4th of July

After five months of training hikes, July 4th we embarked on our last one. We had plans to leave for Paradise by 9am however due to an unfortunate accident we weren't able to leave until nearly 10:30am. What was this accident you ask? Well, the rental shop gave me two differnt size boots both 'leftys' as well. That wasn't going to fly for a trip to camp Muir. Mandy and I had to return to Ashford 45 minuites away, switch the boots and speed back up to Paradise.

The team: Russ, Ron, Kevin and Andrew, waited patiently for us, which we were so grateful for, and into the foggy air we went. The day provided a myriad of of weather systems. We began with barely any visibility and then continued on into freezing rain. Above the clouds we were met with clear blue skies and intense heat. Once at Camp Muir the wind crept up and before we knew it were trying to withstand 45mph gusts. As one climber put it, "I really am eating a 'sand'which today" as he put down his dirt covered lunch. We tried our best to shield our food and eyes, but the wind put up quite a fight. Following the American flag-draped pack that Kevin carried, we cut our lunch break short and made our descent faster than normal. Dipping below 7,500' the wind lessened, but then so did the visibility. This trip was considerably longer than our last two, alomst 9 hours we spent climbing. By the time we made it back to our car we were cold, wet, sun-burned, and exhausted. Mandy had made it down the last 2,000 feet practically blind after having gotten dirt in her contacts. We were tired, but accomplished. On our drive home, fireworks filled the air, this was the end of our training. Now all that was left was the summit attempt.

k&m