On Wednesday morning, we were up early and ready for coffee and breakfast. We got packed up and then roped up for our climb to Ingraham Flats at 11,100 feet elevation.
Unfortunately, John and Mike did not get much sleep because of all the snoring! ha!
When we arrived at Ingraham Flats, climbers were leaving, so we were able to get their spots.
I was talking to one of the climbers, who told me he was from Nepal. He was telling me about his grandmother, who passed away when she was 106 years old! He told me she was so very active and would go out for a walk several times a day. He said when living in Nepal, his family had no electricity nor running water. I think he felt at home with the high altitude at Ingraham Flats. The climbing team he was on had a successful summit climb.
At Ingraham Flats, we set up camp by setting up our tent and putting all the contents of our backpack inside. Then we started melting snow for water as we needed to get our water bottles filled as well as my hydration bladder. I drank about three quarts of water to get hydrated for the climb. We had dinner early, so we could get to bed early as we planned to start our climb about 9:00 p.m. We also got our packs ready for the climb, making sure we had our warm clothing, food and water. Then we got all of our climbing gear ready. Our harnesses, helmets, ice ax, crampons, etc. needed for the climb. Also, decided where we would position ourselves on the rope. Mike was going to lead the climb, then Sharon would be next on the rope, then me and John would be last.
Ted made the decision that he would not go with us as he did not think he would be fast enough. I was so very proud of Ted. If it were not for him, I probably would not have made it as he carried a lot of our climbing gear, tent, food, etc. July 16 is his birthday and what a great gift for him if we all summated!
As we were sitting and chatting at camp, getting everything ready that afternoon, we could see two climbers coming down Disappointment Clever carrying a ladder. All of a sudden, we saw huge rocks tumble down the Clever. We were so worried for them and I think all of us at camp held our breath. Then we saw them and they looked okay. The rocks had fallen beneath them rather than on top of them! That was really scary since we too had to head up the Clever, but in the dark! I thought, I hope no rocks fall on us!
As I said earlier, we had planned to leave at 9:00 a.m., but unfortunately, a wind came up and really blew. We could not rest or sleep as the wind gusts, 35 - 40 mph,, were slamming against our tents. Would we be able to climb?
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| John and his son, Mike, having coffee and breakfast, yummy! |
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| A beautiful morning at Camp Muir as the sun was coming up. |
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Climbers heading for Ingram Flats 11,100 feet, which is where
we will be heading. Sharon getting ready on the left side. |
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| John, Sharon and Mike, ready to go! |
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| Ted tying onto the rope, as there are large crevasses along the route. |
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| Off to Ingraham Flats! |
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| Can see Mt. Adams as we head up. |
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| Can also see Mt. St. Helens, as well as barely see Camp Muir way down there. |
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| Mt. Tahoma as we get closer to Ingraham Flats. |
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| See climbers tents at Ingraham Flats, our base camp. |
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We will have to climb Disappointment Clever, huge rock on right
as we head up toward the summit. |
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| Looking for a camp spot among other climbers' tents. |
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| Ted, taking a break before setting up camp. |
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| Me and Summit Gypsy shirt. |
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| John and Sharon setting up their little tent. |
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| Our camp kitchen, getting something warm to drink. |
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| Our cozy little tent. Mike, John and Sharon in the background. |
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Climbers, probably guides, who brought a ladder down and could have gotten
hit by rock fall. We were worried about them as they descended Disappointment
Clever and heard rocks falling down. Happy they were okay. |
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Climbers and their tents. Time to get some rest before the climb, except
the wind has kicked up and now uncertain about our climb. |
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