Emmons Glacier had always caught my eyes from Crystal Mountain ski resort. It just seemed like an endless descend being over 8,000 feet down to Glacier Basin after a hike over to the Interglacier. For many years I felt I didn’t have the skills for the semi technical line but over time I worked up on my skills. During the 2007 season I had a goal to ride all 5 Washington Volcanoes and this would be the home mountain.
Heading up the Glacier Basin Trail and the Interglacier
The forecast for the weekend looked promising. With the freezing level topping out at 14,000 feet and sunny skies until some unstable air came in on Monday in was the perfect window to ride the Emmons Glacier. After a carpool to the eastern side of Mount Rainier we were heading up the White River Road. After packing our bags we made our way up to Glacier basin in about an hour where we filled up our water and prepared for the Interglacier.
While climbing I would occasionally look back the solid bootpack up the Interglacier and take in the views. The area was crowded with like minded people who were heading up towards the summit. Looking towards the 3rd Burroughs it brought back memories of a trip the previous season.
It was a warm day as we made our way up one step at a time. Occasionally I would look back to see Dan hiking underneath the Moraine Park area.
Near the top of the Interglacier we had a solid view of the eastern side of the park. From our vantage point we could see Goat Island Mountain on the left side of the photo below. Behind that is the Crystal Mountain Backcountry and heading right in the Fryingpan Creek area was Tamanos Mountain, Cowlitz Chineys, and Ohanapecosh area.
Making our way to Camp Sherman
Once at the top ridge of the Interglacier we made our way down to the Emmons Glacier where we had a full view of the climbing route. I decided to take a solid board and boot pack compared to skinning which turned out to be the right decision. There was a well beaten it track all the way to the summit and not knowing if the conditions would be firm I wanted the best board I had.
We arrived at Camp Sherman around 2 p.m and focused on staying Hydrated to battle altitude sickness. Our plan was to leave around 5 A.M. so we set up camp and waited for the sunset before heading to sleep.
Day 2 Summiting and Snowboarding the Emmons Glacier
We woke up at 4 a.m. and made our way out of tent preparing for the long day ahead. I was a tad bit nervous as it was my first time climbing Mount Rainier. For the next hour I drank as much water as I could and ate oatmeal while watching the light show start over the Puget Sound.
Climbing up the Emmons Glacier
One of the members of our team was feeling ill and decided to stay at Camp Sherman so it was now 2 teams of 2. As the sun started lighting up the Emmons Glacier route it was time to start heading up.
After a few minutes we made it into the sun as it crested over the eastern horizon. Immediately it warmed up our cold bodies as we took off our down coats. It was a windless day and perfect conditions for climbing making our way up the highway.
Not having much experience at high altitude climbing we made sure to take our time. Every once in a while we would stop for a break before moving higher on the slopes. By now we were starting to get into the more technical sections, having to wrap around crevasses.
The route had some solid ramps around the main crevasses. Being so close to the crevasses and serac it made me feel small. We would have to stay close to our up track on the way down as route finding could put us in the wrong area.
Slowly pushing our way up we were fortunate not to have any issues. Things had gone smoothly as we made our final push for the last 1,000 feet up the Emmons Glacier with the Central Cascades and Sunrise area dropping away in the distance.
Arriving at the Summit Crater
Before long we made it to the summit rocks around 11:30 in the morning. From here on out we would be hiking along the crater on solid ground to make it to the true summit. We had arrive a few hours before we had intended to make our descent. Being a semi steep and exposed route we need to wait for the upper slopes to soften.
It was time to take off the rope for the final walk to the true summit. I had waited for this day for years and was looking forward to the views from the top. Like most things I was expecting the route to be far more difficult than it actually was.
On the top of the mountain Andy and I put back on our down coats and took the obligatory photos. We still had an hour before it was time to ride down the Emmons glacier so we sat around the top and did a little bit of exploring around the crater rim.
At Camp Sherman we chatted with the ranger and he mentioned that the perfect time for a descent was 1:30. Once it was time we strapped into our gear and prepared for the 4,000 foot run back to camp. Knowing what was below us we would stick near the trail as we didn’t want to get stuck on top of a crevasse.
Riding off the Summit of Mount Rainier
With our gear on our feet we dropped in and were happy to find that the snow was soft and edgeable. Making our way off the true summit and down to the Liberty Cap Glacier.
Making Turns Down the Emmons Glacier
We were soon on the upper slopes of the Emmons Glacier and having edgeable snow. Finding smooth snow on the side of the route we were able to have a fun ride while occasionally setting up for a quick shot.
Before long we were wrapping through the crevasses and making our way into the crux of the route. What would take us 5 minutes to climb was a single turn as we made our way down fast.
On the side of the Icefall the snow was much better being smooth and fast. We were able to open up a bit linking a few turns before the next crevasse would come up.
Soon enough we were on the lower ramp and underneath Little Tahoma. We were just minutes away from camp and without anymore technical sections below us. Finally we were able to ride from the top of the ramp to the bottom. What had taken us 4 hours to climb was 30 minutes of snowboarding.
Back at Camp Sherman
Once at Camp Sherman we celebrated our ski descent as from top to bottom the route had gone smooth. The weather was perfect all day with no real wind and not a cloud in the sky until around 5:30. Our plans were to stay another night at Sherman and get an early morning run down the Interglacier.
A Hasty Exit to our Trip
Within an hour the blue sky had changed to Storm clouds with the occasional lightning in the distance. What was original a drizzle became a huge downpour that we were not prepared for. Leave our rain fly at the car our sleeping bags and coats got soaked. Realizing the storm was only getting stronger we decided to pack up and get to the White River camp ground as fast as possible. All of our gear was drenched as we tossed everything in our bags trying to make a quick escape. We left Sherman around 8:15 racing the last bit of light. After a quick ride down on the Emmons we hiked up to the Interglacier.
While on top of the Interglacier I looked towards Little Tahoma which was engulfed in clouds. Everywhere we looked showed signs that the weather was turning for the worse.
Riding Down the Interglacier in a Lightening Storm
The run down Interglacier turned out to be amazing with cold and edgeable mash potatoes. Off in the distance the sky was on fire with lightning flashes going off every second.
Riding down to Glacier Basin we were in the middle of a full on Thunder storm. The White River Basin was being nailed by lightning every few seconds. As we were running down the trail it was by far the most intense thunder storm I had ever seen. The rain had caused the white river to swell almost to the point of blocking our progress and lightening was going off above us. We kept a steady pace navigating with the last bit of daylight making it to the car just before 10:00. The storm was intense but we all agreed that we made the right decision getting out of there as we packed our car and made it out. We kept saying how we couldn’t believe how smooth the trip went and after our exit I would never let my guard down again.
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