Mount Rainier - Washington Highpoint

Highpoint rank by height: 4th. With climbing attempts numbering around 12,000 per year, it is especially interesting to note that the summit success rate hovers around 50%. This low success rate should give you some indication as to the difficulty and dangers involved in climbing Mt. Rainier (Ray-NEER). Climbing Mt. Rainier is a serious undertaking; don't take it lightly. High winds, snowstorms and whiteout conditions may occur at any time. Turn back if weather conditions begin to deteriorate. Know your limits. A few words regarding health and sanitation. As you might imagine, 12,000 climbers make a staggering environmental impact on the mountain. Therefore, all climbers are required to do their part to keep conditions sanitary. "Blue bags" for human waste disposal are available at ranger stations and high camps. These bags contain one clear bag and one blue bag, along with twist ties. To correctly use the bag for waste disposal where toilet facilities are not available, defecate on the snow away from the climbing route. Collect your feces by using the blue bag like a glove. Then, turn the blue bag inside out and secure it with a twist tie. These bags are to be deposited in collection barrels provided at Camp Muir. DO NOT dispose of blue bags by dropping them in crevasses or trashcans! The "blue bag" system is also being used on Mt. Hood. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see the sad results of ignoring this sanitary protocol. Due to the aforementioned sanitary problem, it is extremely important that you adequately boil and/or treat your melted snow water to avoid contracting Giardia, that really nasty intestinal malady associated with drinking feces-infected fluids. Ignore this purification warning and suffer the consequences in about seven days (holidays included)! Remember that climbers must melt snow for drinking and cooking water at the high camps on the mountain. Allow enough time (at least three hours) and fuel in your plans for this time-consuming task. I've stayed up way late sometimes just trying to get adequately hydrated. We will use the ever-popular Ingraham Glacier–Disappointment Cleaver climbing route for your summit attempt. An abundance of alternate routes challenge the more experienced climber. Note: Liberty Cap at 14,112 feet (4,301 m) is considered by some as a separate peak on Mt. Rainier due to its greater than 300 foot (91 m) difference in elevation from Columbia Crest, the true summit of Mt. Rainier. What does this mean to you? Well, if you want to "bag" the highest 100 peaks in the lower 48 states you will need this one!