Anybody interested in climbing Rainier?

“Just interested, but would anybody be interested in heading out to Rainier this summer?”

“Oh man, would I ever. That's on my "to do" list. I was in Seattle last year and stared at that damn rock every day. I would up hiking up some hill called "Granite Mountain" which was a fun hike but it wasn't Rainier. My total lack of mountaineering experience puts me on the out list I fear. Such is life.”

“I've been interested for 35 years. I'd like to do the long guided thing where they teach you the mountaineering skills (so your not out, Jimmy san). It's a matter of taking that much time off and travelling that far. I'd like to get my son interested.

You got a rough plan, Jayne?”

“Jimmy San..that hill called Granite Mt is more than most people in the midwest will ever see ;-)I-90 hiking is it's own world.....close to the city, but still foothills of the Cascades.
If you went to the top, well, you only need to do it what 3 or 4 times in a day with a loaded pack on to stimulate the grind of Rainier..lol!

Ya know, if you don't want to climb Rainier you can still see Rainier-do the Wonderland! Afterwards you will have climbed enough elevation to have climbed the Mt. 2 1/2 times ;-)”

“The trip up Granite Mountain was a blast. I packed cherries I bought at the base of the mountain, crackers and bread, and some water. There were quite a few people walking up the trail that day. I thought it was funny because I was walking up the hill doing well. It was slow going on the snow. I wasn't set up to hike, just tennis shoes and jeans. Then I was passed by these two hippie girls in tie-dye shirts, shorts, and sandals. I told my friend that I was glad I wasn't in full REI gear mode. I would rather be passed up by hippie girls in sandals on the trail while I was wearing street clothes, sneakers, and a cotton shirt then wearing $400 in REI clothes and boots. :)
last edited: 1/03/06 2:18:37 PM”

“Lol...well Jimmy, there you have I-90 in a nutshell ;-)
I don't backpack off of I-90 unless it is on the PCT. Too crowded. It is pretty though on the other side-where you can't see I-90 ;-)”

“sigh...pct....


dang it...you had to mention the pct!


UGH! Im gonna get back to you my sweet, sweet, pct...Im gonna conqur you yet!”

“Haha, it's Jay Newall, i'm a guy. But yeah I got a rough plan, I'm organizing a little expo up to Rainier with my Highschool teacher actually. We're planning on taking 3 days to climb, up through Camp Muir. If anybodies interested, and is willing to put a strong effort into it, please let me know. My email is Joshnewall@lycos.com”

“Jay: If my (wife's)schedule fits with your trip, I might be interested. What time of year were you thinking of going? I'll try to climb Mt. Borah a few weeks before Rainier to top off the training period. I need a big peak or two to give me some reason to work out.”

“I'm staring at that "damn rock" right now. The mountain has been out almost all day. I sure love my office cubicle. Best view ever!”

“I'm with Sarbar. I'd like to do another section of the Wonderland. *sigh* That was a butt-kicker!!”

“I'm planning on doing it sometime in the summer months, whatever works out cheapest really. From the books i've read, July and August seem to have the best chance of success at reaching the summit. Byyyy the way, for any of you not knowing, i'm 16. That might set you back a bit but keep in mind i've got a long background in mountaineering. If anybodies still interested, my email is one again, Joshnewall@lycos.com. Thanks.”

“I'm doing Rainier at the end of July along with Creekjumper and Brent (not on this site). We're doing one of RMI's 3-day trips. I'm really looking forward to it.”

“Would love to. If my schedule permits, I was giving serious thought to climbing it in late Aug and summiting if possible 1 Sept for my birthday.

Not sure if this is doable, for time/expenses etc.”

“I dayhiked up as far as I could go without the crampons and related gear. It is a beautiful mountain. I will settle for doing the Wonderland trail one day.”

“Wingding - I am also going up at the end of July with RMI. I believe it is sometime around the 25th. Maybe I'll see you up there?”

“Jay: were you going to do the RMI class? What kind of mountaineering do you like? Sounds like a lot of TTer's are going with RMI.”

“Its great that you are into mountaineering. If I was your parent I would say you could go with the RMI group, or with your Dad, or someone your parents know. Have you done some stuff that has given you pleny of practice self arresting from any position, carrying a 70 pound pack, setting up a Z pulley system for crevasse rescue, setting up a boot axe belay for a partner? Plus do you have the gear for it? Not that a 16 year old couln't do it, but its not a small task.”

“Here's a couple of useful webcams. The links below are time-lapsed so you can get a feel for the weather throughout the year. The first one shows the mountain but the second is pointed away from Rainier.

Longmire

Paradise”