good alt route in mid june?

[wally]

My buddies and i have been climbing for a few years and have a few summits of rainier under our belts. we have only done the DC and wants to get off the beaten path. Our first climb this year will be in Mid June. Any suggestions on a good route? We were thinking the finger or Gib ledge, too late in the season? Greatful for a suggestion

out.

[ivan]

gib ledges will probably be too late...it's hard to get off the beaten path on rainier unless you're doing something difficult. the kautz sees a little less traffic and might still be okay. the emmons sees a ton of traffic but it'll work then. the success cleaver might be an option too.

[Rodchester]

Why don't you try another mountain?

[ChocChick]

Fuher Finger? Not sure if it will be in then - and depending on conditions, it is considered an ice climb. But it is a great route and when we did it, were the only party. You descend via the Kautz.

[mattp]

If you want to get away from the crowds, it is easy to get off the beaten track on Mount Rainier. 90% of the traffic is on the DC and Emmons routes, and only handful of other routes see much traffic at all (the Kautz Glacier route is one of them). I don't know about the Disappointment Cleaver, but it is probably an OK route in the early season. So is the Tahoma Glacier and the Fuhrer Finger - both without much in the way of technical climbing. Also, look at the Kautz Cleaver and two right-hand routes on the Mowich Face: neither is very hard though they do involve a little bit of technical climbing.

[chris]

Kautz Glacier will be in great condition, and its a good step up in commitment and difficulty after the DC.

[Alex]

another vote for Kautz

[wally]

we did hood last year and had a good time. I want to also hit baker. But we like Rainier cuz it kicks our butt

[ashw_justin]

Do Baker in a day then...