V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N

I had a few days off last week and Josh and I went to the Olympic Peninsula, and Olympic National Park. Its a 3 hour drive or so on the the peninsula. It was beautiful! The weather continued to improve as we got further west. The first two night we camped at the Elwah river campsite. it was beautiful, in the rain forest by the mouth of the Elwah river. we did some short hiking and fly fishing the first day, it was great, exactly what we needed. We hiked into olympic hot spring, a 5 mile round trip, which are these undeveloped hot springs on the side of a creek in the middle of the forest! So beautiful! the third day we drove south through the park to the coast and a town called La Push on the water. We camped the night on the beach. the weather was beautiful yet again. In the morning we hiked out had a french toast and fresh fruit breakfast at the car and then drove the 2 hours back towards the north end and went to Sol Duc Hot Springs. we camped the night at the campground. the last day of our vacation was Josh's birthday so we went out to a nice dinner at the hot springs resort and e joyed a fire at the campsite. The next morning we had to get up and get moving back toward Ashford, we both had to work in the morning.

It was the prefect vacation, everything we needed and more. fly fishing, beach walking, hot springs, and camp fires.

I worked this past week on the Emmons route and got my 4th summit. we had a great trip. I was on the trip with two guides who have both climbed everest! Needless to say i didn't have to do much talking or storytelling.

Today Our boss and one of the owners of IMG, George Dunn, reached the summit of Rainier for his 500th time. The first person ever to do so! so we will be having a huge party here tonight for him. He climbed with his wife and one son along with his two best friends, long time mountaineers and parters of IMG Eric Simonson and Phil Ershler. What an accomplishment!

Oh and Yes, I booked a flight home with Josh in November. We fly out of seattle on Nov. 9th and into Charlett SC, leaving SC to fly home on the 19th and will stay through thanksgiving till the 30th. Thanks it for now!

Summit Photo

Well It finally happened. I was on top of Rainier log enough to actually take an official summit photo. So here I am at 6:30 am after a 6 hour climb from our high camp standing at the highest point columbia Crest at 14,410'! Summit Number 2! its about 25 degrees with winds around 30-35 Mph. but the sun was shining.
After this climb i had a few days off. I went for a 20 mile bike ride 2 out of my three days off and alot of climbing on our bouldering wall here at HQ. Its always nice to have a few days off but very rare so I savored every moment!

I will head back up tomorrow (Monday) for a three day climb. The weather looks nice, the route is in good condition maybe we'll make it again!

Summer Time in Ashford, WA

Its about time to start blogging again.

I am living in Ashford Washington, Just on the Southwest border on Mt rainier National Park. I work for International Mountain guides, check us out on the web! Im living at headquarters in the guide lounge, which is really just the space above the office with 4 bunk beds, a couple couches a kitchen and bathroom. Im only here when im not on the mountain so....not very often. Life in Ashford is like any small town, three restaurants, one bar, a general store post office and no cell phone service. So i apologize but keeping in touch isnt the easiest..

I have been very busy so far this season. I have been on eight climbs thus far. Our standard route is the Disappointment cleaver. this is a three day climb. I have also gone on the Emmons route on the North east side of the mountain.

On days that I am not on the mountain guiding, I send down at HQ working in the shop. It is a tradition that first year guides "pay their due's" and work in town occasionally. we pack food and gear for outgoing trips, mow lawns, and other tasks that need to be taken care of. I have to say there are def some perks, packing food for instance...i always have good meals on my trips!

So far this season i have made it to the summit once. Weather has been a huge factor but also as a new guide i get the role of turning around with clients if they dont want to or can not continue up. I am heading back up the mountain Tuesday for another 3-day climb! more to come soon...