Tag Archive for: Washington

Whole team summits Mount Rainier!

Photo pulled from the Madison Mountaineering archive. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

100% summit success on the highest peak in Washington! The Madison Mountaineering Mount Rainier team left Ingraham Flats under clear, starry skies as they started up the climbing route. The team navigated technical terrain and were treated with an epic sunrise as they neared the summit, ultimately topping out and enjoying the moment and views with all of Washington below them. Congratulations to the entire team on safely and successfully reaching the summit of Mount Rainier! Team leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this final dispatch for the 2025 Mount Rainier team:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Mount Rainier (4390m/14,410ft) climb with Ed Viesturs – today is August 22nd.

Yesterday morning, we topped out in perfect weather on Washington’s highest peak! The entire team summited, 100% success rate. Conditions were excellent! We left the Ingraham Flats (3383m/11,100ft) at about 1:00 am and summited not long after sunrise. We had beautiful, starry-skies and had a beautiful sunrise just as we were approaching the crater rim. Then, we descended all the way back down to Paradise (1646m/5,400ft) yesterday evening, and our climbers are all headed home!

So, all in all it was another great trip on Mount Rainier.

Guide Terray Sylvester on the summit with Ed Viesturs and our climber, Jared!

Guide Terray Sylvester on the summit with Ed Viesturs and our climber, Jared!

Guide Peter Horsman on the summit with climbers, Lewis and Sarah!

Guide Peter Horsman on the summit with climbers, Lewis and Sarah!

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:

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Primed and ready to go for the summit!

Photo pulled from the Madison Mountaineering archive. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The Madison Mountaineering Mount Rainier team practiced glacier travel skills in preparation of the summit push ahead! Walking in crampons, traveling as a rope team, self arrest and more are essential skills needed for traveling on any glacier, and ones that the team will certainly put to use when they start their climb soon. After finishing up class, the team packed up camp and headed for Ingraham Flats – the next stop on their way to the summit. The team has had beautiful weather so far, and more of the same forecasted for the days ahead! Team leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Mount Rainier:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Mount Rainier (4390m/14,410ft) climb with Ed Viesturs – today is August 20.

Today, we did a little bit of snow school at Camp Muir (3105m/10,188ft) after we woke up. We practiced crampon technique, rope team travel, self arrest and other essentials for glacier mountaineering. Then, we hiked on up to Ingraham Flats (3383m/11,100ft).

The whole day the weather’s been really nice! Last night, there was no wind at Camp Muir. Today, we have clear skies above a broken cloud layer. And yeah, really beautiful views!

So right now, we’re just relaxing here at the flats. We’ll have dinner in a bit, and then we’ll wake up early in the morning for our alpine start for our summit push. It looks like good weather in the forecast tomorrow – low winds and ideal temperatures.

So, all is well here on Mount Rainier! We’ll be in touch tomorrow.

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:

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Mount Rainier team is off!

Photo pulled from the Madison Mountaineering archive. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The Madison Mountaineering Mount Rainier team started their climb by moving up from Paradise to Camp Muir with near perfect climbing conditions, making good time and with excellent views along the way! After settling into their camp for the night, the team enjoyed a nice dinner together while taking in the views of the volcanoes that sit to the south of Mount Rainier, amongst other peaks. The team is off to a great start and looks forward to continuing up the route tomorrow! Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Camp Muir:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Mount Rainier (4390m/14,410ft) climb with Ed Viesturs – today is August 19.

Today, we climbed from Paradise (1646m/5,400ft) up to Camp Muir (3105m/10,188ft). We had pretty much perfect climbing conditions! It was really nice, it wasn’t too hot, we had some cloud cover to keep us cool on the way up the Muir snowfield. We arrived in Camp Muir around 2:30 and since then, we’ve been relaxing, enjoying dinner, and enjoying the sunset views out over the Tatoosh Range toward Goat Rocks and Mount Adams (3743m/12,281ft), Mount Hood (3429m/11,249ft), Mount St. Helens (2549m/8,363ft) – all the beautiful sights from the south side of Mount Rainier!

Tomorrow, we’re looking forward to moving up to Ingraham Flats (3383m/11,100ft)!

So, all is well. We’ll be in touch tomorrow!

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:

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100% Summit Success on Rainier!

Mount Rainier summit photo!

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 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 team settled into our bombproof Mountain Hardwear tents!

The view of camp from Ingraham Flats.

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:

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Summit Success on Mt. Rainier!

Standing on the summit of Mt. Rainier!

