Nope haven't hiked Rainier yet. Sure I've alpine climbed. Sierra, Canandian Rockies and smattering of WA. (Coleman headwall, Sleese, Prussik) Once around '81 I drove 1,000 miles just to climb Drury but weather changed and thankfuly we went rock climbing instead.
Anyway I think he was referring to the social scene more than the actual terrain.