Like many Washingtonians, climbing "the Mountain" never crossed my mind. I just grew up seeing it as a distant mountain, not realizing that there's an entire park to experience just 2 hours away from my house!

I remember driving through the park as a kid, dozing in and out of a nap, not realizing that I was in this otherworldly area. The next time I visited the park was my senior year of college. I remember tearing up in the car and pulling over at every stop just to get a better view of the mountain. After that visit, I decided to quit my job and work for REI and ultimately that experience has brought me here, working for Washington's National Park Fund. 

WNPF's mission is to raise support to deepen everyone's love for, understanding of, and experiences in the three parks. Join me in protecting and supporting these wonderful parks! Any donation amount would be greatly appreciated and I can guarantee you that your gift will be put right back into Mount Rainier National Park.

I'm so thankful for the opportunity to attempt to summit Mount Rainier. It's time to stop admiring it from a distance and just climb the damn thing!