Camp Muir

On Friday of last week I hiked up to Camp Muir with 9 guys from our church. I have been attending the men's bible study on Thursday mornings for the past few weeks on and off. Since I have been out of work for the past month I have more free time than I ever imagined, and more ways to spend it than I thought possible. The opportunity came up and I jumped at it. The theme at the bible study is around a book called Wild at Heart. Its inspirational reading for men who want to take risks in their life. Be it a career change, a closer relationship with their wife, or family, friends, and ultimately God. I would say a lot of the talk centers around risk taking, being real, keeping our edge as we grow into middle and old age. Well what does this mean?

I woke up at 5:00 am Friday morning got dressed gave Becca a kiss and quietly let her continue sleeping. It seems to me good adventures start in this way for me. Get up early, try not to disturb anyone still sleeping, because no one in their right mind should be awake, and leave a little something for Becca to remember me by, you know, just in case...

I joined the rest of the group in a grocery store parking lot and we got a head count prayed and loaded up the trucks and SUVs. On the way up Charles and I tried to get a few more minutes of precious sleep while Tim drove. We drove through Ashford which is home to Whitakers and many of the other climbing organizations. It is home to some of the most skilled and expert climbers in the world.

As we entered the national park entrance the mist and fog grew thicker. As we climbed past Longmire clouds surrounded us.
Paradise is the farthest vehicles are allowed up the mountain. we unpacked and left the world behind. just above the visitors center is an alpine meadow filled with flowers and conifers, grasses and brooks. Its perfect for families. The farthest I have been is up in this area. I remember the last time here, I saw groups of hikers with full hiking gear, crampons, hard shelled boots, ice axes, 60 pound packs. I sort of though they looked funny in such a beautiful garden. Like astronauts in a theme park. Becca and I visited another time and saw a group walking single file upwards. It was cold and looked like they were not enjoying themelves. I could tell because they were wearing 60 pound packs and were hunched over. Even with all of their gear and layers, their body language said they were hunched over and miserable.

Our group was travelling light today, a day hike requires much less, but still the same basic supplies. We tore through the alpine meadow, and asphalt trails. It lead us to wonder less why they were paved and more how they actually did it with steep slopes. Paved trail gave way to rock and marked paths. Dewy flowers and mist covered trees gave way to a moon surface. The light grew brighter and less difuse. our pace smoothed out and we reached our first rest stop, about 40 minutes into the hike. Almost instantly I was able to see the top of Mt Rainier as we continued on.
We became level with the top of the clouds we had been under all morning. Now it was less than one and a half miles to Camp Muir. Across the last snow field I stopped every 10 steps to pause and rest. If I went to fast I could feel my blood pumping through my ears and head.
At one point the Camp came into sight, but distances and perspective are skewed so it was hard to tell exactly how far away it was. a quarter or half mile off.
about 30 minutes later I arrived at the ramp to a ridge upon which the camp site rests. It is a group of three or four stone structures, and a wood structure. on the other side of the ridge were three tents set up for climbers making an attempt at ascent to the peak. I have read about base camps in other books. The ridge to me was a line which separated day hikers like myself from those who were seriously taking some risks with their life. There is a sense of raw experience here, and its easy to see how the view of the mountain, effort it takes, the challenge, and friends, all roll into one addictive, transformative state of mind. One that is easily craved and sought after even with the dangers firmly apparent.

To be continued...