Well here it is, the fabled summit of Washington's Mount Rainier (14,411 ft). Ok, technically this is right behind the register canister which would be roughly 14, 403 feet. Behind me is Point Success, the apex of the incredibly difficult Liberty Ridge route (Sheila and I ascended via the standard Disappointment Cleaver route). If you're wondering where my harness and rope are, check this out--the summit of Rainier is a collapsed volcanic crater, so you can toss off your extra gear and hoof it over to the top unprotected. Of course, for some reason I left my headlamp/helmet on, but my crampons did help across the icy path cut out to reach Columbia Crest (the actual summit).
So this is highpoint number 34, finally! My last highpoint I got was Oklahoma way back on August 8, 2001 with Paul Lenhart (dang that seems like a lifetime ago). This fall I hope to clean up at least a few more: North Dakota, Texas, and perhaps some of the Midwest. With Gannet and Rainier out of the way, that leaves only Granite Peak (Montana)and Denali as the last two non-walk ups, though Mount Hood in Oregon offers a slight bit of technical climbing near the very top.
The next few weeks promise to offer Colorado-based adventures. My car's steering wheel feels like it's going to rattle off, so I'll need to fix that before trekking out again. I also have this whole book I'm writing that needs to get a'rollin'. I have to admit to feeling a little blue being back. I forgot how much fun being on the road is, waking up in a new place everyday, having adventure being as commonplace as Captain Crunch in the morning (bad analogy, unless you're me). But be proud, MEOW lives! Let's hit the sooner than later, ok friends?
