Mount Rainier, known as Tahoma by the Sahaptan-speaking tribes, stands as one of the tallest mountains in the contiguous United States at 14,417 feet. This majestic peak has become a popular destination for climbers looking to test their skills against its challenging terrain. While not as formidable as Mount Everest, Rainier demands respect and proper preparation from those who attempt to conquer its slopes.

In July 2010, experienced climber Eric Lewis and two companions, Don Storm Jr. and Trevor Lane, began what would become a mysterious journey up the Gibraltar Ledges route. Despite Lewis having successfully summited Rainier at least ten times previously, this particular expedition occurred during dangerous conditions with visibility reduced to just five feet in some areas and winds reaching 40-50 miles per hour. What started as a challenging climb soon turned into one of Mount Rainier's most perplexing disappearances.

Key Takeaways

Mount Rainier presents significant challenges to climbers with its 14,417-foot elevation and varying seasonal conditions.
The Gibraltar Ledges route, while typically intermediate in difficulty, becomes treacherous during summer months due to loose rock and unstable ice.
Experienced climber Eric Lewis mysteriously vanished during a July climb despite being properly equipped and having successfully summited the mountain multiple times before.

Mount Rainier Overview

Mount Rainier stands as one of the tallest mountains in the contiguous United States, reaching an impressive elevation of 14,417 feet. Known to local Indigenous peoples as Tahoma, this majestic peak has become both a cultural landmark and a challenging destination for climbers across the world.

Geographic Features

Mount Rainier ranks as the fifth tallest mountain in the continental United States. Its impressive elevation of 14,417 feet creates a dominating presence in the Washington landscape. The mountain features various climbing routes of different difficulty levels, including the Gibraltar Ledges route which rises approximately 9,010 feet from its starting point. Many of the mountain's features—including glaciers, passes, and surrounding areas—bear names reflecting local Indigenous influence, such as the Nisqually Glacier. The mountain's terrain varies significantly, with some slopes reaching gradients of 50 degrees, requiring specialized equipment like crampons, ice axes, and ropes for safe navigation.

Indigenous Connections

The Sahaptin-speaking tribes of the region referred to Mount Rainier as Tahoma. These Indigenous groups, including the Yakima and Nez Perce peoples, belong to the Plateau culture area and represent the most recent Native inhabitants of the mountain region. Interestingly, these tribal groups acknowledge they weren't the original inhabitants, referencing "old Indians" who occupied the area before their arrival. The influence of both Sahaptin and Coastal Salish cultures is evident throughout the mountain, with numerous geographical features bearing names derived from these Indigenous languages.

Mount Rainier National Park and Climbing History

Mount Rainier serves as the centerpiece of its namesake national park. The mountain has attracted climbers since the first documented successful ascent by P.B. Van Trump and Hazard Stevens. Climbing conditions vary dramatically by season:

Winter months (December-February): Optimal time for certain routes like Gibraltar Ledges
Summer months: Can present unexpected hazards including loose rock and unpredictable ice conditions

Camp Muir, positioned at 10,200 feet, functions as the primary shelter area for climbers attempting to reach the summit. The camp features a 12 by 25 foot stone shelter and several support buildings, providing a crucial resting point for climbers tackling this formidable peak.

Despite its popularity, Mount Rainier demands respect from all who attempt to climb it. Weather conditions can change rapidly, with visibility sometimes reduced to just five feet and winds reaching 40-50 miles per hour. Even experienced climbers with proper equipment face significant challenges when conditions deteriorate on this impressive but unforgiving mountain.

Historical Mountain Climbs

Mount Rainier, known as Tahoma by the Sahaptan-speaking tribes, stands as one of the tallest mountains in the contiguous United States at 14,417 feet. Its imposing presence has attracted climbers for generations, with numerous routes of varying difficulty levels. The mountain holds significant cultural importance for indigenous peoples of the region, including Yakima and Nez Perce groups, who have lent their names to many of the passes, routes, and glaciers found on and around the mountain.

First Documented Summit

The first recorded successful climb of Mount Rainier was accomplished by P.B. Van Trump and Hazard Stevens. These pioneering mountaineers established what would become a traditional route up the formidable peak. Since their groundbreaking ascent, thousands of climbers have followed in their footsteps, with various levels of success.

Mount Rainier presents different challenges depending on the season and route chosen. The Gibraltar Ledges route, for example, is classified as an intermediate Alpine climb with a grade 2 difficulty, featuring snow slopes of approximately 50 degrees. This particular route is more suitable for winter climbs during December through February, requiring essential equipment such as:

Crampons
Ice axes
Ropes
Helmets
Other specialized climbing gear

Weather conditions on the mountain can change dramatically, with visibility sometimes reduced to mere feet and winds reaching 40-50 miles per hour. These environmental factors make Mount Rainier particularly dangerous even for experienced climbers who have successfully summited in the past.

