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56 Posts |
Posted - 07/30/2002 : 10:17 AM
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Hi all. I'm a first time mountaineerer and am hoping to do Ranier at the end of August. I was hoping you guys could share some info about this particular jaunt and also any pearls of wisdom to help me on my way. Thanks!
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 opinionated-stove huggin'-fleece wearin'-arse burnin' hill virgin
Here
Canada
4642 Posts |
Posted - 07/30/2002 : 10:28 AM
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What experience do you have? What route do you plan on taking?
First time mountaineers should not be on that mountain.
See you on the mountain! |
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Castlegar, B.C.
Canada
1249 Posts |
Posted - 07/30/2002 : 1:26 PM
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I think you should contact someone state side, who will upon hearing your experience...will first chuckle, and then advise you to get extra medical insurance and life insurance. 
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New Westminster, BC
Canada
955 Posts |
Posted - 07/30/2002 : 1:44 PM
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hehehe, yeah, they're both right. I was on the Nisqually Glacier last year, and trust me, it's hell. Mount Rainier is not a good place for any beginner. But then again, it could depend on how much experience you have.
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opinionated-stove huggin'-fleece wearin'-arse burnin' hill virgin
Here
Canada
4642 Posts |
Posted - 07/30/2002 : 3:18 PM
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I have been known to play on both Mt. Baker and Mt. Rainier and I still feel woefully inadequate to make any summit attempts without an experienced guide.
See you on the mountain! |
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56 Posts |
Posted - 07/31/2002 : 8:05 PM
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Well you've all persuaded me against Ranier! What would you suggest for a first timer like me? I'm not looking for any technical rock, just snow (sortof like Ranier, but smaller I guess) Thanks.
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New Westminster, BC
Canada
955 Posts |
Posted - 07/31/2002 : 11:28 PM
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I recommend lower Mt. Baker, if you're going for Washington. I wouldn't go on any glaciers yet, but the permanent snowfields on Mt. Baker would be great. I went there a lot since it's 2 hours away from Vancouver. Otherwise, I don't go to Washington state often, but I know some great places in BC though.
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Castlegar, B.C.
Canada
1249 Posts |
Posted - 07/31/2002 : 11:41 PM
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We all mean no offence I'm sure, but as we have all learned you must start small and work your way up before you know what your capabilities are.
No one wants to get hurt or killed doing any trip, Mt Rainer may be a goal for you one day....but take it one step at a time.
Did you know that 5 people have already died this year on Mt Rainier, and 78 have died since 1870.
Last year 11,678 people tried to summit Mt Rainer and only 5,171 did !..........Food for though isn't it.
You should join the B.C. Mountaineering Club and tag along with some of the more experienced guys before you even mention Mt Rainer again.
Their website is www.bcmc.ca
Good luck
Dave
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opinionated-stove huggin'-fleece wearin'-arse burnin' hill virgin
Here
Canada
4642 Posts |
Posted - 08/01/2002 : 12:49 AM
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Mt. Baker is a VERY dangerous mountain too. Several people die on this mountain every year.
I also suggest you take a course first. Canada West Mountain School courses are really good. Yamnuska and Alpine Ascents International are also very good but more pricey.
I started gaining my experience by playing up on the Helm Glacier up in Garibaldi. I practiced my technique in the winter up on Mt. Seymour and with more experienced friends on other winter trips. Later I was up on the Coleman Glacier on Mt. Baker and the Columbia Icefields. Now I really enjoy travelling across snow and ice pretty much anywhere although I am still a bit nervous with a lot of exposure.
See you on the mountain! |
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 Big pack hiker who sleeps with bears in tent and falls on slippery logs
Langley, BC
Canada
7647 Posts |
Posted - 08/01/2002 : 08:26 AM
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Speaking of Rainier, there was a show on its history last night on KCTS. Did anyone catch it? I only saw small bits of it as my wife wanted to watch something else. Doh!
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New Westminster, BC
Canada
955 Posts |
Posted - 08/01/2002 : 11:50 AM
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Gah! I missed it. Oh, well. Anyway, yeah, BC is a better place for mountaineering because the places are more accessible than in Washington. Yeah, Seymour's great, and so is the Helm Glacier. Golden Ears is great in the winter too. Garibaldi's great, and same as Tantalus Provincial Park, but there's only one trail to access the park. Those are fairly easy, but don't test the glaciers at the beginning. Try snowfields, which aren't so dangerous. Hey, could anyone check if the show on Rainier is gonna be aired again? I had no idea it was even on.
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Big pack hiker who sleeps with bears in tent and falls on slippery logs
Langley, BC
Canada
7647 Posts |
Posted - 08/01/2002 : 12:35 PM
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I poked around on their web site and found a link to the show. They note it on the web site as being aired in HDTV. The version I saw was just regular cable as far as I could tell. Here's the link to the show:
http://www.kcts.org/digital/hdtv/productions/rainier.asp
Also, you'll be happy to know that it is running several times. From what I saw of the show, I found it quite interesting. I enjoy hearing about the history of these mountains. Here's the schedule so you can plot out the best time for you:
http://www.kcts.org/seriesschedule.asp?N1=RATM
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adventure seeking, peak-bagging, high-enduring, strong and silent forest gnome
N49°09', W122°47'
Canada
3819 Posts |
Posted - 08/01/2002 : 3:37 PM
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Sounds interesting - going to have to tune in
I'd rather be hiking!  |
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Rmd, BC
Canada
1360 Posts |
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adventure seeking, peak-bagging, high-enduring, strong and silent forest gnome
N49°09', W122°47'
Canada
3819 Posts |
Posted - 08/01/2002 : 9:37 PM
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That is an awesome article, Spidergirl.
I can already feel the adrenaline - makes me want to try it myself (almost) lol
I'd rather be hiking! |
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Big pack hiker who sleeps with bears in tent and falls on slippery logs
Langley, BC
Canada
7647 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2002 : 03:02 AM
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Just saw the episode - the late night airing. It was a really good show. Highly recommend tuning in. Off to bed now! 
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372 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2008 : 08:21 AM
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| have climbed Rainier and also hiked the 150 km. Wonderland trail around the mountain. The Wonderland trail was the hardest of the two, and the scenery was 10 times better. |
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Mt. Ranier
