Stime

I gave advice to a solo guy (and a couple others) to go low, but I did the low traverse when I went up as well. I was coming back down by the Hogsback about 6 AM. There was no need to do the high traverse, not sure why everyone was doing it including that massive group. I was way ahead of all that mess.

Were you the solo guy I chatted with at the Hogsback? I was heading down, you were going up (if it was you).

I snapped a few this morning...

I dropped down and traversed low then straight up the fumaroles. Saw no need for the high traverse. Everything was in stellar shape. Great snow for cramponing (didn't even use the ice tool I brought) and basically a staircase has been booted in up the final slopes. The upper traverse looked fine too, just don't see any reason to do it. More ice/rock fall and greater fall potential than the low traverse. At the top, I went off the standard chute and ascended a steeper gully to the right to gain the summit ridge, but that was just for fun more than anything. I descended the direct gully and it was fine.

Did you end up climbing? I'm sure I chatted with you at some point if you did.

Climbed the SS this morning. The route is in fantastic shape. Very direct, very easy to follow... very easy in general. Only took me around 5 hours car-to-car with a half hour or so on the summit. Left the car at ~2 AM and was back a little after 7 AM. VERY little rock/ice fall. Little windy on top and pretty chilly today up there.

You're heading up tonight? What time are you leaving the parking lot? I'll be in a white Grivel helmet w/ one tool. I'll see you on the mountain! <-- Scott

I'll be climbing it tonight/tomorrow morning. I plan to hit the Hogsback and traverse over to the Old Chute. I'll be carrying trekking poles and one tool. Can't imagine needing two tools for it. I'll let you know tomorrow how it was. Probably be out of the parking lot around 1 AM... summit a bit before sunrise.

I remove my Volant hood all the time. Summer mountaineering in the PNW = no hood. Winter ice climbing and mountaineering = hood.

That blog I linked you to is done by the Climbing Rangers on Rainier. I'd say they have a pretty good clue about most things related to the mountain.

This should help... http://mountrainierconditions.blogspot.com/2009/04/liberty-ridge-2009.html

I'm interested in the Terraplane. You mind sending me any shots of it via PM? Also, what capacity is it? Waist-belt size? Thanks. - Scott