Kautz Glacier

Kautz Glacier is an ice formation on Mount Rainier that stretches from the summit ice cap down to the Kautz Ice Cliff at about 11,700 feet elevation. It flows through a narrow passage and provides a key route for climbers attempting the peak.

The glacier was named in 1857 when August Kautz led an expedition toward Mount Rainier's summit. The area became significant later as a popular route for climbers pursuing the peak.

The glacier is named after August Kautz, an explorer who traveled with Nisqually guide Wapowety to map the area. The partnership between mountaineers and local guides shaped how people understood and climbed Mount Rainier.

This area is only accessible to experienced climbers and demands solid rope and crevasse skills. Visitors should rely on local guides familiar with the changing conditions and hazards on the mountain.

In 1947 a massive mudflow broke free from the glacier, transporting millions of tons of rock and ice down the valley. The flow flooded the lowlands below and left evidence of one of the largest glacier disasters in modern North America.

Location: Washington

Location: Pierce County

GPS coordinates: 46.82506,-121.77455

Latest update: December 14, 2025 16:44