Snowy News

The Snow Gods have been kind so far to the Pacific Northwest. There is currently a 75 inch base at Paradise. The snow area is expected to open up this weekend. Mount Tahoma Trails are in great condition for those who want to ski outside of the park. Our first winter seminar will start December 27th, and we will post conditions at Muir and the upper mountain soon after that. The Park service is requiring all vehicles to carry tire chains. Whittaker Mountaineering rents tire chains and snowshoes, tubes, and XC skis

Winter Play areas

It is nice to see snow on the local foothills on this cold and sunny day. We want to update you on conditions in and outside the park. There is a 46 inch base at Paradise right now, and conditions are good for snowshoeing and XC skiing. The sledding area at Paradise is schedule to open on December 22 if there is 6 feet of snow at Paradise. Longmire does not have much snow at this time but things can change in a hurry. If anyone wants update weather and road conditions for inside the park feel free to call us at whittaker mountaineering 800-238-5756.
The Mount Tahoma Trail Association has snow as well. Currently you have to walk about a mile from the parking area on the South side to get to snow, but there is a descent amount on the high trails. The North Side (copper Creek) is schedule to open this coming weekend. To park at both locations you will need a Snow Park Permit which you can purchase at Whittaker Mountaineering. Those who would like to recieve MTTA conditions or hut availability give us a call. We also rent snowshoes, XC skies, Ski Tubes and Tire Chains. We will update the conditions when more snow arrives

What's in a name?

What's in a name?
For the Whittaker family, two generations of mountaineering excellence. That's why Summit Haus is being reborn as Whittaker Mountaineering. The Store's original name hails from RMI owner Peter Whittaker;s former "Summits Adventure Travel," which Peter ran with his wife, Erika, for 15 years. The new name better reflects a family tradition of climbing achievement established by Peter, his father, Lou, co-founder of RMI, and his famed uncle, Jim, the first American to climb Mount Everest. Look for great deals on the same quality gear, tested by professionals, under the new Whittaker Mountaineering banner, and on our renamed website www.whittakermountaineering.com

Winter is around the corner

Those who love the Snow and live in the Pacific Northwest recall how bad it was last winter in regards to snowfall. The forecast for this winter looks promising. Whittaker Mountaineering will keep you updated on the snow levels on Mt Rainier as the snow begins to fall in the upcoming weeks.

Rainier Wildflowers Nearing End of the Season

The wildflowers on Mt. Rainier during 2005 have bloomed later in the season compared to normal. This late bloom however has not in any way degraded the beauty of the flowers. The weather and bright beautiful flowers have made hiking and photography a pleasure in the park these past days. The wildflower season is nearing its end now. Every effort should me made to make a trip out to Mt. Rainier and the Ashford Valley to view these magnificent flowers.

Below are images of flowers by the Van Trump Park area. For more information on how to get there stop in the Summit Haus for specific directions.

Mt. St. Helens - 1960 and 2005

Featured below are images taken from Bear Pass of Mt. St. Helens in 1960 and 2005. The 45-year span in time shows the dramatic changes after the May 18th eruption in 1980. As seen in the photos below, the scared landscape is slowly regenerating itself as life returns to the area around the blast.










These photos are courtesy of friends of the Summit Haus.

Denali Trip Reports & Rainier Weather

Whittaker Mountaineering employee Joe Blattner has recently posted his May 2005 Denali trip report. This report includes the daily activities of their expedition, as well as a couple pictures taken on the mountain. Their climb successfully summitted on May 22nd and flew off the mountain a couple days later. Click Here to read Joe’s daily dispatches.

These past days have brought in harsh weather on both the upper and lower slopes of Mt. Rainier. The fronts that had moved in created high winds, cold temperatures, and new snow. Forecasts for upcoming weather conditions show much better weather moving in with clearer skies. The freezing level, which as stayed particularly low this season, is predicted to rise to around 14,000 feet by this weekend. That indicates weather on the mountain may have ideal climbing condition in the very near future.

Current Mount Rainier Weather & Pictures

The current weather on Mt. Rainier has allowed for many successful summits this past month. Although 'the mountain' received a minimal amount of snow during the winter months, spring snowfalls and cold upper mountain temperatures have created great climbing conditions.
Below are photos taken on June 29th from the MTTA (Mount Tahoma Trails Association) High Hut. High Hut is located at 4,760 feet and these images show Mt. Rainier as well as a zoomed-in photo of the upper slopes of the Muir Snowfield.

Denali Season

Good news from Alaska, The climbing season on Denali is well underway, and RMI is having a safe and successful season so far. One of the Summit Haus's employees Joe Blattner returned from his trip just yesterday. We hope to have a lot of his photos and his journal about the trip on our website as soon as we can. Stay tuned for more details.

Dave Hahn on Everest

Good news Dave Hahn summitted Everest lastnight, and we hope he makes it done safely. I am sure the Summit Haus site will have plenty of pictures from his expedition, and another journal entry in regards to his Summit, stay tuned for details.

Dave Hahn on Everest

Dave Hahn just sent an update from his Everest trip. Check out his journal entry and great photos. He will update us on his Everest Climb as much as possible so stay tuned. Check out his section on our home page http://www.summithaus.com/davehahn/default.asp

Information on Snow/Route Conditions on Rainier

So far this winter Mount Rainier has received less than average snowfall. While there is speculation regarding the conditions on the upper mountain, we would like to share some of our thoughts relating to low snow years and the effect on climbing conditions. We feel that concerns over a lengthy route or difficult crevasses are currently premature. The spring season in the Northwest has every opportunity to provide the precipitation needed for a healthy late-summer snowpack. As well, route conditions on the upper glaciers of Mount Rainier are affected less by a winter snowpack (20' to 30') and more by the flow of the glaciers (200' to 300') against rock cleavers and buttresses. On an average snowpack year we usually see the winter snow melt off the glaciers by early August leaving older, harder glacier surfaces. On lighter snow pack years this may melt off earlier.

Below average snowpack is not a direct indicator as to how climbing will be on the upper glaciers of Mount Rainier. National Park Service records identify 2003 as one of the three lightest snow years on record since 1955. Yet, the route that summer proved to be the most direct and favorable despite all the speculation.

On March 10, 2005, RMI guides and 11 climbers reached the summit of Mount Rainier and reported conditions on the Cowlitz, Ingraham, and Emmons glaciers as typical for this time of year. It was also reported that snowpack below 10,000' is minimal.

We will be monitoring conditions on Mount Rainier as we have done for the last 35 years and share our observations with you as the summer climbing season approaches.

Energy Bars; So Many choices

For some time we have been looking for some good bars to eat while on a climb. Yes, Clif Bars are great, but we have been eating them for the last few years. Thus, the search began. Here are two bars that we have found to be good tasting, different, and natural. Larabar and Probar. Both of these bars are great, we will be testing them on the mountain in the upcoming months to see how they do in the cold. According to both companies, cold shouldn't be a problem. We will keep you informed, visit their websites for more info www.larabar.com and www.probar.com. Still searching for the perfect sports bar.

Weather on Denali

It looks like the Alaskan Mountain Ranges have been having a great winter full of snow. That is good for Denali climbers, hopefully we will have a long season on Mac. We will keep you updated with new information as we get it. The Outdoor Retailer and the SIA shows are later this week. Next week, we will let you know what new things will be hitting the market in 6 months. Sunny and warm today.

Mammut Clothing

Viewed the Mammut clothing line today. I like their schoeller pieces. Their champ pant is a great pant. They are making head way in their glove line and we will be bringing some of their soft shell gloves in the store in the near future. It is the time of year when we will be viewing vendors lines. We will keep you up to date when we see something exciting or new in the Outdoor market. In the mean time, enjoy the outdoors and the weekend

Warm Temps, Not so tempting

It is 60 degrees in Ashford today, record warmth. A lot of snow has been melting from the mountain ranges and filling up local rivers and lakes. I feel bad for all the local ski resorts, all closed today, waiting for new snow. They can't do much when the freezing level is 9000 ft. I just got off the phone with an employee that is spending the winter in Salt Lake City, and just the opposite is happening there. He is skiing in fresh powder day after day. Lucky him. There is six day seminar on Mount Rainier right now and I know they are learning a ton about mountaineering, they are also learning there is no controlling mother nature, should be a lot of fun and wet stories after Friday.

Rain Rain Go Away

Martin Luther King Day has brought the Cascades rain. Snow levels are rising across the mountain ranges, and the next 7-10 days we are suppose to get more rain coming from the South Pacific, which is not good news for Snow. Will be getting a snow report from Alaska in the next couple of days. Those who are going to Denali this year stay tuned.

Sledding Area still closed

During most winter months, Paradise has a sledding area open to the public. The National Park opens the Sledding area when there is 60 inches of snow on the ground, and sad to say it is not open yet this year. However, there is still great areas to cross country ski and snowshoe at Paradise. Good news ahead, Snow expected later this week, Paradise needs about 10 more inches to open the Sledding area. Lets all cross our fingers.

Summit Haus 1st Blog

2005 has arrived and has brought Mount Rainier a little bit of snow. Paradise recieved 10 inches of new snow on Friday Night to bring in the new year. YES, we needed it. Crystal Clear skies and low 20's this week. Paradise recieved a new camera, and we will post pictures soon.