Mt. Rainier Liberty Ridge Climb with IMG

Liberty Ridge on Mt. Rainier is a very serious, technically difficult and physically demanding ascent that is reserved for very strong climbers with prior climbing experience. The route is a prominent ridge that divides the Willis and Liberty Walls on the North Face of Mt. Rainier. It is steep, exposed, and committing. The program begins at our facilities in Ashford but we shuttle the team around to the northern side of the mountain and the White River entrance for the start of the climb. The approach to this route is long and fairly involved, and circumnavigates part of Mt. Rainier on its north-eastern flank. We climb the route using two or more camps as we progress to successively higher altitudes. Technical difficulties start at the base of the ridge, 8,600ft and end at Liberty Cap, 14,112ft.

The climb ends with a long trudge across a saddle to the true summit, Columbia Crest, 14,410 ft. We carry our gear up and over the top with us and descend the technically easier Emmons Glacier route and back out via the White River entrance. Four days are the minimum time required to complete the climb, but we offer a 5 ½ day program that allows for an extra weather day.

Why Choose This Program?

This is an excellent program for anyone looking for a very physically demanding and technically challenging climb on a classic hard line. Liberty Ridge is listed as one of the "Fifty Classic Climbs in North America" because of its continuously challenging nature and its striking beauty. The setting is an exposed and committing ascent of a ridge dividing two of the most impressive walls on the mountain. If you have climbed routes on Mt. Rainier or other peaks and not felt technically challenged, then this is an excellent choice for you. It is a great opportunity to utilize your steep snow and ice climbing ability on moderately steep and very exposed terrain. If you are considering other steep, high-altitude routes either with guides or on your own, this program is a great step towards that goal. You will be climbing with some of the most knowledgeable, capable, and experienced guides available and benefiting from their extensive experience on steep, technical terrain.

We employ a light and efficient philosophy for climbing on this program. As every ounce counts on the climb, we will help you accumulate the necessary gear and will check it over again prior to the start of the program.

Climbing with a 4:2 client-to-guide ratio provides a superior level of support and safety.

Prerequisites

Previous technical training and climbing experience is required to participate in this program. Participants must have prior training in ice climbing following multi-pitch climbs of Alpine Ice Grade III or higher. In addition they must have participated in previous multi-day ascents of technical routes of 3,000 or more feet in length and 30-60 degrees in angle for most of the route. Suggested training includes IMG's Ouray Ice Climbing Seminar in Ouray Colorado followed by a couple of long alpine snow/ice routes in the lower 48 or longer technical routes in places such as Alaska, South America or the Alps. For training suggestions please review the information provided on our Training for Rainier page »