As summer fades to fall here in Seattle, I look back and see how incredible this year has been for climbing in the Cascades. Of course , the best is yet to come! Probably the most memorable if not exhausting climb took place the first week of June. Matt, Chris and I paced ourselves up the objectively dangerous Liberty Ridge. This ridge is an intimidating and famous line directly up the North Face of Mt. Rainier.
Considered one of North America's 50 classics, we expected not only a challenge but incredible views of the world around us. Seeing the lights of the Seattle-Tacoma area become visible as the sun fades over the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound is a unique experience that can only be enjoyed on this side of the mountain in rare good weather.
For three days we enjoyed climbing and sleeping on the dramatic and ever-changing facade of Rainier's north face. Hard to believe that this mountain covered in fractured glaciers hundreds of feet thick, was created by powerful forces pushing hot molten rock out of the depths of the earth.
Upon reaching the top in a blowing storm with zero visibility, awe of our surroundings suddenly changed to the reality of the descent. Have you ever been in a cave and they turned out the lights? If so, you felt how black the color black can be. Ours was just the opposite. Called a white-out, fresh pure snow on top of snow, while in the clouds is so white you only see spots and lose equilibrium. Some group debate and a topo map finally led us down the expansive Emmons Glacier and eventually back to our car that hauled our hungry stomachs to the nearest mexican food restaurant.
"Extra chips and hot sauce please!"
Considered one of North America's 50 classics, we expected not only a challenge but incredible views of the world around us. Seeing the lights of the Seattle-Tacoma area become visible as the sun fades over the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound is a unique experience that can only be enjoyed on this side of the mountain in rare good weather.
For three days we enjoyed climbing and sleeping on the dramatic and ever-changing facade of Rainier's north face. Hard to believe that this mountain covered in fractured glaciers hundreds of feet thick, was created by powerful forces pushing hot molten rock out of the depths of the earth.
Upon reaching the top in a blowing storm with zero visibility, awe of our surroundings suddenly changed to the reality of the descent. Have you ever been in a cave and they turned out the lights? If so, you felt how black the color black can be. Ours was just the opposite. Called a white-out, fresh pure snow on top of snow, while in the clouds is so white you only see spots and lose equilibrium. Some group debate and a topo map finally led us down the expansive Emmons Glacier and eventually back to our car that hauled our hungry stomachs to the nearest mexican food restaurant.
"Extra chips and hot sauce please!"
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