Mount Rainier National Park

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Mount Rainier

Mount Rainier, the most heavily glaciated peak in the contiguous United States, ofers an exciting challenge to the mountaineer. This 14,410-foot active volcano is successfully climbed each year by thousands of people. Reaching the summit requires a vertical elevation gain of at least 9,000 feet over a distance of eight or more miles. Climbers must be in good physical condition and well prepared. Proper physical conditioning can ofset the efects of fatigue that lead to mistakes and injuries.

Weather and Safety Weather, snow, and route conditions can storms on the mountain are not uncommon change rapidly and can make the diference during the summer. Contact a climbing ranger between a pleasant, rewarding experience and for updated information on route conditions, tragedy. Obtain a current weather forecast , rockfall, and avalanches by visiting before beginning a climb at www.nps.gov/mora/ www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/climbing.htm, planyourvisit/weather.htm. Turn back if weather or by calling 360-569-6641. conditions deteriorate. Severe winter-like

High Camps High camps on the standard routes are Camp frst come, frst served basis. Muir on the south side and Camp Schurman on the east side. Camp Schurman (9,460’) facilities include a ranger station and a solar toilet. Camp Muir (10,080’) facilities include a ranger station, solar toilet, and the Muir Public Shelter, Climbers must melt snow for drinking water at which will accommodate about 25 people on a both high camps and treat or boil their water.

Good Climbing Experience: Conditioning climbs on Glacier Travel: The special use climbing Practices similar glaciated peaks, and participation permit can be denied based on lack of gear or in schools are essential for experience or both. The NPS recommends building experience and good judgment. using a roped travel while on glaciers Rescue and frst aid training are vital. Don’t accompanied with practical knowledge of depend on someone else to help you. Be rescue techniques. prepared! Party Size: A minimum of two people is Leadership: The leader should have frst-hand required. A team of three people is better knowledge of the ascent and descent routes. able to efect a rescue or obtain help. For The leader is responsible for team members and winter climbs, a minimum of four people is their observance of good climbing practices. recommended. Maximum party size is 12 people.

Climbing Regulations Climbers must use leave no trace practices. Solo climbers must obtain prior written Camping is allowed only on permanent snow permission from the Superintendent. A solo or ice, or on bare ground previously used as climbing request form can be flled out online campsites. Clearing new tent sites on rocky at www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/climbing. or snowfree areas is prohibited. Travel on htm or write to Solo Climbing Request, Mount established trails to avoid damaging fragile Rainier National Park, 55210 238th Ave. East, alpine vegetation. Ashford, WA 98304.

Climbers must register and pay the climbing Anyone younger than 18 years of age must fee prior to climbing, and must check out upon have permission of his/her parent or legal return. Anyone climbing or hiking on glaciers, guardian before climbing above high camps. or above the normal high camps such as Camp Muir & Camp Schurman, must register and pay. Climbing Fees and Climbers must register to go above 10,000 feet Wilderness permit reservations are available Permits or to travel on glaciers. Primary registration through https://www.recreation.gov/ locations are the Paradise Climbing Information permits/4675317 for climbers and backpackers Center, White River and Longmire Wilderness planning trips between June 1 and September Information Centers, and the Carbon River 30. There is a $26 reservation fee for advance Ranger Station. The climbing fees are $52 per reservations. This fee is in addition to the person, per calendar year, and $36 per calendar climbing cost recovery fee and does not year for climbers 25 years old and younger. The guarantee a spot in the public shelter at Camp fee must be payed online BEFORE coming to Muir. Walk-up permits are available in person the park. Access the payment link at www.nps. at Wilderness Information Centers during gov/mora/planyourvisit/climbing.htm. Climbing the summer months. For wilderness permit fees help recover costs for climber safety and details, visit www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/ education, upper mountain human waste wilderness-permit.htm. management, and program administration.

Human Waste Each year thousands of climbers summit Mount one blue bag, and twist ties. To use the blue bag, Rainier. Another several thousand people day defecate on the snow of the climbing route and hike to Camp Muir. Each person generates away from rest areas. Collect the waste using trash and uses toilets. The removal of trash and the blue bag like a glove. Turn the blue bag human waste from the upper mountain is an inside-out and secure with a twist tie. Place the expensive operation. Putting trash and human blue bag in the clear bag and secure with a twist waste in crevasses or burying it in the snow tie. Do not deposit used blue bags in trash pollutes park resources and will only delay the cans or in toilets! Deposit them only in blue problem to be solved by others. Do not put litter bag collection barrels at these locations: or trash in toilets. Be responsible: carry out • Camp Muir everything you brought in with you. • Camp Schurman • Paradise (in the tunnel of the stone restroom At Camp Schurman and Camp Muir, use the building adjacent to the upper parking lot) toilet facilities. If you defecate while climbing, • White River Campground (main parking lot) use “blue bags” to carry out human waste. • Tahoma Creek Trailhead on the Westside Blue bags are available at ranger stations and Road (approx. 1 mile above Dry Creek gate) the high camps. They contain one clear bag,

Winter Climbing Winter storms on Mount Rainier are frequent ascent should be experienced in winter and severe, with high winds, deep snow, and mountaineering, avalanche forecasting and extremely poor visibility. Winter conditions rescue, and be familiar with the intended routes generally exist from mid-September to of ascent and descent. mid-May. All parties attempting a winter

Guide Services One-day climbing instruction, two-day Engaging in any business in park areas summit climbs, and multi-day climbing except in accordance with the provisions of a seminars are available through: permit, contract, or other written agreement is prohibited. Leading or participating in an Rainier Mountaineering, Inc. unauthorized commercial climb of Mount (360) 569-2227 / (888) 892-5462 Rainier is illegal. www.rmiguides.com

Alpine Ascents International (206) 378-1927 / fax: (206) 378-1937 www.AlpineAscents.com • International Mountain Guides (360) 569-2609 www.mountainguides.com

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