What did you do for 4th of July?

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Cars to camp: 9:35
Camp to summit: 5:40
Summit to camp: 4:40
Camp to cars: 8:00

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Photos

Getting ready for the 17 mile hike to base camp at 4000'
Jen dwarfed by her pack while Steph emerges from her Subaru.

Hoh River Trail
Near a waterfall and one of the many huge trees. All smiles so far...

Marching along the Hoh River
Another tree felled across the trail thankfully cut by the rangers.

Jen Crossing a Dry Creek
Many log bridges.

Long Lunch Break at Nine Mile Camp
Clap and bear wires. Have to hang food at all the campsites so the bears can't get at it. Yes, there are bears in the park as Clap and I saw one just off the trail near base camp.

Elk Lake and Hoh River Valley
Getting late in the day, maybe 7:00 pm.

Stream Crossing
Nearing Base Camp

Roping up on the Edge of the Blue Glacier
Jeff and Steve at o'dark thirty (actually 4:00 am). Steph concentrating on her crampons with Jen's presumed hand holding the rope.

Jeff out in Front on Top of Snow Dome
Just after sunrise. Upper Blue Glacier ahead and summit pinnacle behind the glacier.

Mt Rainier
Prominent even from the Olympic Pennisula.

Steph, Jen, and Steve
Heading towards Crystal Pass, out of sight on the left. We did not take the direct glacier route to the summit, out of sight to the right.

Jen, Steve, and Steph Scrambling the Summit Block
Protected, exposed corner in top center. I give it a thumbs up!

Summit Shot
Basking in the really warm temps. Nice, airy summit.

Steve, Jen, and Steph on the Descent
Came directly down the Upper Blue glacier. Can see the boot track zigging and zagging around a rather large crevasse. Now baking on top of Snow Dome just after 10:00 am.

Heavily Broken Blue Glacier
Two climbers with an inexplicably late start to the climb. But they made it safe and sound.

Easily Navigating the Crevassed Lower Blue Glacier
Boot trail up the moraine in the distance.

Jeff Coiling the Rope
End of glacier travel and start of the brutal hike out.

Washed Out Trail
Close to base camp.

Clap Ascending the Ladder and Hand Line
I hate going up when I'm supposed to be going down.

Last Alpine View
Then it was trees, moss and more trees and more moss for 16 miles.