jmo

I stopped at the Scaleburger after my last climb, and it was good, but not great for the price. I prefer the Burger joint in a rail car across the street.

I usually pre load my prussiks, and then compact them (sometimes with rubber bands) and clip them some where out of the way. Never had too much of a problem with it. I had a bigger problem with the extra webbing and cord I was carrying on the last climb.

Great TR, thanks for sharing. I did the Mazama in 06 and had a great time. Looks like there's more snow there this year. You took some great pictures. If you go again, try to do the Bird creek meadows approach, it's beautiful.

Did you make it? How was the trip? I was there the 4-5th, but didn't summit.

It was my first time above Muir, so i Just followed the wands and crowds like lemmings as well. Even on the exposed slopes, I felt safe because the snow conditions where such that my crampons had great traction, and I could arrest easily if I fell.

Trip: Mt Rainier NP - DC Date: 7/5/2008 Trip Report: Saturday was my first attempt at climbing the Mountain. I went with Jordan from CC.com, and once at Muir we met some other CCers. We spent the night on the 4th at the public shelter, which was surprisingly empty. Left Muir at 0130 in a cloudless sky with a slight breeze. By the time we reached Ingaham the breeze had become stronger, and about the time we got on the cleaver a cloud rolled in from the other side of the mountain and the visibility started steadily going down while the winds went up. Several parties turned around at the top of the cleaver, but we kept going. At about 0630 and roughly 14,000 feet the winds were stronger and blowing right at us, and we were covered in rime ice from head to toe and turned around within sight of the crater rim. I was afraid if visibility went down any more we wouldn’t be able to find the wands. Conditions got better on the way down, but were never good. It rained and hailed on us between Muir and Paradise. One of the pickets for the fixed lines below the cleaver was removed by another party. There were pickets for lines above the cleaver, but no lines attached to them. The route was pretty straightforward. There were some crevasses along the route, but none presented any major obstacles. The route was well wanded and easy to find. I got back home just in time. A few hours later my stomach started to hurt, and I had my appendix out this morning. The real summit will have to wait till August. Might post pics later, but didn't take many. Gear Notes: Jetboil had some difficulty in the cold at altitude. I put some hot water in the cup and put the fuel can in it every 5-10 minutes and it made a big difference.

I want to climb the mountain, have gear and experience, but no partner.

are you taking the south climb? I might be interested in another date, and either the south route, or one of the other moderate ones.

thanks

A prize would be well deserved

Anyone know a forum for hiking and backpacking in WA?

Anyone find the bottom part of a trekking pole on the Muir snowfield? It came off while I was glissading. At least I got it from REI. Thanks, John

Went up to Muir for training on Saturday. The route is wanded pretty well and has a good bootpath. Still a lot of snow at paradise. In the late morning and afternoon the snow was about 6-12 inches whenever I left the path. Hope to be back up soon.

Possibly either set of dates, depending on the route.

Is anyone interested in doing some climbing over at the Ft. Lewis rock gym? I know it's not great, but it's close and it's free. Since all my friends have deployed or PCS'd I'm also looking for partners to climb Rainier and any other mountains or hiking trips that may come up. I don't have any dates in mind for Rainier, but it's fairly open from here out. Most weekends are free, and possibly weekdays in July. I'm in good shape, I have some glacier experience, but and newbie on rock. I have all the gear needed for glacier climbs, but not much for rock climbing. I think the Ft. Lewis gym is military only, but for anything else military or civilian doesn't matter to me. thanks, John

Strange, it seems to have a memory. If i just put in paradise, it gives a list of cities. But if I put in another WA location and then paradise, it takes me right there.

yeah, i left out ,wa and got the right ones, but I already knew how to get there.

look up directions from any point in the US to Paradise, wa Scroll down to the part where it says Kayak across the Pacific ocean.

I'll try taking a picture of my surefire flashlight with it.

I'm interested. I should start getting weekends off soon too. Are you active army? I'm at Lewis and would be interested in meeting some other soldiers to climb with.

The helicopter does look very much like a UH-60, I could almost say it is one, and it's in CG colors.

johnobrien88@hotmail.com 253 691-9848 My work schedule is crazy this week, but I haven't heard about anything for the 7th yet. Hopefully I don't get off too late on the 6th.

Pete, if I can make it, would you be interested in carpooling from the Tacoma area?

I won't know until a few days out.

I'd like to be number three, but am not sure If I'll have to work or not.