Mt. Rainier 2010
After an approach through St. Elmo's Pass to Winthrop, our intrepid heroes set out for the Liberty Ridge Route, only to find that Mr. Melon was going to wet his pants. Turning around they slogged up the Winthrop to Camp Shurman to try to beat a closing weather window. After a few hours sleep, at 1:00am they set out to summit via Emmons only to be turned around at 13,000 ft by bad weather and reports of poor visibility. Of the attempts from Emmons that night, only one was successful. Half of that party were evacuated by helicopter due to heart trouble. Out of food and fuel, the boys trudged back to the car to regroup, drink beer and eat pie. Over beer and pie, (it's unclear which was more persuasive) the decision was made to attempt the summit via Muir camp. The weather was perfect, the calories were loaded, it all made sense. Friday afternoon, they set out arriving at Muir Camp approximately 6:30pm, dug snow caves, melted snow, ate and slept for 1 hour before a 12:00am departure to beat the horde of other climbers. Through a crystal clear evening complete with partially eclipsed moon, they reached the summit at 6:30 am.
[Mt. Rainier 2010]
[Mt. Rainier 2010 - Nate's]
[Mt. Rainier 2010 - Mark's]
[Mt. Rainier 2010 - Jeff's]