Rainier 2010

“sincere question - other than lacking experience in steep snow travel, or glacial terrain - whats the driving force behind hiring a guide? Or is that the only real reason to use a guide?”

“experience.....
..and I wouldn't want to risk other peoples lives with my lack of it...

I wouldnt have wanted to have been roped to ME on a climb unless I was a guide...

I'm more experienced now, so I would do Rainier Guideless, but I look at guides as real expernsive insurance...

Im not too proud to admit when I am pushing my comfort zone...

'32oz”

“that's what i figured. Over half the game is knowing when your out of your element.”

“that's what i figured. Over half the game is knowing when your out of your element.”

“I decided I was gonna by-god climb Rainier this summer and a good team wasn't falling into place. The Kautz trip had been recommended to me by my guide on the first climb and, as a 4-day climb with experienced people, that was my best option this year.

If I was going to climb it with a completely inexperienced friend or my son, I'd probably go with a guide service again. Rainier is a lot more mountain than Adams, Hood & Shasta, which I had no problem climbing on my own.

As evidenced by the fatality on Rainier last week, a brief lack of concentration can be deadly. The guides I've climbed with were very safety-conscious, attentive, and loved what they were doing. It was worth the money.

That said, I wouldn't be afraid to do the easier routes solo with the experience I now have.”

“An ice climber friend of mine strongly urges me to do Liberty Ridge - it does look like a really nice route wiht a fair amount of 'spice'.

I'm not familiar with the Kautz route, i'll have to look it up.”

“Time lapse video of stars and the Milky Way circling around, climbers trying to summit mount Rainier, and a giant Perseid meteor appears to hit Rainier with some swirling effects.

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=3c6_1282140579”

“the meteor didn't strike rainier. i spoke w a climber that was on the mountain and actually saw the thing. crazy.”