The last thousand vertical feet to be gained up to Muir was by far the hardest. Having left sea level only a few hours before, the increasingly rarified atmosphere took its toll. Our lungs ached and burned as we stopped and gasped for breath every few dozen yards. Finally, by 5 PM we stood at the small triangle of flat land which is Camp Muir (10080 ft). Looking north, the standard route to the summit of Rainier (via Disappointment Cleaver) follows the line of tracks angling upwards in the left rear of the photo.Trip Introduction | Previous Page | Next Page