Gaining Altitude: Mount Rainier May 8-10

Unplanned, last minute trips absolutely rule. Eric and I went down to Mount Rainier on a whim with a high pressure system fueling us. After a quick drive and a comfy car bivy we set out monday morning up to Camp Muir (3000 m). The ski up the Muir snowfield took just over 3 hours and we baked in the sun the whole way.

Heading up onto the Muir snowfield

On the way up I saw a size 2ish avalanche caused by a serac peeling off on the Nisqually icefall, which was pretty intense. When we go up top we sat in the sun for several hours before hitting the sack at around 7 pm.

With a hut full over other hopeful climbers we were nice and cozy and wide awake by 1 am for our alpine start. Eric and I were first to set out at around 2:30 and were welcomed by gale force winds. We headed up the Cowlitz glacier towards the common Ingraham direct route. Once we reached the a steep headwall on the Ingraham Glacier we decided to turn back due to the avy conditions. There was alot of snow movement overnight due to the strong wind and we were worried that the slope would be wind loaded.

Heading back we ran into 3 parties behind us, one of which turning around as well. After that we snapped some pictures, packed up, skied 2000 vertical meters down the Muir snowfield and headed back home. We had a great time and look forward to trying again in the summer when avy conditions won't be a factor.