What do you think of when you see Mount Rainier? 

Some of us think, "Oh wow, I can see Mount Rainier. Must be really clear out today. Pretty."

Some people, though, look at its snow-capped peaks and see a challenge, a life goal -- something they may climb one day, braving cold and oxygen deprivation. To able to say they've done it. 

And then there is Simon Kearns, who looks at Mount Rainier as something to absolutely dominate. 

That's what he did in early May, when he set a new speed record for climbing Washington state’s tallest peak on foot.

He traveled the nearly 9,000 vertical feet to the summit and back in three hours, 43 minutes and 52 seconds. 

Kearns joined Soundside to talk about what it was like shattering the previous record by more than half an hour. 

Guest: Simon Kearns, a mountain guide at RMI Expeditions.

Related links:

• Mount Rainier climber sets new speed record | The Seattle Times
• Simon Kearns Smashes Mount Rainier FKT by Over 30 Minutes | Outside Magazine

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