Greg and Rob had gathered a group of 12 friends together to climb Mt. Rainier. It was August 1974. We had been divided up into three rope teams with four people on a team. It was decided that if one person on a rope team could not advance then the entire team would return to Paradise. The weather was near perfect.
L to R: Carol, Mary Lou, Rob, Tom (back), Mary S. (from Denver), Peter, Greg, Gene.
Gene from Chicago is outfitted for anything Mt. Rainier may offer.
Left to right front row: Carol, Mary, Rob, Gene, Mary S., & Peter
Back row: Mary Lou, Dave, John, Tom, Alan, & Greg.
We spend the first day on the Nisqually Glacier practicing crevasse rescue.
Gene works his way down into the crevasse.
My turn to go into the crevasse. I was little nervous about seeking out a hazard.
Going down seemed harder than climbing out. I have no idea what my left leg is doing.
I remember it was intensely cold at the bottom of the crevasse and all I could think about was if the snow I was on would hold my weight.
My prusiks are in order and my feet are secured in the stirups so I can "prusik" out of the crevasse. Once I got to the lip, things became more difficult.
Gene looks up at me from his crevasse. Look at that nose protection.
The Nisqually Glacier spreads out and across Mt. Rainier.
We rope up into our teams and make our way across the glacier after crevasse rescue practice.
Notice the side by side rope team as they safely avoid crevasses.
Mary in the front.
As I was photographing the group, Mary photographed me.
L to R: Dave, Rob, Mary S., Mary & unknown person under the umbrella.
The next day we pack up and head up the Muir snowfield to Camp Muir.
Peter is standing in the center.
A few miles later we rest at Pebble Creek.
Rob finds a great seat to prepare his dinner. That is Carol behind him.
Mount St. Helens pre-eruption pokes through the clouds.
Pre-eruption Mt. St. Helens stands above the clouds south of Camp Muir.
The kitchen setting at Camp Muir.
L to R: Gene, Peter, Mary, & Mary S.
L to R: Mary, Gene, Dave, Peter, Mary Lou, & Greg
This is the view of the north edge of the Cowlitz Gap. We were about to cross the Ingraham Glacier.
Little Tahoma peak in the morning light.
The route is commonly referred to as the Cow Trail.
Mt. St. Helens and Mount Hood in the early morning light.
After a rest and some food we start climbing again.
At Camp Muir, Greg entertains the idea of hiking down Muir Snowfield and veering east to the snow caves.
Mary Lou, Gene, John, Peter rest during the descent on the Muir snowfield.
Rest, food, and discussions along the way to the caves.
Mary rests as she soaks in the sun.
The ice caves are spectacular.
Mary drinks from the ceiling of the cave. This is one of my all time favorite photographs.
Once back at Paradise we wait for the successful rope team to arrive.
L to R: Alan, Carol, Tom and Rob
These four were strong climbers that day.
L to R: Alan, Rob, Tom, and Carol.
Those of us that did not summit felt disappointment but we were very proud of the four that did summit.
In the parking lot we give our final goodbyes to each individual.
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