Mt Rainier Summit & Skills Expedition 5 Day

5 days of big mountain skills & a summit attempt of 14,411' Mt Rainier. This program will get you dialed for the great ranges of the world including the Alaska Range, Andes & Himalaya. Beyond hard skills like ice axes, crampons, crevasse rescue and more, we'll attempt the summit via the Emmons Glacier route.
Overview
Itinerary
Prerequisites
Inclusions
Gear

We'll tackle the following objectives and skills:
  • Push Your Limits - The Mt Rainier Skills Expedition 5 Day program is an incredible expedition climbing experience for anyone looking to summit one of the hardest 14ers in the United States and gain skills to climb in the great ranges of the world.

  • The Route - On this wild alpine climbing experience we’ll ascend the largest glacier in the lower 48 and build serious mountaineering skills as we climb the Emmons Glacier Route.

  • Mountaineering Skills Training - Including crampons, ice axe arrest, glacier rope travel, crevasse rescue, and more.

**We will not charge your card until we have determined that you meet our requirements for fitness and ability to learn mountaineering skills. **When you place a deposit for this program, please include our Mt Rainier Climber Application. We have limited spots available for this trip and we want to make sure everyone has adequate fitness and experience for this trip.

Here's the schedule for your trip:

  • Day 0 - Mandatory Orientation & Gear Check - Our guides will double check that you have all the right gear for the trip and help you minimize weight, decide on the perfect layers, and choose how much food and water to bring.

  • Day 1 - White River Trailhead to Glacier Basin. - 8:00am We’ll meet on the first day of our trip at the White River trailhead and set out for Camp at Glacier Basin.

  • Day 2 - Glacier Basin to Camp Schurman - Along the way, we’ll cover mountaineering skills before setting up camp, and then diving into additional skills training.

  • Day 3 - Skills and Ice Climbing at Camp Schurman - We'll get into crevasse rescue systems and we'll do some live drills and practice extricating a fallen climber from a real crevasse. We'll also get a few laps of ice climbing in on the vertical walls of the crevasses around camp.

  • Day 4 - Skills, Weather or Summit Attempt - Depending on our weather forecast and training objectives, we'll either go for the summit or practice more skills at camp.

  • Day 5 - Descend to White River Trailhead - On our last day on Mt Rainier, we'll rise early, pack up camp and descend to the White River Trailhead.

Here are the skills and fitness you'll need for your course:

  • Basic Mountaineering Skills - Including ice axe, crampon, and basic rope skills are encouraged, but not required. Build those skills during the program or attend our Intro to Mountaineering Skills course prior to attending and spend more time on advanced skills

  • Strong Fitness - Able to spend a long, active day outside, moving uphill at 1,000’ per hour for durations of 1-1.5 hours between breaks. Participants should be able to hike 8-10 miles, climbing 2,500 - 3,500 vertical feet throughout the course of the day. People with strong fitness typically have a strenuous workout 3-4 days a week.

  • Mountaineering Gear - Come prepared with your own gear or rent from us
Shop Recommended Gear OR Visit our Rentals Page

**When you place a deposit for this program, please include our Mt Rainier Climber Application. We have limited spots available for this trip and we want to make sure everyone has adequate fitness and experience for this trip.

Here's what's included with your trip:

  • Experienced IFMGA Trained Guide
  • Ropes & Gear
  • Tent
  • Stove & Fuel
  • Group Safety Gear - your guide will be equipped with snow science tools and a first aid kit
  • Wag Bags - for human waste disposal in with compliance 'Leave No Trace' principles
Not Included
  • Meals
  • Ice Axe, Crampons, Climbing Harness
  • Guide Gratuities

Mountaineering Gear

  • Ice Axe
  • Crampons
  • Climbing Harness
Overnight Gear
  • Headlamp
  • Sleeping Bag
  • Sleeping Pad
Clothing & Accessories
  • Technical Outerwear (jacket, bibs/pants)
  • Multiple Midlayer Options
  • Gloves
  • Helmet
  • Beanie
  • Baseball Cap
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Water Bottle / Hydration Pack (2L)
  • Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Snacks

  • Know Before you go

    SKILL LEVELIntermediate Advanced
    ELEVATION4,300’-14,411'
    LocationMt Rainier

    Price $3,560.00
    Private Programs
    Duration: 5 Days
    View Full Itinerary
    Private Programs

    Blackbird Mountain Guides offers both scheduled group programs and private programs.

    Private programs are simply above and beyond what Blackbird Mountain Guides currently has scheduled. Scheduled courses are not always less expensive. Before booking a trip with Blackbird Mountain Guides, clients are encouraged to review the differences between these types of programs, and to decide what works best for them.

