olyclimber Posted June 13, 2004 Share Posted June 13, 2004 Climb: Camp Muir-Muir Snowfield Date of Climb: 6/12/2004 Trip Report: It was looking like another poor weekend weather-wise, so the Big Balla (AKA the Anti-____) and I decided to hike up to Camp Muir just to check the scene as neither of us had been there before. We left Seattle at around 8am, and headed south. The Big Balla was hungry, and he started raving about this "mystery food" at the golden arches. Now normally I don't support the golden arches, but he was going off on this "mystery food", so we swung in to the clown's place and got a couple of what I can only say is the perfect food: McGriddle Cakes. I'm loving it. Around this time, we realize we have no idea how to actually drive to Mt Rainier. We both grew up in the NW, but never had a chance to get down there. We decided the best tactic would just be to start driving towards it...we could see it, and as long as it looked like it was getting closer we figured we would be on the right track. Unfortunately for us, however, all roads do not lead to Mt. Rainier. At this point the day wasn't getting any younger. Somehow we ended up in Enumclaw. The Big Balla was getting hungry again, so we stopped at a QFC. The Balla decided this would be a great time to do his monthly grocery shopping, and check out the magazine section for a little reading. I'm loving it. Once I found him in the store, I reminded him that we were actually sorta thinking about maybe going on a hike that day or something. Sometime around 11am or so, we're back on the road and driving up toward Cayuse Pass , and all of the sudden we could see Mt. Rainier really huge right in front of us...so we knew we were probably on the right track. Luckily, there were limited opportunities to stop for more food, so we were able to make good time. We arrived at Paradise around noon. Does this qualify for an Alpine start? If you know how long it takes to prepare for a three month expedition, you can probably start to understand how long it takes the Big Balla to get ready for a day hike. There is gear selection, clothing selection, food selection, last minute eating, and bathroom preparations. We started off, only to be marauded by this small beast: Visibility wasn't great, but we heard reports that it would be possible to get above the clouds at about 500 feet below Camp Muir, according to the approximately 700 people we saw hiking up and down the Muir snow field. The hike up looked sort of like this: We reached the flurry of activity known as Camp Muir around 4:00pm. There were alot of tense people ordering each other around. We couldn't see squat. I started to worry about the Big Balla. Unfortunately HACE started to set in, and he lost it: He started chasing this little bird that was eating our Moose Goo, threatening to "rip off its little head". Later he heard voices that commanded him to strip down naked and babble like an idiot. "I'm sorry, this isn't me...it's the altitude talking". Extreme. I'm loving it. It was time to descend and get back so the Balla could go to a Mariners game. Word up. Gear Notes: McGriddle Cakes, months worth of groceries, , Johnathon Winters Approach Notes: *Warning* Do not expect a Wilderness Experience on this hike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dru Posted June 14, 2004 Share Posted June 14, 2004 dude u rawk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snoboy Posted June 14, 2004 Share Posted June 14, 2004 Wow, that's all, wow... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olyclimber Posted June 14, 2004 Author Share Posted June 14, 2004 dude u rawk In North America, I'm known as "The Ascentionist". In Europe and the East they call me "Ascentionismo". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
griz Posted June 14, 2004 Share Posted June 14, 2004 I don't feel worthy to post on the same thread with you... Yes, truly, quite an acheivement and in just four hours too. Was the climb sponsored? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olyclimber Posted June 14, 2004 Author Share Posted June 14, 2004 I don't feel worthy to post on the same thread with you... Yes, truly, quite an acheivement and in just four hours too. Was the climb sponsored? I want to make it clear that I'm all about inclusion. I realize that I'm intimidating, but I can't change who I am. So post, and we'll work out the pecking order afterward. Mountain Hardwear is my sponsor. On the way down, I found a Mountain Hardwear chapstick, and I figure they probably left it on the snowfield for me. They have a funny way of compensating me, but it's all good and stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
griz Posted June 14, 2004 Share Posted June 14, 2004 Thank you for speaking to me. I will remember this moment forever. I can't wait to tell my friends... they will think I'm cool finally... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olyclimber Posted June 14, 2004 Author Share Posted June 14, 2004 (edited) Edited October 13, 2004 by snoboy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snoboy Posted June 14, 2004 Share Posted June 14, 2004 Gratuitous advertising photos are not permitted on this site... Thanks, the management. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olyclimber Posted June 14, 2004 Author Share Posted June 14, 2004 Do you know who you're talking to? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EWolfe Posted October 13, 2004 Share Posted October 13, 2004 Ah, those fleeting 15 lines of fame... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olyclimber Posted October 13, 2004 Author Share Posted October 13, 2004 First, I'd like to thank the Academy... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olyclimber Posted August 27, 2007 Author Share Posted August 27, 2007 Just reflecting back on this, what an amazing time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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