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Mt. Rainier - Mountaineering School

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Mt. Rainier - Mountaineering School

Mt. Rainier - Mountaineering School

dollar sign Price

$370

Meter Difficulty

Level 1

Clock Duration

1 days

Climber on cliff Type

Skills

In this introduction to alpine mountaineering techniques, learn how to travel efficiently and safely in the mountains.

Jump To…

The Mountaineering Day School introduces climbers to the foundational skills and techniques of mountaineering.

mountaineering SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS

  • Efficient climb and travel techniques, including pressure breathing and the rest-step
  • Effective crampon use
  • Ice axe arrest
  • Rope Travel
  • Self-care strategies in the mountains

Throughout the day-long course, we use Mt. Rainier's lower slopes to learn and practice various techniques and skills necessary for climbing in glaciated terrain. Experienced and talented guides facilitate the instruction of key skills in mountaineering.

This program is ideal for novice climbers seeking to gain confidence in the mountains. Our Mountaineering Day School, taken in coordination with our Crevasse Rescue School, prepares aspiring climbers to safely and smartly attempt a glaciated climb.

THE RMI DIFFERENCE

The Mountain Guides at RMI have forged an unrivaled reputation as the leading alpine guides in the United States. Integral to some of America’s earliest Himalayan explorations, our guides draw from years of expedition guiding and climbing worldwide, ensuring each program is led by consummate professionals with a wealth of experience.

Renowned for their leadership and character, our guides are celebrated teachers and trainers. They possess a rare blend of compassion, enthusiasm, and the capacity to empower others to obtain new heights. These are qualities that can only be found in those at the pinnacle of their profession. Despite their vast experience, RMI Guides remember their own humble beginnings in the mountains and take immense satisfaction in assisting other climbers to reach their goals.

Our unwavering commitment to meticulous attention to detail, unparalleled focus on individual climbers, and genuine enthusiasm for these adventures make for an unforgettable experience.

SAFETY

RMI is dedicated to providing the safest mountain experience. Our expert guides prioritize leading enjoyable and successful climbs while maintaining the highest standards of safety. Every climb involves thorough pre-trip planning, weather and avalanche forecasts, and meticulous attention to detail. Our guides are extensively trained in remote medicine and rescue techniques, and they carry comprehensive medical and rescue kits as well as radio communication equipment. Safety is always our top priority, no matter the destination or objective.

 


NPS Authorized ConcessionerAuthorized Concessioner

RMI Expeditions is an authorized concessioner of Mount Rainier National Park. We have operated within Mount Rainier National Park since 1969.

Address comments to:
Superintendent | Mount Rainier National Park
55210 238th Avenue East
Ashford, WA 98304

These services are operated in an area under jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of the Interior. No discrimination by segregation or other means in the furnishing of services or privileges on the basis of race, creed, color, ancestry, sex, age, disabling condition, or national origin is permitted in the use of this facility. Violation of this prohibition are punishable by fine, imprisonment, or both.

CARBON NEUTRAL CLIMBS & Climate Change

Offsetters

All our climbs in Mt. Rainier National Park are 100% carbon neutral. We have acquired offsets for greenhouse gas emissions through our partnership with Ostrom Climate, Canada's top carbon management solutions provider. Their carbon offset projects undergo rigorous verification by third parties to validate that emission reductions are genuine and permanent, ensuring that our contribution is making a tangible impact.

For Mt. Rainier, our primary carbon emissions stem from several sources: the electricity for our office, warehouse, and employee housing, all shuttle operations, commuting miles for office staff, stove fuel used on the seminars, and propane used at Camp Muir for cooking and melting water. These activities generate an estimated 15 tons of carbon annually. We participate in a "Green Power" program for all our electricity needs, which means our electricity comes from the wind farms in eastern Washington, which significantly reduces our emissions. Electricity is one of the biggest sources of emissions, and without the Green Power program, we estimate the annual amount of carbon emissions to be closer to 70 tons.

By supporting this project, we effectively prevent the same amount of greenhouse gas emissions generated from our operations from being emitted elsewhere. These offsets are instrumental in fulfilling our sustainability objectives and advancing responsible environmental practices.