    SCHEDULED PROGRAMS

    Scheduled Programs have fixed dates, itineraries, objectives, curriculum, and costs. They typically appeal to solo individuals or small groups or who are looking to share the cost of their program with a larger group. Correspondingly, scheduled programs are less expensive for smaller groups (1-2), and they provide the opportunity to meet others with similar interests. If you have a large group (3+), Scheduled programs will often be more expensive. They can fill up quickly, and scheduling flexibility is obviously limited.

    Scheduled programs will have advertised dates. All scheduled programs can be run as private programs with private dates/rates as well.

    PRIVATE PROGRAMS

    Private programs have scheduling freedom. They typically appeal to those who would like some flexibility in planning their own trip or course. In this regard, Itineraries and objectives can be tailored to suit current conditions as well as client goals. Private programs are normally less expensive for larger groups (3+). If you have a small group (1-2) private programs will be more expensive.

    Contact us
    Full Itinerary

    Tentative Daily Itinerary

    Day 0 Gear Check and Orientation

    4:00pm-6:30pm  Meet your guide and review the plan for the day. The guide will discuss the challenges of the route, expectations for clients and guides, LNT procedures and perform a thorough gear check to make sure we have everything we need for the mountain and the current conditions at hand. We also divide all group gear, including food, fuel, stoves, tents, shovels, pickets, solid waste bags and other items so that you are able to pack completely for the trip.

    Day 1 White River trailhead to Glacier Basin

    8:00am We’ll meet on the first day of our trip at the White River trailhead.  We’ll do a quick trailhead check to make sure we’re not forgetting anything, and we’ll set out for Camp at Glacier Basin.  

    We’ll set up camp, discussing camp craft and the challengers of camping on an expedition, as well as some basic skills that will help us prepare for the climb and more technical training like fixed lines, glacier travel and crevasse rescue.  After skills, we’ll eat a hot dinner and settle into our tents for the night. 

    Day 2 Glacier Basin to Camp Schurman

    After a good night's sleep, we'll rise for hot drinks and breakfast before we break down camp, pack up and depart for Camp Schurman. 

    Along the way, we’ll cover:

    • Rest step
    • Crampon techniques
    • Ice Axe Arrest 
    • Glacier Rope travel

    At Camp Schurman, we'll set camp again and dive into skills, covering any items that need more practice from Day 1 and getting into technical skills including ropes, knots and basic mechanical advantage systems.  We'll make a hot dinner and get to bed.

    Day 3 Skills and Ice Climbing at Camp Schurman

    One of the most fun days of the trip, we'll get up and start in with skills after a hot breakfast.  We'll get into crevasse rescue systems and we'll do some live drills (time and conditions permitting) and practice extricating a fallen climber from a real crevasse.  We'll also get a few laps of ice climbing in on the vertical walls of the crevasses around camp.  While not a strictly necessary skill for the Emmons Glacier Route, ice climbing is a lot of fun and the skills lend themselves to mountains across the world.

    Day 4 Skills, Weather or Summit Attempt

    Depending on our weather forecast and training objectives, we'll either go for the summit or practice more skills at camp.  

    If we make a summit attempt, we will get an early alpine start and begin climbing before dawn just after a hot breakfast.  

    If we do skills, we'll get to bed early to prepare for the summit the following day.

     

    Day 5 Descend to White River Trailhead

    On our last day on Mount Rainier, we'll rise early, pack up camp and descend to the White River Trailhead.  

     

    We'll tackle the following objectives and skills:
    • Push Your Limits - The Mt Rainier Skills Expedition 5 Day program is an incredible expedition climbing experience for anyone looking to summit one of the hardest 14ers in the United States and gain skills to climb in the great ranges of the world.

    • The Route - On this wild alpine climbing experience we’ll ascend the largest glacier in the lower 48 and build serious mountaineering skills as we climb the Emmons Glacier Route.

    • Mountaineering Skills Training - Including crampons, ice axe arrest, glacier rope travel, crevasse rescue, and more.

    **We will not charge your card until we have determined that you meet our requirements for fitness and ability to learn mountaineering skills. **When you place a deposit for this program, please include our Mt Rainier Climber Application. We have limited spots available for this trip and we want to make sure everyone has adequate fitness and experience for this trip.

    Here's the schedule for your trip:

    • Day 0 - Mandatory Orientation & Gear Check - Our guides will double check that you have all the right gear for the trip and help you minimize weight, decide on the perfect layers, and choose how much food and water to bring.

    • Day 1 - White River Trailhead to Glacier Basin. - 8:00am We’ll meet on the first day of our trip at the White River trailhead and set out for Camp at Glacier Basin.

