Here are some pictures of the Inter Glacier and the Emmons/Winthrop route. Camp Schurman was VERY quiet over the weekend. Rangers encountered one party of two between Friday and Monday. That party of two was able to get to the bergschrund at 13,800 (where the DC and Emmons merge) on Monday morning but turned around due to time.
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| View from Camp Schurman. |
With the DC route falling apart, the Emmons is probably the best route up Rainier right now (or the Kautz Glacier). Be aware, however, that with so few climbers on the Emmons/Winthrop and late summer conditions, routefinding could be challenging and will require a higher level of skill than in the early season. Certain sections are quite broken with many exposed crevasses. There probably won't be a boot track to follow and if there is, it could dead-end at an impassable crevasse. And because of fewer climbers and the dwindling staffing of rangers at Camp Schurman, a climb on this side will require more self-sufficiency than in the height of the climbing season.
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| Looking up toward the Inter Glacier. |
That being said, it's a great time of year to enjoy a quieter experience on the mountain. The hike to Camp Schurman is currently very pleasant. There are some deeper crevasses on the Inter Glacier but they are easy to avoid. Just be cognizant on the way up and remember to watch out for them on the way down! Be cautious descending the Inter. Glissading is not recommended. Enjoy!
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| There are large crevasses on skiers right in this picture but they are difficult to see until right on top of them. Beware! |
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| Crevasses on the Inter. -686 |