Ascending Mount Rainier
August 27th, 2015 at 4:14:47 PM
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I recently returned from Washington state where I'm proud to say I climbed Mount Rainier on August 20. Please check out my blog entry about it: Ascending Mount Rainier.
As always, I welcome all questions and comments about it. Who is up for climbing Mount Adams with me next?
As always, I welcome all questions and comments about it. Who is up for climbing Mount Adams with me next?
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
August 27th, 2015 at 4:27:42 PM
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Quote: WizardI recently returned from Washington state where I'm proud to say I climbed Mount Rainier on August 20. Please check out my blog entry about it: Ascending Mount Rainier.
As always, I welcome all questions and comments about it. Who is up for climbing Mount Adams with me next?
I have not read your most recent blog post about Ranier. You said you climbed it, Damn good job. I will catch up and get back.. I will.
Youuuuuu MIGHT be a 'rascal' if.......(nevermind ;-)...2F
August 27th, 2015 at 4:32:41 PM
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No fatalities this time? 16 started and only
6 made it? What kind of people dropped
out.
6 made it? What kind of people dropped
out.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
August 27th, 2015 at 5:03:08 PM
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Quote: WizardWho is up for climbing Mount Adams with me next?
My son and his wife (novices to mountaineering) have climbed Mt. St. Helens a couple times, and want to tackle Mt. Adams next, then Mt. Hood, then Mt. Rainier.
Rainier, although popular, is by report no cakewalk.
"What, me worry?"
August 27th, 2015 at 5:14:56 PM
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Quote: EvenBobNo fatalities this time? 16 started and only
6 made it? What kind of people dropped
out.
One of the guides said that 6 out of 16 was about average. Those who dropped out either had an injury or just weren't in fit enough shape to make it.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
August 27th, 2015 at 5:15:51 PM
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Quote: MrVQuote: WizardWho is up for climbing Mount Adams with me next?
My son and his wife (novices to mountaineering) have climbed Mt. St. Helens a couple times, and want to tackle Mt. Adams next, then Mt. Hood, then Mt. Rainier.
Rainier, although popular, is by report no cakewalk.
I've done all those except Adams, which I'm very keen on doing. Rainier is definitely the hardest of the bunch. Hood is probably the most dangerous.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
August 27th, 2015 at 6:33:11 PM
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The only thing that's beaten you is the
street in LA. Luckily, nobody will ever
bring that up and wonder when you
will get the better of it..
street in LA. Luckily, nobody will ever
bring that up and wonder when you
will get the better of it..
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
August 27th, 2015 at 7:08:08 PM
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Congratulations Wizard! I enjoyed the write up. Too bad they didn't allow for more photos to capture the moment, but I can imagine some knuckleheads standing on a ladder halfway across a crevasse, and stopping for a "selfie".
I'd like to hear more about the game show guy. How did he do it? I always thought producers were very reluctant to pick you if you had appeared on other productions. Is he a "shill"?
The lack of snow seems to be really serious. The drought in the southwest is the real deal. I wonder how much longer Las Vegas can hold out if things continue like they are going? Could it reach a point where there wouldn't be enough potable water to support the city?
I'd like to hear more about the game show guy. How did he do it? I always thought producers were very reluctant to pick you if you had appeared on other productions. Is he a "shill"?
The lack of snow seems to be really serious. The drought in the southwest is the real deal. I wonder how much longer Las Vegas can hold out if things continue like they are going? Could it reach a point where there wouldn't be enough potable water to support the city?
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Leonardo da Vinci
August 27th, 2015 at 10:15:18 PM
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I went hiking this morning. It said some chance of precipitation. Usually I just ignore those warnings but today I definitely got precipitated on.
August 28th, 2015 at 6:33:13 AM
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Really good report, Mike; thanks. I lived within sight of Rainier for more than 9 years, and I don't remember it ever looking so bare. Wow, just shocking to see that much grey rock. No wonder the Omak/Chelan area is burning so badly.
I get that it was necessary for them to restrict the tourism/photo aspect of the climb, but that's such a pity. I guess the proof they were right was in them losing 10 of 16 as it was, not wasting a moment above base camp in the thin oxygen. I really wanted to see the pictures you'd have taken of the vertical ladder, the crevasse bridge, and some of the other things you described.
I get that it was necessary for them to restrict the tourism/photo aspect of the climb, but that's such a pity. I guess the proof they were right was in them losing 10 of 16 as it was, not wasting a moment above base camp in the thin oxygen. I really wanted to see the pictures you'd have taken of the vertical ladder, the crevasse bridge, and some of the other things you described.
If the House lost every hand, they wouldn't deal the game.
August 28th, 2015 at 8:33:13 AM
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Great story, Mike. My sister lives in the Seattle area and she and her hubby have made the day hike trails of Rainier, but even last year at this time there was more snow than there is this year.
