If you love to climb mountains, Rainier can't be beat. It offers everything from glaciers, crevasses, weather, challenge, and, if clear, great views. So here we are again looking up at its beautiful, imposing northeast slopes for another climb.
This year, Steve Hamilton (on left) put the trip together and asked me if I'd mind leading the roped sections when on the glacier. Joining us was Marcel Barel and Jim Ness. Our goal was to get Marcel to the summit on July 29th, his 74th birthday.
On our way up to Camp Schurman above Glacier Basin before the Inter Glacier. Again this year we're heading up via the Emmons Route. The weather and conditions were ideal.
Steve taking the lead on the Inter Glacier
Looking down the Inter Glacier to Glacier Basin camp now far below. The Sunrise Visitor's Center can be seen in the distance.
In hindsight, this was probably the most dangerous part of the climb: the descent off the lateral moraine from Camp Curtis onto the Emmons Glacier before arriving at Camp Schurman.
On the Emmons Glacier with Camp Schurman on the ridge line below Steamboat Prow.
Marcel at Camp Schurman (9,500 feet) the evening of the 28th looking at the upper section of the mountain. We plan to be on that section of the climb at midnight.
Back at Camp Schurman and liking it!
Looking down the Emmons Glacier to the east of Camp Schurman
Looking down the Winthrop Glacier to the west of Camp Schurman
Little Tahoma (11,138 feet) as viewed from Camp Schurman
Sunrise high on the crevassed slopes of Rainier
Jim Ness, Marcel Barel, and Steve Hamilton on the upper section of the Emmons Route. This year the glacier was in great shape and the route was almost a straight line to the top (e.g. shorter but steeper).
Marcel, Steve, and Jim unroped above the bergschrund about to top out.
As the sun rose behind us it cast this shadow of the four of us standing on the summit dome.
Steve, Marcel, and Jim on top.
All of us on top of Mount Rainier (14,411 feet).
The main crater to the east of the summit dome with teams summiting from the Muir route.
Heading back down.
One of the seracs we passed on our way down.
Taking a rest after a rather long, strenuous morning.
After returning to Camp Schurman clouds started to move onto the upper mountain. We'd hit it just right.
Alpine glow on the upper mountain the morning of the 30th, before our descent off the mountain.
Steve and Marcel crossing one of the weaker snow bridges on the second pressure ridge of the Inter Glacier.
A very happy Jim Ness.
Almost back down to Glacier Basin Camp.
The smiles tell it all...