Tacoma area. This is a great trip for anyone with a small adventure time frame, but also interested in adding a significant mountain to their climbing resume.
Mount Rainier has 3 peaks, with Columbia Crest being the highest, and the true summit. There are several popular routes to the summit of Mount Rainier, each varying in difficulty and technicality. The two most common routes are the Disappointment Cleaver Route and the Emmons-Winthrop Route. The Disappointment Cleaver Route is the route our teams use. This challenging but manageable ascent features glaciated terrain, deep crevasses, and steep sections.
Expedition Highlights:
- Climb one of the most aesthetic peaks in the world
- Experience the largest glacier in the contiguous lower 48
- Gain technical experience but in an accessible urban setting
- Spend a full day honing your skills with our Snow School
- Navigate heavily glaciated terrain with crevasses and icefalls
- Climb an active volcano (at rest!)
Mt. Rainier offers a range of approaches with changeable grades of technical difficulty for climbers. Climbing the Seven Summits utilizes the Disappointment Cleaver Route. Climbers begin at Paradise (5,400 feet) and climb up to Camp Muir (10,060 feet), which is also used by backpackers and day hikers. At Camp Muir you will have the impressive view of Little Tahoma (11,138 feet, 3,395 meters) which has eroded itself into its own peak from the historical and earlier Mt. Rainier of the past.
Climbing Mt. Rainier, you are increasing your knowledge and training of learning snow, ice and glacial skill climbing, which is why it is great for beginner climbers, as well as a great refresher for more seasoned climbers. The Disappointment Cleaver Route is considered to be one of the lesser technical routes on the mountain. During your Mt. Rainier trip with Climbing the Seven Summits, you will learn more skills to add to your climbing repertoire, as well as adding to your climbing resume. On your second day of the trip you will be a part of the CTSS Snow School and Training day. The skills you may learn include use of ice axe and crampons, self-arrest rescue techniques, and communication skills while traveling with a rope team.
Climbing the Seven Summits is committed to providing the highest quality Mt. Rainier expedition. You can be assured that it will be both challenging and fun, a true once in a lifetime experience. Rest assured that our professional priorities are first and foremost “Safety” and “Success” which we achieve by outfitting our teams with the best logistics and the most capable, qualified and seasoned guides in the world. The third day, your group will climb up 1,000 feet to Ingraham Flats camp, which is a much more natural camp setting, surrounded by crevasses and large, expansive views of the surrounding glaciers.
That night, depending on safety and weather checks by our professional mountain guides, the team’s summit attempt will occur. Above Ingraham Flats, the climbing intensity, steepness and endurance increases. The upper mountain climbing route varies day to day, as crevasses open up and snow bridges form throughout the season. While this is a challenging peak, our Mt. Rainier program is designed to see you succeed.
Welcome to “Climbing the Seven Summits” Mt. Rainier Expedition!
Having spent most of my life as a resident of Seattle, Rainier feels like my home peak having spent many summers on the mountain accumulating over 50 summits.
Rainier truly offers some of the best climbing in the US, with ‘big mountain terrain’ in the Lower 48. It’s a peak that makes you feel like you may be in the Himalaya or the Alaskan range whilst still being a stone’s throw from Seattle. Unlike bigger international trips with lengthy approaches, it can be achieved in a few short days.
Our Rainier program offers great bang for your buck to get that big mountain experience without a huge investment of money or time.
I look forward to sharing a piece of my backyard in the Pacific Northwest.
Best regards,
Mike Hamill
Owner and Lead Guide, Climbing the Seven Summits
Expedition Options (Schedule & Prices)
Mt. Rainier Guided Team Climb: $1,995 (4.5 day | 3 Nights)
Climbing Trip Dates: Please contact us for upcoming dates.
This Mt. Rainier expedition is our traditional guided team climb which ascends the mountain by utilizing the Disappointment Cleaver route. Provided are expedition oversight, world class guidance, team gear, food, and support for a summit attempt on Mt. Rainier.
We begin our expedition by meeting in Ashford, WA. We will then climb the mountain and return to Ashford, WA.
All prices are in US Dollars.
CTSS requires clients to buy trip insurance for all expeditions. Please see our page on trip insurance and cancellation policy for more information.
