Tim Davis(or anyone else)! Mt Ranier called!

[markv]

I did Rainier with RMI a few years ago. Here's my trip report, or email me if you have questions.

http://www.network54.com/Forum/198362/message/1062704053/8-03

If you're in great shape, there's no need to have experience on smaller peaks first. So long as you either go with a guided group -OR- follow the tracks, start at the same pre-dawn time as everyone else from Camp Muir, and be resigned to turning back with ANY possible sign of bad weather. This is assuming you know how to use crampons and an axe.

It's physically more difficult than Hood, but sticking to the main route, it's technically a lot easier than Hood.
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http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=162190

[sidhayes]

Mr. Markv is right. One can follow the tracks just fine of the many, many, other groups and he is also right on about turning back with any sign of bad weather. I turned back on two attempts because a single cloud appeared. When carrying only a light jacket and water, I had to have a genuine interest in what the sky in the next 5 hours might bring. I was successfull on the third attempt.

[Davis2001R6]

My main reason for going with RMI is for the first day's "school". Teaching the basics of self-arrest, crevasse rescue, rope work, that kind of thing. Then I can build on those skills on other planned mountains. Just hope for good weather and be in top shape is my plan!

[sidhayes]

The students in RMI seemed to be having a great time. All of them told me it was very worthwhile having taken the course.

[Davis2001R6]

Good to hear,

Can't say I'm complaining about not bringing a tent, sleeping pad, stove, cookset, fuel and only having to bring snacks and a lunch either.

[desertgirl]

Have heard good things about RMI..Wating to hear from you Tim to see how it goes...then I amy be looking them up!
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Photos: http://www.pbase.com/desertgirl/galleries
Life is but a dream ...there is no end to what you can dream!

[markv]

You could learn more by hiring a guide privately for a couple hours, at the same price. Not to say i didn't learn, but it's obvious their point is just to get you to the top and back...not to give you good background for doing things on your own later. They didn't mention a word about crevasse rescue, and the ropework was just basically how to follow the leader without getting tangled up. Almost all the time was spent on super basic cramponing, breathing, and self-arrest/team-arrest.

Definitely the one big plus is not having to bring a tent. When i did it, you still had to bring all the cook and meal stuff though...has that changed? If you go, bring ear plugs for the Camp Muir shoebox. Or a deck of cards or book if like me, you can't sleep.
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http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=162190

[sidhayes]

Or...if you are going to climb "Cactus to Clouds" this spring, you will have more than enough conditioning to bypass Camp Muir, and do the thing in one day.

[Davis2001R6]

Maybe next year Sid, already signed up with RMI. Cactus to Clouds will depend on how much snow is up there in mid April.

[Davis2001R6]

1 Week and Counting!

Nothing like wearing this in Phoenix, wanted to take the dog for a walk like this, but Emma said she's not going out in public with me dressing like that.

[desertgirl]

Good luck
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Photos: http://www.pbase.com/desertgirl/galleries
Life is but a dream ...there is no end to what you can dream!

[sbkelley]

Nice outfit, Tim!

Good luck next week and hope the weather holds for you

[Davis2001R6]

[sbkelley]

Yeah, that really seems to dictate whether a climber can summit that peak or not. We'll be keeping our fingers crossed for you.

Also, I know there has been some concern about RMI possibly not taking folks all the way to Columbia Crest (the tallest summit on the crater rim): weather-permitting, are they going to take you there?

[Davis2001R6]

I'll just say they are going to have a hard time not taking us. That was a topic of conversation when we met up last week.