Eric Anderson

Your Baltoro 70 is fine for size and a bit heavier than I'd like but probably more comfortable if your load gets to 50lbs (which it shouldn't if you go guided.) I'd go with AA or IMG, they share tents on Ingraham flats. We attempted the DC a few weeks ago and based on what I saw RMI looks like you're being herded up the mountain and the other two seem a bit more private and fun. Plus staying at Ingraham Flats is awesome.

Congrats on your summit in bad conditions! Jim, which group were you with? We were a party of six, arrive to the flats Friday afternoon. We left Saturday around 1pm after a stormy night with a forecast of pretty nasty stuff coming that evening.

From my very limited group of climbing photos: Scenic:

Are you looking for a photographer who can climb a tree or someone who can climb a tree and do something else?

good times, thanks Chris

I'm in Bend for the weekend and tomorrow looks like the only decent day. Anyone want to go to Smith? I'm a newer climber, I have my personal gear with me but no rope. I can drive, meet or pick you up anywhere between Bend & Smith plus I'll have beer in exchange for my newishness (that's probably a word.) Easier to get in touch w/ me via email, eric (at) ericpaulphotos.com

Actually get to the top of a volcano

I'll be heading down to Bend a couple weekends in Feb, March and possibly April. I'm a beginner but not an idiot.

Ya, he was trying to do it Vegas on a huge ramp but they had trouble with funding.

There's some great photos on your site! I assume you take a gorilla pod or something similar with you for long exposures? I debated taking mine but I thought an SLR was enough of a weight penalty already. I think next time I'll bring my wide angle lens and gorilla pod with me but leave them on summit day. I like your route overlay photos too, helps me see what people are talking about on their liberty ridge TRs.

First shot at the summit. Turned back at 12.5k due to fatigue and wind. I don't have anything to add people here don't know so I'll just post some photos Gear Notes: Too much gear

I probably shouldn't try to bring my D90 when I work up to Liberty Ridge... I agree, there's some great shots there

Very cool report! We were the group you spoke with at Schurman. I was hoping one of you would post up on here with photos. Getting the skills to do Liberty Ridge is a goal of mine, looks like a blast.

He was saying that then we were kind of laughing thinking about how we'd find 'Steve from Seattle.' Kind of a big city, maybe we can all meet up later and tell lies about our trip. We had a blast but half of us turned back at 12.5k and the rest at 13.2k from fatigue and wind. We saw a few people descend who were coming from Liberty Ridge but I think everyone that day going up Emmons turned around. I'll get some pics up next week when I get around to editing them all.

I suspect the group you handed the fuel cannisters to was us. Very much appreciated.

I'm using it when we stop, not in the middle of climbing. It's a pretty standard thing to do in cold weather. If you keep your camera inside a tent, lodge, house or whatever when it's cold out, you can put it inside a bag, wait until the camera and bag cool down and take it out. Same process if you go back inside a warm building, otherwise the lens and camera will get condensation.

I'm a fairly serious amateur photographer and am planning on bringing my slr (D90) and one or two lenses when I climb Rainier but curious about a couple things, mostly batter life. I only have two batteries for it because I get between 1500 and 2000 shots with that but I know the cold is going to shorten that life. How dramatic is it? Can I still get several hundred shots per battery? Any other tips for keeping an SLR in the cold other than keeping it in a plastic bag until it's temperature matches the surrounding air?

I've seen the times it takes people climbing the Emmons route from various TRs but how long does it usually take to get down? If people start climbing on summit day around midnight, get there between 7 and 10, do they usually go all the way back down to the parking lot or camp one more night?

Still looking for crampons in particular.

And replied Monday.

I will be going up to Muir in May to meet all the people climbing and to practice crevasse rescue and all that. I'll see if I can get to Adams before Rainier too. Not sure I can fit it in but I will be climbing St Helens next month (I know it's much easier than Adams.)

I do plan on doing some hikes with extra weight but having never been hiking at high altitude I wasn't sure how different it would feel. The times to shoot for at Mt Si sound good. I'm planning on going there next month.

I'm trying to make sure I'm ready for Rainier in June. I've got a pretty good handle on ways to train for the climb but how would you judge if you're 'fit enough' before the actual climb? I know the altitude and other factors are different for individuals but any rough guidelines?

I'm trying to find the last few items I need to climb Rainier this summer. Here's a list of what I'm looking for still: Crampons - Either semi-auto or straps to fit Sportiva Glavier EVOs Shovel - Maybe a shovel/probe combo? Pickets, pulleys, carabiners - May just buy these new, I don't know. Clothes (I'm 5'9" 180lbs for sizing) - Puffy, soft-shell pants Tent - Not sure what I'm doing for a tent yet but I may buy a used one if I find the right one.

Thanks to this community I have an ice axe. I do have some more gear I'll be looking for in a month or two (clothing, pack and crampons) so I'll keep an eye here.