All payments once submitted are non-refundable and non-transferable. If balances are not received by specified dates, the client forfeits their place on the program and any prior fees paid.
- Mt. Rainier became part of the National Park system in 1899 and is the United States fifth National Park
- Prior to be named Mt. Rainier, the mountain was known as Mt. Tahoma, which means “snowy peak”
- Mt. Rainier is about 500,000 years old
- For all the local Seahawks football fans (especially lead guide Mike Hamill), prior to Super Bowl XLVIII, the Washington State Senate passed a resolution temporarily renaming Mt. Rainier to be called Mt. Seattle Seahawks until midnight after the Super Bowl on Monday, February 3, 2014
- Mt. Rainier is home to the largest glacier system in the lower 48
Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate
Our Mt. Rainier program suits advanced beginners, intermediate and advanced climbers. Climbing the Disappointment Cleaver Route on Mt. Rainier requires solid fitness, but it is not beyond the abilities of many people who are willing to train for the climb and work hard on the trip. If you want to join this expedition but feel unsure of your ability, please chat to us as we can work with you to get you up to speed prior to the climb as we take immense pride in helping people achieve their goals.
CTSS brings big mountain expertise gained from countless expeditions around the world to our Rainier program enabling our climbers to become proficient and lay down solid mountaineering fundamentals quickly and efficiently. Our snow school session is a full training seminar which will not only equip you for the climb ahead but also prepare you for bigger peaks like Lobuche in the Himalaya, the Ecuadorian volcanoes and Denali.
Please note; Temperatures range from 40 to 50-degrees Fahrenheit (4-10C) at night, with occasional dips down below freezing. Daytime temperatures often reach 70-degrees Fahrenheit (21C). Climbers should expect the possibility of freezing temperatures above 9000-feet on summit days throughout the summer season. And though mid-season tends to be dryer on Mt. Rainier, climbers should always be prepared with rain gear just in case.
On some climbs, the guides may determine it is more favorable to climb on day three due to weather, route conditions, or team ability. In this case, the guides will conduct essential training the second afternoon, with additional training during the course of the ascent.
This itinerary is only a rough estimate and will be determined by weather and acclimatization. This is adventure travel meaning things rarely go as planned and this schedule will likely change. Climbers need to be adaptable and positive.
We always recommend climbers arrive in Ashford one day early to avoid travel delays, or issues with lost baggage. Added expenses (hotel/food/sightseeing) of this extra day are the client’s responsibility. Please let us know if you want us to arrange logistics for early arrivals, or for a single rooming option.
Day Zero:
The group meets in Ashford, WA. After gathering, the guides will conduct a final pack check and issue of team equipment. CTSS’ guides are there to answer any last minute questions you might have, as well as offer tips and tricks of the trade. You will need to have your own accommodation for tonight.
Day 1: Hike to Camp Muir
We all drive together up to Paradise. We hike up to Camp Muir (10,060 feet). This is a good hike with up to 40-50 lb. packs and beautiful views of Mt. Rainier National Park.
Day 2: Snow School & Training Day
After having breakfast, we have a day of training skills on Mt. Rainier. These skills may include use of ice axe and crampons, self-arrest rescue techniques, and communication skills while traveling with a rope team.
Day 3: Climb to Ingraham Flats
Climb up 1,000 more feet to Ingraham Flats camp, which is a much more natural camp setting, surrounded by crevasses and large, expansive views of the surrounding glaciers.
Day 4: Summit Day
We get an alpine start and head up the Disappointment Cleaver itself. This can be tricky, but your guides are there to help! Continuing up the glacier, you will utilize your skills navigating around crevasses, and eventually up to the summit (14,411 feet). Mt. Rainier’s true summit, called Columbia Crest is atop the ice cave system that is located under the crater rim. It’s a long and full day getting to the summit and back down to Paradise. After your return, the group will head down to the trail head to celebrate with a well-earned team dinner!
