Getting up at 4am was certainly not easy, but the excitement behind Sunday's conditioning climb on Rainier made it easier. We got our packs packed, gear together, lunch packed, and were ready to go by the time Brett picked us up at 5 that morning. The roads were almost vacant making the drive fast and care-free- the gorgeous sunrise didn't hurt either. 
By 7am we were in Ashford. Along with about 10 others from our team, we gathered at Whittaker's mountaineering rentals. We got our plastic boots, gaiters, glacier glasses and then walked next door to my aunt and uncle's, Jasmers, to borrow two pairs of snowshoes. It took us another 45 minutes but before we knew it we were at Paradise and at the foot of this amazing mountain. It felt like my first day of school with a mix of anxiety and excitement pumping through my veins.
As we sat on the backs of our packs, ate our lunch and adjusted our boots, our guide announced that our team was looking in great shape. He explained to us that collectively, our team, was one of the stronger teams he had guided before and that while we should not get cocky we should be seriously proud of the training we have put in thus far as it clearly indicated to him that this was a team to be reckoned with. The day was simply amazing and it is clear that I am falling madly in love with this mountain :)
By 7am we were in Ashford. Along with about 10 others from our team, we gathered at Whittaker's mountaineering rentals. We got our plastic boots, gaiters, glacier glasses and then walked next door to my aunt and uncle's, Jasmers, to borrow two pairs of snowshoes. It took us another 45 minutes but before we knew it we were at Paradise and at the foot of this amazing mountain. It felt like my first day of school with a mix of anxiety and excitement pumping through my veins.
We couldn't have asked for a more perfect day. The sun was bright and Rainier seemed to glow in the turquoise sky. While we geared up more of our team arrived and by 9 am we stood with the entire group talking the day's schedule and strategy. It was many of the team's first time wearing the plastic mountaineering boots and climbing in the snow with 30lbs on our backs. 
Our first stop on the climb was right before the avalanche shoot where our guides taught us about pressure breathing and the rest stop step, both mountaineering techniques that help regulate breathing at altitude and enable your muscles to climb for both endurance and grade. By the time we reached our summit for the day, many of us climbers were surprised with the ease of that day's hike.
Our first stop on the climb was right before the avalanche shoot where our guides taught us about pressure breathing and the rest stop step, both mountaineering techniques that help regulate breathing at altitude and enable your muscles to climb for both endurance and grade. By the time we reached our summit for the day, many of us climbers were surprised with the ease of that day's hike.
As we sat on the backs of our packs, ate our lunch and adjusted our boots, our guide announced that our team was looking in great shape. He explained to us that collectively, our team, was one of the stronger teams he had guided before and that while we should not get cocky we should be seriously proud of the training we have put in thus far as it clearly indicated to him that this was a team to be reckoned with. The day was simply amazing and it is clear that I am falling madly in love with this mountain :)Thanks to a generous donation by Mr. and Mrs. Mattson, we have raised the minimum needed to secure our summit date. July 16th it is. It was such exciting news to hear that we have reached $7,000 in donations. How cool is that?! While we are pumped to have met the minimum, we still have every intention of getting to the goal we set for our team at the beginning of all of this... $10,000.
Every donation through June 10th, will be entered into a raffle to win to Mariner's tickets for the June 20th game at Safeco Field. Win those tickets!
k&m
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