Dustin_B Posted June 17, 2003 Posted June 17, 2003 Tony, Mark, Dave and I hiked up to Emmons Flats on Saturday, 14th. Left camp at 1 AM Sunday for summit. Pretty cold and windy at camp, only got worse. On summit at 7:30 AM. 1 other team of 2 on summit, which was cool for Rainier on a Sunday in June (what gives?) . Back at Emmons Flats at 11:30 AM. 1 hour nap. Hike out. Route fine, no dicey snowbridges, bergschrund can be avoided by heading to the notch between Russell Cliff and Columbia Crest and passing on the right. Basically to top of Whinthrop Glacier. A little out of the way but safe. It was so cold and windy up there we were climbing in down parkas, shells, balaclavas, hats (all our clothes) and were still cold. Nalgene froze every 15 minutes or so even in semi-insulated holster. Full moon was awesome, cast shadow of Rainier to the north. Estimate 40 mph winds at top (conservative) and probably 15 - 20 degrees. It was nice not see anyone all the way up. Sort of alpine-experience like. Different story on the way down. Clear and beautiful at the top. Pit toilet at Schurman nice and clean! Coming down around 11:00 AM (almost down at camp) we passed a couple groups starting up! With the slop we were coming down in I thought those guys were nuts to be heading up so late. No reason to rope up on Inter Glacier as the 2 or 3 crevasses are easily avoidable. Anyway, that was my second attempt of Rainier (same route) and my first summit. Yeehaw!! Quote
Bug Posted June 19, 2003 Posted June 19, 2003 Is the ridge below Schurman clear of snow? Enough to bivy on dry ground? Quote
Dustin_B Posted June 19, 2003 Author Posted June 19, 2003 I assume you actually mean 'above' Schurman as in on Steamboat Prow / Camp Curtis. You could find a bivy spot there off the snow for sure. We took a break there on a nice large level spot that was mainly dirt. Quote
Mike_Gauthier Posted June 19, 2003 Posted June 19, 2003 Nice, thanks for posting. I've also heard that the snowboarding and skiing are good... Quote
Bug Posted June 20, 2003 Posted June 20, 2003 Dustin_B said: I assume you actually mean 'above' Schurman as in on Steamboat Prow / Camp Curtis. You could find a bivy spot there off the snow for sure. We took a break there on a nice large level spot that was mainly dirt. Right. Thanks. That's what I was hoping so I only have to take one pad and light bivy gear. Quote
catbirdseat Posted June 20, 2003 Posted June 20, 2003 Here's a question. If you can find a place to bivy other than one of the designated sites (GB, Curtis, CS, or EF) that are reservable, how far from those sites do you have to be? 1/4 mile? Quote
skyclimb Posted June 21, 2003 Posted June 21, 2003 Was up on the emmons 10-12, and there was no ranger at the station. Don't know if that has changed, but anything goes, its a free for all! Quote
russ Posted June 21, 2003 Posted June 21, 2003 skyclimb said: Was up on the emmons 10-12, and there was no ranger at the station. Don't know if that has changed, but anything goes, its a free for all! he must come and go - he was there on 6-5 & 6-6. Quote
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