What you’ll need to bring:
Travel:
- ID (Driver’s license or passport)
- Pen or pencil
- Duffle bag for all mountain equipment
- Suitcase or separate duffle bag for in town clothes
- Town Clothes
Lower Body:
- Hiking shoes (trail runners or sneakers)
- Single or Double Mountaineering boots (La Sportiva Nepal or equivalent)
- 2 pairs of mid weight hiking socks
- Gaiters
- One pair of light weight thermal long johns
- One pair of soft shell climbing pants
- 1 pair of gortex shell pants with full zippered sides
Upper Body:
- 1 short sleeve hiking shirt (optional)
- 1 long sleeve thermal base layer or sun hoodie
- 1 light weight insulating layer (fleece or soft shell jacket)
- 1 mid weight insulating layer (light weight puffy jacket)
- 1 heavy parka (must have a hood)
- 1 gortex rain jacket (must fit over all your layers)
Head
- 1 sunhat
- 1 warm, insulating hat (beanie)
- 1 buff or neck gaiter
Hands
- 1 pair light weight liner gloves
- 1 pair mid weight work gloves (mid weight leather gloves)
- 1 pair heavy ski gloves or mittens
Climbing/Overnight Equipment
- 1 pair crampons (must be steel, not aluminium)
- Climbing harness
- 2x locking carabiners
- Ice axe
- Helmet
- Collapsible trekking poles
- Headlamp (with extra set of batteries)
- Sleeping bag (rated to -2o Fahrenheit or colder)
- 1 inflatable sleeping pad (like a thermarest)
- 1 closed cell foam pad (Ridgerest or Z-Rest)
- 75+ litre pack
- Sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher)
- Lip balm
- Toilet paper
- Wet wipes
- Ear plugs
- Hand/Toe Warmers (optional)
- Small, personal first aid kit
- Personal snack food (enough for lunches and snacks for 4 days)
- Cup, Bowl, Utensils (spoon & fork)
- 2x 1L Nalgene type waterbottles with full covers (hydration packs like Camelbaks are unreliable as they freeze and pop)
- Camera/Phone
- 2x heavy duty trash bags
Thanks for your interest in our expeditions. We're looking forward to climbing with you!
To apply for our expeditions, please contact us to send you an application packet.
Steps:
- Fill in the application form (you can fill it out digitally or print and scan) and email it back to us at: info@climbingthesevensummits.com
2. Pay your 25% deposit (wire transfers are preferred and the details are on the application form. Credit cards attract a merchant surcharge)
3. Upon receiving your application and your deposit, and accepting you onto the trip, we will then issue you an invoice reflecting that and your balance amount and due date
4. Please send us the remainder of the forms to info@climbingthesevensummits.comwhich are due 4 months of departure along with your balance.
5. At the same time, please send a copy of the photo page of the passport you intend to travel on and a copy of your trip insurance*
*It’s worth noting most insurers require you to take out a policy within 14 days of paying a deposit for their trip cancellation/interruption clauses. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you would like recommendations on which we use for our guide’s insurance etc.
Travel can be booked through our partner travel agent: Pirjo DeHart at CTT Destinations.
Our expeditions are fully inclusive except for items/services of a personal nature.
- Guides: Professional Mountain Guides
- Transportation: All group transportation while on the expedition. If you depart early then the added expenses for transport, lodging, rescue, and evacuation is your own responsibility.
- Food: All expedition (on Mountain) food is covered including breakfast, dinner, snacks and hot drinks.
- All Group Gear: Four season tents, cooking gear, group duffels, stoves, etc.
- 1st Aid Equip
- Satellite Phone: To update the blog and available to clientele at $3/min
Not Included:
Mountain Climbing Permit fee
- All in town accommodation and restaurant meals
- Transportation to and from the airport upon arrival/departure. Ashford, WA is about an hour and a half – two hours away from SeaTac International Airport, Seattle WA.
- Flight costs to and from SeaTac International Airport, Seattle WA is the closest airport to Ashford, WA.
- Personal gear: all personal climbing gear is the responsibility of the client
- In the event of a rescue, evacuation, or early departure from the group, any rescue expenses incurred or excess expenses above and beyond our normal trip costs including transport, hotels, evacuation, flight changes, and gear shipping are the responsibility of the client.
- Guide Tips (customary, but optional)
- Costs incurred as a result of events beyond the control of CTSS above and beyond the normal expedition costs
- Required trip insurance policy (for trip cancellation, interruption, rescue & evacuation, medical treatment, repatriation, etc.)
Mike Hamill, lead guide and owner of CTSS, is universally regarded as one of the most experienced and respected high altitude mountaineers and expedition leaders in the world.
