Climbing Mount Rainier with a Guide Disappointment Cleaver Route

[@jonfye4160]

What dates were you climbing? I summited on 8/10/21 with RMI and the ladder crossing was pretty rickety that day.

[@HelenandTimTravel]

That’s awesome, Jon! Congrats! We were there the last weekend of July this past year. Last night, we actually just got a photo and video via email from another climber that was on a different rope team in our same expedition group. Will definitely share it! How was the experience going across the ladder? We were super bummed and definitely wanted to summit and experience the ladder 🤪

[@jonfye4160]

@@HelenandTimTravel kzbin.info/www/bejne/bIvVp2iLiNNkpMU here is a clip I took, total blast crossing a crevasse on a ladder.

[@HelenandTimTravel]

@@jonfye4160 great clip! Thanks for sharing! I’m sure others would love to see it as well. Congrats on the summit! Looks like amazing weather you got

[@dannydillon997]

Thank you for sharing you two, looks like so much fun. I will climb Rainer one day, love seeing what I'm in for, it looks like a really tough climb to that summit.

[@HelenandTimTravel]

It’s definitely worth the climb regardless of a summit. Definitely requires a lot of physical training before. Worth every bit of the type 2 fun 😆 Good luck! Excited for the day you go for it 🙌🏽🏔️

[@jimforbes9119]

I have been to Camp Muir 28 times. We used to climb on Mt Rainier using a wood and canvas pack, 5/8" manila rope (weighed a ton), wood handled ice axes, canvas tents and wore wool clothing (get wet and freeze to death). Leather boots. 70# pack was routine. No harness - just wrapped the rope 3 times around the waist. My first sleeping bag was rates to 32° if I wore 'street cloth' inside. The 1st time I slept at Muir I shivered all night! My last time to Muir I carried 16#s including a -20° sleeping bag. Slept well on a piece of plywood in that rock shed. I remember a winter day trip to muir with so few people on the Mt there were only 6 cars in the Paradise parking lot when I got down.

[@HelenandTimTravel]

Hiking to Camp Muir 28 times is very impressive! Thanks for sharing your story and experiences with us. Sounds like that mountain was a big part of you ❤️ It would be neat to have a Mount Rainier climbing museum displaying the timeline of gear people used to climb the mountain

[@KeepGoingPlaces]

Loved the video, y'all! Seeing Mt. Rainier from your vantage point near the summit makes us appreciate it so much more. The glaciers and crevasses are beautiful. There's no question that y'all would have made the summit if that ladder held. Looking forward to the next one!

[@HelenandTimTravel]

Thank you so much! It is a truly magical mountain with so much to offer. Maybe we will all need to make a trip back when you are in town next :) We hope to summit one day for sure.

[@bboypapilujeis]

Hello Tim and Helen What a great video, I'm doing the climb this August and this is probably the most informative video I've seen about the climb. I'll be going solo without my wife and hiking partner so it'll be different. I'm so glad I found your video and channel. I'll be watching your video multiple times and taking notes since I already saw some things that I hadn't thought about. I might also be sending some questions your way about the climb if you don't mind. Thanks again Luis and Jen in Delaware Lujeis Adventures

[@HelenandTimTravel]

Thanks so much! That’s super exciting! You’re going to have a great time. When you say solo?…with a guide service or on your own? Happy to answer any questions you have and send a copy of the provided packing list if you’re interested. We are excited to you! Feel free to shoot us an email [e-mail] or submit them to the contact form on helenandtimtravel.com

[@HelenandTimTravel]

You can also drop your questions here too of course. Whatever is easiest for you 😊👍🏽

[@bboypapilujeis]

Solo meaning without my wife who's my hiking partner. I'm going with RMI. That's why this video is so awesome

[@HelenandTimTravel]

@@bboypapilujeis you’re going to have a good time and have awesome stories to share with your wife 🥾let us know what questions you might have! Good luck on your training too! It’s one of the most difficult hikes we’ve done but so rewarding

[@bboypapilujeis]

@@HelenandTimTravel the list of items needed that you showed on your video, did you get that prior to your climb or on the first day?

