Mt. Rainier: The Winter Seminar Tries for the Summit
Posted by: Brent Okita, Zeb Blais, Ben Liken, Robby Young
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 10,060'
We left Camp Muir this morning at 4: There was a cap over the summit from the outset of our climb but we were thankful the winds from yesterday evening had abated and hoped the cap would follow suit.45 a.m. in reasonable winds. The team took to heart the lessons learned at yesterday’s climbing school and climbed strong on the upper mountain in deteriorating conditions.
I began the route finding effort up the Ingraham Direct but gave way to RMI Guide Zeb Blais as he led the team up to a break at 12,800’. As we switchbacked our way up the mountain, we encountered increasing wind speeds and steadily decreasing visibility. We made the smart and safe choice to call 13,400’ our high point for the day. On our descent to Camp Muir, clouds would billow up from below causing white out conditions followed by periods of visibility. This process repeated continually until we returned to Camp Muir.
We’re back at Camp Muir safe and sound. We are looking forward to a low-key afternoon at camp with a siesta and some easy training on the schedule.
Signing off for now,
RMI Guide Brent Okita
Comments (3)
Zeb led the way for Mariana and I out of Camp Muir on June 20, 2010. He got us up to Ingraham Glacier before returning with climbers. Mariana and I continued to the summit, led by Solveig Waterfall. I will always be grateful to Zeb for his kind and thoughtful pace out of Muir . . . I’ve not seen him since, but want to send a big hello his way and the heads up that I will be forever grateful to him for his efforts that Father’s Day. Thanks, Zeb!!!
Posted by: Josephine Johnson on
Thanks for keeping my guys safe and sound! Think warm thoughts! Hugs to Mike and Steve
Posted by: cathy on
Sounds like an awesome day. Reading between the lines though, sounds intense. We’re doing our weather dance down here for all-y’all, hoping for some leniency by Mother Nature. Great update! Looking forward to tomorrow’s! Many thanks, and good luck!!
:) Hey Drew.
Kirbs9281
Posted by: JK on