Let’s Climb Mount Rainier

Hiking highpoints is one of my obsessions and I think that 2008 is the year to do Mount Rainier. I'm putting together an expedition to summit in July or August. You should join me. I won't lie to you, there are some downsides. To prepare, a person should get in the best shape of their life, doing walks with a 40 pound pack. The trip will be a little pricey. It's about $1200 for the five days of guiding and mountaineering training. There's probably an additional $1000 of gear to buy. It will burn up 5 or 6 vacation days. There is a risk of frostbite, altitude sickness, and falling into a crevasse.

So why would you want to do this? One, it's cool to be in shape. It's also just plain cool to climb mountains. It's a great incentive to get you to the gym.

These are all good reasons. But there are two really wonderful benefits. First, the view and majesty of experiencing a mountain by foot is undescribingly affecting. Second, the beers with the guys after the hike are the best tasting in the world.

If that's not enough, this climb will also give you a legitimate excuse to buy an ice axe. That's awesome.

To see what I mean about the joy of toppinng , look at some of the views and smiles of former Hiking Trips That Were Awesome:

Planning Links:

Hiking highpoints is one of my obsessions and I think that 2008 is the year to do Mount Rainier. I'm putting together an expedition to summit in July or August. You should join me. I won't lie to you, there are some downsides. To prepare, a person should get in the best shape of their life, doing walks with a 40 pound pack. The trip will be a little pricey. It's about $1200 for the five days of guiding and mountaineering training. There's probably an additional $1000 of gear to buy. It will burn up 5 or 6 vacation days. There is a risk of frostbite, altitude sickness, and falling into a crevasse.

So why would you want to do this? One, it's cool to be in shape. It's also just plain cool to climb mountains. It's a great incentive to get you to the gym.

These are all good reasons. But there are two really wonderful benefits. First, the view and majesty of experiencing a mountain by foot is undescribingly affecting. Second, the beers with the guys after the hike are the best tasting in the world.

If that's not enough, this climb will also give you a legitimate excuse to buy an ice axe. That's awesome.

To see what I mean about the joy of toppinng , look at some of the views and smiles of former Hiking Trips That Were Awesome:

Planning Links: