Senior Guide
With RMI
Growing up in Port Angeles, Washington, Lael Butler developed a love for the mountains at an early age, exploring the Olympic Mountains alongside her brother. That early curiosity grew into a lifelong passion for mountain travel and eventually a professional guiding career. She began guiding on Mt. Rainier in 2019 and has since built a diverse skill set. In the winter, she teaches avalanche education courses in MT, and in the summer, she guides primarily on glaciated peaks throughout WA and MT. On her days off, Lael can be found doing anything from steep sport climbing to winter alpine adventures. When she’s not in the mountains, she enjoys sewing and cooking good food with friends.
Multiple | Mt. Rainier, Washington, USA | 14,410' (Disappointment Cleaver, Emmons & Kautz)
Multiple | Mt. Baker, Washington, USA | 10,781' (Coleman-Deming, North Ridge, Easton & Squak; ski descents via Coleman-Deming & North Ridge)
Multiple | Mt. Shuksan, Washington, USA | 9,131' (Sulphide, White Salmon & Fisher Chimneys; ski descents via Sulphide & White Salmon)
1 | Mt. Redoubt, Washington, USA | 8,969' (NE Face; Southern Route ski descent)
1 | Glacier Peak, Washington, USA | 10,541'
Multiple | Ice Climbing (Montana, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, British Columbia) | up to WI5
Multiple | Alpine Rock Climbing (USA, Canada, Mexico, Chile) | up to 5.12
November 2, 2025
Program Name
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- Name
Mountaineering
The Four Day Rainier Climb is the classic route to the summit of Mount Rainier and the most common path climbers take into high-altitude mountaineering, following the standard south-side routes through glaciated terrain to one of North America's most recognizable peaks. It's a serious alpine objective that rewards preparation, fitness, and focus — for many climbers, the moment mountaineering becomes real, yet still within reach of well-prepared first-timers. Being able to say "I've been on top of that" while driving I-5 or flying out of Sea-Tac is an incredible achievement.
The climb begins with a half day orientation at BaseCamp, followed by a full day of mountaineering school on the mountain, then ascends to Camp Muir, where teams stay in the private hut RMI uses — the only guide service with its own shelter at Camp Muir. Throughout, you climb in small rope teams at a 2:1 climber-to-guide ratio — closer instruction, steadier pacing, and more attention on summit day. Before and after, your team is based at Rainier BaseCamp in Ashford, home to the BaseCamp Bar & Grill, Whittaker Mountaineering, and Whittaker's Bunkhouse.
November 2, 2025
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-Name
Leadership
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