This last Tuesday at 5:55 AM, the Madison Mountaineering Mt. Rainier expedition team reached the the summit of Tahoma at 14,417 ft (4,394 m) – the highest point in the state of Washington! We had 100% success rate for the team and everyone is now safely down from the alpine. All went well this week on Mt. Rainier!

Sunrise on Mt. Rainier!

Sunrise on Mt. Rainier!

Summit push in the early morning hours on Mt. Rainier!

Summit push in the early morning hours on Mt. Rainier!

Crevasses on one of the glaciers this last week on Mt. Rainier!

Crevasses on one of the glaciers this last week on Mt. Rainier!

Beautiful day on Mt. Rainier!

Beautiful day on Mt. Rainier!

Members of the team at camp in Ingraham Flats.

Members of the team at camp in Ingraham Flats.

Descending the disappointment cleaver route after reaching the summit on Mt. Rainier!

Descending the disappointment cleaver route after reaching the summit on Mt. Rainier!

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:

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100% Success on Mount Baker!

The entire team summits Mt. Baker!

Congratulation to our August 21st climbing team for another great summer 2021 Mt. Baker climb.  100% of the team made it to the summit of this iconic Pacific Northwest peak.  The weather couldn’t have been better and everyone had a fantastic experience.

Well done team!  Everyone is off the mountain and home savoring a job well done.  Make your plans to climb with us in the Pacific Northwest in 2022.

Dawn breaking during the summit push

Dawn breaking during the summit push (📷: Terray Sylvester)

Climbers on the summit plateau of Mt. Baker

Climbers on the summit plateau of Mt. Baker (📷: Terray Sylvester)

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100% Summit Success on Mt. Rainier!!

Entire team on the summit of Mt. Rainier!

Super psyched to report that our entire team dug deep and stood on the highest point in Washington State:  the Columbia Crest of picturesque Mt. Rainier (4392m/14,411ft) yesterday!  Well done all!!

We were honored to guide such a wonderful family group on this, the hardest endurance climb of the lower 48 states.

It’s not too early to book your group of four for our 2022 Mt. Rainier climb.  Please contact our office for details.

Ready to conquer Mt. Rainier!

Ready to conquer Mt. Rainier!

Sunrise on Mt. Rainier

Sunrise on Mt. Rainier

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Another Great Mt. Baker Climb in the books!

On the top of Mt. Baker!

Congratulation to our July 24th climbing team for another great summer 2021 Mt. Baker climb.  Nearly all of the members made it to the top of this iconic Pacific Northwest peak.  The weather couldn’t have been better and everyone had a fantastic experience.

Well done team!  Everyone is off the mountain and home savoring a job well done!!  We are looking forward to our August climbs.

Baker team heading up (📷: Denis Mishin)

Baker team heading up (📷: Denis Mishin)

Climbing the Easton Glacier up Mt. Baker (📷: Denis Mishin)

Climbing the Easton Glacier up Mt. Baker (📷: Denis Mishin)

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100% Mount Baker Summit!

Happy climbers on the summit of Mount Baker!

Congratulations to our July 17th team of three climbers and guide Justin Sackett for safely and successfully reaching the summit of Mount Baker this morning!  Well done team!  Everyone is off the mountain now and headed home savoring a job well done.

Here’s a couple of shots of the ascent.  Stay tuned for more PWN climbing this upcoming weekend when we will have teams on Mount Baker and Mount Rainier!

Sunrise on ascending Mount Baker climbers

Sunrise on ascending Mount Baker climbers

Nearing the summit of Mount Baker

Nearing the summit of Mount Baker

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Mount Baker is a go!

Hiking in on Mount Baker

After a thorough and fun(!) orientation and gear check on Saturday in Seattle, our July 17th Mount Baker team headed up to the trailhead at Schrieber’s Meadow yesterday and hiked up to the crest of the Railroad Grade to make high camp at around 5,800 ft.

Today after a hearty breakfast, the team reviewed glacier and snow travel skills, including rope-team travel, cramponing techniques, ice axe use, and self-arrest skills.  After dinner at camp, they are headed off to bed early tonight to get ready for an “alpine start” just after midnight when they will head for the 10,781 ft. summit.

The weather is looking just perfect for a star-filled night of climbing and a glorious clear view from the top of Koma Kulshan!  We look forward to sharing photos of the victorious team when they have descended back down.

2021.07.17 Mount Baker Gear Check and Orientation

2021.07.17 Mount Baker Gear Check and Orientation

Railroad Grade on Mount Baker's Easton Glacier route

Railroad Grade on Mount Baker’s Easton Glacier route

July 17 Mount Baker team

July 17 Mount Baker team

Wow! Do you see that? Such views from Mt. Baker.

Wow! Do you see that? Such views from Mt. Baker.

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