Our four-day Mt. Rainier is one of our signature summer climbs. Our team will be led by two of our highly experienced guides and is a group of only four climbers. The trip includes an introduction to mountaineering and the summit climb. Mt. Rainier is located in the Cascade Mountain Range of Washington State and has an elevation of 4392m / 14,411ft. As the sun rises and we make our way up this active stratovolcano, you will see beautiful views of the Pacific Northwest!
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Disappointment Cleaver Route

Date(s)
  • July 20 - 24, 2024
SOLD OUT!
Cost USD 3,370 (per person – group of 4)
Deposit USD 2,000 to secure entire 4-member team climb

Day 1: Orientation and Equipment Check. Your guides will provide a program orientation and conduct a personal check of each climber’s equipment. There will be ample time for Q&A, packing and gear fitting suggestions, and directions for the next morning’s met up in Paradise. Exact location and time of the orientation and equipment check will be confirmed by email/phone just prior to the trip start.

Day 2: The group meets at the Paradise parking area (1646m/5,400ft) in Mount Rainier National Park. After our check-in with the National Park Service climbing rangers, we begin the hike to Camp Muir (3105m/10,188ft). The group sleeps at Camp Muir in tents. A great source of information about the hike to Camp Muir can be found on the Washington Trails Association website: https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/camp-muir

Day 3: We will conduct a climbing skills review which includes crampon techniques, ice axe use, self-arrest techniques, and rope-team travel. After the skills review, the group will ascend to the Ingraham Flats camp (3383m/11,100ft) to sleep in tents

Day 4: Summit Day: We begin before dawn and climb the Disappointment Cleaver route to the summit (4392m/14,411ft), the fourth highest-point in the Lower 48 states and the highest-point in the state of Washington, sign the summit logbook, and then descend to our camp at Ingraham Flats to sleep

Day 5: We descend from camp to the Paradise parking area, conclude our program, and exit Mount Rainier National Park

Day 6: Contingency day for weather or other delays

Mt. Rainier climb

  • July 20 - 24, 2024
Cost: USD 3,370
Deposit: USD 2,000 to secure entire 4-member team climb

Costs Include:

  • Mount Rainier National Park reservation and permit fees
  • Two highly-experienced Madison Mountaineering guides
  • Personal equipment check and guidance on gear fitting and optimized packing
  • Breakfast and dinner while on the mountain – if you have specific dietary needs, please let us know and we will be happy to accommodate
  • All shared group equipment, such as tents, stoves, climbing ropes and hardware, first aid, etc.

Costs Do Not Include:

  • Transportation to the orientation and equipment check location or the Paradise parking area trailhead
  • National Park Service climbing recovery fee
  • Mount Rainier National Park entrance fee ($30/vehicle)
  • Accommodations prior to and following the climb
  • Any expenses incurred by early departure from the program
  • Personal items and equipment

Cancellation/Refund Policy

  • There are no refunds for the deposit or balance payments for this expedition. This includes but is not limited to, expeditions that conclude without reaching or making progress towards expedition objective(s) (for example, the summit) due to route conditions, weather, insufficient manpower, or any other factor outside the control of Madison Mountaineering.
  • Expedition leader has the final say on the expedition conclusion and will make all best efforts towards reaching expedition objective(s) within our margin of safety.
  • Participants that choose to leave an active expedition for any reason are not entitled to any refunds
  • Madison Mountaineering, LLC highly recommends trip cancellation insurance for all expeditions
  • Due to the nature and heavy costs of government and operator permits, Madison Mountaineering must adhere to a stringent refund policy
  • Deposit due with registration materials
  • All balances are due 90 days prior to departure date unless otherwise specified
  • Participants whose balances are not received by the 90-day deadline as stated above, risk forfeiture of their funds and their place on the expedition

Note: Madison Mountaineering, LLC reserves the right to waive any fees. As we offer personalized service, we will attempt to accommodate changes and cancellations when necessary, waiving certain fees when feasible. Deposits paid by participants acknowledge the above cancellation terms.

