Turncarver A Photo Journal V2_2609031654
Photos of my first Mt Rainier climb. Three of us climbed the Emmons Glacier route then skiied back down. The photos are scans of color slides (film).
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Starting Out Taking a break on the White River Trail. Mt. Rainier is visible in the background.
Putting on the Skis Putting our skis on at the snow line.
Arriving at Camp Curtis Looking back down Inter Glacier from Camp Curtis (actually a little way above Camp Curtis). Tom and Jim can be seen in the distance "skinning" up the glacier.
The trail to Camp Schurman The trail to Camp Shurman seen from below Camp Curtis (descending to the Emmons Glacier). The climb route up the "corridor" is visible in the background. Note the wide detour around the collapsing snow bridge over the crevasse in the foreground.
Descending to the Emmons Glacier After climbing most of the way up the Inter Glacier, we removed our skis to descend from Steamboat Prow to the Emmons Glacier. (Jimmy pictured here.)
Camp Schurman Climbers making camp at Camp Schurman on night one. The solar toilet and the Ranger Station are visible.
Evening at Camp Schurman Dug in and ready to try to sleep before the big climb. Because we used only bivy sacks, no tent is visible.
Night Visitor A Fox visiting Camp Schurman in the early morning hours. (We were able to see this "visitor" because we left several hours after everyone else.)
Climbing above the Corridor Climbing the steep section above the "Corridor." The lower Emmons Glacier and the moraine are visible in the background.
A Serac A large serac south of the climb route up the corridor. Shortly after this photo was taken a large chunk of ice broke of the top off this serac and tumbled down the mountain.
The Bergschrund At last we reach the Bergschrund (around 13,000 feet). The bergscrhund is composed of large crevasses and icefalls - the most technically challenging part of the climb.
Crossing the Bergschrund (1) Crossing the first of three crevasses at the bergschrund. Jim has just finished jumping a 1 - 2 foot gap; I'm next. On the descent, this is the only place we removed our skis (and then only to jump the crevasse - we skiied the traverse in the forground)
Crossing the Bergschrund (2) Crossing the second of three crevasses at the bergschrund. This overhang was difficult to climb up; on the descent we jumped it on our skis (as the two skiers in this photo are preparing to do). Liberty Cap is visible in the background.
Final Approach Final approach to the summit (its just over the rise in front of Jim). Immediately after this photo we unroped -the grade here is gentle and there are no crevasses.
Tom & Jim on the Summit Summit photo - Jim and me. I sure wish I'd removed my balaclava! (Mt. Adams is visible in the background.)
Amar on the Summit Summit photo - Amar. (Mt. Adams is visible in the background.)
The Ski Chase While removing our skins Jim dropped a ski. This photo was taken upon completion of Jim's "sprint & dive" to catch the ski. (Fortunately it was headed into the crater, not the other way ...)
Sastrugi The ice cap above the bergschrund was hard sastrugi. Our rope caught on the ice during the ascent. It looked very difficult to ski, but the slope and exposure were so slight that a ski descent wasn't difficult.
The Ski Route Jim takes a rest break above the bergschrund at 14,000 feet. The Winthrop glacier is visible behind him, Camp Schurman and the Inter Glacier are visible at the middle right.
Tom at the Bergschrund Me at the bergschrund - preparing to ski the large bowl above the corridor. The bowl was the best skiing this day.
Steamboat Prow from the Corridor Camp Schurman and Steamboat Prow seen from the top of the Corridor. At this point the skiing became difficult - partially frozen snow and slush mixed together.
Another Serac Amar standing to the side of a large serac near the corridor.
Little Tahoma from the Corridor Amar on the Corridor above Camp Schurman. By this time the snow was very bad and it was late.
Breaking Camp Melting water and breaking camp on the morning of the third day. We had a leisurely morning as we waited for the snow to soften up.
Little Tahoma from Camp Schurman Little Tahoma seen from Camp Schurman - morning of the third day
Skiing down Inter Glacier Amar skiing down the Inter Glacier with a full (50+ lb pack). Note the bridged crevasse (indentation) behind Amar.
The Climb Route (Highlighted) Steamboat Prow and the "Corridor" seen from the road to Sunrise. The climbers tracks are visible in the snow. Our route is highlighted.
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