– The Backcountry Ski Touring Blog
  • Avalanches
  • Gear Reviews
    • Ski Reviews
    • Boot Reviews
    • Binding Reviews
    • Snowboard Splitboard
    • Book Reviews
    • Avalanche Beacon Reviews
    • Airbag Backpacks
    • Backcountry Electronics
    • Misc Gear Reviews
  • Podcast
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Ski Touring Basics
    • Boot Fitting
    • Fitness & Health
    • Gear Mods
  • Trip Reports
    • Fourteeners
    • Huts – Cabins – Lodges
    • Denali McKinley
    • 8,000 Meter Skiing
  • Stories
    • History
    • Humor
    • Land Use Issues
    • Evergreen Ski Touring
    • Poetry
  • Resources
    • All Posts Listed
    • 100 Recent Comments
    • Backcountry Skiing & Ski Touring Webcams
    • Ski Weights Comparison
    • Archives of WildSnow.com
    • Authors Page
    • Ski Touring Bindings
      • Trab TR2 Index and FAQ
      • Salomon Guardian & Tracker
      • Naxo Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Silvretta Pure Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Marker F10-12 Duke Baron
      • G3 Onyx Ski Binding FAQ
      • G3 ION Ski Touring Binding
      • Fritschi Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Fritschi Diamir Frame Bindings Mount DIY
      • Fritschi Diamir Bindings FAQ
      • Fritschi Tecton FAQ
      • Atomic Salomon Backland MTN
      • Dynafit Tri-Step Binding 2001-2003
      • Naxo randonnee alpine touring AT ski binding FAQ
      • Dynafit Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Dynafit Binding Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Review 1
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Page Two
    • History
      • Ski Touring Binding Museum
      • Trooper Traverse Intro & Index
      • Randonnee Ski Touring “AT” ski gear — What is Hip?
      • Chronology
    • Backcountry Skiing Core Glossary
    • Gear Review Policy & Disclosures

– The Backcountry Ski Touring Blog

  • Avalanches
  • Gear Reviews
    • Ski Reviews
    • Boot Reviews
    • Binding Reviews
    • Snowboard Splitboard
    • Book Reviews
    • Avalanche Beacon Reviews
    • Airbag Backpacks
    • Backcountry Electronics
    • Misc Gear Reviews
  • Podcast
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Ski Touring Basics
    • Boot Fitting
    • Fitness & Health
    • Gear Mods
  • Trip Reports
    • Fourteeners
    • Huts – Cabins – Lodges
    • Denali McKinley
    • 8,000 Meter Skiing
  • Stories
    • History
    • Humor
    • Land Use Issues
    • Evergreen Ski Touring
    • Poetry
  • Resources
    • All Posts Listed
    • 100 Recent Comments
    • Backcountry Skiing & Ski Touring Webcams
    • Ski Weights Comparison
    • Archives of WildSnow.com
    • Authors Page
    • Ski Touring Bindings
      • Trab TR2 Index and FAQ
      • Salomon Guardian & Tracker
      • Naxo Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Silvretta Pure Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Marker F10-12 Duke Baron
      • G3 Onyx Ski Binding FAQ
      • G3 ION Ski Touring Binding
      • Fritschi Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Fritschi Diamir Frame Bindings Mount DIY
      • Fritschi Diamir Bindings FAQ
      • Fritschi Tecton FAQ
      • Atomic Salomon Backland MTN
      • Dynafit Tri-Step Binding 2001-2003
      • Naxo randonnee alpine touring AT ski binding FAQ
      • Dynafit Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Dynafit Binding Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Review 1
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Page Two
    • History
      • Ski Touring Binding Museum
      • Trooper Traverse Intro & Index
      • Randonnee Ski Touring “AT” ski gear — What is Hip?
      • Chronology
    • Backcountry Skiing Core Glossary
    • Gear Review Policy & Disclosures
   

Mount Rainier Via Emmons – Oh Boy, That Mountain Is TALL

by Julia Dubinina June 10, 2016
written by Julia Dubinina June 10, 2016
Booting up with glacier formations in the distance. The snow level is still pretty high but melting faster then usual.

Spring ski mountaineering in the Pacific Northwest, yes!

Over Memorial Day weekend, Louie and I skied Inter Glacier on Mountain Rainier. The road to White River Campground had just opened and we thought it would be the perfect activity for a nice sunny day. The skiing on Mount Ruth ended up being excellent.

From Ruth, we got a good view of one of the famous climbing routes up Rainier — the Emmons. Louie quickly decided that if the weather was right the following weekend, we should go for the summit.

Louie enjoying spring corn on Mount Ruth with Emmons route and Camp Curtis in the background.

Louie enjoying spring corn on Mount Ruth with Emmons route and Camp Curtis in the background, Memorial day.

