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Scaling the Heights of Mt. Rainier
Scaling the Heights of Mt. Rainier
By Bridge Littleton
We awoke to the call of our guide, Nickel, shouting “okay team, it’s 1 a.m., time for breakfast. Meet at the main tent, we head out for the summit at 2 a.m.”
Snug and warm in a sleeping bag and tent on the Ingraham Flats at 11,500 feet, on our third day on the mountain, it was time to make the final push to the 14,410-foot summit.
The journey started at Mount Rainier National Park’s visitor center known as Paradise at 5,000 feet. That day began at 9 a,m. from the parking lot to make the long journey to Camp Muir just above 10,400 feet.
After a five-hour hike through the winding rock and snow fields, we arrived at the 100-year-old ranger station most climbers call home their first night on the mountain. It’s constantly abuzz with activity from dozens of climbers on their way up, or down the second highest peak in the continental U.S.
The second day consisted of rope and glacier training followed by a half-day climb to the high camp on the Ingraham Flats, where we bedded by 6 p.m. to rest up for the next day’s ascent.
At 2 a,m. we were off, tethered together with crampons shrouding our boots and an ice ax in hand.
We leaned into 45 mph winds and near freezing temperatures for the final 3,500 feet. Seeing beyond five feet was virtually impossible.
By the third hour the sun began to rise, and soon the summit of Mt. Rainier came into view. The awesome slope of glacial ice was above us, pure, white, and serene. We traversed across the glacier face countless times, negotiating several crevasses as we made our way up.
Finally, at 6:30 a.m., we reached the summit of this active volcano. A large, circular flat area the size of multiple football fields stretched out before us. Small spires of steam rose from the volcano at random points across the landscape. It felt as if we were on the moon.
We remained on the summit for less than 30 minutes before beginning the 9-hour trek down to Paradise. We arrived at 4 p.m., tired, sore, and exhilarated from such an incredible journey, the overwhelming experience of seeing the world from such a unique perspective.
Bridge Littleton is the mayor of Middleburg.
