Camping on the summit

[mattyg]

Anyone pitched their tent on the summit of Rainier in decent conditions? I'm interested in watching the sunrise from up there and wondering if there are any special considerations you'd need to take that I hadn't thought of.

[mattyg]

Here's another thread that covers this.

[Bill_Simpkins]

You may want to see this thread.

[mattyg]

Heh, I guess I could become part of the 2.73 mile high club.

[Divot]

Back in 93, I solo'd the cow route and camped overnight, .......phenominal conditions, and a perfect sunrise.

I have to admit that it was one of the best life long choices I made in terms of camping...lol

As you may know, expect to bring more fuel for hydration, all your gear, shovel,...well anything you bring for a tent night at elevation.

Our trip was a last minute thing, hense, we got lucky with weather, and it was a perfect day, but prepare for the imperfect my friend.

 

Enjoy, and when you go, COUNT ME IN.....HINT!

I'LL MEET YALL UP THERE... Im a wicked hand at cards...lol

[fear]

I still don't see how someone acclimatized to sea level can run up to the summit in two days, spend the entire night, and not be totally miserable....

 

I'd have to bring a bag of Advil and morphine to kill the headache I'd have...

 

You guys must have Messner blood in ya....

 

-Fear

[mattyg]

I still don't see how someone acclimatized to sea level can run up to the summit in two days, spend the entire night, and not be totally miserable....

 

My thought is to do it the weekend after I've climbed the mountain previously. We're doing the Emmons/Winthrop route in mid July. Then I'll come back the next Friday and run up there. Dunno if it'll work or not but I'm going to try it.

[DonnV]

I still don't see how someone acclimatized to sea level can run up to the summit in two days, spend the entire night, and not be totally miserable....

I've done this a couple times and had no problems with acclimatization, but neither time did we "run up" to the summit. Keep in mind that, if you aren't going to descend the same day, you have far less reason than usual either to get an early start, or to move fast on the way up. Sleeping a bit longer and spending a few more hours at your high camp, and taking a very leisurely pace to the summit, will leave you better acclimated by the time you reach the summit.

[forrest_m]

i spent two nights on the summit a few (well more than a few, now) years ago, one of which was the 4th of july. we spent the whole night running around the crest looking at fireworks in seattle, tacoma, portland, yakima, and every town in between. definately a cool experience.

 

the weather was perfectly clear. on a sunny & windless day, the crater itself can get quite warm because of the parabolic reflector effect. we measured it at over 100 deg., though since it was one of those zipper-pull thermometers, i wouldn't swear to that in court. pretty damn hot, anyway. i don't think i'd care to be camped up there in a storm, but if you were actually in a good spot in the crater, i suppose it wouldn't be any worse than the 14 camp on denali.

 

anyone remember that dude who camped on the summit of mt. baker for over a month back in the mid-90s?

[thelawgoddess]

anyone remember that dude who camped on the summit of mt. baker for over a month back in the mid-90s?

i remember reading some of the things he wrote. definitely sounded like a cool experience!

[kenp]

I was lucky enough also to have perfect weather (in mid July) once for an over-nighter on the summit. We stayed in an Igloo that had been built by another team. I had been at Muir for 4 days prior to the summit climb, that helped a lot with the altitude