My first exposure to Mountains (06/16/2009)

I joined a group of Microsofties to hike up to Mt. Rainier's High camp - Camp Muir. It was their training hike. Six of them are planning on summiting this year. I have not done any snow hiking in the past. So I was very anxious that I woke up at 2:30 am itself. Anyways - we left the Microsoft parking lot @ 6:00 am for a 2.5-hour drive to Mt. Rainier. We reached there @ 9:00 am. The trailhead is located @ Paradais(5420 ft).

We all got suited up and began our 5 miles (one way) hike towards camp Muir(10188 ft). The snow was neither hard nor soft. It was nice. Within half hour we were surrounded by snow all around. 45 minutes into the hike, the sunscreen started dripping into my eyes and was causing a lot of irritation. After about an hour in the hike, we took our first break. I was already tired and starting to snack on my bread and eggs. The views around us were spectacular. The conditions were so white and shining that the minute I removed my sunglasses, I felt like my eyes were hit by 1000 lightning. we continued our hike taking a rest after every hour for 15 minutes. During the break, we ate a lot of snacks and drank plenty of fluids. As we progressed higher and higher It was getting steeper and tougher. The last couple of hours were a grind. It was so tough that I could only hear my heaving breathing. The last one hour was very tough. There was considerably less oxygen and heavy winds. I was starting to get a mild headache and it was a little confusing. After 5 hrs and 30 minutes, we reached the high camp - at last. It was a spectacular view from up there. I could see Mt. Adams, Mt. St.helens(Climb Planned for August), and Mt.Hood very clearly. Sat there and looked up the Badass Mt. Rainier Summit and talked to it- told that I will be there sometime next year. It will be another 6 hours and 4000+ ft to the summit.

After spending an hour there, we started the descend. It was personally tougher for me because of my bad knees. As we came lower, the heat of the day has made the snow squishy, my legs were going into the snow at least till knee level in many places it was harder. In some places, we were able to glissade - Fun :) After 2 hours and 30 mins, we were in the parking lot completing the 9.3-mile round trip. I looked up the mountain and could kind of see the place till we climbed.

We all changed and got into the car and started driving back. We were so hungry now, we went to a restaurant in the foothills and had Fish and chips - yummy!!!

And that is the story of my first baby step towards a someday goal of climbing to the summit of Mt. Rainier(14411 ft).

[edited later year] - Even though I was like a kid in the candy shop and wanted to hike and climb more, little did I know at that time, that this trip would such an ever-lasting memory and passion for the outdoors in me. I felt like I wasted 8 years in this beautiful state when I had more energy and time :) Better Late than Never!