http://www.idkfa.com/v3 idkfa: syndicated http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=52&msg_id=901 This is basically my first year doing any real climbing, and the route I took on Rainier is hardly technical. The trail was pretty well packed in and little to no crevasse navigation was needed, coupled with awesome weather the climb was as easy as putting one foot in front of other with the exception of one ladder bridge and three areas of rock/ice fall hazards. No matter my dad and I were fully ready for anything and were roped up and had all our protection easily grabable. To train for this trip we took a week long mountaineering course through Alpine Ascents International. We spent 6 days on a glacier practicing proper snow/ice travel techniques and spent a long time on rope skills and crevasse rescue. The cascades are a hard place to teach avalanche hazards and snow science... or maybe its a really easy place. The major avalanche hazards are cornices and moderate slopes, chutes and whatnot, so the obvious places really to anyone who actually goes on snow at all. Most of the snow here is heavy and consolidates very very quickly, or if gives way pretty fast. Anyway, have plans to do a lot more technical routes this winter where I'll be facing some actual weather. Need an avalanche transceiver and probe first though. MrFood@idkfa.com (MrFood) The Sporting Life Fri, 01 Oct 2010 18:14:46 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=52&msg_id=901 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=52&msg_id=899 Out of curiosity, how much climbing experience do you have and how much is required for the climb? Governator@idkfa.com (Governator) The Sporting Life Fri, 01 Oct 2010 17:20:49 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=52&msg_id=899 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=52&msg_id=498 Some military guys I met at the top asked me to take their picture, in return I asked to have my picture taken with one of their Rainiers. They not only obliged but also let me down about half of that tallboy before the trek down. That pic is now my desktop background at work. MrFood@idkfa.com (MrFood) The Sporting Life Wed, 08 Sep 2010 14:48:52 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=52&msg_id=498 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=52&msg_id=497 I wish I could have been there, precious. The Ranier beer was a nice touch. Scrotor@idkfa.com (Scrotor) The Sporting Life Wed, 08 Sep 2010 14:14:18 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=52&msg_id=497 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=52&msg_id=178 That looks like an incredible climb. Congratulations, man. kaiden@idkfa.com (kaiden) The Sporting Life Mon, 16 Aug 2010 17:45:02 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=52&msg_id=178 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=52&msg_id=177 I should add the link to the rest of the photo I guess http://picasaweb.google.com/johnlaurance/MtRainier?feat=directlink MrFood@idkfa.com (MrFood) The Sporting Life Mon, 16 Aug 2010 17:37:51 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=52&msg_id=177 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=52&msg_id=176 I did it, though plans changed and all that I still made it. Aaron unfortunately could not make it, but Dad and I did a pretty rockin job. We started hiking about 6:30pm Friday and made it up to camp Muir, 10k feet, at 12:30am. The climbers were just starting to wake up and leave as we were setting up our tent to go to bed. The next day we hiked up to just above 11k feet and spent the rest of the day napping and eating Got up at midnight, made breakfast, roped up and headed out by 1am sunday morning. Made the crater rim at 7, took a shit in the crater 7:15, made the true summit 7:30. Drank half a Rainier tallboy 8:15 and started the long trek back down to camp. We made it all the way back to the car by about 5, though we took quite a few breaks on the way, I even dozed off for a bit in the tent while melting snow to refill our water bottles. The weather was awesome and hot. At night the stars were phenomenal and we actally saw plety of shooting stars from the meteore shower. All in all a phenomenal trip. I'm proud as hell of my dad for making it to the top with me. From Mt. Rainier MrFood@idkfa.com (MrFood) The Sporting Life Mon, 16 Aug 2010 17:24:44 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=52&msg_id=176 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=52&msg_id=54 Good luck!! Take some pictures to share with us all! CapitolZebra@idkfa.com (CapitolZebra) The Sporting Life Thu, 05 Aug 2010 19:10:29 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=52&msg_id=54 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=52&msg_id=53 Fantastic, man. Best of luck. kaiden@idkfa.com (kaiden) The Sporting Life Thu, 05 Aug 2010 18:26:32 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=52&msg_id=53 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=52&msg_id=52 If mountaineering is a sport then I have something. Next weekend my dad, myself, and probably Aaron are going to tackly Mt. Rainier. Origically this was going to be Erik and I's big adventure but he left this state for the better life up in the AK. Doesn't matter... broken hearts and dreams do eventually heal... The plan, pick up my dad from the airport at 2pm on friday. Drive to the mtn ~ 2.5hrs, get permits and climb 5k' to camp Muir at 10k' which should take about 4.5 hours. Get what sleep we can and eat what we can. Get up around 2am for the summit attempt. Rope up and climb 5-6 hours to summit. Rest/take pictures, drink 1 can of Rainier beer. Return takes about 3.5 hours back to camp and 2 hours back to the parking lot. Drive home, about 2 more hours not including victory meal. MrFood@idkfa.com (MrFood) The Sporting Life Thu, 05 Aug 2010 18:20:46 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=52&msg_id=52