The Mountains are Inherently Unpredictable and Unforgiving

Warning: Mountain Climbing requires special training and gear and is inherently dangerous.  

We have Skilled and Experienced Youth and Adult Climbers in our Troop.  If a climb is considered, a good amount of training must be completed prior to a summit attempt and only a select few Scouts and Adults will be able to attend.

If you are considering a Climb, consider taking a climbing course and using a Guide Service for your big adventure.

Do NOT Attempt Mountain Climbing without Properly Training for it or without Experienced Guides!

Weather

In mountaineering, four primary weather factors influence our ability to safely reach the summit: 

• Visibility

• Wind

• Precipitation

• Temperature

Depending on the severity, a climb may still proceed when only one of these factors is unfavorable. However, when multiple adverse conditions occur at the same time, it may be too unsafe to proceed with your adventure.  You may need to turn around or hunker down.

Because of the increased risk associated with unfavorable weather, adult leads and/or mountain guides will continuously evaluate current and forecasted conditions to determine whether it is appropriate to move to camp or make a summit attempt. At every stage of the climb, the focus is on managing and minimizing risk while making sound decisions based on the conditions encountered on the mountain.

After months of preparation, the weather may prevent us from summiting.  That's the way it is and the mountain will still be there for a future summit. 

Weather Forecast

Always check the forecast as you approach your adventure.  Knowing that a storm is approaching can save you a lot of grief. 

Mount Rainier Emmons Route Weather Picker:

• Trailhead - White River Campground

  • windy.com/46.902/-121.645?46.900,-121.645,16 

• Steamboat Prow (by Camp Schurman) 

  • windy.com/46.872/-121.732?46.870,-121.732,16 

• Summit Mount Rainier  

  • windy.com/46.853/-121.760?46.851,-121.760,16 

Mount Rainier Disappointment Cleaver Weather Picker:

• Trailhead - Paradise 

  • windy.com/46.786/-121.736?46.784,-121.736,16 

• Camp Muir

  • windy.com/46.836/-121.733?46.834,-121.733,16 

• Summit Mount Rainier  

  • windy.com/46.853/-121.760?46.851,-121.760,16 

Reading Weather On-Site

While in the mountains, you can predict approaching storms by reading atmospheric signs: 

• Cloud Formations

  • Lenticular Clouds 

    • Lens-shaped clouds look like UFO around peak

    • aka “Hogs-back” in UK and New Zealand

    • Lenticular clouds hovering over peaks indicate powerful system is moving in

      • Strengthening winds and incoming moisture within 6 to 24 hours

      • Can carry hurricane-force winds at higher elevations!

      • The thick fog and heavy snowfall can cause instant zero-visibility Whiteouts

      • High winds, dropping temperatures and heavy snowfall increase the risk of hypothermia!

  • Cirrus Clouds 

    • Cirrus clouds high in the atmosphere

    • Wispy and scattered

    • Can signal possible approach of fronts and low-pressure storm system

    • Seen alone - you are probably fine

    • Watch for presences or formation of other clouds 

      • Cirrostratus Clouds

        • Thickening of clouds

        • Continuous, thin, veil-like layer 

        • Often creates a halo effect around the sun or moon

        • Suggests front is getting closer

      • Altostratus/Nimbostratus Clouds

        • Lowering and Thickening blanket of clouds

        • Signals a drop in pressure and approaching precipitation

        • Can form over a day or two

        • Nimbostratus can block out the sun

        • Incoming moisture within 3 to 6 hours

  • Cumulus Clouds 

    • Large, white and puffy clouds like cotton balls

    • Can indicate fair weather

    • Cumulonimbus 

      • Cumulus Clouds can evolve into cumulonimbus clouds

      • Tall with many heads and bumps

      • Can bring hail, pouring rain, strong winds, thunder and lightning 

  • Cloud Cover

    • Sharp and defined cloud base - Not precipitating

    • Blurry, indistinct base suggest precipitation 

• Wind Changes

  • Terrain driven wind

    • Winds are funneled and/or blocked by valleys

    • May experience wind after hitting a ridgeline

    • Narrow valleys can turn into wind tunnels

  • Unusually warm temperatures in clear weather or a sudden increase in wind speeds generally signal an incoming storm front

• Barometric Pressure

  • The Barometric Pressure drops as you ascend

  • Drops in Barometric Pressure without ascension or greater than expected suggests approach of a low-pressure storm system

• Temperature Drops

  • Temperature cools as you ascend

    • Roughly 3.5°F to 5.5°F for every 1,000 feet

    • Roughly 1°C (about 1.8°F) for every 100 meters 

• Lower Altitude Weather

  • Moderately bad weather at low altitudes suggests worse weather higher up

  • Hope for best, but prepare for the worst

Cloud Images 

The following images by Chat GPT are far better than anything I could have drawn and are copyright free.  They give you a general idea of what different clouds can look like.