Glaciers are Fun

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Have left Mt. Rainier National Park. Lots of hiking (100+ miles in the past 4 days, more or less). Camping and backpacking. Lots of great camping meals. Okay, some good meals, some mediocre meals. Since some of you are interested in the menus, the past few have included: taco salad (made with TVP (textured vegetable protein), real cheese, salsa made from a dehydrated packet (I added fresh garlic and fresh red pepper) and lettuce. And of course tortilla chips. Yum yum. Topped it off with the wine given to us by the B&B hosts at our last stay (anniversary wine). Stovetop stuffing and an added can of chicken for one night’s meal. Lets just say that what we are currently eating while camping or backpacking is not what we normally would be eating. Course it tastes pretty darn delicious when you are seeking anything warm with a bit of protein. The “pasta-roni” with tuna or salmon added is getting a little bit boring as we have had it several times, but lots of protein and easy. Two of the most important factors here on the trail. We did add fresh huckleberries while on the backpacking trip. I tried to get Jim to eat some fresh mushrooms that I found on the trail, but he declined.
Hey John: we attended a nice “ranger talk” in the campground at Mt. Rainier (history of women mountaineering in the park). We took our headlamp cause it was very dark and that’s the best way to see how to get there and back.
We did see some mountain goats Saturday afternoon as we hiked the Emerald Ridge up to one of the glaciers. I actually spotted them before eagle eye Jimmy spotted them.
Hey John and Dave: We found some “salmonberries” at the ranger station so took a picture for you all. Hope movie night is going well without us.
Heading to Mt. Saint Helens on Monday (09/17) and then on to Olympic National Park. Then down the Washington and Oregon coast. Then northern California and then over to Yosemite. And then making our way to our Joe and Diana’s home in Colorado where we plan on resting and relaxing and doing several 14ers. And hopefully getting fish tacos (hint hint) and good wine (hint hint) and a warm bed and access to a washing machine. And then we will be making our way home to show a slide show on our computer to whomever will watch.
Squirrel

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Photos

Salmonberries
Just for John and Dave.

Tahoma Glacier
Hiked up on Emerald Ridge to view Tahoma Glacier (Mt. Ranier National Park).

Comments

[Diana]

Since you are currently doing 25 miles a day (more or less) of hiking, then I suggest we tackle at least three 14ers each day you'll be in Colorado. By that time you should be averaging, ummm, say 50 miles a day. So let's calculate for added difficulty traversing snow fields, slowness from wearing ice crampons, elevation gain of minimum 4,000 feet, maximum 6-7,000 ft. Yep, we'll plan for three a day! Looking forward to it!

[Moose and Squirrel]

I should clarify our hiking abilities
When I said "100 miles more or less", it was actually a lot less. I was thinking more of hiking down to your den and consuming lots of wine and cheese and chocolate and whatever I can find in your fridge and cabinets. My apologies for not being clear on this subject.

[alan]

TVP
TVP also makes a great solvent for removing hard-water stains.