The week went by fast. After prusiking up our deck in Seattle and other creative crevasse rescue refreshers, we found ourselves back at the White River Campground along with our friends, Skyler and Phil. Only now our packs were about 20 pounds heavier.


We left the campground late that morning. Our plan was to get to 9500 feet. After a quick two mile hike and some creek crossing shenanigans, thankfully dry, we were skinning towards Inter Glacier.

Enjoying a beautiful view from an marvelous camp spot, ready to get some quality rest before the big day.

A beautiful view from a marvelous camp spot, ready to get some quality rest before the big day.

We got into Camp Curtis around 5pm, set up our tents, ate dinner, melted water and headed to bed while it was still bright and early.

Skinning up as the sun wakes up behind us. Julia chasing the boys on the way up just past Camp Sherman.

Skinning up as the sun wakes up behind us. Chasing the boys on the way up, just past Camp Sherman.

Phil checking out the inside of a crevasse.

Phil checking out the inside of a crevasse.

Getting an alpine start, we headed out of camp at 4am with the sun rising behind us. The snow froze overnight so we threw on our ski crampons and skinned to 11500 feet. Once that high, we transitioned to crampons and booted up until about 14k.


We crossed a few crevasse openings, with solid snow bridges. There was one that really did mess with my mind — it was small enough to easily step over with skis, but looking down into it brought me the chills.

About 500 feet away from the summit, we took a long break and cooked ramen. Phil even took a nap. We summited around 1pm, with spectacular views of St. Helens, Adams, Baker and Glacier Peak, each brilliant with its own beauty.

Of course, we had to drink a Rainier on the summit. Mnt St. Helen's spotted in the distance.

Of course, we had to drink a Rainier on the summit. Mt. St. Helen’s tiny in the distance.

We were so stoked for the best part — the ski descent! The weather blessed us with freezing levels to about 15k, so only the first ~500 feet was a bit icy. The rest was quite the corn harvest, in some places with mash-potato-e turns that my fatigued legs did not appreciate. But mostly a really fine ski down. We got to camp around 3pm, took a quick nap, packed up and headed back to the car.


Skiing of the summit - excited for 9k of soft corn!

Skiing off the summit. Excited for 9k of soft corn!

We opted for a longer ski and a lower creek crossing, which we very soon came to regret. The river level had risen since our way up, leaving us with less then ideal crossing options. Enjoy the photo below for a good laugh!

Creek Crossing how-to, combined with heavy pack, ripped pants, and a lei (crucial part to success). Skyler showing us how it's done.

Creek Crossing how-to: heavy pack, ripped pants, and a lei (crucial part to success). Skyler showing us how it’s done.

Overall, an outstanding trip. We were all stoked to make it to summit, ski, and check Rainier off the list (first time for 3 of us). As I drove to work Monday morning and looked at Rainier from the I-90 bridge, I found it hard to believe that I can now say I’ve been on top of it.

Julia Dubinina

WildSnow Girl, Julia Dubinina, is a weekend warrior chasing snow in winter and sun in summer. A lover of long tours and steep skin tracks, she explores the Pacific Northwest and beyond. When she is not out adventuring, she is working away at her corporate desk job for a software company to make her next adventure happen.

wildsnow.com/
0
Email
previous post
Birebrot — It’s not Kleenex
next post
Day of Remembrance, Orlando

Trip Reports

  • Revisiting a 2011 Trip Report: Adventure in the Pickets — Thread of Ice Ski Descent

    December 9, 2022
  • Feeding the Backcountry Soul on Crete

    August 25, 2022

Totally Deep Podcast

  • Totally Deep Podcast 107: Dialing it Back with Blase Reardon

    January 30, 2023

Tips & Tricks

  • Transition Efficiencies 101 with Tech Binding Heel Units

    January 6, 2023
  • Visualizing the Backcountry as a Splitboarder: Minimizing the Challenges of Movement by Anticipating Terrain

    December 5, 2022
  • TURBOCHARGE YOUR TRAILHEAD BEACON CHECK

    November 15, 2022

Recent Comments

  • Mac on Julbo’s Montebianco 2 with the Reactiv 1-3 High Contrast lens: A Review
  • Joe on DIY Binding Mount with an ATK Template
  • Kermit on DIY Binding Mount with an ATK Template
  • wtofd on Samaya Ultra35 Pack: A First Look


Newsletter Sign-Up

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • About Lou Dawson
  • Authors Page
  • About
  • Contact
  • Copyright & Legal
  • Website Security

@2020 - All Rights Reserved. Designed and Developed by WildSnow


Back To Top

Read alsox

Julbo’s Montebianco 2 with the Reactiv...

February 20, 2023

Questing with the Hyperlite Mountain Gear...

February 20, 2023

Two Rules to Break: No Strangers...

February 20, 2023