Friday, June 30, 2006

Destination: Mt. Rainier

Camp Muir on Mt. Rainier is the destination of our hike this weekend. Camp Muir is the base camp for summiting the mountain - it'll be our lunch spot and turnaround point. We did this hike twice in 2004 (these pictures are of those hikes), and it was planned for last year, but we got weathered out and switched to the Panhandle Gap on the other side of the mountain.

This is the view from the Paradise parking lot: Paradise is at 5000 feet. Camp Muir is at 10,000 feet. The summer route is 4.5 miles, usually 2.5 miles of dry path, then 2 miles of snow field. However, rumor has it that due to the heavy snowpack this winter, there is still snow at Paradise, but the route is passable.

Entering Camp Muir (from right to left, me, a friend, Riley, Eric):

This is a shot of Muir:
Rob and I having lunch at Camp Muir (look at the view!):

And more of the view:The best part is the return trip through the snow field. This is how it is done (the first shot is Eric, the second is me):



Whaddya think? Look like fun? Hopefully, I'll have some great new pictures to share next week!

16 comments:

Flo said...

That is gorgeous!!!! I'm seriously jealous!!!! How cool to hike up through snow in the middle of summer. Have a great time.

onepinkfuzzy said...

Sah-Weet!!!!!!!!!!

Can I come along too??? :)

matt said...

i want to join your group :) you are making me want to move up that way with all of your beautiful photos. tell rob not to worry, though. i know he doesn't want more out-of-towners moving in :)

Anne said...

What a thoroughly fun hike! I'm officially envious and, let's face it, San Diegans usually are the ones to do the boasting. But that trip sounds so ideal. I hope this one's equally to your liking.

Unknown said...

I am looking forward to the trip as well, but I might be a little unsocial at first and power my way up with my friend Mr. Ipod and see how fast I can get to the top.

Matt,

I would be honored to have you move into our area, but you have to tell everyone how awful the weather is up here if you ever do.

matt said...

Rob and Michelle,

If you take me on hikes like this one, I am going to become a lifetime member of the maniacs and y club :)

my wife has a couple of clients up in washington. we have talked about moving there before. i just might be joining you in the future...but i promise to spread more vicious rumors about the weather.

thanks for the invite :)

Backofpack said...

Matt,
At the very least, your wife should come up and visit her clients, then you could come with her and visit us! And, the weather in those pictures was the only day it was sunny in 2004 - it usually rains 364 days a year. Trust me.

Legs and Wings said...

Those are incredible photos. I remember seeing Mt. Rainier. I've been up around Mt. Baker a few times. It's awesome!

The good life!

jeanne said...

beautiful!!! what a wonderful hike!

Taunya said...

Great pics. I'm gonna have to check out Rainier some day. I love to hike!!

Sarah Elaine said...

Fabulous phtotos! Looks like you were having an amazing time!

tryathlete said...

Lovely photos. Hope you have a great time!

Dawn - Pink Chick Tris said...

I am both in awe and jealous of the places you go. What a fabulous hike. Looks like soooo much fun.

Anonymous said...

HOw beautiful and How fun.

D said...

Oh my God: what beautiful photos. What views! You guys look like you're having so much fun! Can't wait to see the new photos.
I posted a photo of a roman chair on my site for you....

Thomas said...

Very nice views. Actually, they remind me of the Austrian Alps.

Have a great time, and I hope you'll get lovely weather.