[TR] Mt. Rainier- liberty ridge 5/19/2006

[dooitup]

Climb: Mt. Rainier-liberty ridge

 

Date of Climb: 5/19/2006

 

Trip Report:

Liberty ridge trip report 5/19-5/21-2006

Chris Cosgriff and Andy Mason

 

Friday morning at 10:00 am we left Ipsut creek campground with big packs, skis and AT boots for a liberty ridge climb. Had we known the snow level was 3000’ higher and 6 miles away we would have left the skis at home. We had to be 60 pounds plus for our planned 4 day adventure. Our 7200’ camp plans were changed to Dick Creek camp at about 4000’.

 

 

 

Nice outfit!

 

 

On the way to Dick Creek we ran into Momma and her 2 cubs!

 

We finally hit snow at 5200’ at the creek crossing. We were able to skin from here to 8000’.

First full view was breathtaking, or was it because our loads made us breathe hard?

 

 

7200’ camp

 

Andy heading up the carbon. It is in good shape until you get up to about 8600 and start heading west to the base of liberty. Here you encounter some very small snow bridges and rotten snow at the base.

 

At about 10000’ the weather turned bad and we gave up our thumb rock plans. Gaining the ridge on frozen cat litter was the crux and then we had to down climb it.

I would give the route another week or two and then the crevasses would be difficult to navigate. We witnessed several large avalanches over the 24 hours we were there. The warm weather has caused a lot of activity. We started at 5:30 am and got back to the car at 9pm pretty beat.

[whidbey]

Got my ass kicked up on Rainier last year... I can understand you post and your results... The mountain doen't go anywhere... another time and with good weather you my get to the top.

 

Thanx for the TR..

[goatboy]

Where are the pictures???

[dooitup]

Check out http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2106017210

[dooitup]

pictures are loaded

http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2106017210