Subscribe to RSSMount Rainier Climb: August 2009
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This summer Libby, our friend Tony Kaplan and I climbed the Disappointment Cleaver route on Mt. Rainier, the largest of the Cascade volcanoes. Although I had climbed the Kautz Glacier route on Rainier before with my Cousin Don, this was my first time leading a group up this meaningful mountain. We had a wonderful time together and a terrific climb. I’ll mostly let the photos tell the story with only minor captioning.
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We started the climb through Paradise Meadows in heavy fog.
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The wildflowers and animals were abundant in the aptly named Paradise. It reminded me of John Muir and his love of this particular place.
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As we emerged above the clouds, we found marmots out in force sunning themselves on warm rocks….
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as well as posing for photographers.
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Tony Crossing a crevasse below Camp Muir.
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Libby approaching Camp Muir
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Camp Muir is a welcome site for weary climbers.
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Climbing through Cathedral Gap.
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Climbers above the clouds.
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Reflections of Little Tahoma.
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Our Camp at Ingraham Flats was scenic.
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Getting some rest for the summit bid. It’s tough to sleep cramped at 11,200 feet during the daylight, but the alarm is set for a midnight start.
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Strange things afoot in a neighboring camp as we fitfully tried to sleep.
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What a star show!
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After a long night of technical climbing by headlamp, the eastern sky lights up.
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It was a spectacular dawn.
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Surreal light on Mt. Adams.
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Nice light on Miss Libby. The wind was blowing very hard up here. I’d guess sustained winds of 35-40mph with higher gusts.
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Crossing a high crevasse. We crossed many that were open and more treacherous during the dark of night. In a couple of places we were happy for the fixed lines and anchors set up by RMI.
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Here you can see the wind taking the line.
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Where earth meets sky: Libby’s outlook
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Libby, Tony, and me on the Summit. (photo by Dave Johnson)
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The sharks fin crossing (over Tony’s right shoulder) was terrifying on the way up in the dark. I worried about it coming down, but with proper care we had no problem.
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The Ingraham Glacier is impressively crevassed this late in the year.
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A tired party descends towards Paradise.
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Tired as I was, light like this made me glad I hauled an extra 20 pounds of camera gear!
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Sunsets don’t get much better than the one we witnessed at Pebble Creek.
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The above photo is a very high resolution panoramic merger taken at sunset from Camp Muir. It reminds me of Mark Twain’s words after watching a sunset above the clouds on a Hawaiian volcano:
“I felt like the last man, neglected of the judgment and left pinnacled in mid-heaven, a forgotten relic of a vanished world.”
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There you have it. The first pictographic story post on our new website’s blog. We would love to hear your comments.
-Hudson and Libby.
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10 Comments
2009-11-11
08:37:16
After watching your Mt Rainier and 7 Lakes Basin slide shows I am 'almost' speechless. You have mastered the arts of color and composition. I knew you were getting some really good stuff on that Olympic trek but I had no idea... And what a great web site to display your material! Looking forward to more great 'shows' in the future. ps: Do you have any of your prints for sale? Justine has her eye on one in particular.
2009-11-11
11:32:56
Thanks Don. That was a great trip. We certainly had nice light to work with. Libby and I do sell fine art prints. Libby generally handles such orders. The best way to request prints is to use the contact form on the site. I'll have her contact you about prints asap.
2009-11-11
09:06:56
Great shots! The Pebble Creek one is breath-taking. Seriously amazing.
2009-11-11
11:37:55
Thanks Dave. It's funny. That was one of those shots where remembering to look behind you pays off. I was wearily headed down the mountain. There was very little light above peak and a dull grey mist shrouding the upper mountain, but I was drawn to alpenglow on Peaks to the south. I spent a few moments shooting clouds and distant peaks and then looked back over my shoulder only to find that Rainier was on fire with color! I had my pack off, tripod out and had jogged back to the creek in about 30 seconds. I only had about 2 minutes to get this shot and it was all over.
2009-11-13
09:26:15
Wow and double-Wow. You've shot some of the most amazing nature photographs that I've ever seen, Hudson. The colors and depth of field are almost beyond comprehension. I must admit initially thinking you were a bit nuts when i saw all the camera gear you had hauled up Rainier, but after seeing your photographs from the climb - as well as the many other beautiful places you've been - I can see that you are a very talented and dedicated photographer. Unbelievable stuff. I'm very glad to have met you and Libby and hope to see you guys again some day.
2009-11-13
09:52:07
Thanks Jim. It was great meeting you too! You certainly made a great subject for that panorama. It wouldn't be half the photo it is without you in it. Maybe we'll link up down your way next time. If you are back in the Northwest, whether climbing volcanoes or just kicking around, make sure and give Libby and I a shout. -Hudson
2009-11-13
14:16:49
You take my breath away.............. They are all phenom but the one of Camp Muir draws me right into the climb with you and Lib!
2009-11-13
16:07:30
Thanks Cathy! At the end of the day, Camp Muir is a VERY welcome site. -Hudson
2009-11-20
08:06:29
Wow - stunning photographs. Actually, I think I took the one of you two & Tony on the summit! It was fun meeting up with you all on the Cleaver in the dark - you made nice companions as we ascended. Thanks for sending the summit photographs; I've got your site bookmarked and will enjoy reading about your adventures. Dave Johnson Sacramento, CA
2009-11-20
23:29:02
Hey Dave. Thanks so much. It was great playing cat and mouse with you guys on the mountain. You did take that summit shot of us. I should switch the credits now that I think about it. ;-) -Hudson