Thanks @alpine_elmo , @jplatts and @bakerguides for the wonderful day touring Tia in the twin sisters range of the North Cascades. We had a fabulous day exploring the steep north face complete with dry powder, perfect corn, and some slop. Couldn’t ask for a better spring day to be in the mountains with wooden planks attached to my feet.
Snoqualmie Pass often gets a bad reputation in the ski community. The snow conditions can be fickle at times on this low-elevation pass. Rain is no stranger, even in winter. The majority of developed ski areas have short runs, and are mostly for beginners. It’s known more for its convenient proximity to Seattle than for quality skiing.
However, the backcountry terrain is some of the most interesting, gnarly, and diverse with such short access to roads. Big faces, tight gullies, steep trees, Snoqualmie’s Alpine lakes wilderness has it all. And when the temps stay cold, and the snow is deep, it’s a wild playground that some locals liken to the world famous French Alps of Chamonix; comments that toe the line between tong and cheek, and an actual reverence for our own little playground.
On Monday we ventured out into our playground, with deep and cold snow, and were not disappointed. We skied a steep chute and trees to Snow Lake, traversed the lake, took a short shot down to Chair Peak Lake, skied the north side of Mt. Roosevelt, played in some unnamed couloirs on Roosevelt’s eastern flank, and dropped the steeps of Snow Lake Divide along the summer trail. It was one of those days that ends with shaking legs, and fat smiles.
Went on a little jaunt to see family in Alberta, which comes with the pleasure of a roadtrip across some of the most beautiful mountain ranges on the continent. Mt. Robson Provincial Park and Jasper National Park are absolutely spectacular, and definitely worth a winter visit if you’re ever “in the area”. Bundle up if you do. Most of these photos were taking in -20 degrees fahrenheit
This is my friend Austin Regier. I had the pleasure of knowing him as a student in our youth group. He was always full of joy, depth, kindness, dedication. He loved his risen savior to the core. As he grew to be a man I had the joy of becoming his friend. From dry heaving on the summit of Mount Rainier at 2AM, to post holing in backcountry powder with broken skis, he was always able to tough out anything, and do it with a smile on his face, a million-dollar smile that will forever be burned in my heart. The best times with Austin were the deep conversations, on long car rides, on the skin track, and on rooftops in Belize. It hurts to lose someone with such a beautiful heart. Austin was an inspiration, and a loving friend. The world lost a great man this week. And Heaven gained one.
On Sunday morning @watsonpr , @eilers.matt and I set off on a climb of Mount Rainier. With full stomachs and heavy packs we trudged up the Muir Snowfield to Camp Muir where we setup tents, refilled our bodies and rested. Although the weather forecast was good for comfort with little wind and high temps, a 17,000ft freezing level gave concerns of instability on the glacier and increased rockfall. We consulted the climbing ranger, turned our alarm clocks to 9pm and went to bed. After a couple hours of not sleeping, we woke to a gorgeous sunset, geared up and headed out. Under cover of darkness we snuck past most of the heat-related hazards. We ran into a nearly 2 hour traffic jam of climbers at 13,000ft, and eventually arrived at the summit just past 7am. The three of us admired the views, snapped some pics, enjoyed Rainier™, and scurried down the mountain in the blazing sun with sweat on our brows and success in our hearts. Victory burgers and blackberry pie never tasted so good.
This week I had the pleasure of accompanying my good friends @watsonpr and @eilers.matt one more step on the journey to climb my favorite mountain in the world, Mount Rainier. This is Mount Baker, a fantastic introductory climb. It turns Mailbox peak regulars into true mountaineers. Experiencing this with fresh-eyed new inductees to climbing renewed my own vision of the wonder, joy, and intensity of such a tantalizing glacial landscape. I’m now more excited than ever to walk among the seracs and cliffs of Tahoma with these fine fellows.
We had the opportunity recently to embark on a 700 mile road trip through the Scottish highlands, Skye, and the North Coast. It’s regarded as one of the best road trips in the world. And for good reason. I could spend weeks driving this route, but we only had days. It was still well worth it, a week full of unimaginable roadside views, lakes, fjords, rugged peaks, lush sheep-filled valleys. Ancient ruins, crumbling and weathered castles. All while enjoying the fine food and drink the highlands and coast have to offer.
