another question on Muir

[medicsandy]

Thanks for the info on taking the crampons. It brought up a few more questions. We were going to go with our climbing poles, pack a puff jacket, hard shell, hat, gloves, snack and water. Do we need ice axes or any other clothes that you can think of??

Also, a question on route. Last year we were out there and hiked up to pan point. We saw climbers turning off before getting that far and heading towards pebble creek. We have been told two different routes. The first was that one, then we were told that was wrong and that we needed to go all the way to pan point and go up from there.

We'll be there on Sunday the 19th. Any chance we'll see any of you up there? Would be fun to say hi.

Thanks again....you guys are the best!

Sandy

[Bronco]

A lot of people go to Muir without an ice axe but, considering how hard the Muir Snowfield will probably be, if you're not confident self arresting with your poles, you should take an axe. Consider it training weight and good to have along if you end up needing it.

[Dane]

Lots of us go to Muir this time of year (and later) in approach shoes or running shoes, with and without Treking poles. Makes for an easy day. Wind shells top and bottom are nice as would be a sweater weight piece of insulation up higher on the snowfield and at Muir. I find suncreeen and lwt weight clothing on the snow field a blessing. Only two very short little up hills (less than 100' of vert each) that I can think of that you might want to self arrest. But then many just slide on their butt to get down them (good run outs) and a well worn stepped trail to get up them.

 

FWIW have never pulled out an axe getting to or getting down from Muir nor have any of the people I have climbed with. For many of those it was their first trip on Rainier.