High winds pounded us from the Interglacier to Camp Schurman, but a late summit bid (4:30 AM start) was the winning ticket. Summit day was clear and calm- as was the descent. 7.5 hours to Columbia Crest- and amazing views from the top.
One day made all the difference. The previous day, July 13, we had gotten shut down on this route.
Augie Medina - Jul 19, 2009 1:06 am Date Climbed: Jul 13, 2009
Fierce Weather Wins
Weather got increasingly worse after we left Camp Shurman. One of our two rope teams made it to 13,000 feet but then it was turn around or else....
Darren9 - May 18, 2009 1:54 am Date Climbed: Aug 1, 2005
Emmons is the one
My first Rainier climb and a lot of fun. In August, the Inter Glacier was the most exciting with lots of bare ice and rockfall - felt like dodgeball. Finding our way to Camp Schurman was also a little tricky, there are many ways to get there but all involve scrambling loose rocks or skirting big crevasses. There was water at Camp Schurman and no winds for us. The route itself above Camp Schurman was "well traveled" and felt more straightforward and safer. The bergschrund was absolutely monstrous but doable by skirting to the north. All in all a great way to get up Rainier and not have to take the DC.
larryN - Oct 2, 2008 12:43 am Date Climbed: Jul 18, 2008
2nd time's a charm
After getting turned around by weather at 12,000' last year, it was a thrill to get to the summit this season!
Jer - Aug 19, 2008 2:54 pm Date Climbed: Aug 4, 2008
Made it!
Climbed with 3 but only 2 of us summited. Great weekend for weather, and what a great route! Schurman was a great camp as well.
SkydiveKen - Jul 28, 2008 12:46 am Date Climbed: Jul 25, 2008
Emmons Winthrop
First glacier climb without a guide! Followed the deep boot track in the dark. Very crowded at camp Schurman. The glacier was very open and the route wandered quite a bit. The bridges are melting out and had to traverse around the burgshurnd on the right to the Liberty Cap saddle.
Casey Bates - Jul 4, 2008 10:13 am Date Climbed: Jul 2, 2008
Thunderstorms!
Route in great shape overall with many crevasses quickly opening up due to the warm weather and heavy rains during recent thunderstorms. We hunkered down in our tents after returning to Emmons Flats because of some wonderful thunderstorms.
Rob Ricks - May 10, 2008 12:27 pm Date Climbed: Aug 21, 2004
Late Season Effort
Led a three-person climb in late August. The hike through Glacier Basin is much more interesting than Muir Snowfield. Lots of crevasses ensured a great deal of route finding. Punched through a few snowbridges. Weather turned us around at 13,000. Really foul descent with lots of rain loosened rockfall on the IG. Thoroughly soaked by the time we arrived back at White River Campground. Learned a lot of lessons on this one.
A good route. Not really any technical difficulties, but some massive crevasses to run around and a few hairy snow bridges. Awesome views the whole way and Camp Schurman is substantially nicer than Camp Muir in my opinion.
Aaron Dyer - Feb 12, 2008 2:03 pm Date Climbed: Aug 8, 2006
2nd time was way better
Succeeded both times, but about 4 times faster the second time.
Shirley Lam - Jan 30, 2008 10:34 pm Date Climbed: Sep 2, 2007
Second time...
and it felt like a completely different climb because of the conditions of the glacier.
bighornmonkey - Jan 8, 2008 10:53 am Date Climbed: Sep 21, 2007
Done...
Summited via this route twice. Last time was in early fall so the crevasses where very visible.
mekwise - Oct 16, 2009 4:16 pm Date Climbed: Jul 10, 2009
Greatclimb and trip with great friends...
rasgoat - Aug 11, 2009 10:46 am Date Climbed: Aug 8, 2009
Gorgeous Route!Just a beautiful area, made it to 11,450
Hotoven - Aug 2, 2009 2:13 pm Date Climbed: Jul 30, 2009
Great hikeSuper fun! A lot of soft snow, but all the more of a work out!
Titanium - Jul 21, 2009 4:33 pm Date Climbed: Jul 14, 2009
Successful Summit- Emmons RouteHigh winds pounded us from the Interglacier to Camp Schurman, but a late summit bid (4:30 AM start) was the winning ticket. Summit day was clear and calm- as was the descent. 7.5 hours to Columbia Crest- and amazing views from the top.
