The Indians having been told that medicinal herbs were to be collected, sent five of their number to accompany Tolmie. Setting out for the Puyallup River (spelled Poyallipa by Tolmie) on the 29th, the party traveled up-stream for three or four days, passing through a wood of cedar and pine.  On September 3, 1833, Tolmie, accompanied by one of the Indians, climbed to the summit of the peak which now bears his name. From there he could see that "the snow on the summit of the mountain adjoining Rainier on the western side of Poyallip is continuous with that of the latter, and thus the S. Western aspect of Rainier seemed the most accessible.  In 1833, Dr. William Tolmie sailed from London to Fort Vancouver where he awaited assignment. After seeing "The Mountain," he was captivated and subsequently made a visit to collect "herbs of which to make medicine." Research now shows that Tolmie actually ascended Hessong Rock.

Credits and Sources:

“Ascents of Mount Rainier.” “Mount Rainier: Its Human History Associations.” Field Division of Education. National Park Service. Last Modified October 20, 2001. http://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/berkeley/rensch2/rensch2e.htm (Retrieved June 11, 2015).

"Tolmie Peak Trail.” Mount Rainier National Park: Washington. National Park Service. Last Modified June 29, 2015. http://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/tolmie-peak.htm (Retrieved June 11, 2015).