Mt Rainier Kautz route with Kling Mountain Guides
Mt Rainier is the most glaciated peak in the lower 48. At 14,410 feet above sea level. it is also the fifth highest peak in the lower 48! Join Kling Mountain Guides in July of 2013 on an incredible journey up the flanks of Mt Rainier. This KMG trip will be limited to four climbers so reserve your space now.
Our expedition will climb nearly 9,000 vertical feet from the Paradise visitor center to the crater rim and Columbia Crest. KMG trip's are about the entire journey, not just the summit. That's why we have chosen the less traveled Kautz route.
Kautz Route Expedition Background
The expedition is for mountaineers who want to test their practical skills on one of the most challenging peaks in the lower 48! If you have climber Rainier before, this is a great second trip. If you have not climbed Rainier before, then come along on our adventure! If you are planning on traveling to Alaska, South America, or the even the Himalayas this is a great warm up!
Itinerary
July 20, day 1: Arrive in Seattle, Washington. We will meet at a designated location in Seattle. This is on your own, and NOT included in the cost of the trip. You are welcome to stay whereever you like. If you need some ideas, feel free to get in touch. This is when we'll do our gear check and group meet. Last minute gear purchases can be made at Feathered Friends or REI. Night in Seattle.
July 21, day 2: Today we will rise early to begin our adventure. We will drive to Mt. Rainier National Park. Our adventure begins at Paradise. From Paradise we'll head out on to the Wilson Glacier and our first night's camp.
July 22, day 3: Today we'll move camp to an area know as the Castle. This is not a huge day of vertical gain and allows for a slow pace.
July 23, day 4: Today is our rest day. We'll spend the day acclimatizing and relaxing at our advanced base camp. If weather permits, we will go for a day climb up onto the Turtle Snowfield. This is a perfect school location for our mountaineering and snow school. Topics to be covered will include roped glacier travel and crevasse rescue, snow school, self and team arrest, snow anchors, and mechanical hauling systems.
July 24, day 5: Today we will move to our high camp. This is where we will stage for our summit attempt.
July 25, day 6: SUMMIT DAY!! Weather permitting we will make our successful summit attempt. This is a long day. Expect to spend 12 + hours on the move. It is well worth it however! After summit we'll head back to camp. The rest of the day is spent relaxing.
July 15, day 7: After packing up our camp we'll begin our hike out to Paradise. What an adventure! A celebratory dinner is a must!
Note: Remember, this itinerary is approximate. We might have to adjust it slightly according to weather, how the group is acclimatizing, and group speed and ability.
Price Includes
- Six days of guiding and instruction
- AMGA trained guide (2:1 climber to guide ratio with four climbers and two gudies max)
- All meals while on the mountain
- Group equipment (stoves, cooking fuel, technical climbing equipment, equipment, first aid kits)
Price Does Not Include
- Airfare to and from Seattle Washington from Your location
- Rainier climbing permit
- Items of personal nature
- Individual travel costs, delays, etc.
- Excess baggage fees
- Personal Clothing or gear
- Alcoholic drinks and personal snacks
- Hotels before and after tripd
- Recommended Travel/trip cancelation insurance
- Guide/ Staff gratuity
Prerequisites:
- Prior basic mountaineering experience
- Be comfortable with self and team arrest
- Have experience with crampons
- Basic roped climbing experience.
- Be comfortable carrying a 55 lbs pack
- If you do not possess these skills or need review, we recommend doing a skills course with us in Colorado prior to your expedition. The Intro To Mountaineering course with San Juan College is a perfect precursor.
Registration and cancelation:
- To secure your spot on this trip you will need to fill out our expedition registration packet.
- Registration for KMG expedition programs requires a minimum $1000 application fee.
- The balance of program fees is due 90 days prior to the starting date of the program.
- For certain KMG programs including special application fees and payment schedules may apply as included within the relevant KMG Application Package.
- Payments made by wire transfer to KMG require inclusion of wire fees charged by your bank
- It is the participant's responsibility to adhere to the fee payment schedule. Participants may not receive additional notice of payment due dates from KMG.
- The Participant's cancelled checks will serve as the receipt and verification of payments.
- Late payments will result in cancellation of program reservations and forfeiture of all fees paid.
- All application and program fee payments from Participants are non-refundable and non-transferable.
- Participants agree that beginning on the first date of the program itinerary, there will be no refunds of program fees for any reason whatsoever.
