Mount Rainier National Park

 

The 14,410 foot tall Mount Rainier is an active volcano that is also the most heavily glaciated peak in the contiguous United States. It is climbed each year by thousands of people who traverse a vertical elevation gain of more than 9,000 feet over a distance of eight or more miles. Climbers must be in good physical condition and well prepared. Weather, snow, and route conditions can change rapidly and can make the difference between a pleasant and rewarding experience or tragedy.

Before climbing, obtain a current weather forecast. Turn back if weather conditions deteriorate. Severe winter-like storms on the mountain are not uncommon during the summer. The route is over glaciers and requires knowledge of crevasses safety. Do not attempt this climb if you are unfamiliar with glacier climbing.

Permits are required for all climbers going above 10,000 feet or onto any glacier. Permits can be obtained from the Paradise Ranger Station, White River Wilderness Information Center, and the Carbon River Ranger Station. The climbing fee is $30 per person per calendar year. Climbing fees are used to help recover costs for protecting the mountain's delicate and unique alpine environment, staffing the mountain's high camps and ranger stations with climbing rangers, managing upper mountain human waste and providing rangers who can rapidly respond to incidents on the mountain.

An in-park Wilderness Reservation System is available for climbers and backpackers planning trips during the May 1 to September 30 period. A reservations office is staffed at the Longmire Wilderness Information Center during the summer months. Beginning April 1st, reservations can be made by printing and completing a Reservation Request Form (http://www.nps.gov/mora/p...) and faxing it to 360 569-3131 or mailing it to:

The reservation phone number is 360 569-HIKE. There is a $20 reservation fee for advance reservations. This fee is in addition to the climbing permit fee and does not guarantee a spot in the public shelter at Camp Muir. Reservations can only be made for trips between May 1st and September 30th.

Numerous guide services are available to help visitors reach the summit:

Rainier Mountain Guides

Ph: 360 569-2227, (http://www.rmiguides.com). offers one-day climbing instruction, two-day summit climbs, five-day climbing seminars, and private climbs.

American Alpine Institute

Ph: 360 671-1505, (http://aai.cc/). offers guided summit climbs on the emmons-winthrop glaciers.

Cascade Alpine Guides

Ph: 800 981-0381, (http://www.cascadealpine.com/). offers guided summit climbs on the emmons-winthrop glaciers.

Mount Rainier Alpine Guides

Ph: 360 569-2889, (http://www.rainierguides.com/). offers guided summit climbs on the emmons-winthrop glaciers.