Success and Failure on Rainier

I lead a small group of stalwarts up Rainier last weekend. One of our team was absolutely flattened by AMS between 8000 and 9000 feet. It’s a vivid reminder that you don’t have to be at extreme altitudes to experience the sickness or dangers of AMS. Jim was experiencing vomiting, severe weakness and dizziness and was unable to progress. Jonathon quickly volunteered to take Jim down. Jonathon’s selfless action saved Jim from some serious danger to his health.
Alex and I however continued on to base camp at Camp Muir (10,000 feet), where we hitched up with a young couple who like us was not very comfortable with only two on the rope. We made for the summit at 1am with 2 ropes of 2. Seven hours and a world class sunrise later, we were on the summit.