The mountain buzz in the Pacific NW hovers around snowfall, which continues at a furious pace on Mount Rainier. In the past 7 days, over 8 feet of new snow has been measured at Paradise! Such intensity has not allowed the snowpack the time and opportunity to settle, thus the avalanche conditions remain HIGH for the next few days (NWAC Feb 3 report).
What's noteworthy (for those who count snow accumulation totals) is that this week's weather forecast calls for continued precipitation (UW) with freezing levels between 2-3K. That could mean 1-3 feet (or more?) of fluffy white stuff. Considering the weather outlook (NOAA), there is little need to discuss climbing conditions as it's unlikely someone will get to Camp Muir (or anywhere else high on the mountain) anytime soon.
One of the climbers who visited Camp Muir during the last significant break in the weather (Jan 20-25) described the upper mountain snowpack as "thin." Though the crevasses on the Cowlitz and Ingraham were largely covered, the recesses and overall new-snow-volume appeared low and windblown, especially when compared to the accumulations seen at Paradise. Perhaps the snow is being blown off? Or maybe it just isn't falling as fast at that altitude? Hopefully, we'll get another 3-5 day weather window in February for more upper mountain observations.
Metrorock Climbing League: Week 3
Well, as I sit here in the disparity of watching the Pats blow the chance at a perfect season, I can say that the difference between the MassClimbers climbing team and the leaders is 280 points; one great week's worth of climbing, and I'm not that worried about that gap.You see, the season is six weeks long and, because folks go on vacation and the organizers of the league understand this, only
2008 summer dates added for Ecuador High Altitude Expedition!
A classic view of Cayambe, with the Cayambe Hut
in the foreground. Richard Riquelme
If you have ever wanted to participate in our Ecuador High Altitude Expedition but haven't been able to get away for the November - March time period we usually run the program, then we have good news for you! We have just added summer dates for this fantastic expedition, so you can now use your summer vacation to join our expedition - choose one of three departures: May 16, June 6, June 27. Ecuador has two dry seasons, a longer one during our winter, and a shorter one during our summer - so May, June, and July are great times to climb the famous Cayambe (18,997’) and Cotopaxi (19,348’) on a 10-day trip, and Chimborazo (20,703') on a 5-day extension. We also offer 10-day trips to climb Illiniza Sur (17,268') and Antisana (18,714'), and are offering three summer departures for this trip as well: May 16, June 6, and June 27.
To learn more about these expeditions, please get in touch with Andy Bourne at abourne@aai.cc or at 360-671-1505.
Meet Rebecca Agiewich...
Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Rebecca Agiewich, a travel and outdoors writer and a big fan of Mount Rainier National Park. I'm also the creator of the once-semi-notorious Breakup Babe blog, which turned into BreakupBabe: A Novel.
I first laid eyes on Mount Rainier when I hiked the Wonderland Trail in 1991 and have since snowshoed, skied, and hiked all over the park. Once, I spent a night lost on the "ridge to nowhere" and in 2003 I climbed to the summit. Like many people in the Puget Sound area, I gaze at the gorgeous mountain with awe every time it's "out."
These days, I'll be helping Mike update this blog so you can get your Mount Rainier fix more regularly when he's off climbing and vacationing, (or claiming to be "busy" with bureaucratic policy/budget meetings). I hope to add posts about what life is like at Mount Rainier, and to help you get to know some of the unique personalities that spend time and on "The Mountain."
Only on occasion do I climb "technical peaks." I am, however, fascinated with the climbing world -- so much so that a number of dastardly rock-climbing boyfriends make appearances in my novel (Mount Rainier makes an important appearance too). That is part of why I'm very excited to be here this winter, working hard to keep this blog fresh and fun while hanging out with cute climbing rangers,. If you're curious, you can find more of my writing at SparklySparkly. Otherwise, see you soon!
I first laid eyes on Mount Rainier when I hiked the Wonderland Trail in 1991 and have since snowshoed, skied, and hiked all over the park. Once, I spent a night lost on the "ridge to nowhere" and in 2003 I climbed to the summit. Like many people in the Puget Sound area, I gaze at the gorgeous mountain with awe every time it's "out."
These days, I'll be helping Mike update this blog so you can get your Mount Rainier fix more regularly when he's off climbing and vacationing, (or claiming to be "busy" with bureaucratic policy/budget meetings). I hope to add posts about what life is like at Mount Rainier, and to help you get to know some of the unique personalities that spend time and on "The Mountain."
Only on occasion do I climb "technical peaks." I am, however, fascinated with the climbing world -- so much so that a number of dastardly rock-climbing boyfriends make appearances in my novel (Mount Rainier makes an important appearance too). That is part of why I'm very excited to be here this winter, working hard to keep this blog fresh and fun
"Life on Top" - long time climbing photographer and AAI guide featured in Alpinist
Alpinist magazine, Issue 22, features long-time climber, photographer, AAI guide, and adventurer extraordinaire Alan Kearney. In his article, entitled "Life on Top," Alan describes his evolving relationship with the outdoors throughout his 40+ years of climbing and exploring around the world.
To learn more about Issue 22, check out the Alpinist's site.
To read a little about the article and see photos that didn't make it, click here.
View Alan Kearney's photography website: www.alankearney.com.
Alan is currently back in Patagonia with another AAI guide, Erik Johnson, for an attempt of Cerro Poincenot, one of the peaks in the Cerro Torre massif.
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