Rainier Update 08/22/2007
A persistent marine cloud layer and cooler temperatures have been the trend on Mount Rainier this summer. Though we have not experienced a significant snowfall (it can snow 3 to 4 feet on the upper mountain), we did pick up 5 to 6 inches of snow above 11,000’ several days ago. The winter snow pack on the Muir snowfield is rapidly melting and patches of firm snow and ice are emerging, particularly around Moon Rocks at 9,000’. While the ice is a bit challenging, our guided teams are navigating around these sections and are able to do so without crampons.
From Camp Muir at 10,000’, the route traverses the Cowlitz Glacier. Several small crevasses are crossed as the trail ascends Cathedral Gap and onto the Ingraham Flats at 11,000’. From here the route drops down under Disappointment Cleaver, descending about 400 vertical feet. Once under the Cleaver, a series of switchbacks ascend the Emmons Glacier, up to about 11,500’, and take climbers to a new section of the route that was put in last week. The new trail works it way north on an ascending traverse which gains the Emmons Shoulder at around 11,800’. After several more switchbacks this new trail connects with the old route at around 12,400’. Here, the trail switchbacks up the shoulder and begins to traverse south at approximately 13,000’. These switchbacks are well established as they cross the upper Ingraham glacier and finish at Columbia Crest.
All in all, the route offers very typical late season climbing, and we expect similar conditions through the end of the climbing season.
A persistent marine cloud layer and cooler temperatures have been the trend on Mount Rainier this summer. Though we have not experienced a significant snowfall (it can snow 3 to 4 feet on the upper mountain), we did pick up 5 to 6 inches of snow above 11,000’ several days ago. The winter snow pack on the Muir snowfield is rapidly melting and patches of firm snow and ice are emerging, particularly around Moon Rocks at 9,000’. While the ice is a bit challenging, our guided teams are navigating around these sections and are able to do so without crampons.
From Camp Muir at 10,000’, the route traverses the Cowlitz Glacier. Several small crevasses are crossed as the trail ascends Cathedral Gap and onto the Ingraham Flats at 11,000’. From here the route drops down under Disappointment Cleaver, descending about 400 vertical feet. Once under the Cleaver, a series of switchbacks ascend the Emmons Glacier, up to about 11,500’, and take climbers to a new section of the route that was put in last week. The new trail works it way north on an ascending traverse which gains the Emmons Shoulder at around 11,800’. After several more switchbacks this new trail connects with the old route at around 12,400’. Here, the trail switchbacks up the shoulder and begins to traverse south at approximately 13,000’. These switchbacks are well established as they cross the upper Ingraham glacier and finish at Columbia Crest.
All in all, the route offers very typical late season climbing, and we expect similar conditions through the end of the climbing season.
1 comment:
Thanks! I love mountains!
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kwatery Zakopane
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