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I did Rainier late last summer, and It didn't get below frezzing, so I wouldn't worry about a parka. Its pretty much like a backpacking trip, except you need big mounteneering boots and crampons, which you can rent. I used layers topped with a waterproof/windproof shell to keep the wind out.

Tent (If your taking guides they will have them most likely)
Boots (You can rent)
Approach shoes (regular hiking boots)
Crampons (You can rent)
Gaiters
Ice Axe (You can rent)
Harness (depending on your route)
Rope/carabiners/belay devices/pressuik slings/ snow pickets (Guide service will provide these)
Food
Clothing (Layers)
Sleeping bag
Stove (Guide service will have)
Water bottles
Ear plugs, Sunglasses, and Sun Block.
Case of Beer for celebration on top


Here's a starts list. I'm sure i missed some stuff, so others, please add! Hopefully this gives you a good start though.

What guide service are you taking if your getting one? If you don't have all the gear, its almost more expensive to do it by yourself.

All though i haven't yet the honor of climbing the flanks of ranier i have a pretty good idea about and minimal list of gear you must take along with you.
now first things first all concessions you are planning to make money wise will save you the Wight you're carrying up that slope ranier has mostly 2 days + routs there for you will be taking bivy equipment, technical gear, worm gear and toiletries + first aid.
As far as technical gear goes get nothing less than what the specific route description asks for.
its a give and take but if you're new at this better safe than sorry (meaning if the route calls for protection and ropes get the necessary protection and rope).
start off with a pair of shoes most important piece of equipotent I don't think for ranier you don't need doubles so get good leather crampon compatible (L.S evo fits the bill)
a rucksack and a summit pack I use a 55 liter rucksack it is good for Bothe on summit day you can just leave all you don't need in the tent.
A good rain shell bottom and top, now for clothes is where you can save you're money:
a good fleece and tee-shirts are good enough under a hard shell just in case of a sunny day get a nice cheep windproof jacket to wear over a t shirt(I don't believe in all that special space age underwear ill be damned for it but I think that's enough).
As far as bivy goes you now what you need to feel secure at night make the proper judgment call as far as weight versus price.

I am not going to say exactly what you need for ranier so it could be all of this rant is completely useless this is just a spitball you got to do the research and find out whets good for you under the restrictions you abide to
And the route you are going on as far as I am concerned getting the gear you need for the climb is an integral part of the climb and you need to learn how to do it..

take it or leave hope you have a pleasant climb and worm one too

Hotoven wrote:I did Rainier late last summer, and It didn't get below frezzing, so I wouldn't worry about a parka.

The OP is planning a late May ascent which is much different than a late summer climb. I would definitely bring an insulated parka, but it doesn't have to be too heavy. Something like the Patagonia Micropuff or the Wild Things EP jacket would be ideal.

Here is a link to an article I wrote on Mt Rainier with a suggested equipment list:

http://www.summitpost.org/article/50722 ... nier-.html

Hotoven wrote:I did Rainier late last summer, and It didn't get below frezzing, so I wouldn't worry about a parka. Its pretty much like a backpacking trip, except you need big mounteneering boots and crampons, which you can rent.

Bad advice. Rainier weather can change on a dime, in any season, so you certainly can't rely on the weather someone else had on their own trip. Get a parka. If it stays in your pack, that's great but don't leave home without it on a mountain like Rainier.

I disagree that traveling on a glaciated mountain is "pretty much" like a backpacking trip. Even by a non-technical route, there are concerns, like crevasses, that you don't have to worry about on non-glaciated terrain.

For climbing gear the lists are pretty easy. Any of the guide services will not steer you wrong.

Clothing is much more personal. How much heat and sweat you put out, how hard you climb, how cozy you like to be at belays - it varies a lot from person to person.

If you have hard shells, base layers and fleece you are very close. I would stick with what you have and see how it works - some people like softshells, but they are not needed at all.

Here are items I'd add for your safety:

Puffy, down or synthetic. More like a DAS or Sub Zero than a Compressor or Micropuff.
Very warm gloves, ski gloves work. Two pairs are best.
Warm balaclava - two is better.

Rent Invernos for cheap and see how they work for you. You may decide you want to pick up a lighter single boot later, but trying plastics is a good idea for your first time on such a big mountain.

