Mary suggested we take her younger sister, Anne, on a backpacking trip. I believe it was Anne's first backpacking trip. She may have been trying to add something new to Anne's life, something she could hang her hat on and develop some interest in. I volunteered Mt. Ruth. It was an easy six-mile hike in and we would be camping in a beautiful setting. It has a simple climb to the top that you could feel good about. Mary invited two other friends, Dave and Robbie.
We had a late start at the trailhead but we made it to Hannegan Pass without problems. We rested at Hannegan Pass and then started up the no name elevator east of the pass. That is the toughest section of the climb. We used roots, rocks, and branches as belays. I believe this was Anne's first backpacking experience. She complained about the weight and Mary took some of her gear to lighten her load. We finally reached our campsite at the base of Mt. Ruth. To our west was Mt. Baker. To the north was Hannegan Peak and the Ruth Creek valley with Mt. Sefrit. The North Pickets were to the east. The sun was setting as we set up the campsite and we finished dinner before the bright light left us for the day. Our goal was to climb Ruth once the stars came out. We spent the time resting and watching the light change the colors and textures on the numerous mountains.
Once the stars came out we gathered our headlamps and ice axes, and we roped up. We had five on the 120' rope which slowed the progress. No big deal. No one was in a hurry. At the top we sat for what seemed like hours and enjoyed the moonlight falling across the various mountains, glaciers, snow fields, and smooth granite slopes that surrounded us. When we finally made it back to camp, we unleashed ourselves from the rope and left the rope where we dropped it as we did with our ice axes. No coil or storage. We were spent.
The next thing I remember was hearing Canadians talking outside our tents the next morning. They noticed how we left the rope and ice axes and one simply said "Americans." They had no idea what we had accomplished that previous day. We got up, had breakfast, roped up, and climbed to the summit again before noon. We had lunch back at the campsite and sprawled out on in the heather slope and relaxed. We packed up and headed back to the trailhead. Great trip. Wonderful weather. Good campers.
Hannegan Pass rest location for the five of us.
The steepness is lost in the shot of the no name, unofficial trail east of Hannegan Pass.
In addition to her own pack, Mary carried Anne's gear to the top.
At the top of the elevator we pause and take in the view to the north and into Canada.
This section is dangerous. There is no trail across the rocky slope which gains a steeper angle as it drops off for hundreds of feet.
Then a trail appears on the east side and travel becames easier.
We finally make it to the bench and the trail levels.
At the base of Mt. Ruth near the trees is our campsite for the night.
We can see Mt. Baker in the distance.
We set up camp, have dinner, and wait for the stars.
In headlamp light, Mary crafts something for the night climb.
At the top we can see Mt. Shuksan and the East Nooksack glacier.
We enjoy the moonlight on the surrounding mountains.
The next morning we prepare to climb to the summit again. (Or did we just lay in the heather and pass some idle time?)
Anne left her eye protection at the trailhead so we create a mask for her out of tin foil.
We must have climbed Ruth again. If so, where are my shots? If not, why the eye protection for Anne? Interesting false memories.
After the second climb Mary and her sister, Anne, rest in the heather before packing up.
Robbie and Dave seem ready to move out and head back to the trailhead.
I don't recall how much time passed before Mary and I did the same trip again. It was to pay homage to her sister who had suddenly passed away. I'll never forget the feeling I had when Mary's mother called the school and asked the office to have me call her. I knew something bad had happened to either Mary or Anne. As I sat there in my classroom looking at the phone, I thought that if I put the phone call off it would give me more time with Mary or Anne. I thought about both of them. I returned the call and Mary's mother told me that they had lost Anne. I have never had a worse phone call. During our return trip to Mt. Ruth we sensed Anne's presence. She was hiking with us. She climbed Ruth again with us. She ate with us. She watched the stars with us. It was surreal.
I will never forget Anne.
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