In every inspiring natural
creation there is a realism that speaks to you. In every moment on a
mountain you find it more and more. You discover yourself in ways not
possible through other means. This stays with you and guides you for the
rest of your life. May everyone have this chance at least once.~ Dave
Mt. Rainier is the crown jewel of the Pacific Northwest USA
and the 700 mile long Cascade range which spans from Mt. Lassen in the
south, all the way up to Southern British Columbia. On a clear day Rainier
towers east of Seattle and above all the nearby towns. You cannot miss its
jagged white glacier capped jagged slopes. Mt. Rainier has the most snow and
ice of any mountain in the lower 48 states and is the 5th highest peak in
the lower 48 states. Higher up the mountain, Rainier is riddled with
glaciers, crevasses, and ice seracs and as a result, it is one of the most
photogenic of all the Cascade mountains. It is an absolutely beautiful
looking mountain.
Climbers come from all over come to test their skills and stamina on Rainier
from the most common Ingraham Glacier and Disappointment Cleaver Routes to
other much more challenging routes. Rainier is also used as a training
ground for those ambitious climbers trying to go on and climb something more
technically challenging or higher in elevation such as Mt. McKinley in
Alaska or Mt. Everest in Nepal.
The new Paradise visitor Center is now operational and is located next to
the upper Paradise parking lot. A parking
lot with limited number of spaces is below the Visitor center and is
available for parking your car if you plan on a multiple day summit climb.
Mt. Rainier National Park is the nation's 5th oldest, having been formed in
1899.
Read on for more information about climbing Mt. Rainier...
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Dave's Pick