to have ever climbed Mt. Rainier. This woman summitted in one day... 19 hours of climbing. What an inspiration! She hiked with the CFCA group for roughly the first 1,000'- an absolute honor to have her in our presence. By 9am we set off onto the sun soaked snow field with 35lbs of gear on our backs. Camp Muir, 4.5 miles and 4,600' from Paradise was our goal.
As we learn more about this mountain climbing thing, we learn the little things can be most important. For instance, putting on sunblock includes putting it inside your mouth, in your ears, and up your nose. The sun will reflect off of the snow and as I witnessed last week on a couple of fellow climbers (who suffered 2nd degree burns), the sun on the mountain can severely severely sunburn you to the point of hospitalization. Resting is another 'simple' component often overlooked while climbing. Using the 'rest step' and getting off of our legs while breaking have proven to be critical in saving enough energy and strength to make the summit.
What an amazing day, the visibility was crystal clear, the sky open and blue and the mountain commanding our every attention. The "Muir Freeway" was bustling and full of energy. Hiking up we could look back on the trail confettied with other climbers.
By mid-way, the group had spilt into two groups due to varying speeds. Mandy and I continued in the first group though feeling our legs burn and hearts race as the mountain never wavered in its lack of grace. At times we'd hear thunder, see smoke and all pause in wonder as an avalanche would make its way down a face of Rainier. The beauty of where we were was constantly in competition with the reality of its power.
3.5 hours into the trek, Muir was in sight. Our guide, Mike, stopped the group and wanted to remind us that the mountain can truly psych you out. He said, while Muir looked 'right up the hill' it was still an hour out and to try and focus on smaller distance goals other than camp, like the flags marking the path or even as one climber called out, "I'm just trying to make it to the footsteps in front of me." The reminder was noted and grateful we were for it, as the distance to Muir truly messed with our minds. I swore I could reach out and touch it, but every fifteen minutes, it's proximity to us never lessened.
After another 20 minutes of exhaustion, we had to just keep our heads down and just get there... 4.5 hours after we set out, get there we did. Setting foot at camp, the team celebrated with cheers and high fives. We stopped for lunch in the clouds and got to evaluate where were at physically and mentally as we had just made it to our soon to be summit's half-way mark.
After lunch had been had, the group began the decent. As we left Muir and looked up at the mountain we could see about fifteen dark spots speckling the glacier... another team making their way from the summit. In 28 days, this was going to be us. k&m
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