Description

 

This is a tentative plan and I ask participants to be flexible with their availability, as weather will make this trip a go-no-go.  

 

This route is one of the 50 classics.  10’000 of fall line skiing, most of it goes easy but there are some steep pitches at the top that make this a considerable objective.

We will climb Rainier to the Muir Snowfield, set up camp for the night and then finish the climb via Ingram Direct route, ski descent will be via the famous Furher Finger, a 3000m fall line ski that navigates us around sercacs, open crevasses, and has us skiing pitches steeper than 45 degrees.

 

https://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/upload/Disappointment-Cleaver-Routebrief-2017_FINAL.pdf

 

Be aware of the climbing permit fee that each person must pay at the ranger station and read this document thoroughly. Pay close attention to the sections regarding ski mountaineering and the added risks involved.

“A ski descent on Mount Rainier requires more technical skill and expertise than skiing black diamond runs at a ski area and/or skiing in the backcountry at lower elevations. Committing and remote terrain along with severe consequences for errors in judgement or skill combine to increase the risk of skiing on the mountain. Rescue, if possible, will be a lengthy process. A common ski injury, such as a boot-top fracture, can be life threatening on Mount Rainier.”

Participant Requirements:

• AST-1 Minimum with recent companion rescue practice
• Crevasse rescue companion practice skills
• Ability to travel on open glacier by ski or boots
• Advanced level fitness, we will be moving a lot to get this trip done in either a day, or one weekend.  If you can’t run a 10k in under an hour, this trip isn’t for you.
• Expert level skier.  The conditions and hazards of this route demand the utmost expertise in skiing ability.  We will be skiing very steep slopes at the top, greater than 45 degrees, and this is a 100% no-fall kind of skiing due to significant objective hazards on the route.

 

Gear List:

• Ski Touring kit, light and nimble skis, nothing greater than 100mm underfoot.
• Variety of layers for any type of high mountain weather conditions
• personal shelter and sleeping bag
• crampons
• ski crampons
• ice axe or piolet.
• two ice screws
• locking carbiners
• glacier harness
• group shared ropes
• ATC guide and pulley
• cordellete
• headlamp
• sunblock!!
• eye protection!!!
• personal food and water
• cooking apparatus and fuel