The majestic Mount Rainier is known around the world for its participation in the Seattle postcard in the background of the Space Needle, Puget Sound and downtown towers.This volcano was discovered in 1792 by George Vancouver who named it after his friend, Admiral Peter Rainier, who never saw the volcano. Rising to an altitude of more than 4,323 m, it is the highest peak of the Cascade chain, hence the nickname Tacobert, "close to the sky" given to him by the Indians who also called him "Tacoma", (the mountain).The first official ascent of Mount Rainier took place in 1870. The expedition was led by Philemon Van Trump and Hazard Stevens who later told that they lasted their lives saved from the hot sulphurous fumes of the crater; the Indian guide who had refused to continue the ascent because he feared the wrath of the mountain died of cold.Mount Rainier National Park was created in 1889 and covers an area of 451 km². It is home to several natural wonders: 41 glaciers and snowfields, 34 waterfalls, about 60 lakes, dense and humid coniferous forests, sunny meadows covered with ferns and wildflowers - the show, called Paradise Flowers, is magnificent in spring. Everywhere we find abundant and wild fauna; about fifty mammals live in the park as well as 130 different species of birds.The volcano was born at the end of the tertiary era, on a plateau of lava and ash, shaken by violent eruptions. The Ice Age was a long period of inactivity during which the current glacier system, which is the largest in the United States (excluding Alaska), was built. Over the last few millennia, the accumulation of rock debris and moraine deposits led to the emergence of cones or peaks, which disappeared as a result of successive explosions and were replaced by vast craters. The main crater is now covered with ice; in the middle stands the highest point of the volcano, Columbia Crest.If Mount Rainier is now asleep, and it is the oldest of the Cascade Range volcanoes, an eruption every 200 years is usually observed. If he wakes up, he will do enormous damage, including mud torrents at speeds of more than 120 km/h. Evacuation exercises from endangered areas are organised every year. Coming from Seattle, we pass through Orting, where we can see the loudspeakers ready to transmit sirens.In recent years, the park has become increasingly popular, with a record 1.5 million visitors in 2018, the highest score ever achieved despite the shutdown in December.

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Mount Rainier. Photo provided by Washington State Tourism / John Marshall
Baie de Seattle et Mont Rainier. Stéphan SZEREMETA
Seattle Skyline and Mount Rainier at Sunset on a clear summer day. ferrantraite
Baie de Seattle et Mont Rainier. Stéphan SZEREMETA
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