I live in eastern WA, and the results of a last winter's poor snowfall last combined with our drought this summer (.03" of rain since June 1) have resulted in many, many wildfires. It's been smoky (unhealthily so) for the 5-6 weeks. We're keeping our fingers crossed for some rain tomorrow!
I live in eastern WA, and the results of a last winter's poor snowfall last combined with our drought this summer (.03" of rain since June 1) have resulted in many, many wildfires. It's been smoky (unhealthily so) for the 5-6 weeks. We're keeping our fingers crossed for some rain tomorrow!
ars longa vita brevis
August 28th, 2015 at 9:24:40 AM
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Quote: AyecarumbaCongratulations Wizard! I enjoyed the write up. Too bad they didn't allow for more photos to capture the moment, but I can imagine some knuckleheads standing on a ladder halfway across a crevasse, and stopping for a "selfie".
In retrospect, I should have brought a GoPro and mounted it to my helmet. At least one other guest did that but those guests who did were the same ones who didn't make it past the second break on the second day. As one of the guides put it, climbing and photography don't go well together.
Quote:I'd like to hear more about the game show guy. How did he do it? I always thought producers were very reluctant to pick you if you had appeared on other productions. Is he a "shill"?
He was a handsome charismatic guy. Smart too. He had that charm that simply got him onto the game shows. Unfortunately, I totally lack such charm, as evidenced by the fact that Survivor didn't even say "thanks but no thanks" for my application. No, he wasn't a shill.
Quote:The lack of snow seems to be really serious. The drought in the southwest is the real deal. I wonder how much longer Las Vegas can hold out if things continue like they are going? Could it reach a point where there wouldn't be enough potable water to support the city?
At some point we're going to have to wake up and quit subsidizing water-hogging crops like almonds with south-western water. Farmers still use about 85% of Colorado River water. As usual with politics, we'll have to wait until things truly reach a crisis level before big decisions are made. Meanwhile, we'll point the finger at the guy who waters his lawn on the wrong day of the week.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
August 28th, 2015 at 9:25:13 AM
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Any casino up there?
August 28th, 2015 at 11:28:54 AM
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To the Wiz,
Sweet, very sweet.
The trip was successful,
The write-up astounding.
Big THX for sharing!
Sweet, very sweet.
The trip was successful,
The write-up astounding.
Big THX for sharing!
Youuuuuu MIGHT be a 'rascal' if.......(nevermind ;-)...2F
August 30th, 2015 at 3:05:06 PM
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Quote: TwoFeathersATLTo the Wiz,
Sweet, very sweet.
The trip was successful,
The write-up astounding.
Big THX for sharing!
Thank you for the kind words and you're welcome.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
August 30th, 2015 at 4:44:10 PM
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In other mountain news...
https://www.yahoo.com/news/white-house-says-mount-mckinley-renamed-denali-210234767.html
https://www.yahoo.com/news/white-house-says-mount-mckinley-renamed-denali-210234767.html
DUHHIIIIIIIII HEARD THAT!
August 30th, 2015 at 5:05:53 PM
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Quote: IbeatyouracesIn other mountain news...
https://www.yahoo.com/news/white-house-says-mount-mckinley-renamed-denali-210234767.html
I wonder if they'll remove President McKinley from the$500 bill as well. Maybe replace him with as Alaskan woman?
Many people, especially ignorant people, want to punish you for speaking the truth. - Mahatma Ghandi
August 30th, 2015 at 8:43:22 PM
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This was a great read. Thanks for sharing. I climbed Rainier in 1978 (age 23) with some experienced climbers from my employer (Boeing). They roped me up and told me what to do. We had 10 of 18 who completed the climb. Your summary brought back great memories as I have not done any real climbing since then.
August 30th, 2015 at 9:52:19 PM
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Quote: IbeatyouracesIn other mountain news...
Well. I'm one of the few mountaineers, if I can call myself that, who refer to that mountain as McKinley. I tried to explain why in this blog entry, from my trip to Alaska. 100% of people I know who have climbed it or attempted to call it Denali. They would say, as Obama did, that Denali is the original Indian name, and they I guess it is a sign of respect to them to refer to it by its original name.
To that I say that the Indians were conquered. Get over it. I'm sure they had their own name for every mountain, river, and lake in the country. Should we then do our homework and find out the original Native American name for everything on the map and change its name?
Furthermore, Mount McKinley already lies (or is it lays?) in Denali National Park. It is confusing to call it Denali because then it can be confusing what somebody is referring to. For example, "I went to Denali" leaves it unclear whether the speaker meant the national park or the mountain.
