Sleeping Cold: Gear for Cold Camping

When you think of camping, you probably think of long summer evenings, lake days, and toasty campfires. And while summer camping is all well and good, there’s something to be said for winter camping as well; crisp mornings, beautiful early sunsets, and crystal clear night skies are just some of...

Apparel Fixes in the Field

Broken gear is a massive bummer at any time, but when you’re on the mountain, it can be much more than an inconvenience. A broken zipper, a ripped puffy, or any other apparel malfunctions can be the difference between you staying warm during an alpine start and having to stay...

Seeing Clearly: Glacier Glasses and Goggles

To say eyes are important would be a bit of an understatement; for most of us, they’re the sensory organ we rely on above all else, and that holds true in the mountains too. Whether you’re assessing a hanging hazard above you or taking in a sunrise, our optical organs...

Make Your Point: How to Sharpen Ice Axes and Crampons

Much like a relationship, climbing gear requires upkeep in order to avoid serious bodily harm. When you’re climbing, the points of your crampons and ice axes are often the only things keeping you anchored to the mountain and making sure they are in good shape is paramount. 

crampons, ice axe

Mountaineering Boots: Choosing the Right Boot for your Climb

With early-season climbing in full swing on Mount Rainier,  we figured it was time to revisit one of the most common questions we get here at Whittaker Mountaineering; how do I choose a mountaineering boot? With dozens of different styles tailored to almost every situation you can encounter in the...

boots, mountaineering boots

How to Wash Your Down Jacket

Puffy Washing 101 We love our Puffys. They keep us warm on rest breaks, double as perfect pillows, and keep us cozy on those post-aprés walks home. But let's face it, sometimes they get real stinky. In fact, if you're a mountaineer, there’s a good chance you use your puffy...

Mountaineering Backpacks: A Beginners Guide

If you’ve ever been mountaineering, you know how much gear you’ve got to lug along with you. Crampons, ice ax, helmet, harness, carabiners, ascenders, rope, food, water, sleeping bag, tent… the list goes on and on. Sure you’ll be wearing a lot of that gear some of the time, but...

Keep Your Fingers: A Guide to Mountaineering Gloves

If you’ve been mountaineering, skiing, or even hiking in cold weather you know how quickly your fingers get frosty. When you’re surrounded by civilization, warming up your digits might be as easy as putting in a handwarmer or grabbing hot cocoa in the lodge. But once you’re in the mountains,...