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My 2 cents, in general, July is now late for Liberty Ridge because, as you say, melting is far worse. Tons of rockfall and ice fall hazard, really just luck if you don't get hit by something. Memorial Day weekend (when the road to White River usually opens) through mid June are better options, but less reliable weather so have to be flexible. When I did it around Memorial Day weekend in 2015 we were nearly killed by a serac fall near the top of the route, and there was a ton of rock debris around thumb rock (fortunately none fell on us while sleeping). That was a low snow year, but my observation is Tahoma has only gotten rockier and less icy since then.

conditions: https://mountrainierclimbing.blogspot.com/search/label/Liberty Ridge Route Guide: https://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/upload/Liberty-Ridge-Routebrief.pdf

You can get free Copernicus satellite imagery here: https://browser.dataspace.copernicus.eu/?zoom=10&lat=47.66954&lng=-121.40991&themeId=DEFAULT-THEME&visualizationUrl=U2FsdGVkX18z6Zi7g1Gbn2Jvf7fcB7hKdFXY56XViUM1f0y3pjlscnbMy4%2BSm%2FxjluCs8JUTQx8CDq%2BkXXcBjEKcs%2FIdXAgLCLpQHbynBn9mF0ONoxVS17wsMJ1aztTj&datasetId=S2_L2A_CDAS&fromTime=2025-12-22T00%3A00%3A00.000Z&toTime=2025-12-22T23%3A59%3A59.999Z&layerId=1_TRUE_COLOR&demSource3D="MAPZEN"&cloudCoverage=100&dateMode=SINGLE And free NOAA snow depth modeling here: https://www.nohrsc.noaa.gov/interactive/html/map.html?ql=station&zoom=&zoom5.x=2&zoom5.y=14&loc=48.946+N%2C+122.239+W&var=ssm_depth&dy=2026&dm=1&dd=7&dh=15&snap=1&o5=1&o6=1&o9=1&o12=1&o13=1&o15=1&lbl=o&mode=pan&extents=us&min_x=-122.86666666667&min_y=47.899999999996&max_x=-120.99166666667&max_y=48.949999999996&coord_x=-121.92916666667&coord_y=48.424999999996004&zbox_n=&zbox_s=&zbox_e=&zbox_w=&metric=0&bgvar=dem&shdvar=shading&width=800&height=450&nw=800&nh=450&h_o=0&font=0&js=1&uc=0

Just saw there is a newer climbing gym in the West Seattle area. Has an interesting roller feature. I haven’t been there but it’s called Castle Climbing Club.

Curious if there is anyone here that climbs at or is interested in climbing at High Steppe in Yakima.

Hi! I know I am a bit late. But I am intersted in Liberty Ridge as well. I have numerous wi5+ under my belt plus rainier, baker, helens, hood (1 time each). I also am under 25 as a matter of fact. I am considering it this July 2026 given weather conditions and peer reviews. I've asked around and not many do climb Lr. And out of those who do, 99% don't post or update so I have no idea of the condition of the route. I heard with melting it has been even worse! Though I have messaged a couple of people who say they might do it and for them to let me know how things go.

Potentially interested, especially if skiing down! One-dayed Rainier last spring via DC. Recently moved here from CO myself (also have 300+ summits there), I have AIARE, crevasse/rope rescue, and steep skiing experience at a similar level.

Yes totally doable just be prepared for more snow being early season. My wife and I climbed it mid June with our dogs a few years ago and had a fantastic ski off the summit back to camp. We hit consistent snow at the top of the switchbacks before White Pass. I would recommend taking a backcountry/touring setup if going in June. Much easier travel especially in the heat of the day when the snow becomes sloppy. With all that said most the PNW is currently behind in snowpack so maybe June will be a little more snow free this year. Either way I would definitely try to see where the snow line is so you are prepared with the right equipment. CalTopo's Satellite imagery is one of the best for this. You have to have a paid membership to get the high resolution but it updates every 4-6 days and you can clearly see where the snow line is. Best of luck! Glacier Peak is a cool trip!

Is this still available by chance?