Contact Us

As you prepare for your upcoming adventure, please contact our office and speak directly to one of our experienced guides regarding equipment, conditioning, the route, or any other questions you may have about our programs. We are available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at (888) 89-CLIMB or [email protected].


Climber Reviews

Filter By
06/04/2022
Transportation was good, instruction and skill level/expertise of the guides was excellent, really tried their best to work with people of varying skill levels.
Manoj E.

05/31/2021
The guides were both great! They made the course fun and easy to follow along with the information. They explained the reason for all of the skills and tip/tricks. They were happy to answer any and all of our questions about mountaineering
Melissa W.

05/18/2021
Dustin and Steve are excellent instructors/guides. Their skill demonstrations and explanations as to why (cause and effect) were extremely helpful. Great positive leadership style.
Dereesa R.

06/16/2019
Everything was great but the quality of experience and education provided by the guides was tremendous.
Curtis B.

06/13/2019
The guides!!! They were excellent and I would llove to do a summit attempt with them. Also, the rental gear was top notch and well maintained!!
Tom W.

05/28/2019
Ice axe arrests were crazy fun, I loved practicing efficient travel in the snow, and the team was great.
Christine L.

05/27/2019
I enjoyed how organized the trip was and of course the material covered along with the hands-on time was fantastic!
Michael R.

05/20/2019
Well coordinated trip with clear objectives and guidelines
Kerlan W.

06/10/2018
The confidence I gained in this skill set. I now feel capable of adventuring further than I have before.
Lisa F.

06/06/2017
The instructors were amazing and I learned very valuable skills!
Christiana O.

07/14/2016
I liked how everything was demonstrated first before we learned a new skill. Instructions were communicated and demonstrated really well.
Sarah P.

06/07/2016
I enjoyed the team and the group. I found the training to be most beneficial and I am glad that I was able to take the course as I am new to alpine climbing.
Jeffrey L.

05/31/2016
The ability for our guides to answer unexpected questions
Ian G.

05/24/2016
This was a great orientation for me as an absolute novice to know the very basics-of what to pack/how to pack, preferred equipment, etc. Just taking that guess work out of what I'll need in the future was worth it. My dream has always been to climb Mt. Rainier, and I wanted to 'get a feel for RMI". Boy was I impressed, and SOLD! You folks are very professional, courteous, FUN, patient. I would feel 100% confident going on an RMI expedition-that I would be getting the best in safety and adventure.
Julie P.

09/03/2015
Our guide!
Sarah S.

08/24/2015
Great learning, great fun, y'all are the gold standard and you proved why.
Reed L.

08/24/2015
The small group (4 plus 1 guide), the hands-on practice, all the tips for being a more effective hiker.
Mathias R.

08/23/2015
This is a difficult question to answer. I Enjoyed Every Aspect of The Trip! Everyone was always positive and went above and beyond. Top Notch Service! The Climb on Rainier was Fantastic! I can't wait to come back next year and attempt to Summit.
Pete K.

08/21/2015
I loved being able to experience mountaineering for the first time. I was treated with respect (despite my inexperience) and I am so glad I've got a few new tricks to try!
Katy N.

08/06/2015
We had a really fun group of people during this lesson, which made the day a blast. Christina was an excellent instructor, and we all really bonded throughout the day. This was also my first time being close to Mt. Rainier, and it definitely blew my mind to be a part of that environment. From a skillset standpoint, I loved learning about traveling with crampons, ropes, and self-arrest with an ice ax. I'm completely hooked.
MacKenzie R.

06/06/2015
Use of avi beacon
Janet V.

05/29/2015
I enjoyed the entire trip... the guides were funny, personable, yet strong leaders with significant care for our safety, our enjoyment of mountaineering, and their commitment to maintaining a "leave no trace" regard for the environment. The itinerary was well planned and enjoyable.
Mark E.

05/23/2015
Hearing Mike and Chase's experiences and background. They constantly provided us with 'why' you do something that way they explained. They both responded fully to each of our questions. They also provided useful feedback as we were practicing.
Greg K.

02/22/2015
Instructors were completely engaged, seemed to love what they do and enjoyed people. Never felt like they were bored, arrogant or distracted.
Cheryl R.

09/11/2014
Gaining the necessary knowledge to climb safely in a out door environment. The hands on experience is first rate. Your team did a wonderful job.
Patrick T.