[@easygoer1234]

I just discovered your channel. You guys are an adorable couple. Not to mention that your experienced and very confident. Which really helps to inspire those who may not be as sure of themselves. Thanks guys. Your awesome.

[@HelenandTimTravel]

Thanks so much! Glad you found us! Happy to have you here. We definitely have our days when we don’t feel as confident. Hope to share that more for sure 😆☺️Thanks for the kind words. We appreciate it so much!

[@4Dangert]

Wow! I summited with IMG in 2017. I got a shot of adrenalin and nervousness for you when I started watching this! Fantastic experience!

[@HelenandTimTravel]

We have heard people having great experiences with IMG too. Congrats on your summit. It was an awesome experience and we would do it again. Thanks for watching!

[@StavrosMitchelides]

This was so much fun to watch Helen! Brings me right back to running to Muir Base Camp in October 2018 when it was 78 degrees and sunny for a week straight; ran up and back in 5 hours, with an hour at the top to watch the sun set! Now I need to go back and do the last 4,000'!

[@HelenandTimTravel]

Thank you, Stavros! Glad you enjoyed watching the vlog. It is a really magical hike and the climb on the way to the summit is even more remarkable. That’s quite the time to make it up to Camp Muir! 5 hours! You are quite the endurance athlete!!! Yes, you need to go back and do the last 4k 👍🏽

[@WITYTRAVELS]

Wow, this video has opened up our eyes to a whole new world. Hiking is intense! We've done a few hikes while traveling but no where near this! It's interesting to see what all was packed and how what an expedition style hike looks like. Thanks for sharing and keep it up!

[@HelenandTimTravel]

Hope you were able to find some inspiration. Thanks for watching! We appreciate so much. It was a very intense hike and training months prior, but I think many are able to do this. The guides made our lives easier by teaching us the skills we needed to know and we had a lot of confidence in them. Excited to follow your adventures in Eastern Europe.

[@lukewt5950]

Another cool thing about Wildberry is that the owner had the faster time for an oxygen-assisted Everest summit for a while!

[@HelenandTimTravel]

We remember reading about that! We should’ve included in the video ☺️Appreciate the fun facts! Thanks for stopping by and watching 🏔

[@easygoer1234]

I just want to send one more comment. You guys have inspired me to try some climbing myself. Now I have to be honest, the only climbing I've done. ( I stood on a chair and changed all the light bulbs in my bathroom.) But I'm pretty active so I'm going to work hard for the next 2 years. And then hopefully I can find an experienced person to accompany me to the summit of MT Hood. Sense I live in Oregon I guess I'll start here. Wish me luck.

[@HelenandTimTravel]

So happy to hear that you are trying out climbing. It is definitely a humbling sport. What part of oregon do you live in? We recommend joining Oregon Hikers and Climbers group on Facebook and they often host events and/or people look for climbing partners and groups for hood climbs on there: m.facebook.com/groups/170993986695918/?ref=share&mibextid=jf9HGS

[@HelenandTimTravel]

We are so excited to share our first official vlog with you all. Thanks for stopping by 🥾🏔 Rainier was an amazing with RMI was a great experience! If you have questions, drop them below.

[@JimmyxMelanie]

Great first vlog! Have always wanted to summit one of the mountains up here but haven't done so bc of my busted knee lol. I'll just live vicariously through your vlogs lol.

[@HelenandTimTravel]

Thank you, Jimmy and Melanie. Sorry to hear about your knee. Hope you get to one of these days. Appreciate you following along in our adventures

[@jaygreer7430]

Great video! Well done!

