- Ages 16+
- All levels
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 the Washington Trails Association
Washington’s highest peak truly earns its place as one of the pinnacles of American mountaineering glory. Standing 14,411 feet, Rainier is the second-highest mountain in the lower 48 and tallest peak in Washington state. This mountain remains the ultimate goal on many climbers’ bucket lists.
This year, we’ll be attempting the summit of Mount Rainier via the Emmons Glacier route. The four-day climb will take place July 21st-24th, 2024. This opportunity requires previous glacial mountaineering experience. Whether you’ve climbed with Kaf or another organization, self-arrest, roped mountaineering, and crampon use are mandatory skills.
Fundraising for a Cause, and Skills to Last a Lifetime
Kaf Adventures has partnered with the Washington Trails Association (WTA). In participating in our charity Mt. Rainier 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. Your tax-deductible fundraising total will go straight to Washington Trails Association’s mission to preserve, enhance, and promote hiking opportunities in Washington state. You will be required to raise $1500 for Washington Trails Association in addition to your climbing fees. A representative from the WTA will provide you with a fundraising toolkit and webpage to help you stay on target and meet your goals. We encourage you to raise these funds to help build community awareness for the WTA mission.
Total cost for 2024 is $3205.
Tuition for the climb is $1705
WTA Donation is $1500 (or more!)
A 50% deposit for the Kaf portion is due upon registration, with the total due 30 days prior to the climb. The $1500 fundraising portion is due to the WTA by December 31st, 2024.
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This is a four-day course with a mandatory online pre-trip meeting before the course start date.
All participants are required to attend a pre-trip meeting with their guide to go over equipment, check 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, a few days before a course and your guide team 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. Our climbing permit will waive any park entrance reservation requirement. 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. You’ll begin by traveling to Mount Rainier National Park’s Sunrise trailhead first, then pack your bags. We’ll rest that evening at Camp Curtis.
Day 2
- Your second day will begin as a travel day as we head to high camp. Once we arrive, we’ll work on skills. 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 civilization, 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.
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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Below is a list of essential mountaineering skills that will be practiced on our climb. Please be sure to have familiarity with the following topics:
- Snow and Glacier Camping
- Team Communication and Group Dynamics
- Self-Arrest and Ice-Axe Technique, Crampon Use
- Rope Management and Glacier Rigging
- Navigation, Map and Compass Skills
- Gear Packing and Equipment Choices
- 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 Experiences and Ice Climbing or Rock Climbing courses.