08/10/2014
Learning skills in a beautiful place on a nice day with great people.
Bryan C.

08/06/2014
Learning how to walk on snow, a crucial thing I never thought about before.
Dakotah F.

07/15/2014
The class taught me exactly what I wanted to learn. The guide student ratio was very good and Andrew took time for my husband to help with skill learning when he needed more one on one instructions. He was very patient when the more mature students needed a little longer to catch on. In the end, everyone passed and I feel more knowledgable about how to keep safe in the back country when dealing with snow fields.Andrew also took time to look at my hiking boots and gave me good advise re what would work well on our upcoming Grand Teton Adventure.
Sigrun S.

07/14/2014
I really enjoyed the rental process that morning. I can't recall the name of the guys that helped us, but they were very pleasant to work with. I also really enjoyed our instructors/guides that day. Mike and Andrew were a great match and really played off of each other when teaching us different skills. They were a good mix of knowledge and personality. It made for a fun day. We had a couple of older folks in our group that were struggling to keep up/follow along and I thought they also handled that very professionally.
Allison N.

07/06/2014
Finally I got some formal instruction after years and years of climbing. I picked up on a few things I can improve on. Many aspects of the program I already was very familiar with though.
Paul K.

06/09/2014
The mountain and the weather (blue-bird). Self arresting was fun.
Dan C.

06/03/2014
I must say that having two women instructors and other women in the group made my 15 year old daughter very comfortable participating and I could see her looking up to the instructors as inspirational role models after hearing their achievements, she picked up new things very quickly as a result. Very impressive!!
Jason L.

05/31/2014
Everything
JP G.

05/30/2014
Everything. The class was worth every penny and I learned lots of valuable information.
Amy B.

05/28/2014
The guides and training process.
Michael S.

05/26/2014
Our guide's knowledge and attention to detail.
Alex G.

09/22/2013
I just really liked all of it even though my effort was abbreviated, the mountains are always great.
Walter E.

08/09/2013
It was day school so really the pragmatic instruction tips from Josh were the highlight. You can read it, you can hear it, but it's not till you actually do it and get realtime feedback that you understand it.
Keir W.

07/23/2013
EVERYTHING!!
Valerie C.

06/17/2013
I have been mountaineering for years now. But I still walked away with learning a lot. Each guide approaches the mountain different. Always opportunity to learn how to work more efficiently on the mountain.
Monique H.

06/14/2013
Being on the mountain and learning some of the key skills for effective climbing. I enjoyed learning to self arrest!
Alex L.

06/11/2013
It was truly an extraordinary experience to be on the mountain in the snow and sun with the right gear and a worthwhile objective. Every minute of the training class was exciting and fun. The instructors and my classmates were great. I wish it could have lasted longer. I'll be back for more!Besides the class itself, I enjoyed staying at Whittaker's Bunkhouse.
Gregg T.

06/10/2013
The people! The folks of RMI. Positive, upbeat and very helpful!
Ken A.

06/09/2013
I enjoyed the portion where we learned how to self arrest. That was good practice and very helpful.
Tristan R.

06/02/2013
Learning from the guides, learning techniques, learning what poor physical condition I am in :)
Robert D.

06/01/2013
Uncrowded time on Mount Rainier with great guides. Got some stunning photos.
Andrew M.

05/23/2013
Watching the guide simplicity in action - there is no wasted effort; how the manage/handle their gear, etc. For a beginner it presents an example of not only what you need to do, but the broader perspectives you need to bring to your preparation for and time on a mountain.
Michael S.

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Travel Consultant

RMI has partnered with Erin Rountree to provide comprehensive travel support. We have been working with Erin for many years. As an independent agent of the Travel Society, she has booked countless miles for adventure travelers across the globe and is extremely knowledgeable about the travel needs of our programs. Please call (208) 788-2870 or send email to [email protected].

Travel Insurance

We highly recommend travel insurance for this trip. Your travel insurance policy should include trip cancellation, trip interruption, trip delay, baggage loss or delay, medical expenses, and evacuation.

