r/MtRainier

Headed to the park this coming weekend of Aug 22 and planning on hiking to Camp Muir. We’ve been monitoring mountain forecast and see chances of showers on Saturday so may bump it to Sunday/Monday when clearer. But my biggest concern is just in regard to current conditions on the snowfield.

I did read a WTA report from 8/15 that just said the snowfield was crappy and slushy with some blue ice, but didn’t mention any crevasse crossings. However, I haven’t found much else than that and am wondering if this time of year is just not a good time to go for hikers with relatively less experience assessing snow/ice conditions, given that reports/reddit posts from late August 2021-2024 show it being more sketchy?

We will be starting super early so the snowpack is relatively solid. We have crampons/poles/gps and feel comfortable with walking on the snowfield but are otherwise not super experienced mountaineers (have not practiced crevasse rescue, serious self arrests idk) so not sure if we should wait until next year for conditions to be better, or if we are OK To go as long as it’s a bluebird day.

Any thoughts appreciated!

I’m planning to visit mt rainier next week. What do i need to know before i go? we were also planning to just sleep in our car if possible.

Also, if it is full, looking for some great more “designated“ dispersed camping, like maybe has some picnic tables, fire rings, etc. Absolutely no intention of a fire, just for the feel of it being more of a people camp here. My friend I am going with is feeling pretty anxious about not having a set plan of where we will be camping/ the idea of dispersed camping. We are coming from out of state (just Oregon) and neither have been around this area before.

Also, I see quite a bit of black bears… what are the chance we might see one camping or along a hike? I’ve already been doing some research on necessary precautions. While I’ve hiked and camped quite a lot, I have never ran into any wild animals, so while I think it would be insanely cool to see one (at a ‘safe’ distance), I am also nervous about the idea.

TIA 🙏🏼🙏🏼

Hi everyone! I’m planning to visit Mt. Rainier during the last week of August. I’ve been following the Sunrise Fire and am a little concerned about smoke and air quality.

For those who are local or have been there recently, would you recommend keeping the trip as planned, or would it be better to postpone? How bad can the smoke/air quality get around Sunrise and the main hiking areas?

I know conditions can change quickly, but I’d appreciate any advice or recent experiences. Thanks!

https://www.nps.gov/mora/learn/news/fire.htm

https://app.watchduty.org/i/113530

We are planning to enter the park from the south side from Longmire tomorrow evening around 4PM. Should we skip this trip or will it be fine?

I'm 17 and I've been hiking my entire life. I've been fascinated by mountaineering my whole life but never had the chance to get started. My hiking experience is a ton of hikes in the White Mountains, Half Dome, and a winter camping trip with my dad last winter. It wasn't quite mountaineering, but it was steep, all on snow, with microspikes, and some weight in my pack. I had the idea today of booking a last-minute solo trip to Washington and doing a guided summit of Rainier. I know it's a super long shot, but I've never tried to do something spontaneous like that. I'd have to fly, probably from Hartford, get transport to and from the park, and get a guide for the peak. Does anyone have advice on how to do this, and not make it cost a fortune? I know it's gonna be expensive, but I'm seeing guides for $3000. I really want to do this. This would let me chase my dreams, maybe impress this girl I'm really into, and give me an experience that really feels like it's mine. I've struggled off and on with my mental health in the last year and I really want to just make a decision to leave my hometown and follow my dreams. All thoughts are appreciated