"ClimbingMountain guide Simon Kearns has shattered the speed record for a round-trip ascent and descent of Mount Rainier, completing the feat in 3:43:52 on May 9, 2026. Kearns, who guides for RMI Expeditions on Mount Rainier, bested the previous Fastest Known Time (FKT) held by Alex King, marking a significant milestone in the Pacific Northwest alpine running community."
"Kearns' original objective for the season was to challenge the ski record, but a combination of a snapped race ski and a lean snow year forced a strategic pivot. "It became pretty clear this spring that I would have to pivot my focus away from the ski record and back to the on-foot record," Kearns shared via Instagram. "It went better than I ever could have hoped for and feels like a really long time coming.""
"The ascent was notably fast, with Kearns reaching the 14,411-foot summit in just 2:34:00. This split matches the pace set by elite mountain athlete Jack Kuenzle during his own record-breaking ski run of the mountain. Kuenzle, widely considered a benchmark in the sport, congratulated Kearns online, stating it was "great to see it all come together.""
"The record was completed in an unsupported style, meaning Kearns carried all his own supplies and received no outside assistance during the effort. He credited his intimate knowledge of the mountain gained through guiding, as well as specific coaching from Jay Cole, for his readiness on race day. Kearns noted that conditions on the mountain were "excellent" for a running attempt, despite the lack of coverage that hampered skiing."
Simon Kearns completed a round-trip ascent and descent of Mount Rainier in 3:43:52 on May 9, 2026, setting a new Fastest Known Time. The effort was completed in an unsupported style, with all supplies carried and no outside assistance. Kearns reached the 14,411-foot summit in 2:34:00, matching the ascent pace set by elite mountain athlete Jack Kuenzle during a record-breaking ski run. Kearns shifted focus from a planned ski record after a snapped race ski and a lean snow year. He credited his mountain knowledge from guiding and coaching from Jay Cole, and he described running conditions as excellent despite limited snow coverage. The result adds to a rapidly improving history of Rainier speed records using light-and-fast tactics.
Read at SnowBrains
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