    • Day 2 - Glacier Basin to Camp Schurman - Along the way, we’ll cover mountaineering skills before setting up camp, and then diving into additional skills training.

    • Day 3 - Skills and Ice Climbing at Camp Schurman - We'll get into crevasse rescue systems and we'll do some live drills and practice extricating a fallen climber from a real crevasse. We'll also get a few laps of ice climbing in on the vertical walls of the crevasses around camp.

    • Day 4 - Skills, Weather or Summit Attempt - Depending on our weather forecast and training objectives, we'll either go for the summit or practice more skills at camp.

    • Day 5 - Descend to White River Trailhead - On our last day on Mt Rainier, we'll rise early, pack up camp and descend to the White River Trailhead.

    Here are the skills and fitness you'll need for your course:

    • Basic Mountaineering Skills - Including ice axe, crampon, and basic rope skills are encouraged, but not required. Build those skills during the program or attend our Intro to Mountaineering Skills course prior to attending and spend more time on advanced skills

    • Strong Fitness - Able to spend a long, active day outside, moving uphill at 1,000’ per hour for durations of 1-1.5 hours between breaks. Participants should be able to hike 8-10 miles, climbing 2,500 - 3,500 vertical feet throughout the course of the day. People with strong fitness typically have a strenuous workout 3-4 days a week.

    • Mountaineering Gear - Come prepared with your own gear or rent from us
    Shop Recommended Gear OR Visit our Rentals Page

    **When you place a deposit for this program, please include our Mt Rainier Climber Application. We have limited spots available for this trip and we want to make sure everyone has adequate fitness and experience for this trip.

    Here's what's included with your trip:

    • Experienced IFMGA Trained Guide
    • Ropes & Gear
    • Tent
    • Stove & Fuel
    • Group Safety Gear - your guide will be equipped with snow science tools and a first aid kit
    • Wag Bags - for human waste disposal in with compliance 'Leave No Trace' principles
    Not Included
    • Meals
    • Ice Axe, Crampons, Climbing Harness
    • Guide Gratuities

    Mountaineering Gear

    • Ice Axe
    • Crampons
    • Climbing Harness
    Overnight Gear
    • Headlamp
    • Sleeping Bag
    • Sleeping Pad
    Clothing & Accessories
  • Technical Outerwear (jacket, bibs/pants)
  • Multiple Midlayer Options
  • Gloves
  • Helmet
  • Beanie
  • Baseball Cap
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Water Bottle / Hydration Pack (2L)
  • Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Snacks
  • Book Now
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    Select Payment Options:
    Participants:

    Epic Reviews From Adventurers

    11 reviews
    • Rated 5 out of 5 stars
      Coudn't have imagined a better Rainier Summit!

      Blackbird Guides is the best! I've been using their services for about 3 years and every adventure has been absolutely incredible. Each of the guides are full of knowledge and incredibly good at passing along their years of expertise. I just summited Rainier with Brandon and Andrew and I couldn't have imagined a better experience all around. I refer everyone I know to Blackbird.

      April H.
      Flag of United States
      Verified Buyer
      Mt Rainier Summit & Skills Expedition 5 Day - 2023 Archive
    • Rated 5 out of 5 stars
      Hit 3 Cascade summits, truly outstanding guiding!

      We did a five day trip. Hit three summits. Truly outstanding guiding by Zeb and Aaron. Their knowledge of the mountains is impressive. They knew how to modify the trip on the fly based on skill level. Pushed the right amount to get us there but still made it casual and fun. I rock climb but this was my first alpine climbing and I’d recommend Blackbird to any first timers.

      Anthony V.
      Flag of United States
      Forbidden Peak North Ridge
    • Rated 5 out of 5 stars
      Baker North Ridge was amazing!

      Did a 3 day trip with Blackbird on Baker North Ridge. Was an amazing experience. Our guide, Arthur, was knowledge, and willing to teach us. Would be happy to book another trip with them again.

      David S.
      Flag of United States
      Verified Buyer
      Mt Baker North Ridge
    • Rated 5 out of 5 stars
      Fantastic climb & outstanding guide company!

      A Fantastic Climb! Blackbird Mountain Guides is outstanding guide company. I had the opportunity to climb with Zeb Blais where we summited (along with two others) Forbidden Peak in the North Cascade mountain range in Washington. It was a challenging climb but well worth it. Zeb is a professional. His knowledge and calm demeanor made for a rewarding and memorable experience. One of things I like best about Blackbird is the communication. Zeb emphasized safety, training and having fun. If you're looking for a solid guide company, look no further. I can't recommend Zeb and Blackbird highly enough.

      Jay R.
      Flag of United States
      Forbidden Peak North Ridge
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