Healthy Adventure: Choosing Passion & Awe-Inspired Intent
“Snapshot” of Program Itinerary
The SYL team will meet you at the airport where we’ll board the shuttle, go directly to REI in Seattle to rent our gear. (NOTE: Even if you have some or all necessary equipment, I recommend you rent to make your travel as easy as possible.) Afterwards, we’ll board the shuttle once again and make our way to Ashford. We’ll arrive at Crystal Mountain Resort, just outside the Mount Rainier National Park entrance, where we’ll engage in the first session of our adventure: a mandatory Rainier Resource and Climbing Preparation Seminar. This session will include introductions of all team members, a presentation on the history and unique environment of Mt. Rainier, a Leave No Trace clinic, followed by a gear check and initial instruction on climbing and safety. Following this, we’ll enjoy a wonderful and hearty catered dinner. We’ll have a group discussion or slide show on mountaineering-related educational topics, along with a short SYL session to prepare for what lies ahead, for the experience of merging our mental, emotional, physical and spiritual vitality. Then, as Barb Harris proposes, we’ll engage in “defending our sleep” as we settle into our comfortable rooms for the night.
Aspiration
We begin with a breakfast and early morning shuttle to the trailhead at White River Campground at about 4,500 feet in elevation on the remote northeast flanks of Mt. Rainier. Our climb begins here. We hike three (3) miles on trails through the forest to Glacier Basin, then climb a few more miles over rugged trail and snow to our camp at 8,200 feet on Inter Glacier. Along the way – and, this is so much FUN, trust us! – we’ll engage in learning necessary ice axe and snow climbing techniques.
Opportunity
On this day we’ll engage in roped team travel up Inter Glacier and onto the Emmons Glacier to our spectacular high camp on the Winthrop Glacier. This is adjacent to Camp Schurman and puts us at approximately 9,600 feet elevation, providing us an excellent environment to practice for glacier travel and expedition style camping techniques.
Strength
On this, our Summit Day, we begin very early on a trek that often engages us in a 12-hour roundtrip from high camp. We initially climb the Emmons “corridor” and then traverse onto the upper Winthrop Glacier depending upon the route conditions. We will project to reach the 14, 411 feet summit by mind-morning. The conditions vary greatly with steep snow, crevasses, snow bridges, and the most exciting scenery only those on this type of adventure are blessed to experience. We spend a short time on the summit before descending and returning to Camp Schurman for a well-deserved rest and one more night of camping on the mountain.
Courage
Our final day begins with a relaxed descent of the Inter Glacier and a final hike back down through the forest to White River Campground. We will more than likely arrive at approximately 2:00p where we’ll meet our shuttle and take the 30-minute ride back to the Crystal Mountain area.
Perseverance
YOUR CHOICE! This is where you’ll make a choice to board the shuttle that takes you to the airport for your return home – OR – board the Seattle shuttle and head to a hotel (we’ll put a package together for you!) for some much rewarded personal rejuvenation time for another night or two. You deserve it!
Success