East coaster here, and the wife and I are looking to do Glacier Peak this summer to finish up the WA volcanoes. Not being local, I'm not sure if early June is tenable - just thinking Disappointment Peak route. We noodled on Baker last year around that time, and while the weather was pretty variable we ultimately got good windows, and both CD and Easton routes were in great shape - hoping its similar for GP. Would love to hear thoughts, thank you! (At Baker's crater rim last year - maybe you saw us!)

Gold Ropedude spoken for...

Super! Thanks a lot! That really helps.

That all looks super cool, thanks for sharing some non-PNW climbing beta!

Trip: New Hampshah - Black Dike and Frankenstein Classics Trip Date: 12/30/2025 Trip Report: Was in New England visiting family for the holidays and got to sneak away for two days of ice up in New Hampshire. Lots of beta out there on these routes, but I will just reiterate what you probably know... the ice is plentiful, plastic and easily accessible. Worth a flight out from the NW? Maybe not given the other options much closer, but if the opportunity arises I recommend. I found this website to be very helpful for partners and conditions... https://www.neiceconditions.org/ ...They also do some great things (like the instagram hack) that seems like it might be useful here too. Day 0 scoping after freezing rain Like every road cut... Day 1 Black Dike High of 8F, 50mph gusts Pitch 3, harder than it looks Looking over at Fafnir... next time! Day 2 Frankenstein Clif Pegasus Rock Finish, Hobbit Couloir, Dracula + some thinner TR laps... 10-20 min walk from the car park. Pegasus Rock Finish is a second pitch alternative that goes up the pillar... Partner topping out on the Rock Finish... Partner's shot of the top/crux of Hobbit Couloir... HC and PRF from the ground... Approach vibes... Dracula... Gear Notes: Standard ice kit Approach Notes: Micro spikes were helpful

FYI TentPole Technologies in Vancouver WA is great at sourcing replacement sections for tent poles. I have used them several times in the past and they were super knowledgable!

I have the original I-tent that todd bibler probably sewed. I had to put the snaps into the corners myself because the pole ends were wearing thru the floor. Anyhow 132 1/4 inches for total length, 6 piece 5/16" diameter, each piece ranges 22 1/4 to 24 inches, good luck!

Shot you a DM!

Greetings, I have unfortunately lost my poles. BD want about $118 for replacement poles for a First Light (which might work?) However I think I might find a cheaper solution if I knew the length. It's regular size not the Eldorado. Any I tent owners let me know the length or any other ideas you might have. Thanks!

Get this outta my house! 😁

The ledge is in good shape but the fly is undoubtedly no longer waterproof. Shoreline area.

Shoreline area

Ropemen? Ropepeeps? Ascenders anyway. The overboots would probably fit size 8-ish boots.

Trip: Coleman Pinnacle - Standard Trip Date: 12/30/2025 Trip Report: It has been a slow start to the ski season. A very slow start. But despite the setbacks, I've managed to have a few good days the past several weeks up in the Baker backcountry. We're fortunate up this way in that our usual backcountry backyard emerged relatively accessible from the December Floods. US2 and 410 are quite so lucky. I've not been doing anything remarkable the past few weeks in the Baker backcountry, but I do have a new camera that I have been having fun getting to know and so why not post a few photos from the classic Coleman Pinnacle tour? This is an outing that I tend to come back to over the past 20 years or so, climbing it every 5 years or so if only for the views and the fun run down into Wells Creek. If you haven't been out that way.....you probably won't like it. Best to stay near town and reduce your carbon footprint. Sunrise from the parking lot: The classic view of Baker from Artist Point never gets old (to me): @Trent approaching the heli line: @Trent and Coleman Pinnacle: Der Shukshan: @Trent skinning up under Coleman Pinnacle: Summit of Coleman Pinnacle: Out to Chowder Ridge: Descending from the summit with Baker looming ahead: Ptarmigan in winter plumage down in Wells Creek: Windy on der Kulhsan: coming back up over Table on the way home: Shuksan is one of my favorites in the North Cascades: Sunset from the parking lot. As Ice Cube would say, "Today was a good day". Gear Notes: flotation, but please, leave the snowshoes at home. Approach Notes: Heather Meadows to Artist Point to alpine glory

Thank you Benjamin S!

Happy new year to you all! Here is to another year of trip reports, of time in the mountains, new explorations and experiences. Bring on 2026!