OTHER Trip Report 06/20/2012

Peak(s):	Mount Rainier - 14411 Mount Shasta - 14180 South Sister Peak - 10358
Date Posted:	06/20/2012
Modified:	12/08/2015
Date Climbed:	06/01/2012
Author:	benners
Additional Members:	lordhelmut, aHudge, mtnfiend, XC Snowboarder

Insights Into the Pacific Northwest: Good Snow and Bad Weather
TR here: http://exploringtherockies.com/2012/06/10/insights-into-the-pacific-northwest-good-snow-and-bad-weather/

Comments or Questions

Zambo	Nice Work Fellas 6/20/2012 9:54pm After hearing the story a few times now, it really all about Mother Nature's beck and call up there. Moreso that the great CO. Awesome pics and good lessons learned all around. PS: That is one hell of a ski bag you got there... ;)
RJansen77	Awesome 6/20/2012 10:00pm Great work guys, and way to get the summit ski of Shasta. Rainier will be there for another go, congrats on what looked like a fantastic trip!
pvnisher	Look at me! 6/20/2012 10:16pm Thanks for the writeup. I've been on Rainier twice and the Fuhrer Finger is next on my list, so I appreciate any info. Definitely not a ”look at me! TR, although I appreciate the disclaimer at the beginning. I've heard other people say that (I forget where) there is some pretty steep climbing once you leave the high camp. I'm probably jumbling TRs, but I seem to recall seeing people doing fully belayed steep snow/soft ice climbing on the route. See any place where that (and 2 tools) might be necessary?
RoanMtnMan	The damn PNW! 6/20/2012 10:17pm Great trip guys. What a contrast to Colorado. Here you barely need to consider weather, just get going early. There you need to clear your schedule and be ready to go at some point in the next couple of weeks. I've had to cancel many trip, sleep on the summit of Rainier unplanned and been trapped in a snow cave on Shasta. It's frustrating I know. You guys made some good choices though. Think if all of our 14ers were in the PNW?
lordhelmut	Dodge Caravan = Backcountry Mobile of the Future 6/21/2012 12:06am I'm sold and with semi-decent gas mileage to boot. Bier Stein, aside from having a libation list comparable to Oskar Blues Taphouse or Falling Rock, is home to some of the best post-climb sandwiches I've come across to date. Nice write up Colonol Ingus, you laid it all out well. Sounds like Roan has had his fair share of unfortunate windows as well.
Elliot	great pictures of Rainier 6/21/2012 12:50am Awesome skiing on shasta and south sister!
hansolo35	of men, mountains and mini vans... 6/21/2012 1:05am nice report and photos to boot.. an enjoyable read on a great adventure. next time get the convertable Mustang with the ski tips hanging out the back.
telejb	Enjoyed 6/21/2012 1:09am your writeup, and great photos too!
zdero1	Job well done! 6/21/2012 3:07am Amazing photos. A really enjoyable read. I fly out to the Cascades tomorrow and I can't wait. The most beautiful place in the world.
Chinook	Cool trip! 6/21/2012 3:27am I failed twice on that pig (Rainier) due to heavy snow. It snowed over 6 ft in 3 days... Not too fun sitting in the tent. Nice work on Shasta, that peak looks incredible.
mountainmicah83	What is all that white stuff? 6/21/2012 12:27pm Looks like the PNW had a little better winter? Thanks for posting.
benners	Re: 6/21/2012 2:27pm Zambo - Ahh yes, I forgot to mention that. Thanks for the use of the ski bag! Yeah I had always heard you really do have to rely on weather windows but now I actually have respect for that statement. pvnisher - With regards to steepness in the Fuhrer, I'd say the max angle is about 40 degrees. The entire chute can (and did) turn to ice, which is why our party downclimbed portions of it with crampons and two axes (axe and Whippet) in hand. It was getting pretty slick as the wind continued to buffet it, and the runout puts you onto the Wilson Glacier. Certain times of year I can definitely imagine parties roping up just to add another layer of safety, say for example if they had a less experienced member in their group, though just like couloirs here in Colorado if you're comfortable on snow I bet 99% of the time a rope would not be necessary. Caleb - Yeah man, definitely nice to come back to Colorado and hike some straightforward peaks with a 20% chance of T storms after noon and a light pack. zdero1 - G'luck up there! Thanks for the comments all!
Matt	Evolution 6/21/2012 5:01pm Your trip reports just keep getting better, my friend. For once, Rick does not win the ”funniest picture” award in a TR. That belongs to Brian, albeit with Rick alongside. I guess eight hours in minivan can do that to people...
CorduroyCalves	Nice report, 6/21/2012 7:09pm Benners! Looks like you guys had a blast. Waaaaaaay too excessive on the bar photos, though, you gotta cut back the next time!
pioletski	Thanks for posting Ben! 6/22/2012 4:11am We can look back on this next summer when we plan the next attempt!
clemsonmtneer	Great write-up and pics 6/22/2012 7:37pm Really enjoyed reading this, looks like it was a great trip in spite of the terrible weather. Good call on Deschutes by the way, love their beer.
mtnfiend	Excellent post trip reflection ben.... 6/22/2012 9:31pm On a great adventure. We'll be that much more prepared for the next time!! And Brouwers in Fremont was a tasty place to spend a couple hours as well.
aHudge	Nice Ben 6/24/2012 7:08pm Definitely a great trip. Great write up too. Those turns on South Sister were pretty awesome. Well done America.

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