We will meet at 8:00 a.m. at our Rainier BaseCamp facilities in Ashford, WA where the training will take place. Please dress casually and bring your climbing equipment and clothing. We begin our Pre-Trip Preparation and Training with a welcome and introduction of team members and guides. Throughout the day your guides will provide a focused introduction to a variety of topics. This includes a detailed personal equipment discussion and gear check, an introduction to safety practices including use of helmets, harnesses, and avalanche transceivers, instruction regarding Leave No Trace practices and environmental considerations, a discussion of mountain medicine, and a practical demonstration of various climbing skills. This helps prepare us for our climb of Mt. Rainier, and increases the likelihood of a safe, successful ascent of the mountain.

Please make your own arrangements to stay in the Ashford area this evening.

Day 2: After an initial team meeting at 7:00 a.m. our shuttle departs for Paradise, and our climb begins. The four-mile, 4,600 vertical-foot climb to the hut at Camp Muir (10,060’) will take one full day. For most of this day, we travel on snowshoes. The hike travels through the spectacular alpine zone, and onto the Muir Snowfield, named after John Muir who climbed the peak in 1888. As the Snowfield is ascended, grand vistas of the wooded lowlands and flanking glaciers open up.

As we move up towards camp we begin to work on the foundational skills that make us more efficient and capable climbers. These skills include pressure breathing and the rest step, dressing appropriately for the weather and workload, kicking steps and climbing in balance when on snow, eating and taking efficient rest breaks, and working on a pacing system that allows us to hike and climb all day. These skills will get us into camp feeling good and are important skills for any climber to possess.

By late afternoon we reach the small mountain hut at Camp Muir that serves as our base for the week.  It rests at the edge of several of Mt. Rainier’s glaciers. Views of the impressive Cowlitz, Ingraham, Nisqually and Paradise glaciers are inspiring, and the setting is unmatched as an instructional arena. During the evenings we can forget about the wind, wet and cold, and enjoy the basic comforts of the hut.

Day 3 - 5: We intentionally keep the itinerary flexible and guarantee that there is far more to teach than there is time to teach it! Some of our itinerary is chosen in consideration of the climbers’ interests, and some of it is determined by factors such as weather and snow and route conditions. Throughout the seminar we learn and practice various mountaineering skills oriented toward cold weather and high altitude expedition climbing. These include ice axe arrest, cramponing, roped glacier travel, anchor placements, various self- and team- crevasse rescue techniques, belays, snow cave construction, expedition sled rigging, ice climbing, route finding and fixed rope travel. Much of our time is focused on avalanche forecasting and working with avalanche transceivers. Evenings include group discussions on mountain weather, medicine for mountaineering, expedition logistics, and any requested topics that spark your interest.

A summit attempt will be made at some time during the week if conditions are suitable. Factors such as snow and route conditions, weather, temperature, group ability and strength, avalanche risks, etc. all determine whether a summit bid can be safely attempted. We choose either the Ingraham Direct or the Gibraltar Ledge route as our climbing objective. Both these routes are exhilarating and involve climbing in an outstanding alpine setting. Regardless of the conditions encountered over the week, we hope that you find your seminar and summit attempt to be an exciting and enjoyable experience.

The summit of Mount Rainier is spectacular. A large crater dominates the summit, with steam rising out of the cavernous summit vents. The bare ground near the summit, even in the winter, can be warm to the touch. We always strive to stand atop the highest point, Columbia Crest, at 14,410 feet.

Day 6: On the final day of the program, we return to Paradise in the afternoon. A shuttle takes our group down to Rainier BaseCamp. After the group gear is unpacked and checked in, we celebrate our adventure with a presentation of certificates.