Kalie Barrett joined the 2024 Mt. Rainier (Tahoma) Fundraising climb and shared a play by play for her experience on the mountain. If you love SheJumps and are looking for a fun and meaningful experience, consider joining a fundraising climb! Registration for the 2025 climbs open up on September 19! Additional photos provided by Elyse McMillen
From Kalie Barrett:
Day 1: Climb to Camp Muir
The journey began at 6:00 am with a 3-hour van ride from the Alpine Ascents office in downtown Seattle to the trailhead. Upon arrival, we began our ascent to Camp Muir from Paradise. As we left the parking lot and reached the trailhead, we immediately encountered snow on the trail. And I mean A LOT of snow! The climb was challenging, we were punching through the snow for much of this section and made slow but steady progress.
I struggled the most on this day, becoming shaky and feeling weak mid-way through the day, I think this was likely due to dehydration. I began to struggle with some pretty serious self-doubts, wondering why I thought I could do this in the first place. At this point, I had a good chat with the guides who helped me feel better, believe in myself, and trust my abilities. I was able to continue onward. While this section was extremely difficult, it was also incredibly rewarding.
As we climbed nearly 5000 feet in elevation, the weather was favorable with bluebird skies and epic views. It was quite warm with our sun hoodies and soft-shell pants protecting us from the harsh sunshine. The landscape transitioned from forest to the icy and rocky terrain that characterizes the higher elevations of Mount Rainier.
Reaching Camp Muir, situated at 10,188 feet above sea level, was a major milestone and offered breathtaking views. We were able to watch the helicopter drop supplies and take off into the sunset. We wrapped up day 1 in the Alpine Ascents private hut where all 8 members of our climbing team stayed up chatting, laughing, getting to know each other, encouraging each other, and eventually sleeping.
Day 2: Snow School and Trek to Ingraham Flats Glacier
Day 2 started out with a great breakfast at the Alpine Ascents cook/guide tent. Seriously, the best breakfast sandwich of my life!
After breakfast, we geared up for snow school. Pulling out our alpine harnesses, avalanche beacons, and other gear, we stepped onto the Cowlitz glacier. Our guides taught us essential skills for glacial traverse and climbing safely. We learned how to properly use crampons and ice axes, self-arrest techniques, group-arrest techniques, proper techniques for rope team travel, and even different step strategies for different types of terrain.
Our guides were so great! They were super knowledgeable and totally badass. All four of our guides have guided on Denali expeditions and really know what they are doing! They helped me learn so much. One of my favorite things about this day was learning as a team. Our team was so supportive and positive. There was a lot of good energy, and everyone was there to support the entire team. We were really pushing each other and cheering for each other in a unique and special way.
After ensuring that we were all well equipped to handle the challenges ahead, we roped up and began our climb across the Cowlitz Glacier, over the rocky ridge line of Cathedral Gap, and on to Ingraham Flats. The two-hour climb allowed us to practice the skills that we learned earlier in the day. This trek took us to a beautiful and remote camp at the base of Ingraham Glacier. Here we had epic views of Little Tahoma, a prominent sub-peak of Mount Rainier, and the North Cascades range, including the volcanoes Glacier Peak and Mount Baker.
We had an amazing early dinner, this was probably the best cheeseburger I’ve ever eaten; food just tastes better in the mountains!
After dinner, we prepared our tents and went to bed early listening to the wind whip against our tents.
Day 3: Summit Push and Hike back to the Trailhead
The final day of our climb was the most demanding, but also very exhilarating. This is what we had been working for! We began our day at 11:30 pm. Waking up, packing bags, and roping up by midnight. We began our climb up the mountain navigating through glaciers and steep climbs under the moonlight and beams of headlamps. Our guides chose as safe a route as possible ascending via Disappointment Cleaver and navigating around crevasses and seracs.
Unfortunately, the weather was not on our side at this moment. The cold biting wind only picked up. At the top of Disappointment Cleaver, we were faced with wind gusts of 60+ miles per hour. These gusts were so strong we needed to drive our ice axes into the glacier and just hold on. Because the winds were not steady and the gusts were so strong, the team made the difficult decision to turn around. It was no longer safe to climb in these conditions. While it was disappointing that we were unable to continue after coming so far, I feel that we all knew this was the right decision. Our team actually made it further up the mountain than any other team that week.
The steep descent back to High Camp was difficult in the dark. Here we had to rely on the skills we learned in snow school and work efficiently as a team. Battling the wind, we eventually made it back to high camp just in time to settle in and watch the 4:30 am sunrise.
It was the summer solstice and we were lucky enough to experience the longest day of the year at high camp, with the mountain to ourselves. After watching a dazzling sunrise, we shared a Rainier beer and hit our sleeping bags for a few hours of sleep before taking on the remainder of our descent.
At 8:00 am we began the descent back down to Camp Muir. Again, roping up and using our newly learned skills to make it safely over numerous crevasses and through the Bowling Alley, an area notorious for rock fall. We heard and saw significant rock fall on our way which gave us a nervous energy to push hard through the wind to make it quickly and safely to Camp Muir. Here we took a break, completed some camp chores, and had a snack before continuing on.
By 10:00 am we departed Camp Muir and began descending the Muir Snowfield. The descent was tough on the legs, and white-out conditions made it mentally draining as well. It was difficult to see any progress made and was a very long downhill slog. That is until we began glissading.
When it was safe to do so, we began glissading whenever possible. Glissading is a less-than graceful slide on your butt down the mountain. It’s like sledding, without the sled, and with a 40- pound pack. We had a lot of fun doing this, laughing and genuinely enjoying the time we had remaining on the mountain. Glissading whenever we could helped break up the monotony of the descent and before we knew it, we were approaching the trailhead.
With the parking lot in sight, I knew I had done it. I had climbed on Rainier with an all-woman team and made it back down safely. This moment was full of emotion. I felt grateful, humbled, empowered, sad that that journey was over, and overwhelming camaraderie. Basically, I felt all the feelings.
Upon arriving at the parking lot, we quickly dropped our packs, changed into town clothes, and loaded into the van for the drive back to Seattle. Along the way, we stopped for a late lunch and drinks reminiscing on our adventure and newfound friendships.
Reflections
My time on Rainier was a transformative experience, both physically and mentally. My limits were tested further than I thought possible. The support of my team and guides pushed me through my weakest moments and made me stronger. While unfortunately, we were unable to summit due to strong winds, the adventure was completely life changing.
I feel very lucky to have gotten to experience this adventure with the very best climbing team. The group dynamic was really great. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience in which I felt truly alive. I pushed outside of my comfort zone in so many ways and it was so beneficial for me. Living life to the fullest in a spectacularly beautiful place is something I needed. Learning and connecting with like-minded women while being supported, pushed, and genuinely appreciated will stick with me long after the climb.
Maybe the true summit was the memories and friends made along the way.
Until the next adventure,
Kalie Barrett
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