Beautiful, Perfect, Summer Weather on Rainier!

A beautiful, summer morning greeted the climbers at the top of Rainier early this morning!  Today was the second day the climbs are ascending via the Disappointment Cleaver and RMI guide, Mike Uchal said it's in fast, direct and in great shape right now!  The climb left Muir Ridge around 1:30 this morning and crossed the Cowlitz Glacier and traversed onto the Cleaver on soft snow; with freezing levels right around 14,000' feet, the snow doesn't get a chance to re-freeze at night.  Above the Cleaver, there are a few opening crevasses that require small step-overs, but nothing to worry about.  Mike said the switchbacks taking climbers to the upper mountain are well-marked and well-traveled.  On top, the climb enjoyed spectacular, perfect conditions on this "absolutely perfect morning"!  Very little wind, crystal clear skies and moderate temperatures!  They didn't run into warmed up, slushy snow until they were descending the Cleaver.  With high temperatures, the remainder of the descent was in slushy, but good snow.  The Muir Snowfield was particularly hot today with absolutely no breeze to cool off the climbers.

Take a look at some beautiful photos from Mike (Thanks, Mike!):

Climbers taking a break at sunrise

Looking down at Little Tahoma

The climbers on top!

Congratulations, everyone!