10 handicapped people poised for Rainier climb

Ten handicapped adventurers have set out to scale Mt. Rainier, planning to reach the summit of the 14,410-foot, glacier-capped peak July 4. The "can do" climbers -- six of them blind, two deaf, an amputee, and an epileptic -- braved high winds, freezing rain, and white-out conditions for a final day of training in glacial climbing techniques.

The group is enthusiastic and hopes to reach the summit July 4 to plant US and UN flags sent by the White House, climaxing Project Pelion -- the nation's major endeavor of the International Year of the Handicapped.