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A Very Busy
April I feel like I have been
ignoring everyone this past month. April found me traveling
too much and working too much to allow me the time to update
the newsletters. With traveling comes added caloric intake
and now I must get back into a workout schedule to burn off
the extra pounds!
Pack Weight
Finally my pack has been assembled with
the expected equipment, food and accessories which I will
take to Mount Rainier. The weight comes in around 35-37
pounds! This is the lowest weight pack I ever took up to
Camp Muir. There is a simple formula to reducing the weight:
Lowest weight = highest cost.
Over the years my equipment purchases were based on the
lowest weight and durability that my budget would allow. I
have been lucky in that area where I was able to replace
much of my equipment with fast-n-light products and
distribute the cost over the years.
Take for example the shelter. I’ll be bringing a Bibler
I-Tent with vestibule, which weighs in just over 4 pounds
for the tent and 1 pound for the vestibule. That was only
possible if you are willing to shell out $650. Add in a
titanium cook set, cost $90. You get the idea. This weight
included community gear that should be distributed with your
assigned team. I my case, Carol and I will split gear
between us, hopefully to reduce total weight for both of us.
This weight does not include any luxury items. For example,
I like to carry some wine, smoked Salmon and crackers. That
alone will add 3 – 4 pounds. Here is my list of items on me,
and in my pack:
Backpack (Waterproof)
Goose Down vest
Shell Jacket
Shell Pants
Base Layer Shirt (2)
Base Layer Pant
Windstopper Top
Windstopper Gloves
SmartWool Socks - Hikers (2)
Double Plastic Boots
2 Ball Caps (1-GorTex, 1-sun protection)
Gaiters
Ice Axe with Leash
Crampons, 12 pointers
Glacier Glasses
Sunscreen
Lip Protection
Hiking Poles
One Liter Water Bottles (2)
Nalgene collapsible canteen, 1-gallon
Garbage Bag
Headlamp with extra batteries (Lithium batteries work best)
Compass
Altimeter
Titanium Spoon
Personal Articles including toilet paper
Sleeping Bag
Sleeping Pad (3/4 Ultra-lite & 18 inch foam pad
Camera
Harness
6-Carabiners (4-Ovals, 2-lockable)
L-R Ascenders
Helmet
Spectra Runners (1-30 cm, 1-60 cm)
48" Runnner
One stove with Wind Shield*
Two titanium pots*
Titanium Fuel container*
Lighters
Gallon Zip-Lock Bags (6)
Medical Kit (small ultra-lite)*
Pump Style Water Filter
Small shovel (clean for digging snow for melting)
Tent / Vestibule* / Ground Cloth / Stakes*
50m Rope
Pulleys (2)
Snow Pickets (3)*
Figure 8
Spare Headlamp (Black Diamond Moonlight)
Note: I did not include the weight of the items I'll be
wearing. These include the boots and poles. The asterisk
items can be shared with other team members.
Mount Rainier Conditions
Mount Rainier has seen a new base of over
5 feet of fresh fallen snow over the past few weeks. This is
excellent news! I talked to the head ranger at Paradise and
he indicated the climbing conditions are almost back to
normal. This new layer will consolidate and allow new routes
up to Camp Muir and on to the summit.
Climbing Permits
I have received the twelve climbing
permits covering August 1 - 5. The paperwork I received is
the confirmation letter and individual cards. We must pickup
our actual climbing permits no sooner than one day prior, or
on the same day we leave for Camp Muir.
I will be there one week before the group
is scheduled to start the climb. I'll check into changing
one climbing permit to allow Bruce to leave on July 31st.
When I talked to the ranger, he indicated we can do this
upon arrival. There is no added change to make the single
day change.
Poll Results
In response to the poll taken on using an
extra day and possibly moving from Camp Muir to Ingaham
Flats, it was decided to make the final determination once
we are at Camp Muir. It was discussed that by moving to the
Flats, we can get a two hour jump on summit day and increase
our chances. We will review these options while we are in
Camp Muir.
Ed
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