zoroastr Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 (edited) Trip: Mt. Rainier - Parade Route - Day Hike Date: 7/8/2008 Trip Report: A sufficient amount of time had passed since I last hiked the DC route on Rainier that I'd forgotten what a trudge the thing can be. With my regular climbing partner out of town, I phoned office mate Alex M., who I knew was afflicted with a particularly acute case of that familiar noob malady, irrational volcano lust. I suggested the one-day push since, on balance, this entals far less suffering than the conventional two-day nightmare. The latter option usually goes something like this: Start by loading half the REI inventory on your back, lean forward to keep from falling backward under the weight, then bake for several hours in a torturous, summer afternoon slog up the Muir Snowfield to your destination: a thin sheet of blue foam on which you'll spend a sleepless night of tachycardia while breathing solar toilet fumes--no thanks. We arrived at an ugly hotel construction site oddly named "Paradise" at approximately 10:30 PM Sunday night and after sorting gear and prepping light day packs, headed up for the first leg of the overnight trek. What follows are a few snaps taken during the pretty but longish hike. I also threw in a couple of interesting shots from last season's trip. Sunrise pinks the firn, with the tent town of Ingraham Flats visible in the distance far below... Summiteers stretched out along the trail on the upper dome... Morning has broken... Some descesnders, with Little Tahoma... Alex, about to enjoy his brief moment as Highest Dood in Washington, flanked by a couple of other distant volcanoes... Tommy U., checking out a big crack on last year's hike. The fixed lines on last season's extra-long route... Well done, Max! Gear Notes: Small day packs and a short length of glacier floss. We roped up for the interesting section, but carried for the upper dome, and descended the route off-rope, with the exception of the fixed lines which we clipped. Approach Notes: Route's in perfect shape. Get down early to avoid 'pon balling. Edited July 10, 2008 by zoroastr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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