The nation's tallest volcano and the continental US' second highest peak, Mt. Rainer is a great climb. I plan to stand on the summit and look at the beautiful Pacific Northwest this July.
While I like to climb this mountain (my photos from my trip up Rainer last year are here), it is also one that at over 14,000' demands tremendous respect. Whenever I fly into Seattle (which oddly is quite often) you can see it standing there all menacing above the clouds. On Saturday two climbers from the east coast tried to summit Rainer. The climbers were stranded at 12,300 feet from Saturday to Monday on a 45-degree slope with steep and rocky terrain above and below them. The climber who died fell 30 feet early Saturday on Liberty Ridge -- one of the most difficult routes up the 14,410-foot mountain. His climbing partner was able to reach him, set up a tent and call for help on a cell phone. A dramatic rescue happened on Monday, but unfortunately the climber died in the hospital.
A sad day for my sport and a great peak. My thoughts go out to the climber and his family today.
