Mt Rainier NP - DC 7/5/2008
Trip: Mt Rainier NP - DC
Date: 7/5/2008
Trip Report:Saturday was my first attempt at climbing the Mountain. I went with Jordan from CC.com, and once at Muir we met some other CCers. We spent the night on the 4th at the public shelter, which was surprisingly empty.
Left Muir at 0130 in a cloudless sky with a slight breeze. By the time we reached Ingaham the breeze had become stronger, and about the time we got on the cleaver a cloud rolled in from the other side of the mountain and the visibility started steadily going down while the winds went up. Several parties turned around at the top of the cleaver, but we kept going.
At about 0630 and roughly 14,000 feet the winds were stronger and blowing right at us, and we were covered in rime ice from head to toe and turned around within sight of the crater rim. I was afraid if visibility went down any more we wouldn’t be able to find the wands. Conditions got better on the way down, but were never good. It rained and hailed on us between Muir and Paradise.
One of the pickets for the fixed lines below the cleaver was removed by another party. There were pickets for lines above the cleaver, but no lines attached to them. The route was pretty straightforward. There were some crevasses along the route, but none presented any major obstacles. The route was well wanded and easy to find.
I got back home just in time. A few hours later my stomach started to hurt, and I had my appendix out this morning. The real summit will have to wait till August.
Might post pics later, but didn't take many.
Gear Notes:Jetboil had some difficulty in the cold at altitude. I put some hot water in the cup and put the fuel can in it every 5-10 minutes and it made a big difference.
