June 15, 2012 | Camp Muir Climb

A week later, Ken and I take Friday off and head for Paradise Lodge once again to climb to Camp Muir on Mount Rainier.  The weather report was for warmer weather, and blue skies most of the day. It is a 2.5 hr. drive from Seattle due to a detour on Highway 7. We stopped at Whittaker's in Ashford to rent some boots for Ken, and continued into Rainier National Park. My fund raising is going good, but am still looking for additional contributions. I am closing in on $5,000 for the American Lung Association.

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Ken checking for rocks that may have been mysteriously placed in his pack.

At around 7,500 ft., a view of the Nisqually Glacier.

Enjoying the view of Mt. Adams. 

We did a lot of sitting.

The Mountain 

Heading to Camp Muir across the Muir snowfield.

The chatter subsides at 9,000 feet.

Wands are placed in the snow to help locate the trail in bad weather.

Camp Muir - 10,000 ft.

A clear day makes all the work worthwhile.

Views from Camp Muir

Training missions take place while we rest.

Peeling off the skin used to trek uphill.

Inside the bunkhouse...

Guides post for snow melting and climb decisions.

Guides galley.

Yours truly - looking forward to July 13-14th.

Ready for the summit.

A look back at the end of the day.

Mt. Adams at the end of the afternoon.

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

June 9, 2012 | Camp Muir Climb

This was a wet and cold week in the Pacific Northwest, and Mother Nature was serving us a dish of wet cold weather on our training climb with the American Lung Association. Our goal is to reach Camp Muir, which is about 4,500' above the Paradise Lodge trailhead. About 16 in our group participated on this climb.

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Taking a break, and making clothing adjustments as we head for Pebble Creek.

At about 8,500' we were breaking out of the clouds, the summit is in view.

Gaitors, climbing boots designed for high altitude, warms socks, and
crampons are essentials for a safe summit.

The American Lung Association team shot! After 4.5 hours of climbing,
we are at 9,100 ft.

Another group of climbers pushing on to Camp Muir in the 30mph+ winds at 9,100 ft.

We opt to descend about 1,000 ft. short of Camp Muir due to deteriorating weather conditions at lower elevations.

One last look at the summit before descending into the cloud layer.

Fog, wind and snow, make for a slow descent.

Mark greets us as we return and each of us sign out.

"Don't forget to sign out before leaving for home!"

Orange

Thank you for your generous donations. I am over $4000 in my fund raising for the Climb for Clean Air.
To contribute, go to Climb for Clean Air . Any amount helps!!