Beginner is RMI's most popular tier — real glacier travel and real elevation, taught from day one. No technical background is required, just solid fitness and a willingness to learn on the mountain.
RMI's classic guided climbs and treks, taught from day one.
Beginner programs include Mt. Rainier's Four and Five Day Climbs, Mt. Baker's glaciated routes, and treks like Machu Picchu and the Everest Base Camp Trek. These are the programs most climbers start with — multi-day itineraries with a guide-taught crash course in rope work and crampon technique built right in. Browse the programs below to find your first RMI expedition.
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New to RMI's difficulty ratings? Read the full Program Difficulty Guidelines to see exactly what pack weight, terrain, and prior experience each level requires.
Mountaineering
The classic climb of Mt. Rainier, with a small group size.
Skill Development
A six-day instructional mountaineering seminar in the North Cascades — rock skills at Mt. Erie, glacier training on the Coleman Glacier, and a summit climb of Mt. Baker (10,781') at a 3:1 ratio.
Trekking
RMI's Gokyo Trek is a nineteen-day lodge-to-lodge trek through Nepal's Khumbu Valley, reaching the Gokyo lakes by the quieter Renjo La Pass.
Trekking
A 12-day climb of Kilimanjaro (19,341'), the Roof of Africa, via the scenic Machame Route — seven days on the mountain for proper acclimatization, with porter support and genuine mountain luxury.
Trekking
A guided ascent of Kilimanjaro via the scenic Machame Route followed by a four-day luxury safari through Tanzania's most iconic national parks.
Skill Development
A one-day crevasse rescue course focused on ski and snowboard travel in glaciated terrain.
Mountaineering
A five-day climb of Glacier Peak via the Gerdine and Cool Glaciers, combining a long backcountry approach with moderate glacier climbing on Washington's most remote volcano.
Mountaineering
A moderate, instructional glacier climb and ideal first step into Cascades mountaineering.
Skiing
A classic summit ski descent offering big vertical and extended spring conditions on Mount Baker.
Mountaineering
A moderate, goal-oriented glacier climb on one of the North Cascades’ classic volcanoes.
Trekking
A guided 80-mile circuit of Chile's Torres del Paine National Park, exploring the full O Circuit through remote Patagonian wilderness with cultural immersion in Puerto Natales and the Strait of Magellan.
Skiing
A thirteen-day ski mountaineering expedition through Southern Chile's Araucania Region, climbing and skiing five Andean volcanoes with lodge accommodation throughout.
Skill Development
A six-day instructional mountaineering seminar combining foundational skills training with an expedition-style ascent of Mt. Shuksan via the Sulphide Glacier.
Trekking
RMI's Machu Picchu Trek is a thirteen-day program built around a six-day trek to Machu Picchu via the Salkantay route, with time in Cusco and the Sacred Valley beforehand.
Mountaineering
A four-day alpine climb of Mt. Shuksan via the Sulphide Glacier, combining moderate glacier travel with an exposed, committing summit pyramid.
Trekking
RMI's Everest Base Camp Trek is an eighteen-day lodge-to-lodge trek through Nepal's Khumbu Valley to Everest Base Camp, with a night spent at Base Camp itself.
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
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Want your own private guide or a group departure on your schedule? RMI can build a custom Beginner-level climb or trek around your timeline.
Beginner programs are for climbers ready for a standard guided summit objective, like Mount Rainier's Disappointment Cleaver route. No prior technical experience is required — the glacier travel and rope skills you need are taught as part of the program.
No. Beginner programs are built for climbers with no technical background — Rainier's standard climbs include a full day of instruction before the summit attempt. A Novice course is a useful head start if you want one, but it is not a prerequisite.
Mount Rainier's standard routes are the classic Beginner-level objective — a genuine glaciated summit climb with RMI instruction built into the itinerary.
You'll need a solid cardiovascular base and experience hiking with a loaded pack. Summit day typically involves 8-12+ hours of sustained effort.
Climbers often move on to Intermediate objectives — more technical routes or higher-altitude expeditions that build on Rainier-level skills.
Yes, with the right preparation. It's the standard starting point for climbers ready to move beyond instructional courses into a genuine summit attempt.
Planning guides from RMI's guide team on choosing your first climb or trek, training for it, and what to expect on route.
"The combination of stable snow, bottomless powder, and flawless visibility made the whole pitch feel improbably composed"
Boost your endurance and stamina with interval workouts designed specifically for mountaineering preparation. Boost your skills—start here.
A Comprehensive Guide to Crafting Your Own Progressive, Goal-Oriented Program
How Periodic Tests Can Validate Your Progress and Refine Your Plan
