At 14,410 feet, Mount Rainier is the most glaciated peak in the contiguous United States and one of the most demanding mountaineering objectives in the country. Complex glacier systems, year-round snow and ice, serious prominence, and fast-changing weather create an authentic alpine environment.
Founded by Lou Whittaker in 1969, RMI is the most established and largest guide service on Mt. Rainier.
For over 55 years, RMI Expeditions has led climbers of all levels on Rainier’s iconic routes. Whether you're aiming for your first summit, building expedition skills, or training for bigger peaks, this mountain delivers. We offer a full range of programs—climbs, seminars, and skills courses—led by professional mountain guides committed to risk management, challenge, and adventure.
Mountaineering
The classic climb of Mt. Rainier, with a small group size.
Skill Development
A four-day field-based course combining the full Leave No Trace Level 2 curriculum with RMI's specialized expertise in alpine and glacier environments.
Skill Development
A private, custom-arranged mountaineering school on Mount Rainier — your group, one guide, one day.
Mountaineering
A five-day winter training seminar on Mount Rainier focused on expedition systems and preparation for Mount McKinley.
Skill Development
A one-day crevasse rescue course focused on ski and snowboard travel in glaciated terrain.
Mountaineering
A five-day alpine climb combining glacier travel and exposed scrambling on the seldom climbed summit of Little Tahoma.
Mountaineering
A five-day, small-team alpine ascent of Mount Rainier via the sustained snow and ice climbing of the Fuhrer’s Finger.
Skill Development
The foundational Expedition Skills Seminar — six days learning glaciated mountaineering from the ground up on Mount Rainier, with no prior technical mountaineering experience required.
Skill Development
The technical seminar — steep snow and ice through the Kautz Ice Chute, for climbers ready to move up a skill tier.
Skill Development
The expedition seminar — successive camps on Rainier's largest glacier, run the way a Mt. McKinley expedition actually runs.
Skill Development
The immersion seminar — four nights at 10,080 feet in the private hut RMI uses at Camp Muir, living at altitude while you learn rather than commuting to it.
Mountaineering
A five-day, expedition-style ascent of Mount Rainier via the Kautz Glacier for climbers seeking a technical route without added instruction.
Mountaineering
A remote, expedition-style ascent of Mount Rainier via the Emmons Glacier for climbers seeking a bigger objective and a quieter side of the mountain.
Mountaineering
Spend more time on Mount Rainier’s classic route with added flexibility for the best summit window.
Mountaineering
The classic climb of Mt. Rainier
Skill Development
A one-day instructional course focused on crevasse rescue systems and safe travel on glaciated terrain.
Skill Development
A one-day introductory course focused on foundational mountaineering skills and efficient travel in alpine terrain.
Every Rainier program begins and ends at our BaseCamp, six miles from the park entrance. Orientation, gear check, lodging, meals, rentals, and the debrief all happen in one place. Nobody else on this mountain has that.
It means you arrive the night before, sleep well, walk to your gear check, and get on the mountain without a scramble.
A world-class shop on site. Buy or rent everything on your gear list, fitted by people who use it.
Shop & rentals
Affordable lodging steps from orientation. Sleep in a real bed the night before you climb.
Book a room
Food, coffee, beer, and ice cream on site before the climb and, more importantly, after it.
See the menu
Where orientation, gear checks and classroom sessions happen, with your guides in the room.
Rainier programs“The whole of BaseCamp takes the experience to the next level. I utilized all of the resources there. The Whittaker shop is beyond expectations. Having food, drink, coffee, ice cream, and a world class shop all onsite with an affordable lodge is something I haven’t seen before. The only downside is I can’t help myself from spending money when I’m there!”
Glen Moyers — RMI climber
Rainier has more routes, formats, and possibilities than any standard program list covers. Whether you're organizing a private climb, targeting a specific route, or building a premier corporate offsite, RMI can put it together.
Mount Rainier makes its own weather — check live conditions, webcams, and the forecast before you climb.
View Live WeatherMount Rainier is a genuine glaciated mountaineering objective, not a hike. Every route involves technical glacier travel — crampons, an ice axe, roped travel, and crevasse hazard — at altitude and in weather that can change quickly. It's demanding, but it's also the mountain most climbers use to build those skills for the first time, with RMI guides managing the technical decision-making throughout.
No. RMI's standard summit climbs teach the skills you need as part of the program, including a full day of mountaineering school before the ascent. If you're aiming for a more technical route or a faster-paced itinerary, some programs do recommend prior glacier travel experience — each program page lists its specific prerequisites.
Late June through mid-August is Rainier's peak climbing season, with the most stable weather and best-established routes. RMI also runs early-season (May–June) and late-season (late August–September) programs for climbers who want different conditions — see our Mount Rainier weather and seasonal guide for the tradeoffs of each window.
Rainier programs involve multiple consecutive days of carrying a loaded pack over glaciated terrain at altitude, often with an alpine-start summit push of 8-12+ hours. A solid cardiovascular base and some experience hiking with a weighted pack are highly recommended — RMI publishes program-specific fitness and training guidance for each climb.
Every program includes professional mountain guides, technical group equipment (ropes, pickets, anchors), permits, and RMI's Camp Muir hut access where applicable. Personal clothing and equipment are typically climber-provided — RMI climbers get a 10% discount on gear from Whittaker Mountaineering, and the exact equipment list is on each program page.
The Disappointment Cleaver is Rainier's most-traveled standard route and the default for most guided summit climbs. The Emmons Glacier and Kautz Glacier offer different terrain and a quieter experience for climbers who've been up before or want a different objective. See our Routes of Mount Rainier guide below for a full comparison.
Rainier's weather can be challenging and have an impact on your summit attempt. RMI guides make that call based on real-time conditions and risk management — not a fixed schedule — and build weather-hold days into program certain itineraries that allow for it.
Popular summer dates on Rainier's standard programs sell out months ahead, particularly July and August weekends. Booking in the winter or early spring for a summer climb gives the widest choice of dates and programs.
Planning guides from RMI's guide team on routes, seasons, gear, and getting ready for Rainier.
Early, peak, or late season, learn what to expect when climbing Mount Rainier at different times of year and how to prepare for changing conditions.
Learn what it takes to climb Mount Rainier, from crampon skills to glacier travel. Explore route options, training tips, and expert advice.
Get expert gear advice for climbing Mount Rainier—from layers to crampons to stoves. Learn what to bring, how to test it, and what to rent.
Mount Rainier’s diverse routes vary significantly in technical difficulty, exposure, and popularity. Choosing the right route depends on experience level, climbing goals, and seasonal conditions.
