Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, like many, I've found it challenging to get out and explore as much as I usually like to do. With most outdoor places initially being closed, then returning to my day job with a new schedule, making time for nature was increasingly difficult. However, I was fortunate enough recently to get a week off and to explore parts of my beautiful state (Washington) I have yet to see. This is how it all went down!
For a couple years now a friend and I had been talking about heading to the southern part of the state to climb the second tallest mountain in Washington, Mt. Adams. Sitting at 12,280 feet, it's no small hike. However, unlike many other peaks in the state, this one is less technical. Ultimately this factor was key in making the decision to go for it, somewhat last minute at that.
A few days before making the trek, we checked the weather forecast, prepared our gear, outlined our route, and started mentally preparing for the journey. We decided to leave early in the morning to make the 6 hour drive and get to the trailhead by noon. Little did we realize that the last leg of the drive would be down a 50 mile unmaintained forest road. However, we were gifted with this sweeping view of Mt. Adams as we neared completion the drive.
When we arrived at the trailhead, it was HOT! The temperatures were dancing near 90. That coupled with the fact that a few years earlier the south face of Mt. Adams and the surrounding forests were decimated by wild fires.This made the entire landscape exposed to the sun, and all that remains are "statues" of charred, dead trees. The initial push was slow going, as three of us in our climbing party battled the heat and drank up almost all the water we carried with. A few miles in we noticed while looking south towards Mt. Hood, that the skies were darkening. While the thought of shade was enticing, the idea of rain was not.
Despite the encroaching weather, we pushed on hoping that by chance the storm would dissipate or pass us by. Along the way we would be rewarded with views that surely would have been more impressive if the weather had not have turned on us. At one point I spotted a "hole" in a giant rock structure that needed to be further investigated. Peering through the hole offered views to the west of Mt. St. Helens.
To the left I can be seen framing up a shot, through the hole. It was a unique perspective and I think the photo turned out well. The photo can be seen below, and it now live on my print store by following this link: Framed Up!
It wasn't long after getting to base camp, which sits around 9000 feet in elevation that the weather we had been closely watching creep up behind us, had finally made its approach and decided to bring strong, steady wind and cold rain.
After sitting in the rain for twenty minutes, we started to question if or when it may let up. Not only was the rain discouraging, as we hadn't fully prepared for the possibility of it, but my girlfriend had her hiking boot sole "blow out". As the three of us in our group weighed the pros and cons, we made the tough choice to hike back down the mountain. By the time we returned to the trailhead it was dark, and within another hour the rain gave way, the clouds started to part, and the stars decided to give us a light show. Although we didn't summit, this time... we certainly made memories, and that is all that matters.
