Family Trip up Mt. Rainier

Dad Jokes wrote:

Alright, finally getting to weighted hikes.  Hit the Manitou Incline yesterday with 24lbs for me 22lbs for the 16 yo, 12 lbs for the 14 yo, and 8 lbs for the 12 year old.  53 1/2 minutes to the top (1925ft elevation gain over 0.87 miles if you're not familiar with the Manitou Incline).  

Next question is which way should we push training from here...more weight (12 yo only weighs 70lbs, so probably will top out at 15lbs/20% body weight for him), more distance, more time, more altitude, or which combination of these?

Man, the Manitou is brutal!

I lived in Colorado Springs for 2.5 years and did it 3 times.  So hard!

I would not push more weight on the kiddos, esp at those ages.

You could definitely work up the weight for yourself to 40 pounds or so in my opinion.

If you live in Colorado, you need to be humping long miles at altitude with packs.

Rainier is mostly a suffer-fest and not very technical.

Hit those 14ers with the packs and knock a bunch out.  That will help you soooo much!

Felt great to get Rainier permits this morning.  1st night at Muir, 2nd and 3rd, in case we wait for weather, nights at Ingraham Flats.  Kids about done with spring sports means it's time to get back to the weekend climbs through the melting snow, gear testing, and check out FOTH from the library for the second time this spring.

Dad Jokes wrote:

Regarding our Baker guide experience, the implication of the weather being in the clear 5 hours later is that summiting the next day would have been a better option not ascending at the wring time of day, just would have meant a day of playing cards in the tent while it rained.  The "wait a day" was within the trip duration but never offered as an option by the guides.

Appreciate the team order recommendations from Allen and Gee.  I'll be running the same question past our mountain school instructors next month and see if they concur or have other thoughts.

Private guides other than the 3 concessionaire contracts are not allowed on Rainier.  However, we'll definitely appreciate the route support and information available from the guided groups and NPS rangers out of Camp Muir. Also, I think we will try to camp at Muir for the pit toilets (one female climber in the group).

Sorry to cram bunch in a single post but there seems to be a daily limit on post numbers...is inappropriate to tip guides that provide recommendations, route-building services, etc even if they aren't hired?  What is a good range?

Dad Jokes – Psyched to see all the progress and prep you’re putting in! Securing permits is always an exciting milestone and really makes the trip feel real.

As for guides, when I’ve led trips on Rainier (operating under a CUA permit as a non-concessionaire), we’re typically allotted a six-day window. With a well-prepared team, that usually allows for 2–3 weather contingency days, which can be key to a successful summit. Definitely something worth asking guide services about when exploring options in the future.

Compensation: It’s totally reasonable to pay others for professional services. Folks will vary in rate, but think of it like any other professional consulting service.

Keep up the solid training— seems like you’re on track!

My wife and I came up through the local Mountaineers classes. They had full weekends digging snow caves, ice ax arresting with and without ropes and crampons. Later we took turns lowering into crevasses and z-pulling each other out . Then we signed up for Mountaineer trips up Hood, Baker and Adams. The shorter glaciated peaks honed our skills for our final goal of Rainier which I did in January with 3 friends. What you are planning is admirable and on the DC route, with a good weather and crowds of climbers, probably be fine. Be aware though that Rainier makes its own weather and it can get very icy with extremely high winds and whiteouts. You have a lovely family. You all might be just as happy summiting Adams or Hood. For context, I’ve skied on the mountain my whole life, my kids have also climbed and skied from the summit. A friend is in upper management there so we hear  about all the accidents. Sorry if I sound like negative Nancy. You’ll probably be fine. 

Dad Jokes wrote:

Felt great to get Rainier permits this morning.  1st night at Muir, 2nd and 3rd, in case we wait for weather, nights at Ingraham Flats.  Kids about done with spring sports means it's time to get back to the weekend climbs through the melting snow, gear testing, and check out FOTH from the library for the second time this spring.

That’s a reasonable itinerary. I’ve guided Rainer via DC a number of times. We always hiked to Moon Rocks (below Camp Muir) day one, Ingraham Flats day two. Day three we would hang out to acclimate, before the midnight alpine start summit attempt. Summit at sunrise on day 4, back to camp, rest for a hour, hike out.

That rest day at Ingraham Flats always made a huge difference for people. I’ve had people really suffering when we reach 11k, yet after a day of rest and hydration they summit. If July weather is favorable, don’t be afraid to relax, hydrate, and enjoy the views.

Best of luck to you all! I’ll be working a few weeks in the North Cascades early July. Always enjoy my time in the PNW.