Mountain climbers/Rainier?

[kevinb]

Just curious if any WaLakes members are mountain climbers and/or have made the summit of Mount Rainier? I've trekked most of the Olympics and summited Mount Olympus. Walked the Nisqually glacier and even made snow caves above Mount Rainier's Paradise as a kid while being a member of the Pierce County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue but I have yet to attempt an actual legitimate summit bid. 1st curious if anyone out there is as dumb as me, 2nd, where do you climb? Have you attempted Mount Rainier?/Did you use a guide? Recommend?
I realize this is a list of left field questions but figure their has to be a few folks on this forum that might be able to help.

[Bodofish]

adams a

Just curious if any WaLakes members are mountain climbers and/or have made the summit of Mount Rainier? I've trekked most of the Olympics and summited Mount Olympus. Walked the Nisqually glacier and even made snow caves above Mount Rainier's Paradise as a kid while being a member of the Pierce County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue but I have yet to attempt an actual legitimate summit bid. 1st curious if anyone out there is as dumb as me, 2nd, where do you climb? Have you attempted Mount Rainier?/Did you use a guide? Recommend?
I realize this is a list of left field questions but figure their has to be a few folks on this forum that might be able to help.

I used to ski from camp muir when I was younger but have never gone to the top. I've done Adams and St Helens (Pre Boom) but never finished Rainier. I would suggest contacting the ranger station (s) at Rainier and I'm sure they could give you a list of guides to take you. And NO you can not just go climb rainier. You have to go with a guide a number of times and be certified by the park before you can do a climb yourself. It's far from a trivial task.
Good Luck! Have Fun!!

[The Quadfather]

You can never be too careful, Kevin.
My previous co-worker lost his cousin to exposure during a late May snow storm. The climber was very experienced. It was a horrible situation.

[stretch]

Here is a link to climbing regs:

http://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/climbing-2.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You do not need to pay guide to climb Mt. Rainier. What you do need is a couple of permits and someone with mountaineering experience on glaciers. To solo, a climbing resume must be presented to the park rangers and they may or may not allow you to climb. My friend and I have climbed Rainier a couple of times, never with a guide.

[natetreat]

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Before climbing mountains, I would talk to all your family and friends to make sure that they are okay with your pursuits. Go with a guide, get in the best shape of your life and be as safe ass possible.

Mountain climbing is very dangerous. It's not simply skill, it's reliant on weather other random uncontrollable circumstances. Personally, I find the risk is too high to justify climbing. It's not fair to friends, family and loved ones to gamble with one's life. It may be a massive accomplishment for you, but when things go wrong, it's basically suicide by mountain. Even the most experienced climbers are routinely injured or die climbing mountains.

That's my opinion, how I feel about a lot of extreme sports. Like sky diving, cliff jumping etc. I understand the rush that you get, it's addictive, but I can only imagine how it would be for my family if it took my life.

[stretch]

I agree with you Nate. Circumstances always play a key role in any mountaineering outing, or extreme sport.

I guess after doing it for so long, and all my friends and family are aware of this, I've become a bit desensitized to the fear of dying. It is very close to driving a vehicle on the road. You can prepare yourself and take a cautious approach, but you can't always forsee what someone else will do.

If you are in average climbing or mountain hiking shape, go with the recommendation of hiring a guide. Getting in shape will be your main objective. Taking a crevass rescue class is highly recommended as well. Research every possible avenue before pursuing your goal of summiting the highest volcano in the lower 48. Starting with easier climbs like St. Helens, Adams, Hood, and other local glaciers will give you great experience of higher altitude climbing and related training.

Climb safe, climb hard and come back alive!

[Bodofish]

I used to do quite a bit of climbing which is why I said get in touch with the parks. Regulations change, when I was looking at it you didn't have to have a guide but if you wanted a permit to climb you had better have one. No matter how good you are there are a lot of thing you can't control. Weather and Nature and Weather and Nature, they alone makes an extreme sport and they can undo the best laid plans and kill the most prepared person. Not for me anymore.