Climbers Bivouc still closed. Camped at Marble Mtn SnoPark the night before. We were prepared to camp on snow based on earlier reports, but there was nothing. SnoPark is completely dry.
Started a little later than expected the next morning around 530am. SnoPark trail 244 was dry and clear for the first mile or so, then snow/rock mix until Chocolate Falls and the Worm Flows trail marker. After that it was all snow, and your kicking steps.
We climbed in the rocks on the ridge for a bit, but then dropped in to the snow slopes. Donned crampons after a bit for some extra purchase. The snow was soft enough, they weren't needed, but there are some steep spots that I liked having the extra purchase.
It's a long, slow, slog all the way up to the crater rim. We stopped for lunch at the weather station with a great view of Adams and Hood, and a little bit of Jefferson in the distance. There's a steep headwall around 7600ft or so, just below the final approach to the crater. You can go around it to the east towards the false summit, but we decided to sacrifice energy in favor of time/distance and go straight up. It was worth it.
Coming up to the crater rim we were immediately greeted by Rainier saying hi. The cornices have melted a bit, but they are still very much a hazard so stay away from the rim. The weather was perfect and clear so we had beautiful views of Rainier, Hood, Adams, and Jefferson while we enjoyed our Summit beers.
After drinking our beer and hanging around for a bit, it was time to go. The glissade chutes were perfectly formed and ready for our enjoyment. There are sections that drop over some steep rollers with poor visibility from above and more rocks are being exposed. Use your ice ax and control your descent.
Amazing day!
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