Pebble Creek Training Climb, May 27th 2012

For more photos, visit my  gallery of our training climb. The use of the photos by the participants in the Climb for Clean Air is welcome. We are all working as a team to support the American Lung Association. 

Assembling for the climb, with the Visitor's Center in the background.

We assembled at Paradise Lodge at 8:45 to sign in for the day's climb to Pebble Creek. It seemed to be in the mid to high 30's F. We had a group of about 15 for the climb on Saturday. The climb was entirely in snow, on a packed trail. With the above freezing tempurature, the snow was a little sloppy in places, which required good firm kick steps on the steeper slopes. Instruction was given on the technique and was practiced on the climb.

Climbers ascending towards Pebble Creek

Near our destination, the fog lifts.

A view of Mount Rainier through the fog.

The parking lot was filled with many groups heading to Camp Muir and others beginning their summit climb. We had a weight of about 25 lbs. in our packs, including the 'ten essentials', and some food for lunch at Pebble Creek. Just before our destination for the day, the fog broke open with a moment of blue sky and a view of the summit. It had been a few years since I had enjoyed the sight of Rainier this close. Shortly after, the sound of an avalanche silenced our group for a moment. It came from the direction of the Nisqually glacier, which we will not be climbing.

http://www.nps.gov/mora/naturescience/glaciers.htm (for more information on the glaciers of Mount Rainier.

Team ALAW | Memorial Day Weekend 2012

Going down is not as easy as it looks...

We followed up our climb with some burgers at the RMI post in Ashford, just outside Mount Rainier National Park.

Check out our outing on this gallery . The use of the photos for participants in the Climb for Clean Air is welcome. We are all working as a team to support the American Lung Association.

Thank you for your support, and if you wish to contribute my climb, you can view my donation page at: http://bit.ly/MHgsjx

Your comments are welcome.

John Granen Climbs for Clean Air

Click Here to Donate Today 

Training climb on the summit of Mailbox Peak, May 6, 2012.

Our Climb for Clean Air, 

Step by Step

At the beginning of the year, I joined my cousin Ken Mietzner, and friend Mike Griffith to participate in the Climb for Clean Air sponsored by the Mountain Pacific chapter of the American Lung Association. We plan to summit Mt. Rainier on July 14th, weather permitting. While in training for this climb I am asking for your contribution to support the American Lung Association reach their goal.  As we scale the mountain the air gets thinner, and each step towards the peak will be made knowing you are supporting us on this journey.

We have been training on shorter climbs around the Cascades, and one snow shoe hike at Paradise Lodge. You can view a few shots on my blog listed below. It will be an exciting journey beginning at Paradise Lodge, climbing to Camp Muir at 10,000 feet elevation where we sleep for about 4-5 hours. We wake at about midnight and begin a 4,400 foot climb to the summit with headlamps and some moonlight I hope. RMI will provide training and guides. Our team provides the donations and the energy.

Here is what your gracious donation and the Climb For Clean Air/Reach The Summit program will help to support:

• Research into promoting lung health and preventing lung diseases such as asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, lung cancer and tuberculosis;

• Being pro-active in the fight against outdoor air pollutants and environmental health; and

• Striving to reduce tobacco use, especially among young people, that is responsible for over 400,000 deaths in the United States each year.

I am climbing Mt. Rainier in hopes that you will find these issues important enough to support. Any amount will be appreciated, but a gift of $100 will go a long way towards helping me reach my goal of $6,000. Your tax-deductible contribution to the American Lung Association, on my behalf, will not only secure my place on the team, most importantly, it will help those struggling to breathe easier.

Join our team, along with Honorary ALA Chairman, and Co-Founder of Rainier Mountaineering Inc., Lou Whittaker, to cheer us on as we strive for the peak, and to raise funds for ALA.

You can make a donation by sending a check made out to the American Lung Association 

to me at:                                 John Granen

                                           6400 NE 60TH ST.

                                             Seattle WA 98115

Online contributions can be made under my name if you prefer by logging in at http://bit.ly/MHgsjx

Thank you for your consideration,

John Granen

Mailbox Peak, May 19, 2012

Mount Rainier from Mailbox Peak.

Ken and I summited Mailbox Peak a second time in two weeks. There was significantly less snow on top this trip, and many more climbers. This is Ken's fifth year with the Climb for Clean Air raising funds for the American Lung Association. Shot on my iPhone, altitude about 4,845 ft., climbing about 1,500 ft. per mile.

Check out the video of Ken on top of Mailbox Peak - and a nice view of Mt. Rainier.