Mountaineering is where RMI started, and it's still the core of what we do. From a first summit of Mount Rainier to technical objectives across the Cascades, Alaska, and beyond, every program is built on the same guiding standards that have defined RMI since 1969.
Whatever your experience level, there's a mountaineering program built for where you are and where you want to go next.
RMI's mountaineering programs span the full range of the sport: single-day climbing schools, multi-day summit climbs, technical routes on Rainier's less-traveled faces, and expeditions on peaks across the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, and internationally. Every program is led by guides who climb these routes season after season, and every itinerary is built around real mountain judgment, not just getting to the top. Browse by location and route below to find the objective that's right for you.
Mountaineering
The classic climb of Mt. Rainier, with a small group size.
Mountaineering
A guided ski-mountaineering expedition on Mt. McKinley's West Buttress: the team ascends and descends on skis, using them for glacier travel from the Kahiltna landing strip and for the descent from high on the route.
Mountaineering
A guided ascent of Cayambe and Cotopaxi, two of Ecuador's highest glaciated volcanoes, combining high-altitude mountaineering with cultural immersion in Quito and the Andean highlands.
Mountaineering
A five-day winter training seminar on Mount Rainier focused on expedition systems and preparation for Mount McKinley.
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.
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 15-day expedition to three accessible Altai summits — including Mt. Khuiten (14,350'), Mongolia's highest peak — combining Himalayan-style climbing with a deep cultural journey, fully supported by camels, horses, and camp staff.
Mountaineering
RMI's Everest Base Camp Trek - Lobuche is a twenty-three-day trip through Nepal's Khumbu Valley that pairs the trek to Everest Base Camp with the climb of Lobuche Peak, a glaciated 20,075-foot Himalayan summit.
Mountaineering
A moderate, instructional glacier climb and ideal first step into Cascades mountaineering.
Mountaineering
A guided multi-peak expedition in Bolivia's Cordillera Real, climbing Pequeño Alpamayo, Huayna Potosi, and Illimani across sixteen days of high-altitude alpine climbing and cultural immersion.
Mountaineering
A moderate, goal-oriented glacier climb on one of the North Cascades’ classic volcanoes.
Mountaineering
A Seven Summits rock climb of Carstensz Pyramid (16,023'), Oceania's highpoint — a technical limestone ascent with fixed lines and helicopter access, deep in remote Papua, Indonesia.
Mountaineering
A classic, technical alpine climb featuring sustained snow and ice on Mount Baker’s iconic north side.
Mountaineering
An 8,000-meter Himalayan expedition climbing the Northwest Ridge of Shishapangma (26,289'), the only 8,000er entirely in Tibet, with a small team, 1:1 Sherpa support, and supplemental oxygen.
Mountaineering
A three-day alpine climb of Mt. Shuksan via the Fisher Chimneys route, involving moderate rock climbing, glacier travel, and a committing summit day from high camp.
Mountaineering
A four-day alpine climb of Forbidden Peak's West Ridge, combining moderate glacier travel with exposed ridge climbing on one of North America's fifty classic climbs.
Mountaineering
A guided expedition to the summit of Mt. McKinley via the West Buttress, the standard route on North America's highest peak.
Mountaineering
A four-day alpine climb of Mt. Shuksan via the Sulphide Glacier, combining moderate glacier travel with an exposed, committing summit pyramid.
Mountaineering
A guided ascent of Aconcagua, the highest peak in the Western Hemisphere and one of the Seven Summits, via the scenic Vacas Valley approach.
Mountaineering
A nine-day guided ascent of Cotopaxi, one of Ecuador's most iconic volcanoes, with acclimatization hiking and cultural immersion in Quito and the Andean highlands.
Mountaineering
A guided ascent of Orizaba and Ixtaccihuatl, the third and seventh highest peaks in North America, with cultural immersion in Mexico City and the country's central highlands.
Mountaineering
A guided ascent of Vinson Massif, the highest peak in Antarctica and one of the Seven Summits.
Mountaineering
RMI's Mt. Everest expedition is a roughly two-month guided climb of the 29,032-foot south side of Everest, run with a small team and low climber-to-guide and climber-to-Sherpa ratios.
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
RMI guides classic and technical mountaineering routes across the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, and beyond. If it's a real objective, we can build a program around it.
It depends on the program. Entry-level climbs like Mount Rainier's standard routes are open to climbers with solid fitness and no prior mountaineering experience — RMI's guide team teaches the skills you need in the field. More technical objectives require prior glacier travel or roped-climbing experience. Each program page lists its specific prerequisites.
A mountaineering program is built around reaching a specific summit or completing a specific route. A skills seminar is built around learning technique — crevasse rescue, glacier travel, rope work — without the pressure of a summit attempt. Many climbers take a seminar before attempting a bigger mountaineering objective.
Guide ratios vary by program and terrain, typically ranging from 2:1 to 4:1 climbers per guide. More technical or remote objectives run tighter ratios. Each program page lists the specific ratio for that route.
Mountaineering is physically demanding regardless of technical difficulty — expect to carry a loaded pack over long days at altitude. RMI provides program-specific training guidance once you register, and our difficulty guide can help you gauge what a given route actually demands.
Yes. Many climbers pair a skills-focused program with a summit climb, or combine two objectives in the same region on one trip. Contact RMI directly to discuss building a custom itinerary.
Guiding, group camping and technical equipment, and permits are standard across RMI mountaineering programs. Personal gear, travel to the trailhead, and lodging outside of the program are typically not included. Each program page has a detailed inclusions list.
Field notes from RMI's guide team on training, technique, and getting ready for a mountaineering objective.
New to mountaineering? Cut through the noise of gear lists, training plans, and glacier-travel overwhelm with what RMI's guides say actually matters most for a successful first climb of Mount Rainier.
A Comprehensive Guide to Crafting Your Own Progressive, Goal-Oriented Program
This 16-week plan breaks down into four phases: Base Fitness, Mountaineering-Specific, Peak Simulation, and Taper & Recovery. You'll gradually build aerobic capacity, strength, and the mountain-specific skills you need.
When we learn about risk, we’re not learning to avoid danger. We’re building the judgment to recognize when it is time to pivot, pause, or call it. That’s the true mark of a mountain professional.
