faithrunner

Day two started early  with breakfast at The Kitchen in Enumclaw, Jim's hometown. We then drove to the Sunrise parking lot on the other side of Mt. Rainier than where we will be climbing Monday.   We hiked to Frozen Lake and got lost for the first time on the trip-but not for long or seriously, but glad we have guides on Rainier.   You can see Little Tahoma, Cathedral Rock and Disappointment Cleaver, my nemesis from the last trip, from an opposite angle. It was good to see and know the landmarks.  We got to RMI guides base area in time for orientation and gear check. We met Jeff and Peter (Bridgette later) our guides. Jeff was fun and informative. He will be awesome.  Off to the day of training on the Muir Snow field. 

Here are some things I learned from my attempt to summit Mt. Rainier on August, 25, 2011. First, Creation is still larger than its creatures . I live in a manufactured suburb where we sometimes live by the false assumption that we are in control of our environment and that we are bigger than the land upon which we live. Get out at the base of Mt. Rainier--after driving through the beautiful Mt. Rainier National Park --and you will soon realize how small you are. Get ON the mountain, and you are humbled by how small you really are and how big are the things of God. I am glad the Psalmists lived in Creation rather than in the urban sprawls we have made for ourselves. Second, you are at your best in the footsteps of a guide . I know that some treasure the pioneering spirit of those who head out on uncharted paths, but most of us need a guide. The guides of RMI , Billy, Zeb, and Cody , trained, encouraged, and led us. They also made the trip safe and fun. Don't try something like...

Mt. Rainier, WA Next week about this time I plan to be climbing on the way to Camp Muir on Mt. Rainier . Some of you know of my addiction to adrenalin and adventure so you will not be surprised.  Others of you may be asking , "Why would you want to do such a thing when you have a perfectly good life with good health and, if the Lord wills, a potentially wonderful future?" Good question, and here are some of my reasons. I'm doing this with a friend. Jim Craig invited me when he announced climbing Mt. Rainier was on his "bucket list" and wondered who wanted to go along? He grew up in Seattle, and the mountain loomed daily on his horizon, and he finally decided he would climb it. Jim and I cycle with Legacy Cyclists , share life together in our LifeGroup, and call Legacy Church our spiritual family. Friendships often determine the paths you end up taking. (Don't ask me, "Well, if your friend asked you to jump of that mountain, would you do th...