Augie Medina - Jul 29, 2009 12:39 pm
Re: Successful Summit- Emmons RouteOne day made all the difference. The previous day, July 13, we had gotten shut down on this route.
Augie Medina - Jul 19, 2009 1:06 am Date Climbed: Jul 13, 2009
Fierce Weather WinsWeather got increasingly worse after we left Camp Shurman. One of our two rope teams made it to 13,000 feet but then it was turn around or else....
Darren9 - May 18, 2009 1:54 am Date Climbed: Aug 1, 2005
Emmons is the oneMy first Rainier climb and a lot of fun. In August, the Inter Glacier was the most exciting with lots of bare ice and rockfall - felt like dodgeball. Finding our way to Camp Schurman was also a little tricky, there are many ways to get there but all involve scrambling loose rocks or skirting big crevasses. There was water at Camp Schurman and no winds for us. The route itself above Camp Schurman was "well traveled" and felt more straightforward and safer. The bergschrund was absolutely monstrous but doable by skirting to the north. All in all a great way to get up Rainier and not have to take the DC.
larryN - Oct 2, 2008 12:43 am Date Climbed: Jul 18, 2008
2nd time's a charmAfter getting turned around by weather at 12,000' last year, it was a thrill to get to the summit this season!
Jer - Aug 19, 2008 2:54 pm Date Climbed: Aug 4, 2008
Made it!Climbed with 3 but only 2 of us summited. Great weekend for weather, and what a great route! Schurman was a great camp as well.
SkydiveKen - Jul 28, 2008 12:46 am Date Climbed: Jul 25, 2008
Emmons WinthropFirst glacier climb without a guide! Followed the deep boot track in the dark. Very crowded at camp Schurman. The glacier was very open and the route wandered quite a bit. The bridges are melting out and had to traverse around the burgshurnd on the right to the Liberty Cap saddle.
Pictures are here.
by skydiveken
Casey Bates - Jul 4, 2008 10:13 am Date Climbed: Jul 2, 2008
Thunderstorms!Route in great shape overall with many crevasses quickly opening up due to the warm weather and heavy rains during recent thunderstorms. We hunkered down in our tents after returning to Emmons Flats because of some wonderful thunderstorms.
Rob Ricks - May 10, 2008 12:27 pm Date Climbed: Aug 21, 2004
Late Season EffortLed a three-person climb in late August. The hike through Glacier Basin is much more interesting than Muir Snowfield. Lots of crevasses ensured a great deal of route finding. Punched through a few snowbridges. Weather turned us around at 13,000. Really foul descent with lots of rain loosened rockfall on the IG. Thoroughly soaked by the time we arrived back at White River Campground. Learned a lot of lessons on this one.
Seth Maciejowski - Mar 9, 2008 10:48 pm
EmmonsA good route. Not really any technical difficulties, but some massive crevasses to run around and a few hairy snow bridges. Awesome views the whole way and Camp Schurman is substantially nicer than Camp Muir in my opinion.
Aaron Dyer - Feb 12, 2008 2:03 pm Date Climbed: Aug 8, 2006
2nd time was way betterSucceeded both times, but about 4 times faster the second time.
Shirley Lam - Jan 30, 2008 10:34 pm Date Climbed: Sep 2, 2007
Second time...and it felt like a completely different climb because of the conditions of the glacier.
bighornmonkey - Jan 8, 2008 10:53 am Date Climbed: Sep 21, 2007
Done...Summited via this route twice. Last time was in early fall so the crevasses where very visible.
Shirley Lam - Jul 26, 2007 3:23 pm Date Climbed: Jul 16, 2005
2's a charmCouldn't have asked for better weather conditions!
William Marler - Jul 18, 2007 12:34 am Date Climbed: Jul 14, 2007
Fine long dayGreat day but tiring. Weather cooperated except for the windy summit.
alpinerack - May 10, 2007 2:39 am Date Climbed: Jul 29, 2000
EmmonsVery long route! snowboard descent, the ride down kind of sucked but the ride down the prow was great!
lukic - Feb 20, 2007 11:04 pm Date Climbed: Jul 29, 2006
Night on topSpent the night up on the summit. It was a glorious trip.