The climbing season is finally upon us!  In a few short days I will make this seasons first attempt up Rainer to check out the conditions of the glacier and routes.  Hopefully with this winter's good snowfall the mountain will be in great shape.  The things I will be looking for are general snow level, camp site locations, route locations, rockfall hazard, bergschrund locations, and crevasse melt out.  All those things will effect the route decisions and general path that the routes follow this year.    It should be a great season!

Also coming up quickly is the Mount Baker summit attempt on the Easton Glacier 19 May.  We will be spending four days up there making our way towards the summit and practicing skills.  There is a spot or two still open if you want to join the trip!  It is a great introduction to big mountain climbing and will be a true test of your skills.

If your planning to attempt one of our big mountains this year be sure to step up your fitness training. Just jogging a few miles week will not prepare you for the epic endurance climb of the mountains in Washington.  If you have any questions feel free to contact us.  There is several training plans online and the twelve week plan is pretty good.  You really just need to be able to carry a pack uphill all day and still have a bit in reserve for unexpected situations.

Our first two Rainier trips are full but there is several opportunities still available later in the season.  Don't miss out on this years climbs and contact us if you have questions.

Greetings everybody!  Spring is officially upon us and things are heating up!  Our fourth climbing course is in progress and doing great.  Don't forget those knots...  We went up to Camp Muir to check out the conditions and so far everything seems to be shaping up well for the season.  There were several ski mountaineering teams headed up to the summit taking advantage of the sunny weekend.  Remember if you make the trip in the next few weeks that the weather can change very rapidly this time of year.  Be prepared with some layers and tough outer shells.  Also always take more water and food than you anticipate needing.  A local snowshoer got caught on the snowfield in the weather and suffered some minor frostbite.  Despite the amazing sunny day it can sneak up on you out there.  

If you want to get ahold of me remember to use the jblmalpineclub email.  As the season progresses I will be in the office less and less and up on Rainier more.  I will try to get any questions and concerns answered as quickly as possible but your patience is greatly appreciated.  Of course feel free to stop by the NAC, unless your question is technical in nature most of the staff knows how to get you an answer.


Or times are filling up rapidly as people sign up or request blocks of time for personal climbs.  If you want a private non advertised climb you should act soon!  So far August looks pretty empty but July is getting very busy.  As always let us know how to better get you what you want and feel free to ask about climbing on other peaks.

Hope to see you out there!