The article also mentioned that changing the name is something Alaskans feel strongly about. Outside of hard-core mountain climbers, I think most of the rest of them would favor McKinley or just don't really care. This is based on a small sampling of people I asked up there. I'd bet that Sarah Palin comes out opposed to the name change.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
August 31st, 2015 at 5:19:05 AM
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Plus, "DeNali" in the native tongue means " the woman of ill repute"
actually I just made that up
PS : found this
https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=denali+means
so now I say it's just a pretty lame name
PS : found this
https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=denali+means
so now I say it's just a pretty lame name
the next time Dame Fortune toys with your heart, your soul and your wallet, raise your glass and praise her thus: “Thanks for nothing, you cold-hearted, evil, damnable, nefarious, low-life, malicious monster from Hell!” She is, after all, stone deaf. ... Arnold Snyder
August 31st, 2015 at 1:20:33 PM
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I was up there for a week in 2003, working with Juneau Tower and a lot of locals on a wind mitigation strategy, including a couple days in Anchorage. Even though my time was short, I took away a strong impression about the Denali naming thing, more than a decade ago; everybody called it Denali and felt very strongly about making it official. I've referred to it as Denali ever since out of respect for their preference. All FWIW.
If the House lost every hand, they wouldn't deal the game.
August 31st, 2015 at 3:50:49 PM
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Mt. Rushmore also has a Native American name. Is their concern getting any traction?
Also, Mt. Everest has a couple of "native" names too.
Also, Mt. Everest has a couple of "native" names too.
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Leonardo da Vinci
August 31st, 2015 at 7:35:37 PM
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I never liked the name Denali, it sounds
like the name of an Italian sports car.
I drive a 2012 Denali Roadster. In reality
it's a SUV made by GM, the Yukon Denali.
The Yukon isn't even in AK.
like the name of an Italian sports car.
I drive a 2012 Denali Roadster. In reality
it's a SUV made by GM, the Yukon Denali.
The Yukon isn't even in AK.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
August 31st, 2015 at 7:43:24 PM
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There's something in Ohio called Mt. Jeez.
Just change that one.
Just change that one.
There's no secret. Just know what you're talking about before you open your mouth.
September 1st, 2015 at 4:52:31 PM
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Great article, Wiz. I hope I can use this as an inspiration to get back into some semblance of shape myself.
There's emptiness behind their eyes
There's dust in all their hearts
They just want to steal us all and take us all apart
September 1st, 2015 at 5:26:25 PM
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Quote: EvenBobIn reality
it's a SUV made by GM, the Yukon Denali.
The Yukon isn't even in AK.
Pardon?
September 2nd, 2015 at 4:24:12 AM
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Quote: Sabretom2Quote: EvenBobIn reality
it's a SUV made by GM, the Yukon Denali.
The Yukon isn't even in AK.
Pardon?
You drive from AK across the border into Canada to visit the Yukon Territory.
Pretty countryside.Youuuuuu MIGHT be a 'rascal' if.......(nevermind ;-)...2F
September 2nd, 2015 at 6:56:35 AM
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Congrats, Wizard! I attempted this climb back in 1995, a few days after Labor Day. My wife and I used Rainier Mountaineering also, led by a Heather McDonald. We didn't make it to the top though, wife and I turned back at Disappointment Cleaver due to my knee problems.
Everything in your story was nearly identical to mine. We had 20 guests in our group and 9 made it to the top. Our guides got us up around midnight for the ascent, and brought us a couple Igloos of hot water for those of us who brought oatmeal to eat prior to roping up. I was tired enough after the first day, and volunteered to go back at the 12,000 foot level or whatever that was. When I got back to Camp Miur around 4am or so, Man!...I slept better than I ever had before or since, I was so worn out. Another group of guests returned to Miur around 6am or so as I recall. The successful climbers returned at 10 or so maybe(?). I do remember the "passing out the certificates" back at Paradise and feeling left out at not having gotten one. Wife and I went back to our cottage in Packwood, the Tatoosh Lodge. We were both as fatigued as we'd ever been.
Well done, Mike!
Everything in your story was nearly identical to mine. We had 20 guests in our group and 9 made it to the top. Our guides got us up around midnight for the ascent, and brought us a couple Igloos of hot water for those of us who brought oatmeal to eat prior to roping up. I was tired enough after the first day, and volunteered to go back at the 12,000 foot level or whatever that was. When I got back to Camp Miur around 4am or so, Man!...I slept better than I ever had before or since, I was so worn out. Another group of guests returned to Miur around 6am or so as I recall. The successful climbers returned at 10 or so maybe(?). I do remember the "passing out the certificates" back at Paradise and feeling left out at not having gotten one. Wife and I went back to our cottage in Packwood, the Tatoosh Lodge. We were both as fatigued as we'd ever been.
Well done, Mike!
"Poker sure is an easy game to beat if you have the roll to keep rebuying."
