What an incredible weekend to be in the mountains!
It started on Saturday on Mt. Rainier, I left the Paradise parking lot at 9:30 and started off for Camp Muir on the under warm blue skies, I was carrying a light pack and moving quickly up the rocks and eventually onto the Muir snowfield. Once on the snow, I settled into a quick pace, the sound of my boots in the snow muffled by the drone of a Chinook helicopter searching for a missing climber on the north side of the mountain. It reminded me that while it was a beautiful day, mountains can be dangerous places, especially when you let your guard down.
I continued moving quickly, thanks to firm snow, even under the sunny skies, and made it to Camp Muir at 12:05. A new record for me!
I met Darrin a few minutes after I started to descend, and together we hiked down in a little more than 90 minutes. Thanks to firm snow we were able to quickly boot ski most of the way down the snowfield.
Today with our friend Jeff I traded Mt. Rainier's snow for dust and rock on Granite Mountain. Again a light pack allowed me to move quickly, my legs no longer feeling tired like they had a few weeks ago ... all of those squats & step-ups are paying off! I made it to the top in 1:59 and despite the wind enjoyed view of Mt Rainier and Mt. Adams.
It started on Saturday on Mt. Rainier, I left the Paradise parking lot at 9:30 and started off for Camp Muir on the under warm blue skies, I was carrying a light pack and moving quickly up the rocks and eventually onto the Muir snowfield. Once on the snow, I settled into a quick pace, the sound of my boots in the snow muffled by the drone of a Chinook helicopter searching for a missing climber on the north side of the mountain. It reminded me that while it was a beautiful day, mountains can be dangerous places, especially when you let your guard down.
I continued moving quickly, thanks to firm snow, even under the sunny skies, and made it to Camp Muir at 12:05. A new record for me!
I met Darrin a few minutes after I started to descend, and together we hiked down in a little more than 90 minutes. Thanks to firm snow we were able to quickly boot ski most of the way down the snowfield.
 |
| Hiking down the Muir snowfield Photo: Darrin White |
 |
| Mt. Rainier from Granite Mountain lookout Photo: Lisa White |
In total, this weekend I gained 8,440 feet in 8.3 miles ... whew! Time for some stretching and a foot massage!
No comments:
Post a Comment