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All the United States Washington Ashford Mount Rainier

Mount Rainier

The highest point in Washington state is a volcano covered in glaciers.

Ashford, Washington

Added By
Thomas Harper
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Mount Rainier   Mark Stevens on Flickr
Mount Rainier   Xevi V on Flickr
Camp Muir   Maggie Tacheny on Flickr
Fall at Mt Rainier   Naturally Cherish / Atlas Obscura User
The most luxuriant and the most extravagantly beautiful of all the Alpine gardens I ever beheld in all my mountain-top wanderings. ~John Muir   Naturally Cherish / Atlas Obscura User
  Mama Shotts / Atlas Obscura User
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Looking in from the Crater Rim upon summit   Aty Trocious / Atlas Obscura User
High Camp ( at 11,200 ft.)   Aty Trocious / Atlas Obscura User
Bridging the gap   Aty Trocious / Atlas Obscura User
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Peaceful Giant   Aty Trocious / Atlas Obscura User
Glacier Basin  
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Over twenty named glaciers cover Mount Rainier, the highest point in Washington state at 14,411 feet above sea level and a conspicuous landmark in the western part of the state.

Many routes and route variations await climbers of Mount Rainier, the majestic stratovolcano that can be seen from Seattle. It is the most glaciated mountain in the continental United States, and climbers may use these glaciers to ascend to its peak, known as Columbia Crest, on the west side of the rim of the caldera. The standard route to the top, though, is the seven-mile non-technical snow climb called Disappointment Cleaver.

Climbers on this route start from the Paradise parking lot and hike to the popular Camp Muir, a shelter at just above 10,000 feet. While the shelter does hold 25 people, slots cannot be reserved here. It is first-come, first-served, and is a popular day hike destination as well as a base for climbers who wish to make the summit, for snagging a spot in the shelter means climbers will not have to use a tent.

Beyond Camp Muir are the Cowlitz, Ingraham, and Emmons Glaciers and the final push toward the summit. Ropes may be in place to assist climbers on the steeper sections and wands marking the main route, which could easily be lost on the ice and snow. This route reaches the east side of the rim, so climb around the rim, where geothermal heat keeps the rock free of snow, to the highest point of Washington and the culmination of one of the toughest climbs in the United States.

 

 

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Mountains State High Points Geographic Markers

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From the Nisqually Entrace to Rainier National Park, drive to the Paradise parking lot and visitor's center. Hike and snow climb 7 miles to the summit.

Community Contributors

Added By

thomasharper

Edited By

michelle, EricGrundhauser, Naturally Cherish, Aty Trocious...

  • michelle
  • EricGrundhauser
  • Naturally Cherish
  • Aty Trocious
  • mocchiatto
  • wldmoore
  • Mama Shotts
  • jenninsb
  • sbblbbnh 77b3ae5f

Published

August 8, 2014

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Sources
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Rainier
  • http://www.nps.gov/mora/index.htm
Mount Rainier
Mount Rainier
Ashford, Washington, 98304
United States
46.853704, -121.75895
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