- All levels
- Ages 16+
There’s a reason Mount Shuksan is one of the most photographed peaks in North America. Take in unbelievable close-up views of Mount Baker and the North Cascades.
Quick Details
Climb to the Summit of Mt. Rainier While Fundraising for Washington Trails Association
Washington’s highest peak truly lives up to its definition as one of the pinnacles of mountaineering glory. Standing 14,411 feet high, Rainier is the second-highest mountain in the lower 48 and tallest peak in Washington. This mountain remains the ultimate goal on many climbers’ bucket lists.
This opportunity includes (and requires) a three-day climb of Mount Baker in advance of your Rainier summit, before your four-day summit of Mount Rainier in July. The route climbed is either the Disappointment Cleaver or the Emmons Glacier.
Two Climbs, Fundraising for a Cause, and Skills to Last a Lifetime
What is this climb about, in short:
Support a cool cause, receive mountaineering training which will carry you higher. It’s a whole training system and as a result, our success rate is high! Build community with your instructos and the community who climbs with you. Live your dreams.
The details:
This is a fundraising climb, and you will be required to train with the other climbers, and raise $1500 for WTA in addition to your climbing fees. Total cost for 2023 is $2250 plus $1500, or $3750. You are encouraged to raise these funds, to help build community awareness for the WTA mission.
This climb is more than just one mountain. You will participate in our glacier mountaineering skills course, which also includes a summit attempt of Mount Baker. Our skilled instructors teach you to become a climber, not just a client. This is the perfect opportunity to help WTA while reaching your goals in mountaineering, and move from backpacking and hiking, so you can touch the top of Washington State! The dates for this training climb are June 9-11 or June 23-25.
Kaf Adventures has partnered with the Washington Trails Association (WTA). In participating in our charity climb, not only will you tackle Washington’s highest peaks, but you’ll also be giving back to the trails that help get you there.
That’s because your tax-deductible fundraising goal ($1500 per climber) will go straight to Washington Trails Association’s mission to preserve, enhance, and promote hiking opportunities in Washington state. You will engage with WTA staff, set up a fundraising page of your own, and contribute to the goals of the WTA mission.
Registration for this climb opens in early February of 2023. To join this climb, you must call in and register by phone when we open registration. Please have your training course dates selected when you call. Dates will be announced on social media and in our newsletter.
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This is a four-day course with a mandatory online pre-trip meeting two evenings before the course start date.
All participants are required to attend a pre-trip meeting with their guide to check equipment, conditions and to establish a specific time and location to meet up on the morning of the climb. Pre-trip meetings are typically completed online from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, 2 days before a course (Thursday evening for Saturday course), and your guide will send out an invitation for this.On the day of a climb, participants are responsible for getting to the meet up location ready and on time. We appreciate environmental considerations and ride sharing. Please let us know if you would like to coordinate a carpool with other participants.Pre-Trip Meeting
- 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Online meeting. You will bring all personal gear and equipment to this meeting. We will go over the route and itinerary as well as go over personal and group gear to ensure everyone has what they need.
Day 1
- The first day of the course is a travel day, traveling to Mount Rainier National Park’s Sunrise trailhead first, then a high camp on the Emmons glacier.
Day 2
- Your second day on the mountain will be a skills day, where you will practice and hone mountain movement and technique, rope team travel, and self-arrest skills. We will end the day early and cook a hearty dinner so we can sleep well for summit day.
Day 3
- Summit day! We begin with a classic alpine start and breakfast, then pursuit of the summit. Weather, conditions, and team dynamics will determine outcomes and pace for the day, but the big goal is to be back at camp in time for dinner.
Day 4
- This is the same as day 1 but in reverse. We will pack up camp and travel down to the cars. A quick gear sort will get us ready to head back to Seattle, where you can enjoy your first home-cooked meal in three days.
Transportation
All participants will be responsible for getting themselves to the pre-trip meeting. Kaf does not provide transportation for the outing; however, we recognize that transportation can be challenging. Once registered, Kaf will provide information regarding meeting times, locations, and any required parking permits. If interested in carpooling, we will orchestrate a meeting place between participants. (Covid regulations permitting)
Out-of-Town Participants
We recommend that anyone flying into Seattle arrive as early as possible on the day before the trip. We also recommend you do not book a return flight until late (red-eye) on the last day of the trip, or the following morning.
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- 18+ for adult courses or 16+ with consent from a guardian and Kaf approval
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Glacier Mountaineering Skills Course is required and included in the cost of the climb.
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- Snow and Glacier Camping
- Rope Management and Glacier Rigging
- Navigation, Map, and Compass
- Gear Packing and Equipment Choices
- Self-Arrest and Ice-Axe Technique, Crampons
- Snow and Glacier Camping
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- Professional instruction from full-time mountaineering instructors at a maximum of a 3:1 student-to-instructor ratio
- Passes and permits
- All group climbing gear
- All group camping and kitchen equipment
- Dinners and breakfasts while in the field
- Custom fundraising web page through Washington Trails Association, to help you meet your fundraising goal
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- Personal clothing, climbing, and personal camping gear
- Lunches, snacks, water carrying capacity
- Transportation is not included. Kaf will assist in organizing a carpool. See further details below.
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You will receive a full packing list following registration, but please feel free to contact us with any gear or equipment specific questions you have. A brief list of what you will need to provide for yourself:
- Personal climbing gear: Multi-day pack, helmet, harness, mountaineering boots, glacier rig, ice tools, and crampons
- Personal camping gear: Sleeping bag and sleeping pad
- Weather-appropriate clothing
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Transportation and times will be coordinated by email when the pre-trip announcement is sent to all registrants.
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Consider joining us for any of our other Mountaineering: Guided Climbs, and Ice Climbing: Beginner or Ice Climbing: Intermediate courses.
