Our 3½ Day Ingraham Glacier/Disappointment Cleaver summit program is designed for those looking to experience the elite alpine world of Mount Rainier with a training-based approach. We maximize training by beginning the program with a half-day instructional orientation at IMG's Headquarters in Ashford, WA, just outside Rainier National Park. The training continues on the mountain during the ascent. Our program has more training and time to acclimatize than the typical 2-day climbing program, giving you the opportunity to enjoy the majestic alpine environment with your climbing team.

Plan on meeting at IMG HQ at 2:00PM for your half-day orientation on Day 1 of your program.

IMG is offers Custom 3½ Day Disappointment Cleaver programs on Mt. Rainier. For you and up to 8 total participants, IMG will put together a program to suit your needs. The trip cost includes the fees for up to 8 climbers. This is a program well suited to those seeking a unique experience.

Plan on meeting at IMG HQ at 2:00PM for your half-day orientation on Day 1 of your program.

Our 4½ Day Ingraham Glacier/Disappointment Cleaver summit program is designed for those looking to experience the elite alpine world of Mount Rainier with a training-based approach. This program gives climbers an opportunity to practice glacial climbing skills such as cramponing, ice axe arrest, and rope team travel before beginning the climb itself. The benefits are three-fold: maximizing learning, easing into the climb, and opening opportunities for more advanced training, or exploring the massive glaciers of Mt. Rainier during the remainder of the program. Climbing Rainier's Disappointment Cleaver route is well suited to beginners and experts alike, and has served as a training grounds for much bigger climbs, from Denali to Everest and everything in between.

Plan on meeting at IMG HQ at 2:00PM for your half-day orientation on Day 1 of your program.

The 5½ Day Emmons Glacier Summit Climb is an excellent basic mountaineering training program. It's perfect for anyone desiring a slower paced summit experience in a more remote alpine environment, away from the bigger crowds found on the South side of the mountain. The focus of this group climb is on glacier skills training, self-sufficiency and teamwork. While suitable for a beginner climber, this climb is more physically demanding than the standard 3½ Day Summit Climb due to the heavier loads, the longer distance traveled, and lower-elevation start. All group equipment is carried by the team, resulting in an average pack weight of about 45-55 pounds. The Emmons Route incorporates significant roped glacier travel, which the team prepares and trains for each day during the approach to Camp Schurman. Despite being longer than our other novice-level climbs on Mt. Rainier, this route is popular due to its consistently moderate snow and relatively few objective hazards. The Emmons Route is a great choice if you are looking for a more complete mountain experience, training as a team on a less frequented route on the largest glacier in the lower 48 States.

Plan on meeting at IMG HQ at 2:00PM for your half-day orientation on Day 1 of your program.

The Glacier Skills Seminar is one of IMG's comprehensive training programs combined with a summit attempt via the Disappointment Cleaver Route. It is designed as an in-depth skills and training seminar for climbers looking to develop a greater depth of climbing skills. This program provides excellent hands-on training to prepare climbers for any of the big, high-altitude, glaciated, technical peaks such as those found in Alaska, South America, the Himalayas and elsewhere. This Seminar provides a program on Mount Rainier in expedition fashion, working its way up from camp to camp, teaching you the fundamentals of expedition climbing, eventually putting the team in position to summit. This program incorporates the Mountaineering Day School, Advanced Mountaineering Day School, and Crevasse Rescue School into the course curriculum. Training and skills sessions include anchors, self and team crevasse rescue, ice climbing, route finding, glacier travel and fixed line ascension. The seminar is specifically scheduled for mid-summer to capitalize on firmer snow conditions and more exposed crevasses for glacier training. A summit attempt is included at the end of the seminar.

Plan on meeting at IMG HQ at 2:00PM for your half-day orientation on Day 1 of your program.

IMG's 7 Day Mt. Baker/Mt. Rainier Training Seminar is one of IMG's comprehensive training programs, combining a summit attempt of Mt. Baker followed by a summit attempt of Mt. Rainier via the Disappointment Cleaver Route. The initial training and experience gained on Mt. Baker sets our climbers up for success when attempting the bigger and more challenging Disappointment Cleaver Route on Mt. Rainier. Choose this program if you'd like to maximize your training over the course of two summit attempts on two of the most iconic peaks in Washington. This program incorporates the curriculum typically taught during our Mt. Baker/Mt. Rainier climbs as well as the curriculum included in our Mountaineering Day School and Advanced Mountaineering Day School. Training and skills sessions include anchors, self and team crevasse rescue, ice climbing, route finding, glacier travel and fixed line ascension. The first 3 days are conducted on the Easton Route of Mt. Baker. The morning of Day 4 will be reserved for transportation on your own to IMG HQ in Ashford, WA, while the afternoon half-day training at IMG HQ in Ashford, WA. Days 5-7 will be conducted as a summit attempt on Mt. Rainier.

