We made it back down to camp by noon and had everything packed up in another hour. The walk down to Camp Muir was windy and heinous. The rockfall from Cathedral Gap onto the Cowlitz over the last two days was horrendous - we practically ran through the section. The Muir Snowfield was murderously long. The wind never went away. The water out of the tap in the Paradise restrooms is at a constant 33-degree temperature, which is quite an insult when one simply wants to be clean after being stinky and cold for three days (enough with the cold, okay?). We made the car around 4.30pm and drove back to Seattle for dinner. We had talked about possibly climbing some rock the next day, but we woke the next morning - shockingly - to rain in Seattle. I actually felt quite good, all things considered, after a climb at altitude. But I didn't let that keep me from lazing around for the entire day in my hotel room.

If you haven't done so, climb Rainier. It's fun, and as challenging as you want to make it. There's nothing very difficult about the D.C. route. The traverse is exposed and a bit dangerous, objectively speaking. But beyond that, altitude is the crux. I recommend taking three days for the ascent. It will be more enjoyable and will give you a little more of a cushion for weather if you need it. We barely squeaked by. It all happened in very good style, in very good time.

See you next time, bros.