Navigating through the different options for travel insurance can be challenging. When purchasing Travel Insurance, here are a few items to consider:

  • Read the fine print. Travel Insurance will reimburse you when canceling for a covered reason for prepaid, non-refundable trip costs that you insure. However, there are exclusions, so make sure you understand the "covered reasons."
  • Confirm that your activity is a covered "activity." Not all travel insurance policies will offer coverage for activities such as mountaineering, climbing, skiing, or trekking adventures. Policies can also exclude coverage for activities due to the gear used (crampons, ice axe), activities that go above specific elevations, or activities in a particular region of the world. If there are exclusions, you may need to add an "Adventure" or "Sports" package to cover your activity.
  • Verify that your state of residence is allowed with the policy that you are purchasing. Not all insurance companies offer policies in all 50 states.
  • Contact your travel protection company directly for any questions you have regarding benefits or coverage.

We have partnered with Travelex Insurance and Harbor Travel Insurance because they offer certain policies specifically designed for adventure travel and offer coverage for remote areas and activities like mountaineering, climbing, skiing, and trekking without any altitude restrictions. 

 

 

For your convenience, we offer Travelex Insurance Services, Inc.(CA Agency License #0D10209) travel protection plans to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. 

 

For more information on the available plans, visit Travelex Insurance Services or contact Travelex Insurance (800) 228-9792 and reference location number 47-0370. 

The product descriptions provided here are only brief summaries. The full coverage terms and details, including limitations and exclusions, are contained in the insurance policy. Travel Insurance is underwritten by Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company; NAIC #22276.

 

Harbor Insurance 

 

 

 

 

Harbor Travel Insurance covers the following critical benefits:

  • Evacuation to a nearest appropriate hospital once hospitalized.
  • Trip cancellation/interruption, primary medical expense coverage, sporting goods, baggage loss, emergency dental, AD&D, and more.
  • Completely integrated one-stop program with a single contact for emergency services to travel assistance and insurance claims
  • 24/7 access to paramedics, nurses, and military veterans.

Harbor Travel Insurance is powered by Redpoint Resolutions, a medical and travel security risk company. Their team is comprised of special operations veterans, paramedics, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, former intelligence officers, insurance actuaries, and global security experts with dozens of years of experience in theaters around the world. The Redpoint network covers the globe, making them uniquely equipped to provide elite rescue travel insurance – in every sense of the word.

Getting There

Rainier BaseCamp is located in Ashford, WA, and is the home of RMI Expeditions, Whittaker Mountaineering, Whittaker's Bunkhouse, and BaseCamp Bar and Grill. Ashford is located 75 miles from the Sea-Tac Airport, and most climbers traveling to Ashford will want to rent a car. This is the most convenient and reliable way to get here.

Ride Share: If you are interested in sharing a ride, please go to your RMI Account, then to "Discussion Board" and "Ride Share" to post your information.

Seattle Airport Car Service
Phone: 206-375-4000
Email: [email protected]

Ashford Area Accommodations

The Hideaway Tiny House
The Overlook
Whittaker's Motel and Historic Bunkhouse | 360-569-2439
Nisqually Lodge | 360-569-8804
Alexander's Lodge | 360-569-2300
Wellspring Spa & Cabins | 360-569-2514
Guest Services Inc: (Paradise Inn and National Park Inn) | 253-569-2275
Mt. Rainier Visitor Association | 360-569-0910
Camping

You may also go to VisitRainier.com to search for accommodations in the Ashford Area.

Weather

For updated Mt. Rainier weather forecasts, click here.

Please click on the links below to see the Mt. Rainier webcams:

Tipping

Our guides work hard to ensure your well-being and success on the mountain. If you have a positive experience, gratuities are an excellent way to show your appreciation. Amounts are at your discretion and should be based on your level of enjoyment. Tips for excellent service normally average 10 - 15% of the cost of the program. If you would rather not bring the guide gratuity with you on the trip, you can send a check or call the RMI office to pay with a credit card upon your return.

Facts

Mt Rainier became the nation's fifth National Park in 1899, some twenty-nine years after it was first climbed. Mt. Rainier National Park encompasses 235,625 acres and is 97% wilderness and 3% National Historic Landmark District. At 14,410', Mt. Rainier is the most prominent peak in the Cascade Range. It is a dormant volcano that last erupted approximately 150 years ago.

