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Travel
Information Due to the added
security that has been placed upon flying, I am asking that
everyone traveling with a stove to contact their airline and
find out any limitations or restrictions. I have recently
heard (unconfirmed) stories where airline carriers were not
allowing the transport of backpacking stoves. None of us
wishes to show up on the day of departure and find out the
hard way.
The Route
The route we will take up on Mt. Rainier
is mostly a single grade no greater than 35° and fairly
smooth. There are two areas that we will do some rock
scrambling. These are Cathedral Gap and Disappointment
Cleaver.
Depending on snow conditions, crossing the
Cathedral Gap will put you on a ridge that must be
traversed. This ridge is mostly scree and joins with the
Ingraham Glacier and Flats. This area is 1,000 feet higher
than Camp Muir.
We will continue on the glacier to the
base of the DC. The DC is a cleaver consisting of crumbling
rock and scree. We will ascend the DC through a series of
wandering trails. The total height of the DC is 300 feet.
There is a large flat area which offers safe and comfortable
rest spots.
Once over the DC, we will step onto the
Ingraham or Emmons Glacier depending on the preferred route.
These glaciers will take you to the summit through a series
of switchbacks to the crater rim. Once we cross the rim, the
true summit is about a 30 to 45 minute walk across the snow
plug in the crater. We generally un-rope while in the crater
and do some exploring of the various caves and steam
opening.
Descending the route must be done quickly
and safely. As you know, most accidents happen on the
descent. The late morning and afternoon sun weakens any snow
bridges and causes the glacier surface to sun-cap or turn to
mash potatoes. The effect of the sun also weakens the
surrounding rock walls and the rock-fall hazard increases.
Tips on Training
I have started my routine I use to prepare
for the upcoming climbs on Rainier and Hood. Unlike what we
see in the Northeast where the trails are rocky with varying
grades, Mount Rainier is mostly smooth and unrelenting.
Besides getting out to hike and climb as
much as you can, I like to add in mid week routines to build
the legs and lungs. This is done using a set of stairs
available to me in the Niagara Gorge Park. There are 372
steps consisting of varying rocks that have shifted over the
years. The steps cover a elevation change of 275 feet. I go
down and up repeatedly with no more than a 30 second rest
period at the ends.
By doing several sets, the legs and lungs
condition themselves for extended usage. Tonight I did three
sets (1116 steps). On more serious days I'll do 6 complete
sets. I'll do these three times per week between now and
late July. On weekend that I don't climb, I'll try to get
one session of ten sets.
Which is all fine for me, however, many of
you do not have a convenient set of long steps six minutes
from your house. I suggest taking long hikes of five miles
or more with a medium to heavy pack. Vary the weight of the
pack between sessions to reduce knee strains. The distance
from Paradise to Camp Muir is just under five miles and is a
constant grade approximately 15° to 20°.
Pay close attention to building your
calves for strength and endurance. I use a seated calf
machine with weight between 300-500 pounds. Being on a
constant grade uphill, your calves call out with a burning
sensation. They get picked on allot, the boots, which do not
flex, the uphill grade and the soft snow pack take their
vengeance out on your calves.
Tips on the Muir Snowfield
The first time I stepped onto the Muir
Snowfield it was the first week of August 1998. It was a hot
and sunny day. I traveled in a t-shirt and shorts with no
gaiters. What you don't always understand is that the snow
pack reflects the sun upward and you burn in areas you never
would expect. Also the intensity increase rapidly as you
ascend. I was burnt so bad it was difficult to even lay down
and sleep. Now I cover up in SPF45 lotion and wear my hat
which has a flap to cover the ears and neck.
Next
Newsletter
I really don't know why I try to detail
the next Newsletter, I normally deviate from my plan.
However, I want to assemble my pack and weigh it to use as a
bench mark everyone can use. I plan on traveling very light
this trip. I have replaced some equipment with recent
purchases designed to reduce weight. It is my hopes to be
under 40 pounds including the rope and water.
If you would like a topic discussed, send
me a email and I will research your request and include it
into a future newsletter.
Ed
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