RMI teams summited Rainier this morning with gorgeous, clear, blue skies! It looks like summer has finally arrived in the Pacific Northwest! With the sunshine, we're also experiencing super high temperatures, which will likely cause some changes on the mountain. RMI guide, Erik Endert said the climbs are heading up the Summer Route on the way to Camp Muir because vegetation is beginning to show in places. He said this new route is well wanded and all travelers up to Muir are encouraged to follow the new route to help preserve the vegetation. The climb popped out above the clouds yesterday around 8,000' and had clear skies for the remainder of their trip. Early this morning, with a clear starlit sky, the climbers began their ascent across the Cowlitz Glacier and up Cathedral Gap on frozen snow, which made for good walking. Today, the climb went up the Ingraham Direct route - as the opening crevasses are still cross-able and the route is still passable. Erik said the route up the Disappointment Cleaver has been put in, but the climb will likely try for a couple more trips up the Ingraham. The ladder over the crevasse around 11,700' will be too big soon and this will force the climbs onto the Cleaver. The 4-Day Summit Climb and the Expedition Skills Seminar on the Kautz route both reached the summit around 7am! With high temperatures in the forecast, the climb was quick to retreat downhill before the sun warmed the snow too much. The entire walk down to Paradise from Camp Muir was in sloppy, slushy snow.
Congratulations, everyone!
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