The Mountain Tragedy of Eric Lewis

Eric's Mountain Climbing Background

Eric Lewis was a seasoned mountaineer at age 57, having successfully reached the summit of Mount Rainier at least ten times before his final expedition. His extensive experience made him confident in his abilities to handle the challenging terrain of one of the tallest peaks in the contiguous United States. Standing at 14,417 feet, Mount Rainier (known as Tahoma by indigenous Hampton-speaking tribes) has long attracted skilled climbers looking to test their abilities on its demanding slopes.

The Ill-Fated Journey on Gibraltar Route

On July 1, 2010, Eric Lewis set out with two companions, Don Storm Jr. and Trevor Lane, to climb Mount Rainier via the Gibraltar Ledges route. The three men were roped together in sequence, with Don leading, Trevor in the middle, and Eric at the rear position. Their climbing system was methodical - Don would advance, stop for Trevor to catch up, then Trevor would wait for Eric to reach them before continuing upward. When they approached the 13,900-foot elevation mark, Trevor noticed something concerning: Eric was no longer following, and the rope felt unusually slack.

Equipment and Preparatory Measures

For this challenging climb, Eric appeared to be properly outfitted with:

Equipment Details Climbing helmet For head protection against falling debris Crampons Metal spikes attached to boots for ice traction Ice ax Essential tool for stability and self-arrest Carabiner Used to clip onto the safety rope Backpack Carrying necessary supplies

The Gibraltar Ledges route typically requires this standard alpine climbing gear, particularly for navigating snow slopes that can reach 50-degree inclines. Despite having the right equipment, the timing of their climb proved problematic - July is not the recommended season for this particular route.

Gibraltar Ledges' Treacherous Conditions

The Gibraltar Ledges route normally rates as an intermediate alpine climb with grade 2 difficulty, making it reasonably manageable for experienced climbers during winter months (December through February). However, on that July day, the climbers faced visibility of merely five feet in some areas and dangerously high winds between 40-50 miles per hour. The route involves an elevation gain of approximately 9,010 feet, essentially climbing almost two miles vertically into the air. Summer conditions create additional hazards on this path, including loose rock and unpredictable ice formations, transforming what might be a standard climb into a significantly more dangerous undertaking.

When Don and Trevor pulled up their rope after feeling the slack, they discovered Eric had unclipped his carabiner from the line. His footprints in the snow ended abruptly at approximately 13,800 feet, with no trace indicating which direction he had gone afterward.

The Hunt for Missing Climber

When the Disappearance Was First Noted

On July 1, 2010, experienced mountaineer Eric Lewis vanished during a climb on Mount Rainier. The 57-year-old climber had successfully summited the 14,417-foot peak at least ten times previously. Lewis was ascending the Gibraltar Ledges route with two companions, Don Storm Jr. and Trevor Lane, when the incident occurred. The three climbers were roped together in sequence—Don in the lead position, followed by Trevor, with Eric at the rear of the line.

Despite his extensive experience, Lewis chose to attempt this climb during dangerous conditions. The Gibraltar Ledges route, while rated as an intermediate Alpine climb (grade 2 difficulty), is typically recommended as a winter route during December through February. On this July day, visibility was severely limited to approximately five feet in some areas, with winds reaching dangerous speeds of 40-50 miles per hour.

Mountain Ranger Response Teams

When Lewis's companions realized he was missing, they immediately took action. They first noticed something was wrong at approximately 13,900 feet elevation when the rope between them felt slack. Upon pulling the rope up, they discovered Lewis was no longer attached—he had apparently unclipped his carabiner from the safety line. His footprints traced up to approximately 13,800 feet elevation and then mysteriously disappeared.

After searching the immediate area and finding no sign of Lewis, Storm and Lane completed their ascent to check if he had somehow reached the summit independently. Finding no evidence of Lewis there either, they descended approximately 4,000 feet to Camp Muir to alert park rangers of the situation.

Three rangers led by climbing specialist Tom Payne immediately formed a search party. The team ascended to the summit, reaching it around 8:00 PM, and conducted a thorough search of the area. Despite their efforts, they found no additional evidence beyond what Storm and Lane had already discovered. The search team returned to Camp Muir around 10:00 PM as daylight faded.

Camp Muir's Role as Search Headquarters

Camp Muir, positioned at 10,200 feet elevation, served as the central coordination point for the search operation. This camp is Mount Rainier's most frequently used shelter for climbers attempting to reach the summit. The facility consists of a simple but sturdy 12-by-25-foot stone shelter with several surrounding outbuildings.

The camp's strategic location made it an ideal base for organizing search efforts. From this position, rangers could:

Coordinate multiple search teams
Maintain communications with lower elevation stations
Provide shelter and support for searchers
Monitor weather conditions affecting search operations

As darkness fell on July 1st, Camp Muir became the nerve center from which additional search resources would be deployed in the coming days. The camp's established infrastructure allowed search teams to operate effectively despite the challenging alpine environment.

Missing 411: The Mysterious Disappearance of Eric Lewis on Mount Rainier