Colin Stapp

Friday started off rainy and cool and the wind kicked up quite a bit on the hike in. However, once we got to camp the weather started to clear and the rest of the time we had fantastic conditions. Saturday was spent in snow school and exploring the glaciers above base camp, but was still a relaxing day.

Summit day was awesome. The weather was perfect and the almost full moon made travel without headlamps possible. We left base camp around 2:15 am and watched the sun start peaking out around 4:30. There is nothing better than a sunrise above 10,000 feet. We made the summit just before 8:00 and spent almost an hour up there taking photos and celebrating. The views were fabulous, we could see Rainer and Glacier Peak to the north. St. Helens to the west with a small smoke plume and Hood, Jefferson and Three Sisters to the south.

It was a bittersweet moment on the summit. I was thinking of my sister who has been battling breast cancer this past year and my co-worker Francesca who passed away this past April. I thought of all the women who every day have to face and battle breast cancer and the courage they have in doing so. It was an honor to take my banner with names I had collected and climb for all of the women facing this disease.

The trip down was warm but went quickly. We got to get up close to several crevasses and take a closer look at them. It took about three hours to get back to base camp and after a little break and siesta for several folks we packed up camp and hiked out. We ended the day by gathering down the road for dinner and exchanging information so we can keep in touch.

We had a great group. Everyone pitched in, worked hard, and had a good time. It was great to get to know the group and climb with each of them. Our guides from Portland Parks and Recreation were the best. Doug, Rodney and Matt are fun, knowledgeable and made the trip a great success.

By the time I returned to work and checked email I had photos from the trip and was able to look back on not only a great weekend but also how I, along with a small group of people, could be a part of something so important to so many out there.

I hope future trips have safety in travel and get to celebrate on the summit like we did.