Expedition Prep & Summit Seminar
Typical Itinerary
This itinerary is approximate and subject to change due to conditions.
Day 1 — Meet at IMG HQ in Ashford at 2:00pm on Day 1 for your pre-climb orientation. This orientation is instrumental in getting you outfitted, informed, packed and educated prior to departure the following morning. Topics to be covered include an introduction to your climbing team; an introduction to Mount Rainier National Park, its mission and ecology; a safety briefing; the examining, issuing and fitting of gear; and instruction on the proper use of safety equipment including helmets, harnesses and avalanche beacons. Lodging is not provided the night of Day 1.
Day 2 — Meet at HQ at 8:00am on Day 2 for an early departure to the trailhead at Paradise (5420 ft.) in Mount Rainier National Park. Plan on a long day of hiking and climbing for roughly 3-4 hours and gaining about 2,000ft on your ascent to the Paradise Glacier. Along the way, the guides will review efficient climbing techniques including pace, rest-stepping, breathing, break procedures, and clothing layering systems, food and water intake requirements and other essential climbing skills.
Day 3 & 4 — Days 3 & 4 are flexible to cater to mountain conditions. During these days the team will continue skills training with ice axe and crampons in preparation for navigating higher up the glacier. Expect a day of technical rescue training with self-rescue and team rescue practice scenarios. Other skills may include snow and ice anchors, anchor systems, belaying, ascending and descending ropes. The team may choose break camp and ascend the Paradise Glacier to a camp at an altitude below 9,000 feet. This camp will be situated to take maximum advantage of nearby crevasses for training.
Day 5 — After a morning of technical training, the team will ascend to Camp Muir at 10,080ft on Day 5. We will spend the night at Camp Muir overlooking the Nisqually and Cowlitz glaciers and the rugged Tatoosh range to the South.
Day 6 — After a casual breakfast on Day 6, we will cover more technical skills which may include crevasse rescue on the Cowlitz Glacier adjacent to Camp Muir. Around noon the team will rope up and cross the Cowlitz Glacier to reach Ingraham flats. Upon arriving at "The Flats" the team will set up our highest camp. This camp at 11,200ft offers a stunning view of Little Tahoma, the third tallest peak in Washington, and the spectacular Ingraham and Emmons Glaciers. An informational meeting with the guides will take place in the afternoon followed by an early dinner and a short night's sleep.
Day 7 — On Day 7, conditions permitting, you will wake up early to make your summit push. After leaving the Flats, you will climb to the top of Disappointment Cleaver (12,300') before continuing onto the upper mountain and climbing the Ingraham Glacier to the summit. Snap some summit photos and enjoy the views before we descend. Upon reaching The Flats, the team will pack up camp and continue descending to Camp Muir and then to the waiting van at Paradise. From there we travel back to IMG HQ in Ashford together. Here you can return rentals, make retail purchases, and share in a closing ceremony with your guides.