Mount Rainier Climbing

Perhaps no other peak in the United States, not even Denali, is more challenging to climb than Mount Rainier.

Mount Rainier, the most heavily glaciated peak in the contiguous United States, offers an exciting challenge to the mountaineer. Each year thousands of people successfully climb this 14,410 foot active volcano. Use this website to gather information on weather, Northwest Avalanche Center avalanche forecast, route conditions, avalanche information, climbing permits and fees, regulations, guide services, and other things you need to know before you climb. If you would like more information, contact Mount Rainier climbing rangers at (360) 569-6641.

Reaching the summit requires a vertical elevation gain of more than 9,000 feet over a distance of eight or more miles. Climbers must be in good physical condition and well prepared. Proper physical conditioning can offset the effects of fatigue that lead to mistakes and injuries.

Weather, snow, and route conditions can change rapidly, making the difference between a pleasant and rewarding experience or tragedy. Before beginning a climb, obtain a current weather forecast. During your climb, turn back if weather conditions deteriorate. Severe winter-like storms on the mountain are not uncommon during the summer.

WINTER CLIMBING
Winter storms on Mount Rainier are frequent and severe, with high winds, deep snow, and extremely poor visibility. Winter conditions generally exist from mid-September to mid-May. All parties attempting a winter ascent should be experienced in winter mountaineering, avalanche forecasting and rescue, and be familiar with the intended routes of ascent and descent. The maximum party size for winter climbing is 12. A party size of at least 4 is recommended.

CLIMBING REGULATIONS

Climbers must follow low impact camping regulations.
Camping is allowed only on permanent snow or ice, or on bare ground areas previously used as campsites. Clearing new tent sites on rocky or snowfree areas is prohibited.
Travel on established trails to avoid damaging fragile alpine vegetation.
Climbers must register and pay the climbing fee prior to climbing and must check out upon return. Anyone climbing on glaciers, or above 10,000 feet, must register and pay the climbing fee.
Solo travel above high camps or anywhere on glaciers is not permitted except with prior written permission from the Superintendent. You may download a Solo Climb Request Form(Word document, 83 KB) or you may request this form by writing: Superintendent, Mount Rainier National Park, 55210 238th Avenue East, Ashford, WA 98304.
Anyone younger than 18 years of age must have the permission of a parent or legal guardian before climbing above normal high camps.
Engaging in any business in park areas except in accordance with the provisions of a permit, contract, or other written agreement is prohibited. Leading or participating in an unauthorized guided climb of Mount Rainier is illegal (Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations).

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CLIMBING FEES, PERMITS & RESERVATIONS

Climbing Pass (required)
Required for all who plan to climb above 10,000 feet or onto any glaciers. All climbers must present or purchase their Mount Rainier Climbing Pass and a valid photo I.D. at the time they register for their climb. To obtain a climbing permit each climbing party must complete and submit (in person) a climbing registration card (Word document, 107 KB) before each climb.

Fee: The fee for a climbing pass is $44 dollars/person 25 years and older, and $31 dollars/person 24 years and younger, per calendar year. Passes purchased in November and December are valid for the following calendar year. Learn more about the December 1, 2012climbing fee increase.
How to get your pass: Locations vary by season. Late-May until mid-October, obtain a pass from the Paradise Climbing Information Center (CIC), the Jackson Visitor Center (JVC), White River Wilderness Information Center (WIC), Longmire WIC or the Carbon River Ranger Station. Mid-October to mid-May, purchase passes at the Longmire Museum daily or the JVC on weekends and holidays. Self registration is currently in effect until March 15. Please pay for your pass in person at the one of the locations listed above. A new faxable pass purchase form will be posted when climbing rangers return to duty in March and April.
Climbing parties with one or more members who have already purchased a Mount Rainier Climbing Pass for the current year must also complete and submit a Climbing Party Supplemental Form (PDF, 366KB). This additional form ensures that your party is not charged climbing fees for those already possessing a valid climbing pass when requesting reservations.
More Information: Climbing Reservation Policies,Climbing Pass Purchase Form and Climbing Pass FAQ's

Reserve Camp Sites (optional):
Climbers who are planning to climb between May 1 and September 30 can use the Wilderness Reservation System to reserve camping sites.

Reservations accepted beginning: Reservation requests can be mailed in or faxed beginning March 15. Requests received before this date will not be accepted.

