Join Us on 5 Days Mount Rainier Prep Course
This course is for those who would like to climb Mount Rainier without a guide. Routes this course prepares students to climb are the Disappointment Cleaver (DC) and Emmons-Winthrop routes. For those interested in more complex climbs, take a look at our Alpine Ice Leadership Course. Over 5 days, your instructor will cover skills such as expedition planning, glacier travel as part of a rope team, crevasse rescue, hazard assessment and much more. This Mount Rainier Courses includes a climb of Mt. Baker, which is a large glaciated peak with crevasses, ice falls, and other terrain that is comparable to Mount Rainier.
This Mount Rainier Courses contains a substantial amount of information and skills practice. Skills are perishable, and they should be practiced frequently by students hoping to participate in an independent climb of Mount Rainier. In addition, fitness is a key component of mountaineering, and developing a high level of fitness should be a priority in the months leading up to your climb.
Skills covered during the Mount Rainier Courses:
- Logistics and planning for a climb of Rainier
- Estimating travel time
- Selecting equipment & clothing
- Physical training for a climb of Mt. Rainier
- Camp set-up
- Camp cooking
- Techniques for adapting to high altitude
- Keeping warm on cold weather expeditions
- Leave-No-Trace Principles
- Navigation in mountain terrain
- How to assess and mitigate mountain hazards
- Techniques for glacier travel
- Snow walking techniques with and without crampons
- Rope management principles
- Basic Crevasse Rescue: Self rescue and partner rescue
- Self-arrest as part of a rope team
- Self-arrest with and without an ice axe
- How to shorten and lengthen the rope
- How to place snow protection
- Knots and hitches used in glacier mountaineering
Duration
5 days - 4 nights campingGear check
RequiredPassport
Not required for AmericansMinimum Age
13Activity
Mountaineering and InstructionAccommodation
Tents
- Guide and Instruction Services
- Pre-trip Planning/Information Session on packing and gear
- Backpacking, mountaineering and general outdoor safety skills
- Group climbing equipment
- Stoves/Cook kits
- Tents

- Gratuities for Guides
- Transportation (We will help arrange carpools)
- Parking or entry fees
- Meals/Snacks/Drinks