**An All-Native Team Climbs Mount Rainier**
Mount Rainier is a majestic mountain located in Washington State, USA. It is the highest peak in the Cascade Range and the fifth-highest peak in the contiguous United States. Mount Rainier is also a popular destination for climbers, but it can be a challenging climb, especially for those who are not experienced. This podcast will feature an interview with Native American climbers who attempted to climb Mount Rainier in 2021. The climbers will provide insights into the history of Native American climbers on Mount Rainier; the challenges they faced during their climb; the importance of representation and diversity in outdoor activities; and the future of Native American climbers on Mount Rainier and beyond.
**Transcript**
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**Narrator:** Welcome to the REI Co-op podcast. I’m your host, Rachel Heaton. Today, we’re talking about an all-Native team that climbed Mount Rainier in 2021. Our guests are [guest 1 name] and [guest 2 name]. Thanks for joining me today.
**Guest 1:** Thanks for having us.
**Guest 2:** Yeah, thanks for having us.
**Narrator:** So, tell me a little bit about yourselves. How did you get into climbing?
**Guest 1:** I started climbing when I was in college. I was looking for a way to get outside and be active, and I found that climbing was a great way to do that. I loved the challenge of it, and I also loved the feeling of being on top of a mountain and looking out at the view.
**Guest 2:** I got into climbing through my dad. He was a climber, and he took me on my first climb when I was 10 years old. I loved it right away, and I’ve been climbing ever since.
**Narrator:** What was it like to be part of an all-Native team that climbed Mount Rainier?
**Guest 1:** It was an amazing experience. It was so inspiring to be surrounded by other Native climbers who were just as passionate about climbing as I was. We all had different backgrounds and experiences, but we were all united by our love of climbing and our desire to represent our communities on Mount Rainier.
**Guest 2:** I agree. It was such an honor to be part of this team. I think it’s important for Native people to see themselves represented in outdoor activities, and I hope that our climb will inspire other Native people to get involved in climbing and other outdoor activities.
**Narrator:** What were some of the challenges you faced during your climb?
**Guest 1:** The climb was definitely challenging. The weather was tough, and there were times when we had to deal with snow, ice, and high winds. But we also had to deal with the mental challenges of climbing a mountain. There were times when we were tired and discouraged, but we kept pushing ourselves because we were determined to reach the summit.
**Guest 2:** Yeah, the climb was definitely tough, but it was also an incredible experience. I’m so glad that we were able to do it, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to have climbed with such an amazing team.
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**Narrator:** Thanks for sharing your story. I’m sure it will inspire others to get involved in climbing and other outdoor activities.
**Guest 1:** Thank you for having us.
**Guest 2:** Thank you for having us.
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**Outro**
Thanks for listening to the REI Co-op podcast. To learn more about Native American climbers on Mount Rainier, visit our website at rei.com/blog. .