Reservation Fee: There is a $20 reservation fee (this fee is in addition to the Climbing Pass fee). Reservations do not guarantee a spot in the public shelter at Camp Muir, which is on a first-come, first-serve basis.

How to make a reservation: To reserve a site, print and complete the Reservation Request Form and return it by fax or by mail. Fax the form to 360-569-3131 or mail it to the Mt. Rainier National park, Longmire Wilderness Information Center, 55210 - 238th Avenue East, Ashford, WA 98304.

During the summer months, reservations can also be made at the Longmire Wilderness Information Center. For more information, call the Longmire Wilderness Information Center at 360-569-6650.

Climbing FAQs

How do I make a reservation to climb Mount Rainier?
Travel here to begin the process for requesting a reservation for climbing or backpacking Mount Rainier. Follow the directions to print out the forms provided and make a reservation request. Completed forms can be faxed or mailed to the park beginning March 15th. Requests sent or postmarked before this date will not be processed. All requests received between March 15th and April 1st will be processed in random order beginning April 1st. Requests received April 1st and later will be processed in the order they are received.

Reservations can also be made in person at the Longmire Wilderness Information Center beginning Memorial Day weekend.

Telephone reservations are not accepted.

Do I need a reservation to climb Mount Rainier?
Reservations are OPTIONAL, and they are not always needed. 30% of all camping slots are held aside for those who come to the mountain without reservations. These non-reservable slots usually go quickly. For much of the summer many of the popular high camps fill up and reservations are strongly recommended especially on weekends.

What is the cost of a climbing reservation?
The RESERVATION fee for a climbing permit is $20 per party. In addition, climbing pass fees are required for every member of your climbing party. Fees are payable by credit/debit card, or check. The park accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.

Is the reservation fee refundable?
The reservation fee is NON-REFUNDABLE, even if you cancel your permit.

What information is required to make a climbing reservation?
You will need the specifics of your planned climb including:

Dates of your trip
Preferred camping locations
Number of people in your party
Basic personal information about the trip leader (name, address, etc.)
Payment for the reservation fee and the Mount Rainier Climbing Pass Fee for the entire party
The names of those in your party who have already purchased a current Mount Rainier Climbing Pass and their climbing pass number.

Do I need to know who will be in my party when I make climbing reservations?
No, you may purchase the necessary number of Mount Rainier Climbing Passes and distribute them to your teammates. The party leader need only specify the number of climbers in the party and pay the climbing fee for those slots. If one or more members of the team have already purchased a climbing pass for the current calendar year, the names and pass numbers of those members must be specified along with the reservation request.

When will I hear if my climbing reservation has been accepted or rejected?
Within a few days (during the summer months) of requesting a reservation, a confirmation letter with the specified number of Mount Rainier Climbing Passes will be sent to the person requesting the reservation. The response time may be longer between April 1 and mid-May, as there is a surge of requests for reservations. A letter of rejection will be sent if the climb cannot be accommodated.

Why would my climbing reservation request be rejected?
If the available overnight camping slots are already reserved at the camp(s) you requested, your climbing reservation request will be rejected. One option at that point is to attempt to get a first-come, first-served permit when you arrive in the park.

What can I do to help ensure my climbing reservation request is not rejected?
By providing several alternative overnight camp locations, you are more likely to get a suitable reservation. The larger your climbing party size the more likely it is that a particular camp may not be able to accommodate your group. Smaller parties may have an advantage in this respect.

Do I pay anything if my climbing reservation request is rejected?
No. If your climbing reservation request is rejected, you will not be charged the reservation fee or Mount Rainier Climbing Pass fee.

Can I return a Mount Rainier Climbing Pass?
Mount Rainier Climbing Passes are NON-REFUNDABLE.

Can I make a change to my climbing reservation?
A change may be made as long as it can be accommodated given the limited nature of the park's camping resources. Party size may be increased (if space is available) but any reduction in party size will not result in a refund as climbing passes are non-refundable.

How do I make a change to my climbing reservation?
Call the Wilderness Information Center in Longmire at 360-569-6650 and talk with a Ranger.

Does it cost anything to make a change to my climbing reservation?
One change may be made to your reservation at no cost. Each subsequent change will cost $20.

What if a member of the team already has a current Mount Rainier Climbing Pass when I make a reservation request?
Include the pass numbers and names of those with current valid climbing passes along with your request. If party members do have a current Mount Rainier Climbing Pass, complete and fax the Climbing Party Supplemental Form along with your reservation request form.

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