Monday, October 13, 2008
















CFH - Mt. Adams


Our latest expedition... our newest team of 12 returned from a successful summit of Mt. Adams in August. The climb was not as mild as anticipated; 100+ degree temperatures and 45-60 pound packs on all the adults, melting and re-freezing snow conditions on the glaciers, and the last-minute change from a guided to unguided climb all added challenges for our team. It was an incredibly fit team of people and everyone was remarkably strong and able on the mountain.

Some of our views were just as breathtaking as those I've encountered on the international climbs. After struggling up steep terrain to 9,000 feet, carrying our entire camp (and about 10 pounds too much apple pie homemade by our gear outfitter's wife in cumbersome giant tupperwares), we were rewarded with a spectacular site to make base camp for the next few nights: we were perched atop an isolated rock outcropping which required a 30-foot hand-over-foot climb to find several flat spots to pitch tents. From here, we had a view of our route up to the false summit north of us; fiery sunsets to the east over Mount St. Helens; Mt. Hood and an actual forest fire to our south, and a full moon rising over the ridge to our east each night. Each new pot of water we needed to boil or filter meant a scramble back down the rock wall to a glacial melt pool, and careful climbing back up with full, heavy buckets so as not to slosh our hard-earned supply right back out.

As we set out at sunrise for the summit, the familiar crunch of crampons in snow and ice was oddly heartwarming as I recalled moments on Cotopaxi for the first Climb for Hope. It was a mix of chunky snow fields and crumbling rock and scree sections on the ascent (with every step up, you lose about half that step in a downward slide), and again the sweltering sun and heat (over 100 again) was contradictory to the senses. Once at the false summit, we had about 800 feet to go and this is where the views and the terrain of the mountain itself filled me with wonder and reminded me of what I love so much about being on a mountain... these sights (over cornices, into glaciers and crevasses, down sheer rock walls) are hidden from below, and I always feel lucky to lay my eyes on them. Looking behind, to where we had come from and the vast expanse of earth beyond, captures the breath.

I slowed and hesitated on the steep last stretch to the summit... my brother was behind taking photographs, but I had an unexplainable intuition that we should all step to the top together and especially not without him in the midst of the pack. As we stood up there together, we were amazed... despite the strong gusting winds and the altitude, hundreds of butterflies swirled around us like a protective and joy-filled presence. As we moved across the summit fields, we kept walking into more swarms of the brightly colored butterflies and they were with us a good distance on our descent as well. I was honored to be standing on this summit with my brother, all of his kids, Dr. Emens and very dear friends.

We were back to camp for another glorious sunset, and the next morning made our final difficult descent to the trailhead by early afternoon. Thank you to all for the many ways you have been a part of this very special effort.

love,
Debbie

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