It has been a long road from GNP to Boulder, and it was difficult to decide where to pick the stories back up. Geographically Seattle was next on the map, and there are hundreds of blog worthy adventures that the northwest corner had to offer.
Our dear friend and colleague, Lester McGuire set us up with the nicest people (and coolest K-9) in Seattle: Corey, Natasha, and Nola. They would act as our base camp family for our bid at the summit of the mighty Mount Rainier.
Mount Rainier is one of the most coveted peaks of recreational mountaineers, and was on the top of our list for must-have-adventures. The active stratovolcano is home to 26 glaciers, making it the most heavily glaciated peak in the United States. The peak is also the highest point in Washington at 14,410 (or 14,411 if you want to believe Corey) feet above the Pacific Ocean.
We finished packing for our first fourteener around 10pm, and decided to get a jump on getting to the park before it opened to try to secure our chances at a permit. While the plan to beat the rest of the climbers to the park was meritorious, the only thing we ended up beating them at was lack of sleep.
As the clock approached four (in the a.m.) we cruised within 12 miles of the park before realizing that the fuel light was turning on and the only place to fill up within 60 miles was at the local gas station/grocery/pizza shop/only-real-store-in-town. The pumps, sans card readers, were shut off and we were forced to wait two or three hours until they decided to show up to work. This minor set back could have proved disastrous, but luck always seems on our side.
When we finally made it to the climbing station to register, Phillipe, the ranger informed us that we (were two very lucky dudes and) were the last people who would granted access to climb past Camp Muir for the day. I was ecstatic as we geared up for the 5.5 mile jaunt up to the Ingram Glacier where we would camp that night.
We set up shop around 6 pm, and tired to get a bit of sleep before our summit 1 am summit bid. Corey impressed me with his ability to catch some z s despite the wind beating the side of the tent like Lars Ulrich. Although sleeping is fun and all, he missed out on all of the exciting rock falls and running around double staking down the tent. One thing about rock falls-- they make wearing a helmet not seem so uncomfortable.
We left the shelter of our REI Mountain 3 at 1:15 am with headlamps blasting though the windy night. We roped up to ensure our safety if one of us fell into a crevasse, but I recently learned the real reason mountaineers tie themselves together is to keep the sane ones from going home.
The road to the summit was a slow trudge up steep switchbacks, and over giant crevasses. The trains of other climbers headlamps and the shining stars faded out as the sun peaked over the horizon; one of the most beautiful sunrises I have ever seen. At 7:08 am we ran out of mountain, and reached the 14,410 foot point. Elated, we snapped a few photos, signed the climbers log, marveled at the volcanic crater, and headed back to base camp.
Rainier was truley an amazing mountain, and the satisfaction of crossing that peak (or at least that route) off my life list cannot be underestimated. But mountains are addicting, and I cannot wait to blog about the next bigger adventure.
(For some reason the pictures are uploaded in reverse order, hope you enjoy anyways...)
