I began mountaineering this last semester while in Chile. I've rocked climbed for 3 years. While in Chile, I climbed numberous volcanoes, took an ice climbing course which included glacier rescue techniques, setting up anchors on shoe and ice, etc.
I feel that this experience will be sufficent for a 3-man party on Kautz Glacier route on Rainer sometime after August 12th, 2005. I have purchased the guide book, looked over the route, have all the available gear, pickets, screws, rope, tools, axes, etc.
I was wondering what exactly I should be expecting the bivy site around camp Hazard, the glacier travel on Kautz (in terms of crevasses, etc) and then the descent. What equipment/gear I should bring during this time of year? The guide book although excellent does not go into great detail about the route. I was wondering if any of you could give me some advise, recommendations, or beta on anything in general about the mountain and specifically the route. Will I need pickets, what I can expect, etc. Thanks a lot!!! And sorry this is so long.