14.05 Granite Mountain: Strenuous, challenging, over 3,800 feet climb...always rewarding.

The final stretch, climbing the granite rocks, to watchtower above.


Mount Rainier 'leaps' through the clouds, a giant amongst large mountains. However, Granite mountain
commences at only 1,800 feet whereas Paradise is at 5,400 feet, Rainier's base.


A fascinating shape on the opposite side of Rainier. Viewed from peak of Granite Mountain.

In polite circles, the hike is known as a ‘butt-kicker’, a ‘calf-killer’…you get the idea. Nevertheless,
the 3,840 feet climb from 1,800 feet is an incredible hike, what an experience. We have hiked this one
before; it’s a favorite but that does not make it any easier. However, today we followed what appeared
to be a trail we missed previously: the scramble over the rocks towards the end to get to the watchtower
at the top. Over the last mile on the return, it happens when we tire, we began singing on the trail
(not a pleasant sound) which was indicative of our state.

The plan was to hike with Gavin, this being our last day in Bellevue. As a bonus, our nephew Justin would
be joining us. We were set up with a formidable team…it reads nicely but of course, perhaps a little
exaggerated. We were excited to be with the ‘Microsoft Boys’, two of our favorites although we missed
Robbie very much, too. Gavin was a bit off-color and unfortunately wasn’t able to join us. So we set out
with the young Texan who has never seen a hill before, coming from the flat city of Dallas. When he read
the warning signs about bears, we worried a little after looking at the expression on his face. On the
other hand, we were concerned when he put on sandals for the over eight miles round-trip. As much as we
love the young man, we do understand he is a Texan and so we make allowances.


Looking from the peak towards the basin a little way down, snow and water colors very attractive.


Loose granite rocks form three hills before the peak. Jenni's scout on first-third, as gray as the rocks,
left top-side of photo.


Nephew Justin leads Aunt Jenni. Elevation gain at that stage close to 2,800 feet. (Loved the 'boots').

We’ve had three separate short stays in Seattle; before Europe, on our return and after the Mount Rainier
visit. We did go to the synagogue each time. It was an interesting experience. The congregation has a
strong Russian influence, a number of Israelis and other Middle-Eastern members; we think we did spot an
American or two. On one occasion, there was a bar mitzvah. The grandfather spoke emotionally of the
Soviet Regime’s aims to stamp out religion and its effect on the Jews. What's changed?


The north side of Granite Mountain, an abundance of mountains, too.


Another of Rainier, a protruding ghost like image (top), dwarfing the mountains at fore.

Gavin has been a gracious host to his parents and while we could get used to a roof over our heads, it’s
time to move on unless we find another Granite Mountain in the area soon. We thank him and look forward
to seeing our son in San Diego soon. As for Justin who is embarking on a career after completing college
most successfully, we suggest with his next paycheck, he buys a pair of boots. Truth be told, he handled
the difficulties with aplomb.


Taking in beautiful views while sweating in snow and fending off bugs at peak.


Lake and blue Cascades in distance

Washington, thus far, has provided an interesting contrast. Although we may not have seen a wide
enough sample, we notice the distinct contrast between the city people and those in the country. Should
they meet in between, it would be a battle between the ‘yuppies and nerds’ on the one hand and
the ‘hippies, hunters and recluses’ on the other. We wonder where we’d place our editor.


Reaching the hut after great scrambles both ways. Some excitement when 'immovable' rocks proved otherwise.


A pity about the thick clouds surrounding Mount Rainier.

Cheers,

Jenni and Jeffrey



Nephew Justin and uncle head higher—it's enough already.



During a break in the forest, "Uncle Jeff, I'll do a lot for you...Smell your boots? No, Sir."


Partaking in serious discussion with Prairie Dawn on hair coloring after we returned from Pinnacle Peak.
She is a local tattooist who probably noticed our 'unblemished lily-white'...um brown skin, handing us
her business card saying, "Let's stay in touch."

14.02 Mount Rainier: A relentless climb to Eagle Peak saddle

Jenni stands before Washington's finest from the saddle of Eagle Peak


Mount Adams between the wood and chaff, another volcano, proudly faces towards Mt. Rainier


As we descend from Eagle saddle, we continue counting trees, a hobby of ours.

Mount Rainier National Park is busy. This is a problem during summer vacation periods. People might think
we’re complaining while hardworking people are holidaying after the working year ended. Not at all…well,
maybe a little. While we might be complaining, we’d also like to request cooler weather…but not too cool.
Where were we? After all, we are not vacationing but rather pursuing our vocation which is hard work.
Rather than whine, we prefer to leave the whining for work-days on the trail and resort to action now.
Seek the tough hikes and you’ll lose all but a handful of people. We did just that and had the trail
mostly to ourselves, nearly 8 miles with an elevation gain of 3,100 feet. That’s a lot of feet but few bodies
on a trail.


More prominent than Mount St. Helens.


A little weary after 3,100 feet elevation gain but worth more than the great view.

