If you can even call it an attempt


It feels fun and excited trying to tackle new goals outside of how long I can spin my pedals for. It is also extremely humbling. Adding on the difficulty of snow and the contrasts of the temperatures in this region has also shown to be more of an obstacle than I had anticipated. But, that's exactly what I was hoping for in this pipe dream of summiting the 100 peaks inside the park and hopefully these can be beta for myself and others looking for info on bagging peaks because on these smaller, less prominent peaks, I have been finding little to no information on how to get up there.

That was quick


It was an early 5am roll out from my place with a slight hope to reach the peak before sunrise to maybe see Rainier in the early morning light before all the clouds rolled in. Getting to the trail head dampened any hopes of a fast ascent seeing the amount of melting snow in the parking lot knowing that the only way I was going was up.


Starting out of the Longmire parking lot it was immediately mud and schlop and only after about 1.5 miles the slippery mess was solid snow, about half way up my shin. By the time I had reached Rampart Ridge the few tracks from the day before ended and fresh snow about knee deep started. Seeing that I still had a little over 3 miles to go I started to call it early. Again, under prepared, unequipped to make it an efficient and somewhat enjoyable day out.


The body felt good and I still wanted to have a day in this area because I find it to be a very spiritual place and I love being in it. Ran down, which makes me gain so much appreciation for real trail runners and the speeds that they can carry on the downhill, it's fucking insane. Got back down and trotted up the Wonderland trail and took in the quiet solitude of the trail since the schlop was keeping this usually busy tourist trail empty. Snowed the whole day and finished it out with a good 10.17 miles before packing it in.

the little things


It is fun, exciting, frustrating, and daunting to go out blind with no previous knowledge of the area having never been here before. I don't know what the conditions are like or how much snow they get, or how the mountain behaves in different weather systems, etc. The mindset I try and keep each time is to try and be a blank slate to learn from the mountain. Each new day to try and learn, be patient, acknowledge I am not in control and to some extent know that I am at the mercy of being out there. It feels a bit funny carrying that mindset into "easy" goals and terrain that carry very little consequence but I know what is down the road. From scoping out some of the area and doing research on other peaks, sooner rather than later, I know that I will be thrown into some very real terrain where the risk/reward line will get a little bit more clear and a whole lot more serious.


On this "easy" goal, I had a few mindless errors that are annoying now that no real consequence, but it quickly showed me that if that was a peak that required more from me, I couldn't make those mistakes. Where some of these objectives for me will push 10+ hour days, no fall zones, ice axes, climbing, etc. and will require, in some instances, no fuck ups. Due to faulty gear and laziness on me to replace it and just not paying attention, I lost a glove, rain pants, my food, and my batteries died on my headlamp.


On this day it was all just annoying but if it were to be a different day, some of those mistakes might seriously put me in a a situation that I definitely don't want to be in.

efficiency


I have shared a conversation with a few friends about the deep satisfaction that comes from traversing a landscape quickly, and efficiently. Dialing down gear, food, and water to the bare essentials to be self sufficient and smooth. To look back on an accomplishment or failure and find what you could have done to be better. To be quicker, faster, smarter, more prepared.