Willis Wall, Volcanic cliff at Mount Rainier, Pierce County, United States
Willis Wall is a volcanic cliff on Mount Rainier's north face that rises over 3,500 feet with multiple layers of rock and consolidated volcanic material. The formation is almost constantly covered with ice and snow, especially in its upper sections where a thick ice crown hangs above the wall.
Bailey Willis, a geological engineer who worked in the Mount Rainier area in the 1880s, had this wall named in his honor. The site gained recognition in mountaineering circles after major climbing ascents demonstrated its technical difficulty and importance in the region.
The wall draws mountaineers from around the world who test their skills on one of the continent's most challenging ice routes. For the climbing community, it represents a serious step up in alpinism and is treated with great respect.
Only climbers with substantial ice climbing experience should attempt this wall, as falling ice from the upper crown is a constant hazard in most seasons. The route requires careful route-finding and attention to weather conditions, which can change rapidly at this elevation.
The wall sits in a vast glacial basin that reshapes itself constantly through ice movement and avalanches, so climbers experience different conditions and hazards each season. This dynamic environment makes every ascent a somewhat different undertaking than previous attempts.
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