Features of This Trek
- 7 days, 6 nights: 6 days of instruction and climbing in Mt. Rainier National Park, mostly above timberline, 2 days travel from home and back.
- Camping and roped climbing on snow and ice glaciers
- Heated cabins and bathrooms
- Camp meals served family style in our lodge-dining hall
- Backcountry and alpine travel distance- 16 miles
- Highest elevation: 14,410’ summit of Mt. Rainier
- Elevation gain: 10,500 feet
- Ranger award experience
- Minimum age: 17
- Maximum group size: 12 (9 Trekkers, 3 Instructors) Max. 3 adult trekkers, age 21+
- Cost: $500 (+ $50 SeaTac shuttle)
- Monday starts available
- Prerequisite: Basic Mountaineering Seminar

The Expedition
This is a special opportunity just for older Scouts, Varsity Scouts and Venturers to learn big mountain snow and ice glacier climbing. Spectacular Mt. Rainier is the highest peak in Washington State also known as “The Mountain”. The local Nisqually people know Mt. Rainier as Tahoma meaning “the Mountain that was God”. First we use our chalet-style Camp Sheppard Base Camp at 2500’ to organize and outfit climbing teams before we venture into scenic Mt. Rainier National Park for more mountaineering instruction. At Sheppard Base we cover trek overview, gear check and issue, food and packing plus team building. Once in The Park, team excitement will build as we approach the stunning mountain together. For six days your team will learn important skills to climb expeditionary style camp to camp, higher and higher on the mountain. These skills begin with the basics such as- glacier camping, mountain cooking, stove use, map reading, Leave No Trace and sanitation-skills that are the foundation of mountaineering. Then more advanced techniques will be introduced such as glacier travel, ice axe self- arrest, crevasse rescue, snow and ice movement, protection placement and climbing techniques. Snow and ice climbing are the focus on Mt. Rainier. We do not teach steep or vertical ice climbing.

The Route
Sheppard Base Mt. Rainier Expeditions uses a route customized to meet the needs of trekkers. The majority of other Rainier climbs are conducted alpine style using just one night at a climber’s camp at either Camp Muir (10,000’) on the south side or Camp Schurman (9500’) on the east side. From there they start an early morning 12 hour round trip to the summit with day packs. The alternate of several camps progressing up the mountain expedition style to a high camp has some advantages for High Adventure treks. More time can be spent gaining altitude more slowly, which reduces fatigue and the possibility of mountain sickness. A non-standard approach has less competition for campsites. There’s more time for teaching skills and awareness before the summit attempt plus more mountain to enjoy.
The Sheppard route begins on the east side (3820’) between Camp Schurman and Camp Muir then traverses south for three days to a high camp (10’800). From there it’s a nearby connection to the upper portion of the Muir route (11’000) during a one-day, alpine style round trip summit attempt. After returning to high camp the descent continues through busy Camp Muir and out at Paradise Ranger Station and Visitors Center. A very exciting and rewarding route indeed.

If you’re ready to check out what big mountain climbing is all about, the Camp Sheppard High Adventure Base can help make it happen.
We’re going, let’s climb!

Note: This is one of our most difficult and demanding treks that should only be attempted by those in the best physical condition of their lives. Refer to Mt. Rainier Expedition Trekker's Guide for Trekker Preparation and Fitness Requirements for Mountaineering Treks. The Camp Sheppard High Adventure Base holds the value of safety and trekker education above reaching a summit. Therefore, a summit is not guaranteed due to weather and fitness that can stop a successful summit bid.

The Camp Sheppard High Adventure Base meets the BSA National Standards for Council High Adventure Programs.

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