Guided mountaineering activity has taken place since the late 1800s, and The Mountain is still considered a prime training ground for climbing in Alaska, South America, and the Himalayas.  With more than 20 active glaciers encompassing some 36 square miles of ice, Rainier boasts the largest ice cover of any peak in the lower 48 United States.  Its weather can be deceptively gentle or as fierce as encountered on any high mountain anywhere in the world.  There is a wealth of information on the Mt. Rainier National Park website. We encourage you to enhance your enjoyment of the climb with some fun facts about the Park and the history of climbing there.

Resources

General Information on Mt. Rainier National Park (MRNP) - www.nps.gov/mora

The Mountaineers Book - www.mountaineersbooks.org

Gateway Communities & Activities outside Mt. Rainier National Park - www.visitrainier.com

Recommended Reading

The Challenge of Rainier, by Dee Molenaar

Mt. Rainier - A Climbing Guide, by Mike Gauthier

Mt. Rainier: The Story Behind the Scenery, by Ray Snow

National Geographic Trails Illustrated MRNP topo map

 

Contents
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Qualifications

This trip is open to all individuals in excellent physical condition. There are no technical climbing prerequisites to join this program.

 

Get In The Best Shape Of Your Life And Then Go Climb A Mountain

Create A Fitness And Training Program

 

Physical Fitness Training

Mountaineering requires a high degree of physical stamina and mental toughness. Even for the healthiest and fittest individuals, climbing mountains qualifies as an extremely challenging endeavor.

  • Start immediately. Start a rigorous fitness and training program now with the goal of arriving in top physical condition and confident in your skills.
  • Be intentional. Focus on gaining the necessary strength, stamina, and skills to meet the physical and technical demands of the climb.
  • Be sport-specific. The best fitness and training program mimics the physical and technical demands of your climbing objective. The closer you get to your program date, the more your training should resemble the climbing.

For the Mountaineering Day School, you are preparing for:

  • Hiking with a 20-25 lb load
  • Mountaineering techniques requiring core strength and flexibility

Nothing ensures a personally successful adventure like your level of fitness and training. Bottom line: Plan to be in the best shape of your life and ready for a very challenging adventure!

Below are approximate outlines of the program's physical demands that will be helpful in planning your training schedule and goals:

Total Hiking Time
Elevation Gain / Loss
Total Distance
Pack Weight
DAY 1
2 - 2 ½ Hours
Round Trip
Gain = 1,000'
Loss = 1,000'
4 Miles
Round Trip
20 - 25 lbs

Please refer to our Resources for Mountaineering Fitness and Training for detailed fitness and training information.

Contents
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What You Need to know

A list of required personal equipment accompanies every RMI program, and the thought processes behind each item are much greater than simply “preparing for the worst and hoping for the best.” The list for your program considers factors such as seasonality, route conditions, weather, elevation, and more. As such, this list is framed within the broadest of contexts and is dynamic by its very nature. 

Please follow this equipment list closely so that you will arrive for the gear check with all the required items. If you own the item, or have something you think is similar, bring it with you. If the guide feels it is inadequate, you can rent or purchase the necessary piece from Whittaker Mountaineering. 

The guides’ recommendation on whether to bring along or leave behind specific item(s) comes during the gear check when the team first meets. If a guide deviates from the list, it is for a good reason. Their recommendation may be related to the weather, route conditions, freezing level, etc. Occasionally this recommendation comes at the expense of having previously purchased an item that may not be needed or the need to buy or rent an additional item. 

Ultimately, there will never be a consensus for a “perfect” equipment list for any mountain. It does not exist because of the many variables climbers face throughout the climb. Fine-tuning will occur once you meet with your guides and continue throughout the program. 


  • Whittaker Mountaineering Most of the required equipment is available for rent or purchase from our affiliate Whittaker Mountaineering. RMI climbers receive a 10% discount on new clothing and equipment items ordered from Whittaker Mountaineering when they use code RMI2024 at checkout. This offer excludes sale items, rentals, meal packages, and Feathered Friends.

Shop Your Equipment List // Rent new equipment for your climb

Equipment List

GUIDE PICK

The Guide Pick is an example of the listed item, giving you an idea of the material and specifications of the item. This exact item does not need to be purchased or used; however, any item you choose must have similar characteristics and performance abilities to the Guide Pick.


