Mount Rainier 4 Day Emmons Climb With Alpine Ascents
Climb Rainier as part of a Course! Consider our 8 Day, 9 Day, and 10 Day programs.
I had an unbelievable time. I understand Covid made some parts of the trip had to be different but the guides did a great job ensuring the clients still had a great time. I always felt safe and the guides instilled confidence in everyone. They were amazing. I would have climbed any route on the mountain with them. AAI ensuring they hire and retain guides like these is exactly why I stick with you for all climbs. —2020 Emmons Climber
This was by far the best experience I have had during any climb. I just love the culture that has been created at AAI. I am always treated respectfully and with true interest. I just loved the experience. It is one of the high points of my life….still makes me cry from sheer joy. —Emmons Climber
The Alpine Ascents four-day Rainier climb of the Emmons Glacier is great for climbers with prior experience on glaciers (and those who have completed self-arrest training) who want a more relaxed climbing schedule that allows for an additional night to enjoy the mountain. The Emmons summit climb is more difficult than our Muir climb – this route is far less traveled and involves more overall elevation gain as well as mileage.
This instructional course/summit climb travels as a fully contained climbing expedition (four guides and eight climbers). Each person carries his/her own climbing kit, as well as some of the group’s camping and cooking equipment. This means that our pack weight is also significantly heavier (65 lbs.) than climber’s packs on the Muir route (40 lbs.).
One element of this route that distinguishes it from our Muir climb (and our Kautz climb) is that the average slope angle is not as steep as the upper slopes of the other routes. Climbers will also cross less rock on this route, making for an overall easier technical climb. We will ascend the glaciated slopes roped up in teams of three: two climbers and one guide per rope. Commonly, past climbers have remarked that they really enjoyed being able to spend the night at High Camp after a long summit day. One of our most well-liked Rainier programs, the Emmons climb allows you to encounter fewer people, achieve more vertical gain, and travel farther on the largest glacier in the contiguous United States than you would in our other Rainier climbing programs.
Prerequisites
Formal self-arrest training.
Climbing Skill Level
This route is for those climbers who have successfully completed our Mount Baker 3 Day climb, Mount Rainier 3 Day climb, or equivalent. This four-day trip is extremely rigorous, and being in excellent physical condition is mandatory. One day of skills review is included in the climb. Please note, the guide retains the right, at any point, to determine whether a climber is sufficiently fit to continue the climb.
Reading List
This is a highly recommended shortlist and we would be happy to pass on a longer reading list for those interested. These links will bounce to Amazon.com with reviews.
Mount Rainier: A Climbing Guide
by Mike Gauthier, Bruce Barcott, Mountaineers Books
Selected Climbs in the Cascades
by Jim Nelson, Peter Potterfield, Mountaineers Books
Glacier Travel & Crevasse Rescue
Andy Selters, Mountaineers Books
The Illustrated Guide to Glacier Travel & Crevasse Rescue
Andy Tyson, Mike Clelland, Climbing Magazine
Mountaineering: Freedom of the Hills
Don Graydon (Ed.), Kurt Hanson (Ed.), Mountaineers Society, Mountaineers Books
The climb exceeded my expectations. World class organization and guides. Safety, planning, skills, experience, all top notch. The guides were outstanding and very professional. I felt safe and in the best of hands the entire trip. My favorite climb of Rainier to date.