[@HelenandTimTravel]

Thanks, Jay! So far one of our favs still. Appreciate you watching. We are about to head out next month for full time travel. Hope you join us for the ride ☺️🤙🏽🌎

[@cameronward9443]

I'm heading up Rainier with RMI end of may this upcoming year. Hope there is a plenty of snow :)

[@HelenandTimTravel]

We got a pretty heavy dumping of snow in the PNW so far this spring (just this last week) so likely there will be plenty of snow left. You’re going early season. Good luck on your climb! Let us know how it goes ☺️

[@littlebit725]

1. Your editing skills are great! 2. Woof to going up a glacier like that on 4 hours of sleep. Especially in the pitch dark. Super spooky at some of the parts I bet! 3. Sorry for the ending. Hopefully, you guys will be able to make the same hike again in better conditions (although I might not complain about an unseasonably warm hike myself). Great video you both!

[@HelenandTimTravel]

Thanks so much for the nice words. That really means a lot to hear that. It was an awesome adventure and we will definitely try again in the future…after some needed rest from the summer haha

[@marcclement7396]

Claimed it at age 15 with the well known Eric Simonson as our guide. Great memories!

[@HelenandTimTravel]

That’s awesome! What an incredible experience to have at 15. Congrats!

[@dannydillon997]

Great video here, love these stories

[@HelenandTimTravel]

Thanks, Dan! Glad you enjoyed it! ☺️🥾

[@kevin_englund]

Great video and hope you guys get the chance to go for it again soon. I'm hoping to make an attempt this June 😊 happy climbing!

[@HelenandTimTravel]

Thanks so much for watching! We hope to attempt it again in the future as well. Good luck for your summit attempt on June. Going to go with guide or climbing group?

[@kevin_englund]

@@HelenandTimTravel that's great! I'll be going with a group of 5 climbers, 3 of those have summited at least once without a guide, and everyone has at least a little experience.. I'm the least experienced, but had a great time climbing Adams and have been to Muir a couple times. Excited to learn from these guys!

[@HelenandTimTravel]

That’s awesome! We are excited for you. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[@EmilyandTom]

WHOAH! You guys are incredible - also your climbing stuff is so impressive haha. I'm so glad you guys got down safely - I'm sure it can be really scray and disappointing sometimes. Thanks so much for the vid guys!! You should be really proud of yourselves Em + Tom

[@HelenandTimTravel]

Thank you, Emily and Tom for tuning in! It was our favorite adventure this year so we couldn’t wait to share this as our first vlog. It can be disappointing to not summit sometimes, but safety is the most important for sure. We will check out your videos

[@EmilyandTom]

@@HelenandTimTravel thanks so much! We've subscribed to you guys also - can't wait to see more 😊

[@HelenandTimTravel]

@@EmilyandTom thanks so much for subscribing! Love how supportive the KZbin community is. We can’t wait to see more adventures from you too. Congrats to you both on getting started! That’s always the toughest part 😅

[@EmilyandTom]

@@HelenandTimTravel it's all about that support here! We really love this community 😊 it definitely has been such a journey to get started, and it's not easy in the slightest but we're having fun and that's the main thing 🙌 have a wonderful week guys!! E + T

[@kevnng1950]

Awesome video friends! Definitely getting that stoke for next summer!

[@HelenandTimTravel]

Thanks for checking out the video!! We love winter sports, but summer left way too quickly 😩

[@Roadmap2Adventures]

Wow what an amazing adventure! Those views were incredible. Great video! 👏 Daniel also does the driving & I fall asleep in the car so we totally related to that! 😂 We look forward to following your future adventures !

[@HelenandTimTravel]

It was so much fun! Definitely hard works such beautiful scenery everywhere. Mount Rainier is one of our favorite national park. Haha! Yay for sleeping in the car. Look forward to following yours too!