Pack & Travel

Image of 30+ LITER BACKPACK
30+ LITER BACKPACK

Your backpack should be large enough to carry all of your personal gear, food and water. 

Guide Pick™

Technical Gear

Image of ICE AXE
ICE AXE

The length of your axe depends on your height. Use the following general mountaineering formula: up to 5'8", use a 65 cm axe; 5'8" to 6'2", use a 70 cm axe; and taller, use a 75 cm axe. If you hold the axe so that it hangs comfortably at your side, the spike of the axe should still be a few inches above the ground.

Guide Pick™

Image of CLIMBING HARNESS
CLIMBING HARNESS

We recommend a comfortable, adjustable alpine climbing harness. Removable, drop seat, or adjustable leg loops are convenient for managing your clothing layers over the course of the climb and facilitate going to the bathroom. If you rent a harness, a triple-action carabiner is included.

Guide Pick™

Image of TRIPLE-ACTION LOCKING CARABINER
1 TRIPLE-ACTION LOCKING CARABINER

Used for clipping into the climbing rope. Harness rentals include this carabiner.

Guide Pick™

Image of CRAMPONS
CRAMPONS

10-point or 12-point adjustable steel crampons with anti-balling plates designed for general mountaineering use.

Guide Pick™

Image of AVALANCHE TRANSCEIVER WITH FRESH BATTERIES
AVALANCHE TRANSCEIVER WITH FRESH BATTERIES

Bring extra batteries appropriate to the duration of the climb.

Guide Pick™

Head

Image of HELMET
HELMET

A UIAA (Union Internationale des Associations d’Alpinisme) or CE (European Committee for Standardization) certified climbing helmet.

Guide Pick™

Image of WARM HAT
WARM HAT

Wool or synthetic. It should provide warmth but also be thin enough to fit underneath a climbing helmet.

Guide Pick™


Image of BUFF
BUFF

A Buff provides versitile head and neck protection. A neck gaiter is also acceptable.

Guide Pick™

Image of GLACIER GLASSES
GLACIER GLASSES

Glacier glasses are protective sunglasses that provide close to 100% frame coverage (wrap-around frames and side shields ensure no light can enter from the top, bottom, and sides of the glasses) and transmit less than 10% of visual light.

Guide Pick™

Hands

Each glove layer is worn separately as conditions change during the climb.

Each glove layer is worn separately as conditions change during the climb.


Image of LIGHT WEIGHT GLOVES
LIGHT WEIGHT GLOVES

Light weight liner or softshell gloves. Lighter colors absorb less sunlight while still offering UV protection.

Guide Pick™

Image of MEDIUM WEIGHT GLOVES
MEDIUM WEIGHT GLOVES

Wind- and water-resistant, insulated mountain gloves.

Guide Pick™

Upper Body

Image of LIGHT WEIGHT BASELAYER OR SUN HOODY
LIGHT WEIGHT BASELAYER OR SUN HOODY

Long-sleeve wool or synthetic top. Light weight, light-colored, hooded baselayers (sun hoodys) are highly recommended for sun protection.

Guide Pick™

Image of LIGHT WEIGHT INSULATING LAYER
LIGHT WEIGHT INSULATING LAYER

One step up in warmth and bulk from a baselayer. A technical fleece makes an ideal light weight insulating layer.

Guide Pick™


Image of SPORTS BRA
SPORTS BRA

We recommend a moisture-wicking, active-wear bra.

Guide Pick™

Lower Body


Image of SOFTSHELL CLIMBING PANTS
SOFTSHELL CLIMBING PANTS

Softshell climbing pants can be worn in combination with a base layer on colder days, or alone on warmer days.

Guide Pick™

Image of RAIN PANTS WITH FULL-LENGTH SIDE ZIPPERS (HARD SHELL)
RAIN PANTS WITH FULL-LENGTH SIDE ZIPPERS (HARD SHELL)

Non-insulated, waterproof shell pants must be able to fit comfortable over your baselayer bottoms and softshell climbing pants. Full side zippers or 7/8 side zippers are required so that shell pants can be put on while wearing boots and crampons.

