Alpine Scramble - Goat Island Mountain (Mount Rainier)

More details and photos at Google Drive .

Route was in great shape - we found decent way trails up the East ridge, hitting consistent snow at ~5400'. We ascended lightly treed slopes south of the East ridge and then dropped into the basin north of the ridge at 6200'. From here it was easy contouring followed by easy climbing up a steep-ish slope. Snow conditions were variable through the day - we wallowed in snow when it was warm and thinner over rocks, and found good steps elsewhere. We regained the East ridge at 6780', and then traversed the slopes south of the summit to avoid exposed heather.

This was an education focused trip, and we took plenty of time to dial in route finding, reading terrain, dealing with dirt, and snow travel, glissading, and self arrest techniques. We discussed the route as a group, and I encouraged the students to lead way and make route decisions (and they did). Of course they did well. I think we all learned a ton.

09:00 - depart cars
11:35 - don ice axes & helmets, ~6030'
13:51 - regain East ridge at ~6780'
14:25 - summit
15:00 - depart summit
18:20 - back at cars