If you do that you won't have spend much money ($200 total?), will be safe, and when the trip is over you will have a much better idea of what to change to suit your style. Too many people buy $2000 worth of down, shells, and softshells only to find out they are nice clothes, but don't work for them.

Then they post them for sale here and you can buy them cheap!

I am at some point thinking of heading up Rainier so I have been looking at a lot of info online.

My gear list is not set in stone but so far it goes like this:

Baselayers: 1/4 zip light colored top Patagonia Capilene 3 and bottoms, synthetic T and boxer briefs.
Pants: Mountain Hardwear Navigation softshell pants, bombproof pants with built in "gaiters", they work in hot and cold weather, best pants I have used.
Shell: MH Typhoon, full featured but light paclite shell, stormproof.
Fleece: Marmot powerstretch fleece, ight add an extra fleece just in case, heavier weight
Hooded insulated jacket: First Accent Igniter, light but extremely effective in bellow freezing weather with just baselayer and powerstretch fleece under.

Boots, Scarpa Summit GTX's, one boot for everything

Crampons and Ice axe: probably will rent

Harness: I have a BD momentum DS

Gloves: OR work gloves, Mittens and fleece gloves

When shopping for gear you can find an almost criminal amount of great gear for significantly less than full price. I wish I had known about all these places sooner.

I bought a Gore-Tex Pro Jacket for 150 and Gore-Tex Pro Pants for 110 on Sierra Trading Post. Sign up for their newsletter and watch out for the sales. It's very common for them to have an additional 40% sale on select items.

Geartrade is also pretty fantastic. Backcountry.com (it seems) puts up all the stuff that gets returned to them without tags often at a very steep discount. I have a nice softshell jacket on the way to me for quite a bit of the MSRP.

Steep and Cheap is also a great site though you have to have a quick trigger finger for the really good stuff.

I have never done Rainier, but I would bring cold weather layers. Three people were caught in June in a blizzard, one died from hypothermia. So severe weather can hit at any time, especially before July. Personally I tend to pack a little on the heavy side to venture up big peaks in the Cascades. I would rather have what I need if bad weather should strike. I carry about 40 pounds in pack (55 counting everything on me) for 2-3 day winter ascents. This does not count any rope gear. I have everytihng I need to survive should I be caught in severe weather.

This is my standard list for 2-3 day ascents....this is just what I normally take.....Like I said I haven't done Rainier, so I might change some things....but for things like the South Sister or Adams in winter, this is what I would take:
Tent (Black Diamond Eldorado)
Stove (MSR Reactor)
Crampons
Snowshoes (Denali EVO Ascent w/ 8" floats)
-25 sleeping bag (Western Mountianeering)
Foam pad
Thermarest pad
Repair kit
Extra batteries
headlamp
hand warmers
13 hour candle
four dehydrated meals
1 insulated nalgene bottle
70 cm ice axe
trekking poles
goggles (Red Lenses)
glacier glasses
52 liter climbing pack
bandana
double boots
base layer
light insulated layer
wind resistant layer
fleece top
down coat
waterproof layer
sun block
chap stick
spork
gps
compass
map
locator beacon
5-6 power bars
chocolate bar
small bag of trail mix

I might of forgot something, but this is pretty much it.
For one day ascents my pack is about 22-25 pounds in winter (not counting rope gear).
This is not a suggestion for Rainier, just my personal choice of gear for standard winter mountianeering.

Chuckne wrote:Does anyone or is there a comprehensive list of specific gear that people have used that doesn't break the bank and conversly doesn't break your back with weight or specific suggestions?
Thanks

If you email me at www.adventureclimbing.ca I could send you a gear list for Rainier that I used the last time I went.

The Marmot Precip works great for not much money. The guides will let you take it, but don't recommend it. The Precip surface is real slick in case you fall and have to self-arrest.

Rab makes very nice E-vent jackets and pants, but are very pricey.

After a couple of times, I stopped bringing down sleeping bags to Rainier and the North Cascades. Hard to keep it working when you are camped on snow in the rain at 35F.

Yes, take the parka, even in summer. If you need it, you will be very glad that you have it.

Hotoven wrote:I did Rainier late last summer, and It didn't get below frezzing, so I wouldn't worry about a parka.

One of my friends did raineer two years ago. He said he got temps below-5F. You want a parka!

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