Total score for last 12 months.
Rainier: 4
Ben: 0
This last week I made my 4th summit attempt on Rainier in 12 months. I went with 2 friends from the Midwest. Two of us made it to 12,300 feet before turning back. In the 36 hours on the mountain we
- wore shorts in a snowstorm
- watched the sunrise from above the cloudline
- ate one bag of gummi bears and half a pound of sour patch kids
- wore 6 layers (including down) and were still freezing
- wore 1 layer (laying on snow) and were still hot
- watched a small boulder tumble down a cliff, careen across a snow field and come to a rest 4 feet from us
- slept for 2 hours
- Saw the peaks of Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens, Mount Hood, Mount Adams, and Mount Tahoma
- Hiked in pitch black under the clearest brightest stars I have seen
- Witnessed more beauty and power than can be explained in words…
So, here’s a few pictures from our trip: (CLICK TO ENLARGE some of the scenery has some amazing detail but you have to click to see it)
The Paradise Valley
The first time we saw the sun through the clouds
2 AM Dark, Cold
Did you know stuff like this is in America?
5:35 AM, 11,200 feet
On Dissapointment Cleaver
I thought this would be a funny picture... then my tongue got stuck to the ice axe. That's Mount Tahoma on the right.
Looking down on the clouds
Gibralter Rock
Mount Adams
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Dude, glorious trip. You’ll take ‘ol man Rainier next time. Just don’t let him take you first.
i love the pictures with your awesome mustache..
Amazing pictures! How long of a hike is it to Paradise Valley?
Paradise Valley is approximately 10-15 minutes from the parking lot with approximately 100-200 feet of elevation gain.
I wish I didn’t hate the cold so much because those views look rad. But I also hate being outside for a long time so that wouldn’t work either.
The pictures look so great.
Ben,
I’m glad you’re so Asian that you bring bamboo reeds along with you on your mt. climbing expedition.
Amazing pictures, btw.