Mount Rainier 4 Day Kautz Climb Planning
14,411FT / 4,392M | WashingtonMeet Times & Transport
Arrive in Seattle the day before your course begins and depart the day after your course ends. If flying into Seattle, SeaTac (SEA) is the closest airport to our office.
You have a gear check at 2:00 pm the day before your climb
Meet at the Alpine Ascents Office at 1:45 p.m. for a mandatory gear check beginning at 2:00 pm the day before your climb is scheduled to begin. This gear check will last about 1.5-2 hours. You are required to attend this meeting. Please review the Gear Check information and come prepared.
Getting from the Airport to the Office
Our office and nearby hotels are 30-50 minutes from the airport depending on traffic. Most climbers take a rideshare or taxi.
Climbers may also take the Light Rail (public transit) from the airport station to Westlake Station, followed by a rideshare or taxi the last 1.8 miles to the office. The Light Rail is $3 for this one-way trip.
Your climb begins at 6:00 am on Day 1
Meet at the Alpine Ascents Office at 5:45 am for a 6:00 am shuttle departure. Please be on time. Alpine Ascents provides transportation to and from Mount Rainier.
Your climb ends between 5 – 8 pm on Day 4
You will return to the Alpine Ascents Office between 5:00 pm and 8:00 pm on the last day of the climb.
We strongly recommend flying out the day after your climb concludes. Trip schedules will not be adjusted to accommodate return flights.
Lodging in Seattle
Climbers should secure lodging for two nights: the night before your climb begins and the night your climb concludes.
Recommended Hotel – The MarQueen
The Marqueen staff are helpful and familiar with our programs. Book early as Seattle hotels have limited summer vacancy.
Reserve by phone: 206.282.7407 | Mention you are with Alpine Ascents to get a discount, if available.
Reserve online: The Marqueen Hotel | Use promotional code “Alpine” to get discount.
We are located in lower Queen Anne, downtown Seattle. There are many lodging options nearby. You will be responsible for all transport to our office before or after your course.
Other Hotels Nearby:
Mediterranean Inn | (206) 428-4700
The Maxwell Hotel | (877) 298-9728
2:00 pm Gear Check
(Day Before Climb Begins)
Meet at the Alpine Ascents Office at 1:45 pm for a mandatory gear check beginning at 2:00 pm. Expect the gear check to last approximately 1.5-2 hours.
Gear check is required. We will distribute and fit rental gear, do a thorough check of your gear, provide packing instruction, check personal lunch items, review the climbing route and trip itinerary, and answer any questions you may have.
You may attend the gear check in your normal street clothes. We have storage for reasonably sized luggage while you are on your climb, so please bring a duffel bag/suitcase to store any personal items you intend to leave behind. This luggage can be dropped off the morning of your climb.
What to Bring: Please bring all of your gear to gear check. Note that you do not need to pack carefully, as we look at every item together. Rental gear will be picked up at the gear check. You are responsible to bring all gear on the gear list except what you rent from Alpine Ascents.
We are not able to accommodate virtual or private gear checks.
Check out this video that talks through the 3 Day Rainier gear list. The gear list for your climb is not exactly the same, but should give you a basic understanding of the gear you will need for your climb. Please refer to the link above when packing and preparing for your 4 Day Kautz climb.
Learn how to pack like a pro.
Gear List
4 Day Kautz Gear List (opens in new tab)Our climbs experience highly variable weather. The gear list is developed for comfort and preparedness in all conditions. There may be occasions when required items are not used because of current weather. Your guide will adjust the gear requirements on Day 1 if necessary.
You are required to bring every item on this list as described so be as precise as possible when packing. Alpine Ascents rents quality equipment at reasonable rates. Gear is also available for purchase at the Alpine Ascents Gear Shop where climbers on an Alpine Ascents expedition will receive a discount.
Packing Suggestions
- Line the inside of your pack with sturdy plastic (trash compactor bags work best).
- You will help carry some of the group equipment, so make sure there is some additional room in and on your pack.
- Read our blog post on How to Downsize your Pack to balance weight with luxury items.
Double Boots or Single Boots?
Certain mountain conditions may require the use of double boots at any point throughout the season. In general, expect to wear double boots for climbs in May, June, or September, and single boots for climbs in July or August.
Gear Guide
For more information on the different pieces of gear and clothing needed for mountaineering, check out our Gear Guide.
Menu Planning
You are required to bring your own lunches. On-mountain breakfasts, hot drinks, and dinners are provided on the climb. Notify our office if you have specific food allergies or dietary restrictions.
