Ringing in 30 on Rainier!

If you can't be with your family and twin on your 30th birthday, you might as well have a sleepover on Rainier and celebrate there!

Unlike my last trip to Rainier, this trip involved glacier camping - on the snow, hours from any car (or national park bathroom, much less one with plumbing). I was nervous about camping but (stupidly) assumed that the hiking would be no more rigorous than the previous hike. Oh, but I was so young and naive then.

With help from friends, I had my pack list. I made the obligatory trip to REI and came back with a few more backpacking goods. The goal was to bring only the necessities and make it as light as possible. 

Most of what came with me that weekend (less the snowshoes as they proved unnecessary).

After a 2.5 hr drive from Seattle, we arrived at Mowich Lake, parked the cars, and unloaded the gear. This is where the pain hiking began.

Mowich Lake: Elevation 4,900 feet

There were so many wildflowers on the trail! Still lush at this point.

Most of our amazing group!

You may be asking, "What's with the tutus?" This tradition was started by my good friend Kristina.  She started backcountry skiing a few years ago and in May of 2012, she started wearing a tutu on all of her adventures. So, appropriately, for my first big backcountry adventure and birthday, she gave me one of my own.

Getting closer... starting to see some snow.

First sight of ze mountain!!

Shortly (relative term) after this picture was taken, we reached the snow line. While everyone put skins on their skis, I loaded up my snow boots with crampons. Then, we started our hike on the snow. Oh boy, that changed things. Ascending hike + snow + SATAN'S MOSQUITOS = well, a challenge. I was trekking with some very experienced backpackers. Not to mention, they didn't have to worry about the mosquitos as all the blood suckers came to me. Ok, maybe not all, but A LOT.

Oh, if only this picture did this section justice (see previous picture for a zoom-out view). This was a real stinger to climb up and then, over the rocks on the left.

Just when I needed a reboost in energy, we came across this little run-off. Beautiful!

For the love of all things holy, please tell me we're almost there. See the water below? Same water as pictured above. Looks far away... because it is.

After hiking through a cloud, we're finally above the cloud line! 

Just over this ridge...

VICTORY!! We finally made it to a good camping spot - about 7600'.

My tent! Look at THAT VIEW!

I had a few birthday surprises over the weekend, including tent decorations! Also, Jordan hauled up a delicious chocolate macaroon cake from Mowich Lake - no small feat when you want to limit every ounce in your bag. We enjoyed the cake under the stars; we saw the Milky Way, shooting stars, and even the space station! It was stunning. Lastly, I won't forget being under the stars, on Rainier, hearing nine people sing "Happy Birthday." Pretty damn cool.

Echo Ridge right next to our campsite

Rainier!!!!

If you look veryyy closely to the right, you can see our group of tents. :)

Time for a well-deserved drink!

Thanks to Nick for giving me a place to crash for the evening!

Rainier before sunset. I couldn't stop with the panoramas.

Almost-proof that my birthday tutu glows in the dark.

Watching the sunset in awe on part of Echo Ridge.

After a chilly night's sleep, a few of us woke up to watch the sunrise. It was beautiful but the best part was that the sun hit Echo Ridge, so it was warmer up there. Given the sun hadn't gotten to our tents yet, Kristina and I opted to nap on rocks in the warmth of the sun rather than return to our tents. Once the sun hit our campsite, we hiked down. It was then, that I finally got a good few hours of sleep.

Sunrise. 

Then, it was off to the Russell headwall for the skiers. I joined them for a little bit of the hike, took some pictures, and then went back to lounge on Echo Ridge until their return.

Ok, it wasn't actually snowing, but I have to give Google props for their effects!

Clouds coming in..

After the skiers' return, it was time to break down camp and head back to Mowich Lake. This is where I became an official mountaineer, ie, one who cries on the mountain. Mixing a physically exhausted body, little sleep, and a long trek down made for a stressful descent. While the rest of the group could glide down the glacier with their skis in seconds, I was walking down. Every step, on the hard snow, with my unsteady feet beneath me. Bless Theresa for taking my backpack and Kristina for staying with me, through my crankiness. 

Right here, in this moment, I am miserable.

Once we passed the snow line, my mood slowly returned. What felt like an eternity later, we made it back to Mowich Lake, changed in to fresh clothes, and made our way into town for the one thing we were all craving: hot food and cold beer. No better way to end a birthday weekend than with tater tot nachos!