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Rob, I hear many talk about being in the best shape of your life to climb Rainier. I feel like this is oft quoted b/c many weekend warriors climb mountains like Rainier. (I swam in college, I will never be in that kind of shape again.) I think that may be true for some people. It sounds like you're great in shape. Just need to get used to carrying a heavy pack. In my climbs in the Cascades I didn't train a whole lot more than what I did every week, which was ride a bicycle. I did a few hikes up 1500-3000 foot gain with 50 lbs. I'm 42 and I stay in pretty good shape for my advanced age. I think the only variable that will prevent you from summiting will be AMS (and weather). There's no control over these. Hopefully you won't get AMS. Go, have a great time, stay hydrated and pray for good weather.

They do. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). But you are not going to be living the high life on SSDI. SSI or Supplemental Security Income ain't a whole lot, maybe $600 a month. But it is reduced if you recieve food stamps or housing assistance. Being on the public plan means no more vacations, UNLESS you work under the table (as many patients have do) or sell your Oxycontin that you get for your chronic back pain. Oxy's go for $1 per mg on the street so if your on 80 twice a day your looking at $4800 a month or $57600 a year TAX FREE. And that ain't chicken scratch. You can probably keep on climbing. Just don't get caught. You'll be somebodies biatch in fed pen.

I will not guess but provide some context. I have seen multi-system trauma patients in my training and work (usually alcohol related). This can occur in falls, MVA, ATV accidents; work and play. Falls can result in long bone fractures, internal hemorrhage, closed head injuries (CHI); alone or in combination. Of course the more injuries the more complicated and increased chance of morbidity and mortality. Coupled with environmental extremes, fluid loss, baseline functioning, heat loss and distance from definitive care and outcomes grow worse. This pretty much can be anywhere; cold Everglades, hot humid south, Death Valley, elevated and glaciated peaks, Escalante, etc, etc. I hope Mr James didn't suffer much or alone. God rest his soul. And may his partners emerge from a hole alive and in one piece.

Oregon and NC, what a commute, best of both worlds Quick rule I learned 4' without O2 4 hrs without shelter 4 days without water 4 weeks without food Now I'm silent

This is only relevant for the first two years of the policy. After that you're golden. Always look at the fine print

I'm a vagabond of sorts, jack of all trades I think one can get insurance for anything. All types of insurance policies can have exclusions and limits. I happened to get a good policy, my only exclusion is disability for being MENTAL. BUT every company is different as to premiums length of beni's, and exclusions. If you suffer disability b/c of excluded activity you're hosed. Read the fine print! As for debt, getting disabled in the 10 years after training with substantial debt, you are once again hosed.I think disability in the face of substantial debt is not on the radar screen of most recently graduated professionals (MD, JD, MBA, etc). One is too proccupied with work, feeding kids, etc. When young we never think about needing life or disability insurance It's a real gamble. I guess be frugal, have your spouse work, and keep debt down. But I went to a state school where tuition was $1600 a year instead of $20000+ at say Wake Forest (1988 dollars) Funny thing is I almost cancelled my health plan 3 months before my accident. I'm glad I didn't, bills were about $35k (1991 $) Insurance, we all bitch about it but when we need it it comes in handy. I hate to sound like an add for "the ones who collect $ but hate giving it away" but life is risky. I do too much "foolish" (as my mother says; "You have a femily to take care of!") stuff but ones needs to think about these things because a bad disability will cripple your family. Plus bro's, who sell me my insurance, told me to say this. Thats why they belong to the country club and I don't (though I'm not much on that anyway). BTW Travelers sucks

All insurance coverage depends on the policies preexisting conditions and limitations. Every company is different, ask around. If you're not honest and suffer death or disability as a result of non disclosure the insurer may null the payment(s). Remember the insurer wants to limit exposure by getting as much money as possible and hoping they don't pay out. I'm not in the business but mu bro's are. Thats why they belong to the country club and I don't (not that I would)

I applied for disability in 1992. I had a serious bicycle accident and was initially turned down. I don't believe the application asked about hobbies but more about past medical history (accidents, surgeries, etc) My policy (Provident) is one of the old ones, it will cover to age 65; most now will not. I also have a supplemental policy from NW also. I think most policies now exclude for disability from "adventurous" hobbies. The disablity insurers have really tightened up to reduce their exposure. You are better of dead than disabled. Disability will drain your families financial resources, until you have nothing, then you'll qualify for Medicaid (federal insurance for those qualifying by financial need). If you're dead then your spouse can remarry. Long term disability is something I never thought about until my accident left me within a hair of being gorked