[@carlosmoreno9094]

Thank you for sharing. Pretty nice narration 🏔

[@HelenandTimTravel]

Thanks, Carlos! We are still finding our style. Trying to balance narration and music. Appreciate the kind words

[@EJS1970]

Husband was in Tacoma Mountain Rescue for 25 years and bad taken people up Mt rainier many times. Not something I want to do however

[@HelenandTimTravel]

Thank your husband for us! Takes a special and brave person to do that 👏

[@briAction]

Amazing footage, sorry you didn't make the summit. Luckily the mountain isn't going anywhere for a while.

[@HelenandTimTravel]

Thank you! We enjoyed capturing the journey. It was a bummer, but you’re right, we will definitely try again someday. We still have a good climb on Rainier

[@adamwilson8559]

Great video. The guide in the blue shirt who told you about Tahoma - he was Yakama, yeah? I am a member of a mountain rescue team in Yakima, WA and would love to get in contact with him. There aren't many Yakama mountaineers and it would be great to meet up! Thanks.

[@HelenandTimTravel]

Thanks, Adam! Cal was a great guide and he is Yakama. Send us an email [e-mail] or DM us on IG @helenandtimtravel and we can try and connect you. We have his RMI email, but that’s if he is still with the organization. Cheers!

[@SchoandJo]

Congratulations guys on your accomplishment of climbing Mount Rainier (even with a pivot at the end)! Loved the information you included about the native tribes that lived there - it was really interesting! What hiking shoes were you climbing in before your Alpine shoes? How much was the trip with RMI Guides, if you don't mind us asking? Did RMI Guides give you a training plan so you knew which hikes would be most beneficial to prepare yourselves before the big hike?

[@HelenandTimTravel]

Thank you! It was a fantastic hike and one of the toughest climbs yet. We were definitely bummed since we felt so good throughout the entire hike. We hiked with our Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX Hiking Boots and changed into Lowa Alpine GTX Mountaineering Boots once we got to the Muir snowfield on the ascent. Our trip cost was around $1200 USD per person for a 4 day program (likely higher in cost now, this was the price 2 years ago), does not include lodging except for the one night on the mountain, which we got to stay in RMI's bunkhouse before the summit attempt. They did give us a training plan up to 6 to 12 months out, but we also created our own happy to give you our own training regime we used to prepare. They didn't recommend specific hikes, but they recommend long hikes with elevation gain are super beneficial to prepare, anything over 8 miles with 2 to 6k of elevation gain and to carry weight 20 to 30 pounds on those hikes. Great questions!

[@mariaorozcoramirez792]

Beautiful 👍🏻👍🏻

[@HelenandTimTravel]

It was an awesome experience 🏔

[@SarahSafar-me2zh]

Hello, I will be climbing this next year 2024 in March. I am so nervous because I am doing this solo. 😢

[@HelenandTimTravel]

You got this! Definitely a hard, but worthwhile adventure. Will you be going with a guide service?

[@SarahSafar-me2zh]

@@HelenandTimTravel Yes, with RMI

[@HelenandTimTravel]

@@SarahSafar-me2zh you’ll be in great hands 😉 Have an awesome time and let us know how it goes. Would love to hear about your Mount Rainier climb!

[@dankerns171]

Thank You love our #PNW

[@HelenandTimTravel]

We love the PNW so much! Going to miss it as we leave for full time travel this next week.

[@turnerj456]

I am doing this in June with RMI and I am trying to figure out where to stay. How far is Whitaker Bunkhouse from where you started the days activities with RMI?

[@HelenandTimTravel]

That’s awesome! Good luck on your training. The bunkhouse is 45 mins from the park entrance but RMIs basecamp and offices are right next to Whittaker Bunkhouse. RMI provides a daily shuttle to the park with your climbing team to train and on summit day, so staying at Whitaker Bunkhouse would be the most convenient. Let us know if you have any other questions

[@turnerj456]

@@HelenandTimTravel awesome, thank you so much! I'm excited about this trip.

[@HelenandTimTravel]

Let us know how it goes!

