On the evening of July 25th, the 2023 Madison Mountaineering Mount Rainier (4392m/14,411ft) team successfully reached the summit of the tallest peak in Washington! Sunny skies to start the climb was followed by stormier conditions, forcing the team to hunker down at Ingraham Flats (3383m/11,100ft). While the team waited out the adverse weather conditions, they worked on the skills needed for the climbing ahead, made lasting friendships, and bonded as a team who was motivated and ready to make their push for the summit when the storm abated. Guides, Max Strotbeck and Benny Lieber positioned the team out of the way of high winds and in a position to make their summit bid when the time came.
At approximately, 3:00 PM PST on Tuesday, July 25, the storm dissipated giving them the window they needed to make their summit push. As the only team on the route at that time, the team set off for the summit, and five hours later found themselves reaching Mount Rainier’s summit crater and counting the final steps towards its true summit. The team’s hard work, determination, and well thought out strategy gifted them with a memorable sunset summit to themselves, with views all around from the roof of Washington.
Congratulations again to the team on one awesome climb!
The team celebrating their summit success on the evening of July 25 under a beautiful sunset painted sky!
The team settled into our bombproof Mountain Hardwear tents!
The view of camp from Ingraham Flats.
In addition to these expedition dispatches, you can also follow our teams as they make their attempts on the world’s most formidable mountains on:
– Amazon Alexa devices with the Madison Mountaineering Flash Briefing skill:
- Enable the skill and add to your flash briefing to hear our daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions. Just say, “Alexa, play my flash briefing.“
– Instagram:
