Anyone ever hike to Camp Muir or to the Summit of Mt. Rainier?

[Smossy]

Whats it like? 

[Fishaholic]

My wife and I made it half way up.  I got pics of it on my facebook. My wife and I went there for our honeymoon.

[clindsayrun]

Been up to both a couple of times. Camp Muir is a little bunk house, also has an emergency radio for contacting the rangers.
I slept in it one January. It works, but I prefer a tent.

Long slow hike up and the altitude gets some people. If you don't do much climbing/mountaineering I'd recommend trying for Muir before you book a summit attempt.

[Smossy]

Been up to both a couple of times. Camp Muir is a little bunk house, also has an emergency radio for contacting the rangers.
I slept in it one January. It works, but I prefer a tent.

Long slow hike up and the altitude gets some people. If you don't do much climbing/mountaineering I'd recommend trying for Muir before you book a summit attempt.

Well I just conquered St Helens 2 days ago and now Im all for getting on all the peaks in the state.

[jackelope]

Camp Muir I think is no big deal relative to St Helens or Adams. I could be wrong there as I've not been up there. Summit of Rainier...depends what kind of shape you're in. My little bro was an ironman competitor, 4:45 mile runner, etc. summited Rainier and said it was a breeze. Once you're above 10k though, if the altitude is going to bother you, it doesn't matter what shape you're in. I'm not in great shape but I can hold my own in the mountains. Adams was pretty hard but not horrible. It's the only time I've been above 10k hiking. I was more bothered at the lunch counter than I was at the summit, or at pikers peak. I had no appetite at the lunch counter(9500').

[pd]

Yes, and yes.

Be forewarned: Rainier is a long slog of a mountain, both going up and especially coming down.  The vertical climb is what you expect, but the horizontal walk is true drudgery--especially the downclimb in the warm summer sunshine, as the snow rots (melts), and each step will sink you 12 to 18 inches in slop.

The climb to Camp Muir is not hard.  The summit attempt above that is also relatively easy, but not to be attempted without either a guide, an experienced partner, or lots of experience on the part of the climber.

You will find valuable information on Rainier (and all of the other major and minor climbs in Washington) at www.cascadeclimbers.com  If you are serious about climbing the peaks of this state, register at that site and make some friends.

[Smossy]

Yes, and yes.

Be forewarned: Rainier is a long slog of a mountain, both going up and especially coming down.  The vertical climb is what you expect, but the horizontal walk is true drudgery--especially the downclimb in the warm summer sunshine, as the snow rots (melts), and each step will sink you 12 to 18 inches in slop.

The climb to Camp Muir is not hard.  The summit attempt above that is also relatively easy, but not to be attempted without either a guide, an experienced partner, or lots of experience on the part of the climber.

You will find valuable information on Rainier (and all of the other major and minor climbs in Washington) at www.cascadeclimbers.com  If you are serious about climbing the peaks of this state, register at that site and make some friends.

Yeah It was like that near the top of st helens to, every other step I sunk about 2 feet in fresh snow because of the heat. One of the reasons it was so rough. Plus my trekking pole disks are tiny so It was hard to pull myself out alot of the time.
Just trying to find things to do to make life alittle more interesting ya know.

[jackelope]

In my limited experience in this field I've learned you've got to take rotting snow into consideration. As in start early so you're walking up on frozen snow. Walk down ASAP to reduce the melting snow factor.

[Smossy]

In my limited experience in this field I've learned you've got to take rotting snow into consideration. As in start early so you're walking up on frozen snow. Walk down ASAP to reduce the melting snow factor.

Id be glissading down at-least half of it but I get what your saying. Ive been trying to read up on the topic. If Everest wasn't 30grand to do I work my way up there

[jackelope]

You need to do Adams if you have overnight gear. Mid July. You can rent everything reasonably cheap. I think that's your next step. I think it's less technical than St. Helens but further maybe? With more vertical gain. Just a long snow filled hike. Start running and build cardio and legs.

[swanny]

St Helen's is nothing compared to Rainier where proper training, knowledge, and technique are needed. Getting to Camp Muir is a good first step, but beyond there you need experience, knowledge, equipment, and the know how to use the equipment should someone take a fall.

Already this year they are placing bridges across crevasses on the DC route. Here is one of the best sources for info and current conditions. Whatever you do don't just think you are going to climb it,mt he rangers will laugh at you and turn you around.

http://www.mountrainierclimbing.blogspot.com/

[jackelope]

And the DC route is the "easy" route too if I'm not mistaken.

[Smossy]

St Helen's is nothing compared to Rainier where proper training, knowledge, and technique are needed. Getting to Camp Muir is a good first step, but beyond there you need experience, knowledge, equipment, and the know how to use the equipment should someone take a fall.

Already this year they are placing bridges across crevasses on the DC route. Here is one of the best sources for info and current conditions. Whatever you do don't just think you are going to climb it,mt he rangers will laugh at you and turn you around.

http://www.mountrainierclimbing.blogspot.com/

Thanks for the info.

[swanny]

And the DC route is the "easy" route too if I'm not mistaken.

That is correct

[Fishaholic]

If I have the chance I am going to get to the top of colonel bob this summer.