[@turnerj456]

We were stopped at Camp Muir due to a weather system moving in

[@HelenandTimTravel]

Awe, that’s a big bummer 😕 Definitely disappointing with weather that we can’t control.

[@alexdonoho7044]

Hello, other then at camp muir, where would you use the bathroom during the climb as a female?

[@HelenandTimTravel]

Hello Alex! Good question!☺️🚽 There is a bathroom at the paradise visitor center at the beginning and end of the climb. On the mountain, you will have to just go in the woods (below tree line) or out in the open especially when you are on the upper mountain. Since you will be roped up with your team above Muir, the guide will either disconnect you if you’re in a safe to go, and can go do your business in the distance, and your team(s) will look away. But most of the time you need to wait until it’s a safe area/at a rest break. The guides carry blue bags and you also carry blue bags in the case you need to go #2 since you have to leave no trace and carry it off the mountain. Def not as easy as a female, but people are mindful. Let me know if you have other questions. Recommend the kula cloth for going #1 so you don’t have to carry toilet paper -Helen

[@HelenandTimTravel]

Just wanted to make sure you got my reply. Good luck! Are you climbing soon? Let us know if you have other questions.

[@linneabaza7341]

Love this video! So amazing! How much did the trip cost with prep and training included?

[@HelenandTimTravel]

Thank you! The cost for the 4 day climb with RMI was around 1,300 USD (now it’s listed at 1,500) per person and did not include meals, lodging for the first two nights, as well as buying or renting the gear (the guide service offers rentals). Only had to pay a deposit to reserve a spot (6 to 9 months in advance) and remainder was due 3 months out. It is pricey, but we had a year to save for it. Plus you get peace of mind for obtaining the climbing permit, a place to sleep on the mountain, and professional guide services that are top notch! Cost includes 4 days, instruction for mountaineering day school to cover the skills, transportation is included between Mount Rainier and guide service basecamp. We started training 6 months prior to the climb. We did 4 training hikes and month and did endurance/weight training at home 4 to 5 days per week and incorporated a rest day or two with yoga and stretching. We originally had the climb planned in summer 2020 but was cancelled and reschedule to 2021. For more info: www.rmiguides.com/mt-rainier/4-day-summit-climb/itinerary

[@linneabaza7341]

@@HelenandTimTravel Thank you!!

[@HelenandTimTravel]

@@linneabaza7341 you’re welcome! Happy to reach out anytime with any questions. Feel free to DM us at instagram.com/helenandtimtravel or email [e-mail]

[@dancoursey5447]

What size packs were you carrying?

[@HelenandTimTravel]

We are both carrying our 35 L Gregory packs. But they were not full. Here is a link if you are interested in the size amzn.to/3Uen6ET

[@jackyyang4557]

did you apply for the filming permit

[@HelenandTimTravel]

We filmed this video in the summer of 2021 when the ruling for a permit was temporarily reversed, so at the time, we didn't need a permit at the time, but now as of 2023 it has now been put back into place. Here is a helpful video that explains the filming in national parks: kzbin.info/www/bejne/anbbcmSiatOMqMk. Also, there are a lot of news articles on the new ruling effective Oct 28th 2022. This is information directly on the nps website: www.nps.gov/aboutus/news/commercial-film-and-photo-permits.htm

[@3lcarot]

How expensive is this?

[@HelenandTimTravel]

We did the 4 day climb. Here is the link to RMI’s 4 day Mount Rainier Climb. The prices since we have climbed have increased a bit since we signed up to climb in 2021. Hope this helps! www.rmiguides.com/mt-rainier/4-day-summit-climb

[@3lcarot]

@@HelenandTimTravel thanks allot

[@HelenandTimTravel]

You’re welcome!

[@justmagen5676]

Helen, what pack did you use?

