DPS Posted May 9, 2007 Share Posted May 9, 2007 (edited) I am taking some newbies up Rainier this summer. All of them have limited climbing experience. I want to take them out on a relatively easy climb where we will have an opportunity to review ice axe arrest and other skills before we try Rainier. I was thinking of something like Mt Ruth, but I would like to have a bad weather plan somewhere on the east side of the mountains. I was thinking of Colchuck, but it is permit season and I worry that I might not score a camping permit. Also I don't want to completely demoralize the group by making them walk the road. So, what are your suggestions for mellow snow/glacier climbs that would be a good two day trip and would allow for ample time for skills practice? Suggestions for both west and east side of the range would be appreciated. Oh yeah, we all live in the Seattle area, so something within a couple hours drive would be just ducky. Thanks! Edited May 9, 2007 by danielpatricksmith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattp Posted May 9, 2007 Share Posted May 9, 2007 Silver Star might be a good choice. There's no glacier and it is subalpine, but you could certainly find some good places for ice axe practice on Rock Mountain (Nason Ridge) and it is easy to get to. For the west side, Sloan is a good one and the NW side of Del Campo is good just as soon as the Sunrise Road opens (or maybe before). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
letsroll Posted May 9, 2007 Share Posted May 9, 2007 don't know how much this will help but check this out. http://www.dramaticwriter.com/beginners.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DPS Posted May 9, 2007 Author Share Posted May 9, 2007 don't know how much this will help but check this out. http://www.dramaticwriter.com/beginners.html Thanks. That is Jason Martin's Web site. We went to school and climbed together back in the day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weekend_Climberz Posted May 9, 2007 Share Posted May 9, 2007 I did the Coleman-Deming as my first climb in preparation for Rainier. There's a great slope below the normal camping area where you can pratice arrest and at least simulate crevasse rescue. My two cents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazy_t Posted May 9, 2007 Share Posted May 9, 2007 Mt. Daniel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivan Posted May 9, 2007 Share Posted May 9, 2007 mt hood - n side and go up cooper spur or s side and camp at illumination Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad_A Posted May 9, 2007 Share Posted May 9, 2007 I guess I'd second Baker. The C-D camp area (5600 ft?) is a great place to hang out, and the hike in is relatively short. Or, maybe not a climb, but just take them up on the Muir snowfield and show them around; that's the place I was taught self arrest. If you're willing to drive a bit more, the SS Hood/Illumination idea is a great one, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kweb Posted May 9, 2007 Share Posted May 9, 2007 I'd vote either Baker, Daniel, Muir......Ruth....hell they are all good. I've done Daniel 5 times but its always been in October. I hear it can get pretty warm out there during the summer months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mythosgrl Posted May 9, 2007 Share Posted May 9, 2007 Before i did Rainier I would run 4 miles and then hike Mt. Si as fast as i could. Did that a few times before i climbed rainier and felt pretty good once i got on the mountain. Rainier was my first snow climb/slug and it went really well. I just learned how to self arrest and all that the day before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericb Posted May 9, 2007 Share Posted May 9, 2007 West of crest, Shuksan sulfide is one of my favorites - although the last bit to the summit can be a little spicey if the gully is partially melted out and moaty. It's better early when solid snow or late after it's all rock. The lower glacier has some nice undulations that allow for good high speed ice-axe training with mellow runouts and limited crevasses. East of crest second vote for either Daniel or Silver Star - the grind up to burgundy col would be a good conditioning hike! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MisterMo Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 East of crest second vote for either Daniel or Silver Star - the grind up to burgundy col would be a good conditioning hike! I have a hard time thinking of Daniel as being east of the crest. How about Seven Fingered Jack or Maude? 9,000ers with plenty of snow this time of year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurthicks Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 sahale - quien sabe glacier, but you'll have to walk the road (good training though) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goatboy Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 Hmm, not sure how Cooper Spur is a good "first time climb"??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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