In mid August 2005 I successfully summited Mt. Rainier which stands 14,410 feet in elevation. This was my first mountaineering trip, in fact the first time I ever held an iceaxe or tried on crampons was the day before the climb began. Being my first climb I chose a guide service, RMI, which consisted of a one day climbing school and a two day summit climb. The school taught self arrest techniques and allowed for getting use to walking with crampons. Day one of the climb ended at Muir Camp at 10,400 feet. Day two started with a ... (more)