| Rainier 2009 |
My son Peter (center), a funny Texas pharmacist named
Justin, left, and a tough old Cleveland guy named Bob (rear)
watch climbers descend Disappointment Cleaver.
Justin, left, and a tough old Cleveland guy named Bob (rear)
watch climbers descend Disappointment Cleaver.
A guide points out the route we'll take to get up
Rainier. The summit is barely visible.
Rainier. The summit is barely visible.
The dawn's early light paints Mount Rainier's upper slopes. The tents are pitched on Paradise glacier.
The route at right was a little scary. We
had to make a few jumps across open
crevasses, and the snow was melting
out fast.
had to make a few jumps across open
crevasses, and the snow was melting
out fast.
Without crampons, the
climb would have been
impossible. This slope
is steep!
climb would have been
impossible. This slope
is steep!
We made it! This is
Aug. 5 at about 5:45
a.m. Even though it
was about 100 in
Seattle, it was about
15 degrees and
blowing hard at the
top. We went from
Ingraham Flats to the
summit and back in
seven and a half
hours, a pace that
buckled my knees. I
was on the verge of
puking when this
photo was snapped.
Aug. 5 at about 5:45
a.m. Even though it
was about 100 in
Seattle, it was about
15 degrees and
blowing hard at the
top. We went from
Ingraham Flats to the
summit and back in
seven and a half
hours, a pace that
buckled my knees. I
was on the verge of
puking when this
photo was snapped.
These last two photos are on the way down. Rainier is a steep, steep volcano.