Post #1 for 2013 Rainier Climb for Clean Air

Hey it's April, and snowing in the mountains and training hikes have started for the Climb for Clean Air which concludes in July with a summit attempt on Mt. Rainier. We were fortunately hiking below the snowline on TIger Mountain and dodging rain showers.

I am climbing with the American Lung Association for the second time, heading up Mt. Rainier July 26-27th with Hal Moore who is joining me this year. We are raising funds for the Lung Association. My goal is $7000 this year. I would like to reach this by June 1st.

To donate, go to my page at American Lung Association website. I have a donation page there, which will guide you through an online donation. I hope I can count on your support, large or small.

I hope you will decide to be on my rope up the summit of Mt. Rainier. Hang on - it will be a great climb!

Last years' summit shot from July 13th, 2012 at 6:14am. 

My cousin Ken Mietzner is right, yours truly is left, a few minutes after reaching the top.

Yesterday's crew that is in training for the Climb for Clean AIr.
I'm in the green on the left, and my friend Hal Moore is front row left.

Thanks for your interest, and for helping support our fundraising!

Finally, the Climb Photos

Here is a gallery of our orientation session, training and the climb.

HTML gallery of the climb

FLASH gallery of the climb

Brent's video clip of descent

It's nice being back on flat land!

Thanks for your contributions and support!

To make a donation online, it's not too late - just click here.

The crew summits!

Mount Rainier Summit Success!

At 6am Saturday morning, July 14th, cousin Ken Mietzner and myself arrived at the summit of Mt. Rainier safely. I would like to thank all those who contributed donations and support for our philanthropic campaign to reach the summit. Together, Ken and I were able to raise over $10,000 for the American Lung Association.

This is the 25th year of the ALA Climb for Clean Air. This has been made possible through the partnership with RMI, whose guidance has given us the 'tools' or knowledge to climb the 14,410' peak. Over the past 25 years, more than $5,000,000 has been raised for ALA through this program.

Thanks to the ALA volunteers and staff, our RMI guides, my ALA climbing team, friends and family for helping cure lung disease through research and prevention programs.

Look for a summary of the climb this week. I will be working at posting photos this evening - check back soon!

Mt. Rainier Summit July 14, 2012

Day 1 Off to Ashford for Training

11:30 am Ken Mietzner, Mike Griffith, and I are off to Ashford for our climb training. The weather today is about 80f and clear skies. Quite a contrast to our June weather.

July 4, 2012 | Final Training Climb

My second climb in two days... Mailbox Peak is a good test. Just off I-90 near North Bend, the trailhead is at about 660 ft. to 4,700 ft. in 2.5 miles. Our goal with 35 lb. packs, was to better our last climb at 2hrs. 45min. The trail was muddier than usual, since it rained heavy earlier in the week. The tree canopy helps retain the moisture and takes the trail a while to dry out.

After a stop at the local McD's to grab an egg mcmuffin, we arrived at the trailhead at 6:30am, and started up the trail. Ken sets a quick pace, and I give myself time to warm up and later close the gap. As our final training climb, and our third trip up Mailbox together, we were moving pretty good. One concern was to return to the trailhead without injury. There is little time to recover from an injury at this point. We reached the top in 2hrs. 20min. Not many on the peak...

Thanks to all who have donated - your support will be great motivation as I head for the summit. I met my goal of $6000 in contributions to the American Lung Association yesterday. It is very gratifying to know there are so many who have helped out with this fund raiser. If you wish to contribute, or make an additional contribution, click here.

It was snow free on top.

Ken checked for donations...

The view of Mount Rainier... looking sunny on top!

Mailbox Peak survey mark.

Next stop - Rainier!

Spring has arrived on the mountain.

July 2, 2012 | Solo Climb Up Mt. Si

Mount Si is a landmark feature as you drive east on I-90 from Seattle to North Bend, WA. It is stunning to see this mountain rise up from the valley farmlands that surround it. A good portion is forested with second or third growth timber, and at the top the shear rock walls let you know you are entering the Cascade Mountains. So it is a must do hike for many locals and one that the ALA recommends as a benchmark test before the summit attempt on Rainier.

With a 47lb. pack, I left the trailhead and began my ascent. The trail is well traveled and maintained. I made it to the top of the trail in 2 hrs. even, which is the time needed. It was a good test. The rain began as I returned to Seattle.

I reached the top to find this view.

I-90 winding its way through the mountains.

Lots of fractured rock on top.

A hiker finds a quiet place for lunch.

June 23, 2012 | Night Training and Camp Muir

Ken and I drove to Paradise Lodge, about 2.5 hrs. south of Seattle. The weather was mixed, but seemed to be clearing a bit as we ascended to the lodge which is at about 5,400 ft elevation. We arrived at about 7:30 and met the rest of our American Lung Association Group in the lodge to prepare for the night climb training session.

A couple of shots on the way up to the lodge... weather was looking good for the evening!

Paradise Lodge, Mt. Rainier National Park

Assembling the climbers.

An inscription on the staircase at the trailhead to the summit.

Directions given to climbers on how to wear crampons, helmets, headlamps, ice axe, harness and climbing rope.

Mt. Rainier

A time exposure of climbers and their head lamps.

The next morning we climbed to about 9,000 ft. We cut the ascent to Camp Muir short due to a change in the weather.
As it frequently happens, the weather clears again for our group shot at about 7,000 ft.

Ken Mietzner, Mike and Jen Griffith, and myself.

Time to chill.

Our condolences to the family and friends of National Park Service Ranger, Nick Hall,
who lost his life during a rescue on Mt. Rainier.