IMG Mt. Rainier Mountain School

Mount Rainier is a classic training ground for both novice and expert climbers alike. Its easy access to glaciers and crevasses make it an efficient place to practice crevasse rescue and other glacier travel skills.

This program gives novice climbers the opportunity to learn necessary skills to climb in glaciated terrain. Skills include: ice axe self-arrest, cramponing, rope travel, snow anchor building, rope ascension, and crevasse rescue. With these skills, climbers should be a confident and capable rope team member when climbing in glaciated terrain.

Prerequisites

This program is great for novice climbers looking to take their first step into mountaineering and for experienced climbers looking to further their skills. While this program is suited for novice climbers, all participants must be in good physical condition. To reach the training areas, the team will have to ascend some distance on hilly terrain.

Additional Training

For those that want to add a Mount Rainier summit attempt to their training, IMG offers a 6½ day climb of the Disappointment Cleaver with our Glacier Skills Seminar. This program starts with three days on the Paradise glacier completing skills modules. These modules include: ice axe self-arrest, cramponing, rope travel, belaying and repelling, snow anchor building, and crevasse self-rescue/team rescue. After three days of in-depth training, the team will move to Camp Muir and is able to use their skills with a climb of Mount Rainier via the standard DC route.

For those looking to extend their stay in the mountains and gain some extra climbing experience, consider our Baker Rainier Seminar which combines two iconic Washington volcano climbs, Mt. Baker and Mt. Rainier. This program includes in-depth training, more time for acclimatization, and the opportunity to warm-up on the lower Mt. Baker before tackling Mt. Rainier.