Mount Rainier
is a stratovolcano in Pierce County, Washington, located 54 miles (87 km)
southeast of Seattle, Washington, in the United States. It is the highest peak
in the Cascade Range, with a topographical summit of 14,411 feet (4,392 m). The
mountain and the surrounding area comprise Mount Rainier National Park. The
mountain is mostly covered by snow and glaciers, but heat from the volcano keeps
areas of the crater rim on its summit cone mostly free of snow and ice. The
geothermal heat has also caused the formation of glacier caves in the twin
summit craters.
Mountain climbing on Mount Rainier
is difficult. It includes climbing on the largest glaciers in the U.S. south of
Alaska and most climbers require two to three days to reach the summit, with
weather and conditioning being the most common reasons for failure. Climbing
teams require experience in glacier travel, self-rescue, and wilderness travel.
About 20,000 people attempt the climb each year, about 90% via routes from Camp
Muir on the southwest flank. Most of the rest ascend Emmons Glacier via Camp
Schurman on the northeast. About half of the attempts are successful. About ten
deaths each year occur due to rock fall, falls, and hypothermia associated with
severe weather.
Mount
Rainier