We are pleased that Ron, a newly retired teacher, met us at the peak. We enjoyed conversation with him
and learned of his hip replacement. There seems to be a lot of that going around. He now intends to climb
every mountain in the state and of course, others too. Ron is obviously looking forward to a long retirement
period—good luck to him. He is a bright young man who shared his views on the state of children and
their behavior. His views coincided with ours—we mentioned he is very smart. We remember our parents' words
and how they worried about the state of the world when we were kids—perhaps, it’s only a generational issue,
although we have our doubts.


Enjoying some spectacular views besides the 'White Lady'.


Tucked away behind the Eagle, Rainier dominates the surround.

Yesterday, we met Mike and Phyllis from Atlanta, Delta Airline's territory where he works or flies. Mike
relayed stories of his hiking experiences which we enjoyed hearing. It must be something on the mountains.
Most people we converse with are pleasant and in many cases, a real treat with whom to swop stories.
In fact, on today’s hike, we were lucky to meet two young women who provided us with a few pointers for
the tricky part over the snow-covered trail that lay ahead. Without their suggestion, we might still be
somewhere on the Eagle, but without wings.


A good path, pretty steep as we head back into snow.

The hike commenced at a well-hidden trailhead. Only after asking two government employees surveying the
area did we find out that the trailhead was ten feet to our right—we still could not find it. Fortunately,
the employees were between morning tea break and lunch, so they had time available to point us in the correct
direction. Hmm! We notice we are showing a little attitude today. We don’t know why that’s the case as we are
feeling in good spirits while enjoying the hiking and sights immensely. It might be the heat although at
altitude, it's quite cool. Perhaps we’ll take two aspirin tonight and if not better in the morning, we’ll
call a therapist. Don’t you love the modern world?


Something different: The color and purity of the water is enviable


A solo of Rainier with cloud belt forming around its rather large belly.

The hike was one relentless move uphill. After three miles and a breakfast next to a brook, we lost the
trail as it was snow-covered. It took some careful plotting and tricky foot-placements to remain on our
feet. As we got higher and broke the tree line, we lost the snow but acquired a much steeper slope.
Finally, views of the major mountain ranges appeared with the climax of seeing Mount Rainier just a hop,
skip and jump away. Following our talk with Ron, we headed down in what seemed a never-ending walk. To keep
the mind occupied, we continued our hobby of counting the trees of Oregon and Washington. So far, the tally
is a little under four billion.

Cheers,

Jenni and Jeffrey

14.03 Pinnacle Peak, a day we'll never forget...ever. 14.04 Carter Falls

Jenni in trouble, no man's land, not an experience we want to repeat...for a while.


Steeper and steeper with little gripping power.

A dramatic title? Perhaps. However, we suppose you had to be there. We try to maintain the
integrity of the blog even though Mom might read it on one of her slow days. When we find ourselves
in dangerous situations, it behooves us to keep the blog accurate whether we are feeling foolish or
even a little brave. The Republic is 237 years old today and still going through growing pains.
We remember when it was about individual effort and initiative rather than hope. We are somewhat
younger but enjoyed another of what we term ‘growth experiences’, today. The latter term is a box in which
we place difficult, frustrating and challenging situations. More about it later.

We feel a little embarrassed complaining about the heat these last few days, something we picked up
from the locals. What do they say? When in Washington, do as the…. It was only yesterday we made a
request for cooler weather. Lo and behold, it was considerably cooler today. We like that. No, we
don’t mean our influence over the weather but rather variation. In fact, one of the great aspects
of hike-about is variety, a struggle against routine.


Directional pointer, indicating where editor should head.


Jenni makes the climb.

We don’t think the snow will ever melt in Mount Rainier National Park. Not that we have a
clue but it sure looks that way. We set off from Reflections Lake and headed up towards Pinnacle Peak.
From the beginning, it was clear that although there is a trail, we would not be using it—completely
under snow. Our editor, either, through great wisdom or fear of becoming lost, used her hiking pole
to make a trail in the snow. In another show of brilliance, she carries ‘pink slips’ with her, the
positive kind. We have termed it the poor man’s GPS or the Lazarow’s JPS (Jenni’s Pink Slips).
Every now and again, she ties one to a tree hoping we’ll find it on our way back. We hope very hard.


GPS versus JPS (Jenni's Pink Slips) or the poor man's GPS.


Hidden danger when approaching from above.

Unfortunately, we were without ice axes, something that is useful to have when facing near
vertical climbs and we suppose, grizzlies, too. We decided should the going get rough, we would
of course, turn around. Of course. When it did get tough, we forgot all about the earlier decision.
It seems as we age, our short–term memories fade. Just one more vertical hill, maybe only this one
left and this should be it for the day. By that stage, we were in trouble. The way up was impossibly
steep and down was frightening, not to mention slippery. What to do. We looked at our editor trailing
below and felt embarrassment to have placed her in such a predicament. Both of us were staring fear
in the eye and using the other eye to seek a helicopter. At times like these, we are learning to manage
the emotions, to suppress them…real hard.


