I think I was 12 when I saw Mt. Rainier for the first time. It made me feel so small…so insignificant…and at the same time I wanted to see the top of it with my own eyes. I played in CO a year or so later…then when I was 25 I worked there as a guide (well, actually, I was “staff”). My love for the mountains, their grandeur, and their escape from the busy-ness of life continued to lure me. In February of 2006 I decided I would get a group together for a summit attempt on Mt. Rainier. So I threw a line and got a surprising number of responses. A year and a half later I had a solid group of 8 at the foot of the mountain. We flew out separately from one another but convened Saturday July 21st at the flagship REI in Seattle. We stayed in the Travelodge that night and packed for the big trip. Sunday we drove to the mountain and hiked in to our first (of two) camps at Glacier Basin. It was raining - surprise, surprise - after all, it’s SEATTLE! Of course it was raining!!! Monday we strapped on our packs (less the tents) and had a ropes and crevasse school of sorts. Ashley and Brad taught us how to walk on the snow & ice in our crampons, techniques of self arrest, and even crevasse rescue in the even one of our team were to fall in. The next day we geared up (with everything) for an ascent to Emmons Flatts, a glacial campsite on the mountain where we would spend 3 nights. After arriving we carved 3 flat spots out of the mountainside for tents where we crashed soonafter. Wednesday we rested, ate lots, and rehydrated our bodies for the big climb. That night (actually Thursday morning) we left at 1:30AM for the summit of Rainier. It was SO steep of a climb that was 99% UP with very little flat or down to rest. At 9AM we reached our summit, 14, 410′, and stood proud having accomplished such a feat.

Elev & Distances: White River Campground (4,400′) to Glacier Basin Camp (6,000′) was a distance of 3.3mi. We then climbed to Emmons Flatts (9,800′) over the course of (x)mi. Then (x)mi. to the summit at 14,410′. A total elevation ascent of 10,010′ and one-way distance to the top of 18mi. That’s like climbing Mt. Elbert (Colorado’s hightst) TWICE in one day!

Many thanks to God (for a healthy body), family, friends, and the guys at Cumberland Transit for helping make my dream a reality.

Brad, Becky, Wil, Jon, Erick, Brett, Ashley…thank you for joining me as I crossed a life-goal off the list. I am SO grateful for such good friends. May God bless you all as your adventure continues.

-Greg

Pictures: Hit the Photo’s button at the top of the page or just click here.

Videos from the trip: The Summit | The Bear | The Rockslide