The View From Not-Quite-The-Top

What a fantastic day on Mt. Rainier! I did manage to get over the night before and up and on the trail on time. The climb up to Pebble Creek was easy and I certainly could tell the difference that a month of conditioning has made. The trek from there up to Camp Muir was strenuous, but I did make some acquaintances along the way and sharing the day with these new-found friends certainly made the experience that much more memorable. The weather was picture-postcard perfect - temperature in the 70's, clear azure-blue skies, not a breath of wind and an inexhaustible supply of sunshine...absolutely fantastic! On such a day I can think of no more beautiful and serene place to be than high up on the snowfields of Mt. Rainier. I lounged at camp Muir for a bit, talked with some of the other hikers and climbers, then reluctantly started down. I met Sheila and Cathy as I was running and skating down the upper snowfields and hiked/ran/slid/skated the rest of the way down with them. I always enjoy meeting new friends and some of the nicest that I have met have been while hiking and climbing. In fact, I have just received an e-mail from Julie and am now planning on returning to the mountain next weekend to join her an Carrie on a hike back up to Muir. What a great summer this has turned out to be; spending most of my weekends camping, hiking, and climbing; meeting some truly special people; and enjoying life as much as I can. Well, once again it is getting late and slumber beckons as another work week trails just behind the looming sunrise. So, until next time...vertu svalur, y'all;-)

[Listening to: Sunrise - Norah Jones - Feels Like Home (03:25)]