June 10, 2008

Good Altitude: Aspect Team Climbs (on) Mt. Rainier.

A team of seven climbers lead by Mike Scrafford reached Camp Muir at an elevation of 10,188 feet on June 8, 2008. The climbing party also included Peter Bannister, Trish Klimek and Jeff Landrum from Aspect. They were rewarded with great weather and unlimited views of the Cascades. Scroll down for a photo summary with highlights of the climb. The value of Mike’s mountaineering leadership really came in to focus just two days after this trip when several climbing teams were trapped on this very same route by white-out conditions (the helicopter rescue and loss of one climber filled the news that week). The entire climbing team has commented on the thoroughness of Mike’s preparation, which included conditioning coaxing months in advance!

Here's how the trip went:

Having picked our target, we drove up to Mt. Rainier early Sunday morning. Feasting our eyes on the mountain, we prepared to embark on our journey.

While getting warmed up, we lined up for our first photo op, squinting into the sun.

The explorers pushed onward, up snowy slopes to the great beyond. We stopped to admire the view, while some team members checked their bearings to "find the mountain".

Our intrepid friends from down south came on out to see our fabulous frozen Bayou.

Having reached our goal, bundled up, and rested, we stand around nonchalantly at Camp Muir.

It's only halfway over, so down we went, still good views the whole way!

Back to the cars we went, and down the mountain, to home, to bed, and then to work!