Rainier- June 2017

In June I got the opportunity to climb Mt. Rainier with some of my family.  After some training in Colorado in May, we headed to Washington.

A day practicing self-arrest in CO

Dad enjoying a storm rolling in at St. Mary's while practicing rescue systems.

Rainier is such an incredible place.  It always loomed over the Seattle area when I visited family there, and getting on the peak was exciting.  I neglected to take enough photos of the delightful rainforest as we hiked through, but it was gorgeous and green.  We had obtained permits for the Emmons-Winthrop Glacier route, and a day of pleasant hiking with some mild slog thrown in for good measure had us at Camp Schurman.

Enjoying the views on the way to Schurman

Mom and Tara hanging out in front of Little Tahoma

Snacks are a critical part of any day.  Emmons Glacier is behind us.

 Obviously, we got into camp later than anticipated, and quickly started getting prepped for the next day.  Everyone was already pretty tired from the hike in, and the two hours of sleep before heading for the summit was not feeling overly abundant.  We were moving with 50 other folks under a clear sky by 2 AM, getting a late start as usual.  We moved pretty slowly, but made steady progress.

Sunset at Camp Schurman.

Mom enjoying sunrise on the edge of a crevasse with Little Tahoma poking up behind.

Tara sitting with the Governor from Blazing Saddles... 

Further up the mountain, the wind picked up making the snow quite firm.  Some were calling it "bulletproof," but I think ice ax resistant is a better descriptor.  Regardless, just as conditions were getting a bit more exciting around 13,000 ft., Dad decided he wasn't feeling well enough to continue.  He was not doing well as we climbed, but he pushed on for quite a while.  Turning back was definitely the correct soul-crushing call.  We made our way back down to camp under bluebird skies, and despite tired legs enjoyed the views of the Seattle area in the distance and massive crevasses and icefalls all around us.  

Enjoying the breeze during a break.

Our group making its way down and enjoying the pretty visuals.
Camp Schurman is at the base of Steamboat Prow, just above the tip of Tara's snow picket.

Mom and Dad and crevasses!

The plan was to hike out the next day, but I've been defeated by a lot of summits in recent years, and the weather window was just so perfect.  I convinced Tara that it would be a good idea for the two of us to try again the next day and then hike out.  We hit the tents as early as possible, but were kept awake by a group of party animals.  They were much quieter after I gave them a little bit of reasonable sass.  Tara and I were moving by midnight that night and made good time heading up.

By sunrise we were near our turn around spot the day before at 13,000'

Tara passing the steam vents at the summit crater.  Very, very cool.

By 6 AM we were on the summit taking nice pictures, and watching the boys from Fort Lewis puke or drink beer (and then puke).

Requisite summit shot

Mt. Saint Helens

Mt. Adams

The couples summit shot.  Adams in the distance.

We quickly descended and were back in camp by 10:30.  After a quick nap, we packed up and rallied out to the trailhead complete with glissading and luscious rainforest hiking just in time to have a delicious crab salad dinner at my uncle's house near Seattle.

An awesome trip overall.  I know my parents are already putting in some training for another attempt, and I am looking forward to having skis next time.