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Base Camp
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- Statistics:
- Date Hiked: July 29, 2004
- Miles Hiked: 2.5
- Elevation Gain: 1,300'
- Hiking Partner(s): Brandon Kirby
- Description:
- In order to climb Mount Rainier
with Rainier Mountaineering Incorporated, you are required to take a one
day climbing course. This course is designed to teach you the
basics of mountaineering, and nothing more. The instructors made
it perfectly clear that the students in the course are there to learn
how to climb Rainier safely with a RMI guide. They stated
that nobody can gain the skills required to climb alone in a one day
introduction course.
- Although the primary reason for the course is to teach the fundamentals of mountaineering, it also
serves another purpose. It allows the guides to size you up both
on the hike out to the snowfield where the course is held and during the
course. At first it seemed odd to go on a hike the day before
attempting Mount Rainier, but after thinking about it, it does begin the
"weeding out" process. We later found out that
historically, the hike was much more difficult and faster.
Individuals were assessed and then graded on a pass/fail basis.
This process has changed and weaker climbers are now gently convinced
that they are not likely ready for the summit climb. One guy in
our course backed out of the climb after the school.
- The course was somewhat similar
to the one I took from Timberline Mountain Guides last year. We
went through plunge stepping, glissading, cramponing, rope travel, use
of an ice axe, and self arresting. I was relatively familiar with
everything covered in the class, but I did find an appreciation for two
climbing techniques that I have used, but not as effectively as
possible. Pressure breathing and rest stepping were emphasized a
lot throughout the day. These two techniques are small but make a
big difference in your endurance and stamina if you use them efficiently
and consistently throughout a climb.
- In addition to this, we talked
about hydrating, sunscreen, eating, the route conditions, the approach
hike to Camp Muir, Camp Muir accommodations, and the climb from Camp
Muir to Rainier. We left the Paradise parking lot at 9:00 am and
returned at 4:00 pm.
- Maps:
- Photographs:
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