For most climbs in the alpine environment, we eat approximately every hour during brief rest breaks. This constant intake is the most efficient way to fuel our bodies and meter our energy output as we climb. We do not stop for long “lunch breaks.” Your lunches should be quick to eat and require little prep. No lunch item should require the use of a stove.
Basic Principles
A climbing or backpacking outing in the wilderness requires higher energy expenditure on a daily basis than what you may be used to. Eating well and frequently not only sustains energy levels but also boosts morale and attitude. In addition, mountains often challenge climbers with inclement weather. It is important that caloric intake be high and regular to help avoid hypothermia and other cold weather or altitude-related problems.
Consider foods which are light and compact. Balance this consideration with nutritional needs and packing foods which taste good to you. Packaging should be minimal, but without sacrificing good organization and weather-protection.
You will be responsible for providing your own lunches for 4 days. Listed below are sample lunch menus and a packing list for your climb. It is extremely important to bring the listed calorie amounts, though the exact items you bring may vary according to your preferences.
Day 1: Climb from trail head (5,400 ft) to our first camp (~7,400ft)
Plan to bring approximately 1000 calories of lunch food for this day.
- Cold pizza or fresh sandwich
- Bagel with meat & cheese
- Your favorite candy bar
- Piece of fresh fruit
- Cold drink mix for your water
Day 2: Climb to High Camp (11,000 ft)
Plan to bring approximately 1200 calories of lunch food for this day.
- 2 energy bars
- 1 energy gels
- Bagel with meat & cheese
- Your favorite candy bar
- Canister of Pringles
Day 3: Summit day and descend back to High Camp
Plan to bring approximately 1200 calories of lunch food for this day.
- 4 energy bars
- 2 energy gels
- Your favorite candy bar
- Canister of Pringles
Day 4: Descent from High Camp to trailhead
Plan to bring approximately 500 calories of lunch food for this day.
- Bagel with meat & cheese
- 2 energy gels
- Your favorite candy bar
This list is intended as a sample packing/shopping list to create a complete “lunch bag” suitable for a 4-day climb. These items can be used in conjunction or as a substitute for the above menu sample.
Jerky (Beef, Turkey, or Soy) 8–10 oz Bag
Trail Mix 2 cup
Salty Snack Mix 3/4 qt
Energy Bars 2 Bars
Corn Nuts 1 Packet
Large Cookies 2 Packs
Candy Bars 2 Bars
Granola Bars 2 Bars
Crackers (Peanut butter or Cheese) 2 Packages
Bagels (1 per day) 4 Bagels
String Cheese 2 sticks
Cheddar Cheese Squares 2 Squares
Mini Cheese Rounds 2 Rounds
Mixed Dried Fruit 1/4 qt Bag
Hard Candy 1/4 qt Bag
Cold Drink Mix (w/ electrolytes) 4 Packets
Energy Gel 2 Packets
Gallon Zip-lock Bag 2 Bags
Not sure where to start? Check out this video to see what we pack for lunch on a 3 Day Mount Rainier climb. It’s a great starting point for planning your own mountain menu.
Breakfasts & Dinners Provided
Alpine Ascents provides breakfasts, dinners, soups, and hot drinks for summit climbs. We will be packing in everything we need for our time in the mountains, including tents, stoves, and food. The tents and stoves will be provided by Alpine Ascents, but group gear is distributed evenly across the team. In the best interest of our climbers we provide a selection of freeze-dried meals to choose from during your gear check in order to save weight and space as we move up the mountain.
While on the mountain guides will be melting snow for water and you will be able to resupply at camp.
On the Mountain
Sleeping arrangements: 2 per tent.
Bathroom: Go Anywhere Waste Kits (pack it out).
Cell coverage: Sporadic service with various providers. Clear days offer better cellular reception.
Leave No Trace
Alpine Ascents International practices Leave No Trace principles on all expeditions. As guides, we spend time teaching the environmentally appropriate Leave No Trace principles and practices. There is nothing more rewarding than working hard to get high into the mountains, reaching a pristine campsite, witnessing incredible views, and having the feeling that no one has been there before. Please read the seven LNT principles, and call the office if you have any questions about what you can do to plan ahead.
Tipping
Guides are permitted to accept and greatly appreciate tips. Your guide team is composed of three guides. They will pool all tips received. An average tip for the full guide team is $200-250.
Please be aware that we are unable to process tips by card. You are welcome to tip your guides with cash or via mobile payment such as Venmo or PayPal.
Mount Rainier | Taquoma — 4 Day Kautz Climb Blog
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