Mount Rainier: Emmons Glacier

Mt. Rainier is one of America’s premier climbing destinations and the perfect training ground for future mountaineering expeditions around the world. Reaching to a height of 14,410 feet, Mt. Rainier gives you a full on mountaineering experience. Our program is five days. We start at the White River Trailhead and ascend the Emmons Glacier route - with two days of mountaineering skills built in. This allows beginners to gain confidence and seasoned climbers a chance to refresh all while acclimatizing to the altitude. Most importantly, it allows time to truly appreciate and enjoy the experience. If you are looking to test your strength and have a big mountain experience, we encourage you to join us on our climb to the roof of the Northwest.

July 19-23, 2027

IMPORTANT BETA


CLIMB DETAILS

Price: $2750 Per Person
Length: 5 days
Guide-to-Client Ratio: 1:2
Difficulty: Strenuous
When: July 19-23, 2027
Type: Mountaineering
Type: Mostly Experiential

INCLUDED

2:1 NEM Guide Ratio
Mountain Skills Training
Tents
Stoves
Emergency Gear
MRNP Climbing Permit
MRNP Park Permit
Crevasse Rescue Experience

NOT INCLUDED

Airfare
Transportation
Personal Gear
Meals
Rental gear
Gratuities

RENTAL GEAR

We do not offer rental gear in Washington however if you should need gear, we recommend Whittaker Mountaineering at the base of the mountain.


Day 1: (July 18) Today, plan to arrive in Ashford, WA by 3PM at the latest. We will meet at 3PM at our accommodations. Here we will meet and greet our fellow teammates and get a briefing of what to expect for the next 5 days. Following this meeting, we will conduct a full gear check to ensure everyone has what they need to complete the climb safely and efficiently. We will have the opportunity to rent or purchase any missing gear. Overnight Accommodations are included.

CLIMBING ITINERARY BEGINS

Day 2: (July 19) We will have a team breakfast and begin our 45-minute scenic drive to Paradise at 5,400ft. This is the jumping off point for many Mt. Rainier climbing teams. We will spend the day on the mountain starting with a 1-2 hour hike to 7500ft. Here we will spend the day practicing mountaineering skills such as crampon technique, self arrest, basic knots and roped travel. These skills will be paramount during our climb. We will then descend and spend the night in Ashford. Overnight accommodations are included.

Day 3: Today we will begin our approach via the White River Trail. We will ascend through tall forests, lush greenery and wildflowers until we hit the Interglacier around 7,500ft. We'll spend our first night on the mountain here.

Day 4: We will start today with a casual start followed by a short climb to Camp Shurman at 9,500ft. We will set up camp and continue our mountain skills training.

Day 5: We will begin our summit attempt today aiming to reach the summit shortly after sunrise. We'll travel through the heavily crevassed Emmons Glacier and gain nearly 5,000ft to Columbia Crest. We will experience what it is like to walk under towering seracs, cross large crevasses and photograph breathtaking views of Seattle, Puget Sound and countless Cascade mountains. The ascent will take us between 5-7 hours and the descent should take about 3 hours. The afternoon will be spent rehydrating and recovering from such a big effort.

Day 6: Today we will have a casual breakfast and begin packing up our mountain home. Our descent to the car should take about 3-4 hours. Once back at the cars, we'll head to the nearest restaurant for a hot meal. We recommend booking a hotel in Yakima, WA for the night.

CLIMBING ITINERARY ENDS

Day 7: Departure Home

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Frequently Asked Questions About Mount Rainier

How Difficult is a Mt. Rainier Climb?

Mt. Rainier is a long climb with heavy backpacks. It can be very strenuous at times. Although it is not a technical peak and only requires travel on moderate snow slopes the weight of your backpack, the length of the days and the high altitude all take a toll on you. You will need to be in top physical condition.

Do I Need Any Prior Experience?

You should have previous backpacking experience. We include two days of mountaineering skills for participants to learn or refresh on crampons techniques, rope team travel, self arrest and crevasse rescue. Participants should be in top physical shape with prior hiking experience.

What Are the Age Limits for This Climb?

We encourage participants to be age 16 or over, although exceptions can be made based on previous experience. Participants under the age of 16 will need to submit a climbing resume for review. As long as you are in excellent physical condition, are approved by your doctor, and are able to legally sign the liability waiver, you are welcome to join us!

How Long are the Climbing Days?

Each day is challenging. At the beginning of the climb altitude is not an issue. However, pack weight is heavy. As we ascend, packs get lighter but altitude takes its toll. Summit day is 14-16 hours long.

What are the Sleeping Arrangements on the Mountain?