Plan on meeting at 8:00AM at the Ranger Station in Sedro-Wooley on Day 1 of your program.

Spend the day with a guide to test out gear, ask questions, and get familiar with the rigors of ascending the Muir Snowfield — all with a light pack and low pressure. This program will include training on the use of full shank mountaineering boots (available for rent at IMG), carrying a pack comfortably, the rest step, pacing, pressure breathing, what to expect on a summit climb, tips and tricks to increase your efficiency, and plenty of Rainier knowledge and stories from your guide.

Meet at IMG Headquarters in Ashford at 7am.

A comprehensive introduction to climbing skills: knots, rope work, self-rescue, anchors, crevasse rescue. We believe this is the most comprehensive crevasse rescue course available in the U.S. The first day is conducted at Headquarters. The second day is conducted on the mountain. Participants are responsible for their own overnight lodging.

Meet at 8am at IMG Headquarters in Ashford.

The Kautz Glacier is an iconic intermediate climb that is more physically demanding and technically challenging than our novice routes. If you are fit and looking to push yourself physically and technically on a climb of Mt. Rainier, this program is for you. The Kautz Glacier Summit Climb is an excellent choice for people with a strong base of fitness who have done some previous climbing and are looking to hone their alpine skills while tackling a greater summit day challenge. The training curriculum for this trip is comprehensive, but previous cramponing practice on glacier ice is required.

Plan on meeting at IMG HQ at 2:00PM for your half-day orientation on Day 1 of your program.

Please note that pre-climb lodging is not included with this program, and you will be responsible for two nights of lodging on the nights of Day 1 and 2.

The Fuhrer Finger climb is a good choice for the climber with previous mountaineering experience looking to break into more advanced climbing. This climb will help any climber develop their skills through an advanced mountaineering training curriculum. This is a small group climb, limited to 4 climbers and 2 IMG guides. You can be assured that you'll receive the focus and attention from our premier guide staff throughout this program. This is a challenging climb that ascends the steep Fuhrer Finger Route, a direct line up the South side of the mountain. This program is far more remote than our other programs; it is normal to not encounter any other party on this route. The Fuhrer Finger itself is a chute that narrows down to a few hundred feet across, typically 40-50° in angle. Once above the "Finger," the upper mountain climbs steeply up along the Wilson Headwall (often including a short section of 60° snow and ice) to 13,500 feet before the glacier angles back to a more typical 30° slope. Hazards on this route include the potential for rock or icefall; we climb the exposed part of the chute rapidly to avoid prolonged exposure. The flexible 5-day program curriculum allows enough time to train and complete the climb comfortably, but if you have not climbed on steeper glacier or ice slopes before, we strongly recommend choosing another route as your first attempt of Mt. Rainier. If you have experience and are looking for something physically challenging, a chance to improve your technical skills and a smaller group climb, then the Fuhrer Finger route is an excellent program.

Plan on meeting at IMG HQ at 2:00PM for your half-day orientation on Day 1 of your program.

Our 4-day intensive Denali Expedition Prep Seminar delivers training focused on preparation for an IMG expedition to Denali or other high altitude peaks. Get the best possible training necessary to participate in an expedition to Denali including ice axe arrest, cramponing, sled rigging and hauling, expedition camps, snow shelters, snow anchors, crevasse rescue and fixed ropes. This program is equally useful for those looking for a good introductory winter training seminar. IMG recommends a Denali Expedition Prep Seminar for all prospective Denali Climbers.

Whether you are new to exploring the mountains during the winter or want to freshen up on your snow and avalanche skills, you'll find topics covered in this course tailored to the backcountry recreationist. This curriculum meets and exceeds all guidelines put forth by the American Avalanche Association's Education Committee for an Avalanche Level 1 course.

February 8 and 9: evening online video-call; February 10 and 11: in-the field