He has personally guided thousands of climbers on the Seven Summits and well over 150 climbers have stood atop 8000m peaks, including Everest with him. A guide for over 20 years, he boasts a 91% expedition success rate and an 83% climber summit success rate for all of his expeditions worldwide.
He has stood on top of Everest 6x and currently holds the record for most non-Sherpa summits of Cho Oyu. He’s also the author of the guidebook “Climbing the Seven Summits,”
To complement his leadership, Mike has hand-picked a selection of the finest mountaineering professionals from around the world to make up the international CTSS guiding team.
Our team are highly qualified and some of the most highly experienced climbers in the world. Chosen for their attention to detail, safety records along with their fun, genuine and caring personalities, we have no hesitation in saying they are the best. Mike holds the CTSS staff to the same high standards as he holds himself.
Who you choose for expedition organization and leadership is a big deal – it can be the difference between a great expedition and a miserable, potentially dangerous one and you only want the best in your corner. The fact that Mike and his guides have an unprecedented safety record should be a paramount consideration in who you choose to climb with.
Mike and the CTSS team’s love for the mountains and adventure continues in our corporate social responsibility policy. A portion of profits and fundraising climbs are organized every year in support of the “Tiger of the Snows Fund” a not-for-profit that provides grants to further education of mountain tourism workers and their families.
“Great leaders like Mike inspire and lead people to take on challenges and achieve great things.” -Tim Igo
Climbing the Seven Summits’ primary aim is to help you attain your personal climbing and trekking goals while experiencing the best of our planet, its unique cultures and environments.
We strive to offer the highest quality mountaineering expeditions and treks at a great value while focusing on our primary goals: safety, success, and enjoyment.
We achieve this by bringing our extensive experience, top of the line logistics individualized service, and world-class guides to each adventure we undertake.
To give our clients the highest possible chance at success we are detailed in our approach, ensuring we’ve dotted our ‘i’s and crossed our ‘t’s. We provide personalized service, employ conservative acclimatization schedules, use top of the line mountaineering, camping and communications gear, hire only the best mountain leaders and we don’t skimp on costs.
Our expeditions strive to set the highest standards and climb in “good style”. By this we mean prioritising the wellbeing and safety of our teams, leaving no trace on the environments we operate in, respecting culture, contributing to local economies by employing regional partners and paying them higher than the industry standard and working in a self-sufficient and self-reliant way. We promote a responsible approach to adventure travel by connecting people to the natural world and giving back to local communities by donating a percentage of every expedition to ‘Tiger of the Snows Fund”
We take immense pride in our expeditions and this shows in the positive feedback we receive from our teams who form lasting friendships forged in the mountains as they work together and overcome tough challenges.
Please visit our Client Testimonials page for quotes reflecting CTSS leadership and experience. If you would like to talk to previous customers as references, please contact us, and we can put you in touch with many satisfied climbers. Please feel free to give us a call or send us an email, and we will be happy to discuss the expedition with you. Joining a climbing or trekking expedition is a big deal, and it’s important to feel comfortable with the expedition leadership. The majority of our clients are return customers because of their overwhelmingly positive experiences.
Do I need to have any prior climbing experience?
This trip is open to all individuals in excellent physical condition. There are no technical climbing prerequisites to join this program.
What is a good fitness and training program for this climb?
- Climbing conditioning – pack-loaded uphill hiking, walking, and stair climbing
- Strength training – for the lower and upper body
- Cardiovascular training – including both aerobic and anaerobic workouts without pack weight
- Flexibility training
Do I need to acclimatize due to altitude?
No acclimatization is necessary for the Mt. Rainier program.
Will I need to share a tent?
Yes, both at base camp and on the mountain, tents will be shared accommodations due to limited tent space on the mountain and the weight of carrying extra tents. Please plan to share a tent with one of your fellow climbers.
How heavy will my pack be?
You will likely be carrying 40lbs – 50lbs (18kg – 24kg).
Will I need to purchase trip insurance?
Yes. Trip delay and cancellation, rescue, repatriation, medical insurance is mandatory for this program for your own benefit. We have seen too many times people need to cancel their trip either before or during the expedition for reasons such as injury, health, family and business matters. With such a long trip and so much at stake, climbers need to be prepared for contingencies.