We will provide tents. Due to COVID precautions, climbers will not be sharing a tent unless it is with a family member or someone who they have been in quarantine with. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

How Heavy Will My Pack Be?

You can expect a 45lb-55lb pack for the first two days. Summit day will require 10lb-15lb packs.

Why Do We Begin Our Summit Attempt in the Dark?

We get an alpine start for many reasons. In general everything is safer at night when the temperatures are cold and the sun has not begun to melt the snow and ice. The terrain is firmer for easier climbing, snow bridges over crevasses are frozen, the snowpack is more stable and rock fall is less of a hazard.

General Policies

GENERAL POLICIES

NEMs Adventure itineraries are subject to change or be adjusted based on a number of factors. These include, but are not limited to, route conditions, weather, terrain, group dynamics and many other factors. NEM has complete discretion to change plans to accommodate any of these or other factors, including the discretion to change program schedule or itinerary, and change guides or staff, as necessary for the proper and safe conduct of the program. We reserve the right to cancel any program due to inadequate signups, weather or route conditions. In such a case, an NEM credit for the full value is given; however, NEM cannot be responsible for any additional expenses incurred in preparing for the program (i.e., airline tickets, equipment purchase or rental, hotel reservations). NEM reserves the right to dismiss the Participant from a trip at any time if NEM determines, in its sole discretion, that the Participant is not physically, technically, or psychologically prepared for or capable of participating in the program. This includes being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

SUMMIT ATTEMPT

Northeast Mountaineering cannot guarantee that you will reach the summit or complete the objective you have signed up for. Weather, route conditions, your own abilities or the abilities of others may create circumstances that make an ascent unsafe, and you or your entire party will have to turn around without reaching the summit. Your program fee entitles you to one mountain experience on your specified dates.

MINIMUM REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

Most of our programs do not have a minimum enrollment. If you are the only one registered, it will likely become a private outing. For our Waterfall Rappelling adventure, we must have at least 50% enrollment (3 people) to run the adventure. In the event of low-enrollment, we will reschedule your adventure to another date. If another date cannot be accommodated, you will receive an NEM credit.

RISK MANAGEMENT

Safety is NEM’s number one priority. Our guides manage significant hazards inherent in the mountains but they cannot eliminate them. NEM guides draw from their wealth of experience and training to make sound decisions that maximize your experience without compromising the necessary margin of safety. Please clearly understand that mountaineering and all other mountain adventures are inherently hazardous sports. You are choosing to engage in an activity in which participants have been injured and killed. While those accidents are indeed infrequent, they may occur at any time and be out of our control. We ask that participants acknowledge the risk and hazards of these sports, and make their own choices about whether or not to engage in these activities.

NEW ENGLAND ADVENTURES

Payment in full is due at the time of booking. Payments may be made via MasterCard, Visa, American Express, or check.

BEYOND NEW ENGLAND INCLUDING MOUNT RAINIER

A non-refundable deposit of $200 per person secures your reservation but may vary - please check your specific adventure. Payments may be made via MasterCard, Visa, American Express, or check. Final payment is due 1 month [30 days] before departure. For your convenience, we can work out a monthly payment plan.

INTERNATIONAL ADVENTURES

A non-refundable deposit of $200 per person secures your reservation but may vary - please check your specific adventure. Payments may be made via MasterCard, Visa, American Express, or check. Final payment is due 1 month [30 days] before departure. For your convenience, we can work out a monthly payment plan.

CANCELLATION FOR NEW ENGLAND PROGRAMS

Up to 30 days before your adventure: Full Refund will be issued 29 days - 72 hours before your adventure: Full Refund in the form of NEM credit Within 72 hours of your adventure: No refund will be issued*

CANCELLATION FOR INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS & OUTSIDE OF NEW ENGLAND

Up to 90 days before your adventure: Full Refund will be issued 89 days - 30 days before your adventure: Participant will be responsible for paying 50% of the total balance. If the balance is paid in full, participant will receive a 50% refund in the form of NEM credit. Within 30 days of your adventure: No refund will be issued and participant will be responsible for paying the full balance.* *Travel Insurance is highly recommended to protect your investment. If NEM cancels your adventure due to weather or another unforeseen reason, you will receive an NEM credit.

CHANGE OF DATE

Date changes are subject to availability. Date changes may be requested at anytime up to 7 days prior to your adventure without incurring a date change fee. Date changes may be requested between 7 and 3 days prior to your departure date for a $50 change fee. There are no date changes allowed within 72 hours before your adventure.

OUTSTANDING BALANCES

NEM requires payment in full within 2 weeks of your program. If you have an outstanding balance inside of this time-frame, the reservation will be marked as an NEM credit and the date will be released.