Mount Rainier 3 Day Muir Climb Itinerary

Day 0 – Gear Check and Orientation

Climbers are required to attend a gear check and orientation at the Alpine Ascents office in Seattle at 2:00 p.m. the afternoon before the trip begins. During this two-hour session, guides provide a climb overview, conduct a thorough gear check, review Leave No Trace (LNT) practices, and discuss the National Park Mission Statement.

Day 1 – Paradise to Camp Muir (10,100 ft)

Meet at the Alpine Ascents office at 6:00 a.m., where the AAI shuttle will depart for Paradise in Mount Rainier National Park. Once at Paradise (5,400 ft.), the team organizes gear and begins the climb. The route follows established park trails to the snowline before continuing up the Muir Snowfield to Camp Muir.

Throughout the ascent, guides provide instruction on efficient snow travel and glaciology while passing landmarks of Panorama Point, Pebble Creek, and the formidable Nisqually Glacier. Upon reaching Camp Muir, climbers spend the night in Alpine Ascents’ private hut and continue discussions on hydration, altitude management, and sleeping warm in mountain environments.

• Altitudes: Paradise (5,400 ft.) / Camp Muir (10,100 ft.)
• Elevation Gain: 4,700 ft.
• Mileage: 4.5 miles
• Hiking Time: 5–7 hours

Day 2 – Camp Muir to Ingraham Flats (11,200 ft)

Following breakfast, the day begins with mountaineering instruction covering crampon and ice axe use, self-arrest techniques, and roped glacier travel. Our training area provides expansive views of Mount Adams, Mount St. Helens, Mount Hood, and Cathedral Ridge.

After lunch, the team packs up and crosses the Cowlitz Glacier, climbs over Cathedral Gap, and reaches Ingraham Flats to establish High Camp. This short move allows climbers to continue practicing rope management and glacier travel techniques. Once settled into High Camp, guides prepare dinner and brief the team on plans for tomorrow’s summit climb.

• Altitudes: Camp Muir (10,100 ft.) / Ingraham Flats (11,200 ft.)
• Elevation Gain: 1,100 ft.
• Mileage: 1 mile
• Hiking Time: 1–1.5 hours

Day 3 – Ingraham Flats to Summit (14,411 ft.) to Paradise

Summit day typically begins between midnight and 2:00 a.m., depending on weather and route conditions. Climbers ascend either the Disappointment Cleaver Route or, when conditions allow, the Ingraham Glacier Direct Route. Starting from High Camp allows the team to climb ahead of most parties departing from Camp Muir.

The route traverses glaciers, navigates around crevasses and seracs, and ascends the upper slopes of Mount Rainier to the Crater Rim before continuing to Columbia Crest, the mountain’s true summit. Guides maintain a steady pace with short breaks for hydration and nutrition while using fixed protection where appropriate.

After celebrating on the summit, the team descends to Ingraham Flats to break camp, continues to Camp Muir to leave equipment for upcoming teams, and continues down to Paradise. The AAI shuttle brings the group back to Seattle, stopping along the way for a celebratory meal.

• Altitudes: Ingraham Flats (11,200 ft.) / Columbia Crest (14,411 ft.) / Paradise (5,400 ft.)
• Elevation Change: 3,211 ft. ascent / 9,111 ft. descent
• Mileage: 2 miles up / 7.5 miles down
• Hiking Time: 4–6 hours up / 8–10 hours down