The sun breaks through for a few seconds.


Homeward bound, this steep slope seems easy after the earlier experiences.

A devastating blow was when our dear editor asked, “If I lose balance and fall down the slope, how
should I try stop?” With the stiff upper lip, we looked down the slope and could not provide an answer.
We also realized for the umpteenth time what a courageous woman she is. It was Clive Midgen who
mentioned the other day that Jenni is petite, (he didn’t say old), yet she manages to get to incredibly
difficult places. The physical aspect is important, but the spirit and heart carries a person.
After arriving at the crest of the monster before us, we inched our way down carefully. It was
a slow and precarious time. By the stage we reached slopes that had seemed formidable previously,
suddenly they were much easier. We suppose that’s a result of ‘pushing the envelope’.


Part-way up, a tiny view of Reflection Lake and the back mountains.

With a few hundred feet to the end, feeling relieved and elevated, we stepped on snow that had
no foundation. Our left leg sunk into a hole completely as our right hip took a jolt that sent
us into outer-space. In a split second, we went from walking upright to lying with one leg deep
in snow, face and body on the snow surface and the thought that our life could forever change.
It only takes one-step, one bad move out of millions to change a life. Fortunately, we were only
a little shaken, not stirred.


Climbing out of the hole after being flat on the face and assuring editor that we are
still in working order.

What an experience. B’H.

Cheers,

Jenni and Jeffrey


A little perspective although slope not captured adequately

14.01 Mount Rainier: This lady commands respect and gets/deserves it

Positioned somewhere on Mount Rainier, weary but feeling like a 'million dollars'.


A close-up of Rainier, we were in touching distance of one of 25 glaciers


Somewhere close to the beginning of the hike, a perspective.

We are back in the great State of Washington after a six weeks break. Home to one of the finest
mountains in the world and of course, Gav Laz, in no particular order of importance, although we are a
little biased. The weather in this region has been unseasonably warm although the locals would say ‘hot’.
Of course, they don’t know anything about heat such as in Arizona or they would count their blessings.
Talking of the latter state, we were saddened to learn of the recent tragic loss of firemen. It gave us
pause for thought, yet again.

Talking of weather, there seems to be a disconnect in this state. There is deep snow on the mountain
while the air is warm…um hot. We have no idea how the snow intends melting before summer is through.
In case nobody knows it, it’s already July. Are we the only ones worrying about these issues? From
the beginning of the hike, we were always in snow, thick 'stuff'. Europe had got our ‘eye in and our
feet’ ready. We've become snowbirds in a fashion.


Editor, budding track star, sprints down volcano


A Little premature. Perhaps we should have said 'bum-star' as editor hits the deck. Rainier has last laugh.


A combination of the blue Cascades and mostly virginal snow make a wonderful contrast.

We had the great pleasure of dining with old friends on Sunday morning, Gill and Clive Midgen
together with a new (also old) couple, Josette and Allan Bernstein. The last comment was not meant that
way but with our limited skills, we were not able to express it more elegantly. Clive, of course, is the
man who raised one of the great issues of the last century. He asked in a moment of deep introspection,
“If Denny’s Restaurants are always open, why do they have locks on the entrance doors?” With friends
like Clive, perhaps people will cut us some slack. We enjoyed a humorous and banter-full three hours
together—we also had some food.


Meantime, fellow in stripes tries to make headway.


Mount St Helens from Rainier


A happy boy in a spectacular environment, Mount Adams in background

We are in a very beautiful part of the world, Mount Rainier National Park. We have decided
not to rate today’s incredible experience as Gavin has taken to reminding us it is not feasible to
have forty top-ten hikes. That’s the trouble with the younger generation; they tend to hold us to
our word. Anyway, we set off from Paradise, headed to Panorama Point via Skyline Trail, retraced our
footsteps and joined the Muir Camp trail, (although there is no trail) on the way to the peak. One hikes
on snow the whole way in the general direction of the peak. Before we knew it, we reached an elevation
gain of 3,500 feet. It was incredible although not without some strain. Hopefully, the peak next visit.


The snow queen about to display more climbing skills


Editor gives us pointer on how to run down a mountain

We sweated at ground level and were cold at 10,000 feet and more. To stand on a mountain
covered in snow, very steep in many places, views of the Cascade Mountains, Mount Adams, Hood and
St. Helens, counts as a thrill that is unforgettable. Please note temptation was resisted in rating it.

On the drive to this area yesterday, we passed a church with a slogan that tickled us. ‘To get to
Paradise, you have to find faith'—faith is part of the church’s name and of course, on the route. We should stop
here, as should you have read to this point, you deserve a break.

Cheers,

Jenni and Jeffrey



One of the few areas with respite from snow


Up close view of glacier on Rainier


Mount Hood (rear), a volcano in next state south, Oregon


This time, it's Mount Adams. The views are endless.