Print Gear List


Base Layers

  • Synthetic Short Underwear: non-cotton style underwear
  • Lightweight Long Underwear: long sleeve shirt and long pants
  • Heavyweight Long Underwear
  • Short Sleeve Synthetic Shirt

Mid Layers

  • Soft Shell Jacket: to be worn over other layers
  • Soft Shell Pants: very breathable and water repellant
  • Lightweight Nylon Pants (optional)

Windproof/Rain Layers

  • Hard Shell Jacket with hood: waterproof and breathable shell jacket
  • Hard Shell Pants: waterproof and breathable shell pants

Insulation Layers

  • Insulated Down or Synthetic Jacket with hood
  • Insulated Pants (optional)

Headwear

  • Warm Hat: synthetic or wool hat (ski hat)
  • Balaclava: to protect your neck and face in high winds
  • Baseball Cap or other sun hat: to shade your face/neck from the sun on a hot day
  • Bandana or Buff: to protect your neck/face from the sun

Eyewear

  • Glacier Glasses: full protection with side covers or wrap around
  • Ski Goggles: to be worn in the event of high winds

Gloves

  • Lightweight Synthetic Liner Gloves: for wearing on warm days
  • Soft Shell Gloves: to wear for moderate cold/wind
  • Shell Glove with Insulated Liner: to wear for severe cold/strong wind

Footwear

  • Liner Socks (3 pairs)
  • Wool or Synthetic Socks (3 pairs)
  • Mountaineering Boots
  • Hiking Shoes/Boots: comfortable hiking boots
  • Gaiters

Sleeping Equipment

  • Sleeping Bag: rated to at least 20°F
  • Self-inflating Sleeping Pad: full length is preferred
  • Closed-cell Foam Pad: to be used in conjunction with the inflating pad for warmth and comfort when sleeping
  • Earplugs

Mountaineering Gear

  • Expedition Backpack: approximately 65L
  • Compression Stuff Sacks: for reducing the volume of the sleeping bag, down parka, etc. in your pack
  • Trash Compactor Bags: to line backpack and stuff sacks as well as for separating gear
  • Backpack Rain Cover (optional)
  • Trekking Poles with Snow Baskets: adjustable
  • Ice Axe: general mountaineering tool (~60cm)
  • Crampons: general mountaineering crampons
  • Climbing Helmet: must be able to fit over your warm hat
  • Alpine Climbing Harness: mountaineering harness, with adjustable leg loops. Not a rock-climbing “sport” harness
  • Carabineers: 2 regular and 4 locking
  • Belay/Rappel Device
  • Headlamp: with 2 extra sets of new batteries

Travel Items

  • Large Duffel Bag with Lock: for transporting gear and storing street clothes, etc. at hotel/car
  • Travel Clothes: for days in cities and towns
  • Lightweight journal, sketchbook, pencils, pen

Additional Food Items

  • Snack Food: bring a few days’ supply of your favorite climbing snack food such as bars, gels, nuts, beef jerky, etc. variety of salty and sweet is good

Other Equipment

  • Cup: plastic 16 oz. minimum cup or mug
  • Bowl: large plastic bowl for eating dinner or breakfast
  • Spoon: plastic spoon (Lexan)
  • Water Bottles (2): wide mouth bottles with 1-liter capacity
  • Water Bottle Parkas (2): fully insulated with zip opening
  • Thermos (optional): 1-liter
  • Water Treatment
  • Sunscreen: SPF 40 or better
  • Lip Screen (2 sticks): SPF 30 or better
  • Toiletry Bag: include toothbrush, toothpaste, toilet paper, baby wipes and hand sanitizer (2 small bottles)
  • Pee Bottle: 1-liter minimum bottle for convenience at night in the tent
  • Female Urination Device (FUD)
  • Knife or Multi-tool (optional)
  • Small Personal First-aid Kit: include athletic tape, band-aids, Ibuprofen, blister care, etc.
  • Medications and Prescriptions: bring antibiotics (Azithromycin, etc.), and altitude medicine such as Diamox, etc.
  • Handkerchiefs/Bandanas (optional)

Optional Electronics

Madison Mountaineering is recognized for well thought out strategy in leading high altitude climbing expeditions, as well as high-quality service throughout. We have two decades of experience in the planning and coordination of mountaineering expeditions, our reputation is excellent. We strive to make each expedition the best possible experience for our climbers and focus on our 3 primary goals of success in reaching the summit, returning safely, and having fun! Safety is always our number one priority.

Our guides are some of the best and most experienced in the industry, having a strong grasp of technical climbing, expedition, and high altitude experience, along with strong interpersonal skills. Our teams are small and equipped with the best support available to ensure the highest chance of success. We are renowned for our comfortable base camps, high-quality food, first-rate communications, and medical support services, all of which are overseen by a professional member of our team.

Most of our climbers have either climbed with us before, been referred by a friend who has climbed with us, or met one of our teams while attempting another peak and decided to join us for their next expedition. We work hard to facilitate safe, successful, and enjoyable expeditions for all of our climbers. Our track record and past climber testimonials prove we are highly competent experts in our field and love what we do!

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