[@HelenandTimTravel]

Hello Magen! 🎒My backpacking bag is the Gregory Ariel 60 plus. I linked the bad in the description or you can also search REI. Recommend it for multi day backpacking. Let me know if you have any other questions -Helen

[@eliasdax3910]

why do they start climbing so early?😅

[@HelenandTimTravel]

It’s so early! It was a struggle for sure. 😆 They start climbing so early because the conditions are best. It’s best to climb glaciated mountains before the sun hits the slopes and melts the ice. Both safety reasons and due to warming temperatures. ☀️🧊🏔

[@pieterveenders9793]

For a multitude of reasons, mostly safety-related. In the summer mountaineering season it's foten standard practice to travel and climb during the night because that's when its coldest (generally below zero degrees, depending on which mountains and altitude you're at). The temperature being below zero degrees aka freezing is very important because; - rocks/boulders will remain frozen in place, as will seracs (large, solid masses of compacted snow & ice), its mostly the end of the morning and into the afternoon when they come crashing down, because the hours of warmth from the bright sun will have weakened the snow and ice that kept them in place. - snow and ice will be much harder and stronger, and as a result the risk of falling into a crevasse is considerably lower because the layer of snow covering and/or bridging any crevasses can bear a lot more weight before it collapses. - any protection you place in snow or ice will be considerably stronger, both because the lower night temperature makes snow/ice itself a lot stronger, but also because snow/ice protection is always made out of aluminium or steel and will heat up in the sun and soften or even melt the snow/ice its placed in. - and lastly, its a lot easier and quicker to cover terrain at night because you can actually walk on top of the snow layer, instead of partially sinking in and wasting a lot of energy that way. During the day the sun's warmth will often turn the snow into a soft, wet slush, which ends up sticking to your boots and crampons, making them considerably heavier and thus also draining a lot of energy that way. So not only is it much more energy efficient to travel at night, thanks to the snow generally being frozen, but the secondary consequence is that if you have to pass through a (potentially) dangerous area, such as a gully that is prone to rockfall, you can do it in much less time and thus be exposed to danger for much less time as well.

[@Thekennel177]

Don’t forget your cow bell.

[@HelenandTimTravel]

😆

[@tyronesmith3812]

Have you seen Mediocre Amateur's KZbin video from last month on climbing rainier and skiing emmons glacier start to finish in the same day? They went fast

[@HelenandTimTravel]

We have not! We will definitely check it out. Thanks for the recommendation. Sounds intense but really cool!

[@kelleyjohnson4044]

Y’all are more brave than me ❤️❤️❤️

[@HelenandTimTravel]

Doesn’t meant we don’t get nervous or scared 🙃 There were some hair raising moments for sure. Especially the part when we heard rockfall that happened right above us 😯

[@HelenandTimTravel]

Doesn’t meant we don’t get nervous or scared 🙃 There were some hair raising moments for sure. Especially the part when we heard rockfall that happened right above us 😯

[@diegoslinger1254]

Did you go with RMI Guides?

[@HelenandTimTravel]

We did go with RMI 😄Our summit climb was at the end of July this year. Let us know if you have any questions. Have a Happy New Year!

[@diegoslinger1254]

@@HelenandTimTravel i will go there in summer 2022

[@HelenandTimTravel]

That’s awesome! We are excited for you. Let us know how you like the climb. What month are you going and where are you traveling from?!

[@diegoslinger1254]

@@HelenandTimTravel going there with some dudes in July 2022

[@HelenandTimTravel]

@@diegoslinger1254 nice! Good luck on your climb.

[@leonardoendara8431]

The next step will The Andes, Cayambe 5600 metros the center of the world.

[@HelenandTimTravel]

Thanks for the recommendation! We have added this area to our list ☺️

[@patrickprice3230]

I'm bringing homemade burritos...no granola here.

[@HelenandTimTravel]

Yum! That sounds perfect for summiting mountains. I wish we had brought homemade burritos. Are you climbing Rainier this year?