Mount Baker or Mount Rainier?
Comparing Mount Baker and Mount Rainier for your first climb? Both are Level 2 objectives with 4,400 feet of summit day gain. Here is how the two differ, and which one fits you.
Mountain Knowledge Hub
Welcome to RMI Expedition's "Mountain Knowledge Hub." We have over 55 years of experience in the mountaineering world, and we've decided to do our best to distill some of that knowledge, creating a resource for all things mountaineering. We hope you find what you're looking for!
Go South: A Climber's Guide to the Great Mountains of Latin America
Ask most American climbers where they want to go and almost nobody says Ecuador. Which is strange, because the Andes are the best high altitude mountaineering education available anywhere. Here is the case for climbing south.
Mount Rainier Cultural Landscape
A cultural landscape is a geographic area, including both cultural and natural resources and the wildlife or domestic animals therein, associated with an historic event, activity, or person, or exhibiting other cultural or aesthetic values.
The Art (and Heart) of Decision-Making in the Mountains
When we learn about risk, we’re not learning to avoid danger. We’re building the judgment to recognize when it is time to pivot, pause, or call it. That’s the true mark of a mountain professional.
Mount Rainier FKT Broken: RMI Guide Simon Kearns Runs Summit in 3:43
After two failed attempts and 13 years of dreaming, the RMI guide made history on May 9th.
Cold Smoke and Couloirs: A Ski Guide's Day on the Pika Glacier
"The combination of stable snow, bottomless powder, and flawless visibility made the whole pitch feel improbably composed"
The Seven Principles of Leave No Trace
Whether you're stepping onto a trail for the first time or preparing for a high-altitude expedition, the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace are the foundation of responsible outdoor travel.
Tips for Your First Time Mountaineering (From the People Who Know Best)
Climbing Mount Rainier is a dream for a lot of people. At 14,410 feet, it's one of
How to Train for Mount Rainier
Your one-stop-shop for a comprehensive Mount Rainier Training Plan
Building a 16-Week Mountaineering Training Plan
This 16-week plan breaks down into four phases: Base Fitness, Mountaineering-Specific, Peak Simulation, and Taper & Recovery. You'll gradually build aerobic capacity, strength, and the mountain-specific skills you need.
The Importance of Benchmarking
How Periodic Tests Can Validate Your Progress and Refine Your Plan
Becoming "Bonk" Proof: Improving Fat Oxidation for Mountaineering
Fueling Long-Duration Climbs with Enhanced Fat Metabolism
Creating a Mountaineering Training Plan
A Comprehensive Guide to Crafting Your Own Progressive, Goal-Oriented Program
Patagonia I: La Primera Brecha - Maxi Boludo
Follow along with RMI Guide Raymond Holt's adventures in Patagonia in this Guide's Day Off journal piece.
Guides on Ice: Inside The AMGA Ice Instructor Course
RMI Guide Sam Hoffman reflects on a five-day immersion into the craft of teaching, guiding, and moving efficiently through technical ice and mixed terrain.
Learning Together: Taking the AMGA Rock Guide Course with RMI Teammates
RMI Guide Layne Peters recently took the AMGA Rock Guide Course along with fellow RMI Guides. Here's what they have to say about their experience!
Trekking as Training for Mountaineering: Build Endurance, Altitude Skills, and Confidence
Trekking is more than adventure, it’s powerful training for mountaineering. Discover how long treks build endurance, altitude experience, and expedition skills, plus explore RMI treks from Kilimanjaro to Everest Base Camp, Gokyo, Machu Picchu, and Torres del Paine.
Creating a Margin of Safety in Mountaineering: Why It Matters
In climbing, the margin of safety is the buffer between risk and return. Learn what it means, how to build it on the mountain, and how RMI guides set the standard for risk management.
When the Summit’s Out of Reach: Lessons for Mountaineers
Not every climb ends at the top. Learn how to handle not summiting, understand the role of decision-making and safety, and discover why experienced guides matter in the mountains.
New World Record: Brent Okita Celebrates 600 Summits and Still Climbing
RMI guide Brent Okita becomes the first person to summit Mount Rainier 600 times. With nearly four decades of guiding experience, Okita’s record reflects a lifetime of leadership, resilience, and dedication to mountaineering.
Denali or McKinley? Name Changes on North America's Tallest Peak
RMI Expeditions now uses “Mount McKinley” in compliance with federal guidelines. Learn why the name changed again in 2025, and where we stand.
Denali Days - Musings from a McKinley Trip
Dispatches from Seth Burn's 2025 McKinley expedition. Poems, musings, and lively chatter from a great group of climbers.
Built to Lead: How RMI Guides Train for Excellence
At RMI Expeditions, guiding is more than a job. It’s a profession built on expert training, mentorship, and continual development. Discover how our guides prepare to lead with skill, safety, and purpose in every step of your climb.
Leave No Trace: RMI’s Sustainable Climbing Legacy
Learn how RMI Expeditions practices sustainability in mountaineering through Leave No Trace principles and environmental stewardship. Learn more.