George Le Masurier has one of the most amusing tales you’ll ever find about summiting Rainier. Here’s just one excerpt.

Because so many people try to climb Mount Rainier every year, the National Park Service rangers make it harder by removing all the oxygen from the air, which they then heat up and sell to certain politicians during election campaigns. I kept scraping my way toward the 14,411-foot top in hopes there would be an underwear-changing service up there. No luck.
Reaching the summit is a moment of sheer joy and triumph. It lasts about 3 seconds until you realize you have to go back down the same way you came up.