Guide Pick™

Image of LIGHT WEIGHT TREKKING PANTS OR SHORTS  (OPTIONAL)
LIGHT WEIGHT TREKKING PANTS OR SHORTS (OPTIONAL)

A light weight, synthetic pair of pants is a good option for the approach trek when hiking at lower altitudes and in warm conditions. These pants have no insulation, are typically made of thin nylon, and commonly feature zippers to convert between pants and shorts.

Guide Pick™

Feet

SINGLE OR DOUBLE MOUNTAINEERING BOOTS

Boots are one of the most important pieces of mountaineering gear, and bringing the right pair is critical to your safety and success on Mt. Rainier. You will need one pair of boots for this climb, and the type of boot you wear will be dictated by freezing level. If the freezing level is below 10,000 feet, your guide will require the use of double boots. If the freezing level is above 10,000 feet, you may use either single or double boots. We consistently see freezing levels below 10,000 feet in April, May, June, and September, though periods of cold weather are not uncommon in July and August.

If this is your first time climbing, we highly recommend renting boots from our partner company Whittaker Mountaineering. Mountaineering boots do not break in like normal footwear so there is not much advantage in buying them unless you want to see how they feel on your feet before the climb or plan on doing more mountaineering in the future. If you rent, you can switch between single and double boots the day of your climb.


Image of RAINIER AND 5000 METER SINGLE BOOT TEXT

SINGLE BOOTS: Insulated, full-shank, and crampon-compatible leather or synthetic boots designed for mountaineering. Single boots tend to be lighter and more comfortable than double boots at the expense of warmth.

Guide Pick™

Image of GAITERS
GAITERS

A knee-length pair of gaiters, large enough to fit over your mountaineering boots. This will protect you from catching your crampon spikes on loose clothing. Not needed if using a boot with an integrated gaiter.

Guide Pick™

Image of PAIRS OF SOCKS
PAIRS OF SOCKS

Either wool or synthetic. Whatever sock combination you are accustomed to wearing during your training or previous adventures (whether single medium weight socks, a medium weight with a liner sock, two medium weight socks together, etc.), should work just fine for this climb.

Guide Pick™

First Aid & Medications

Image of SMALL PERSONAL FIRST AID KIT
SMALL PERSONAL FIRST AID KIT

Our guides carry comprehensive medical kits, so keep yours small and light. We recommend a selection of adhesive bandages, antibiotic ointment, Moleskin and blister care, medical tape and/or duct tape, basic pain reliever, and personal medications.

Guide Pick™

Personal Items

Image of MEALS & SNACKS
MEALS & SNACKS

You are responsible for providing your own meals and snack food in town and while on Mt. Rainier. See the Food tab for suggestions and quantities.

Guide Pick™

Image of WATER BOTTLES
1 - 2 WATER BOTTLES

One-liter water bottles with wide mouths made of co-polyester (BPA-free plastic).

Guide Pick™

Image of GALLON ZIP-LOCK BAG
GALLON ZIP-LOCK BAG

This will be your personal trash bag.

Guide Pick™

Image of LARGE GARBAGE BAGS
1 LARGE GARBAGE BAGS

Heavy-duty trash compacter bags for use as waterproof pack/stuff sack liners. You can also use a a waterproof pack liner.


Image of SUNSCREEN
SUNSCREEN

We recommend small tubes of SPF 30 or higher, which can be carried in pockets for easy access and to prevent freezing.

Guide Pick™

Image of TRAVEL SIZE HAND SANITIZER
TRAVEL SIZE HAND SANITIZER
Guide Pick™

Image of LIP BALM
LIP BALM

We recommend SPF 15 or higher.

Guide Pick™

Image of CAMERA (OPTIONAL)
CAMERA (OPTIONAL)

Many smartphones have excellent cameras. Action cameras, small point-and-shoots, and compact dSLRs are lightweight and work well at altitude.


Travel Clothes

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TRAVEL CLOTHES

We recommend bringing a selection of clothing to wear while traveling, site seeing and dining.  


Pre-Trip Checklist

Purchase travel insurance.


Arrange lodging in Ashford.


Reserve rental equipment.


Arrange transportation to Ashford.


Be in the best shape of your life!



Provided Equipment

RMI provides the following equipment for your program: climbing ropes and blue bags (for solid waste disposal). Every guide will carry a first aid kit and two-way radios.

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