Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Mt Rainer Accident

I just saw news regarding climbers caught in blizzard climbing Mt Rainer, and apparently there has been an associasted death. But news is very sketchy. Does anyone know of a message board for Rainer similar to this one?

Try looking on Summitpost

Summitpost thread.

Seattle Times article.

KOMO News article.

Thanks

It's always sad when there is a loss of life on the mountain.

They were only out for a day hike.

This is another example of why we have to be prepared for all weather conditions while in the mountains.

I can now only hope that they get the other two down safe.

Here is the thread at Cascadeclimbers.com:

Rainier Death

This is the blog of the chief climbing ranger and SAR director, nothing there, yet:

Gator's blog and info site

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004472256_hikers12m.html rainier update

We were up in that area this past weekend. Drove up to the Paradise trailhead on sat., did Mt Si on sunday, wanted to do Tolmie Peak but winter hasn't relinquished its hold yet It was socked in most of the weekend. Local news says this is the coolest and wettest June the Seattle area has had in a long time. Sad story from Muir Camp/ Anvil Rock area. Attached link has an update on the three climbers. Friday update

It is the coolest June since, I believe, 1917. It has been incredibly gray - sun did come out today. And today, we biked up to REI where I got my trail's pass/national park pass. The Federal Info center is at the REI store. Looking through their reports of trails - most are still snow bound including ones on the dryer, eastside. Mt Si is finally snow free.

The Rainier death was tragic. As everyone who frequents this board knows - winter can come at anytime on big mountains. I know a lot of folks are reconsidering what they take along on DAY hikes. I recall a number of years ago, on July 4th weekend, folks at the lower Rainier campgrounds were shocked and freezing when snow hit at around 2,200 feet.

But June out here, or up here, depending on perspective, has never been a reliable month nor is it anything like Summer which June generally is in other parts of the country. Summer may arrive sometime, as usual, a week or so after July 4th - that is apparently when the Jet Stream finally settles in.

Climb, hike and DAY hike with care, everyone.

Congratulations! Sounds like you had a tremendous climb. Here's to many more!
-L

Sounds like you had a great trip MB.
I remember having to run from ice/rock falling from the same area,amazing how fast you can move with help from adrenalin. After the descent and having a beer at RMI base camp, Pete Whitaker heard of the av from a guide, I saw the look of distress in his eyes when he said thats the same area! Later I read of the tragedy of 1981, very sad story.
Rainier is one big mountain.

I've hiked up to Camp Muir many times at different months of the year. These people WERE NOT experienced mountaineers if they went up in early June without gear that would enable them to stay out overnight "safely". They got a late start, in my opinion, particularly not allowing much time for the descent. They should have at least had a shelter in their pack to deflect the rain/snow and a stove. Spread amongst 3 people it would have been negligable weight. Weather can be sudden on Rainier at any time but early June is still early season in my book and if it was raining to start, it would be very likely that deterioration would occur in the evening.

But, it is still unfortunate to see these miscalculations occur, particularly for the families left behind.

mountainboy11

Congrats on your summit!!! Rainier can certainly be a foreboding mountain like so many great peaks can be. I climbed to C-Muir in May ‘07 to help me acclimatize for Whitney last June 9th (Whitney was with the one and only Moosie)! Started out with light clouds, warm weather (t-shirt) and no wind.

By the time we got to Muir; the clouds had engulfed us, wind had picked up, temps dropped drastically and it started to snow.

On the descent, there was very little visibility; could barely see 15’ in front of us. Didn't get down until 6 pm. We later heard that there were people who lost the trail and got down way after dark.


I met Peter Whittaker briefly (I was with a private group but we stayed at the Lou Whittaker's Bunkhouse Motel & Espresso). Would have enjoyed meeting his Dad. What stories he must tell.

I was set to climb Rainier July 5th with Dan Mazur’s Glacier School but it is postponed due to Dan breaking his leg in March. I look forward to getting on the mountain.

My heart goes out to the man who lost his life on Rainier last week, his wife, family and friends. The mountains we love so much can have such serious consequences.