Rainier climb numbers declining

[RichTurley]

I was reading the link: http://www.nps.gov/mora/climb/Climb03.mht

and noticed that the number of climbers on Rainier has been steadily declining since 2000. Made me do a double take as I had the perception that it was endangered by too many people. Why the decline? Is it the rise in park and climbing fees?

 

Rich

[iain]

it's the UN's fault.

[seatosky]

Fine by me if the numbers decline. More of the mountain for the rest of us. . .

 

But in all seriousness, the economy may be a source of the decline. Fewer people willing to travel and pony up resources to climb Mt. Rainier. There are plenty of other places to go more affordably. We'll see about this theory when the economy gets rolling again. That may be awhile!

[TrailPair]

I have another theory. I don't think the cost is extravagant to do the climb....and it isn't a very long drive to the "Mountain". I think people in general are becoming more sedentary....and lazier....and fatter. So, they don't have any interest in doing something that would be physically challenging.

[fear]

Rainier's got to be the cheapest real mountain in the US to climb. You can't beat the access either. Hell, I come all the way from CT and it's still a bargain.

 

I'm seconding the fat and lazy theory....

 

-Fear

[Alex]

..and it isn't a very long drive to the "Mountain".

 

TrailPair, I believe the reference is specifically to people who travel to climb Rainier from outside the state of Washington. Rainier is a very popular desitnation climb, especially for "East-coasters" who rarely if ever see glaciated peak, let alone one so dramatic.

 

I tend to agree that the economy might be a probable cause. Airfare and renting eq *does* cost more than a trip to the White Mountains or Adirondack High Peaks, after all. You could back that theory up by comparing Denali climbing records, since the situation climbing in Denali Park is very similar.

[eternalX]

My favorite thing on that page is:

 

One less exciting rescue involved the “short-roping” of a solo climber from the summit to Camp Muir in July. This climber chose to ascend despite warnings from guides and other mountaineers. He did not have a solo permit, proper equipment (overnight gear) or preparations (adequate amounts of food and water). Once on the summit, he requested (through other climbing teams) a rescue, stating that he was too tired and hypothermic to descend safely. Climbing rangers from Camp Muir ascended to the Crater Rim and escorted the climber over the course of 11 hours back to Paradise. The climber was cited and convicted in court for endangering the lives of others and soloing without a permit.

 

I can almost see the writer rolling his eyes...

[Matthew]

The problem is, we just haven't had a *great* climbing movie in a couple years now, and the population at large is starting to forget how *cool* it would be to go climb a mountain.

 

Not to worry though; as soon as the next flick comes out with Keanu Reeves [insert lame star of choice] wildly pinwheeling across a 50 foot chasm, only to land squarely on a sheer face at dizzying heights with merely axes and frontpoints...

 

those numbers will climb right back up. Cause hey, thats what climbing is about!

 

[wally]

been hearing in the news about fat americans. if I weighed an extra 100 lbs i wouldn't go either

[Bandit]

All my friends prefer to ride the couch instead of the ski slopes or mountains. The lazy theory is right on point. Look at the teenagers. They're getting a nice roll on them too! There are too many computer and video game junkies that keep them inside with their faces glued to the screen.