written by and posted for Karly Murphy
On July 26th, myself and a few other rad women began our ascent of Mt. Baker. It had been made known that there was going to be a weather system coming in during our planned summit push. Trying to keep spirits up we talked about how it would just be fun to try - even if we didn’t achieve our main goal. We chatted and laughed as we organized and maximized bag space. Bear vaults have a way of making their presence very well known during these times.
And then began our five hour hike up to high camp. It was hot, snacks and water breaks were our friend. The scenery through alpine meadows was fairytale-like.
On arrival we practiced some skills, had dinner by mountain glow and planned our summit attempt which would be an even earlier start - midnight, to get a start on weather.
After a few hours of sleep and under the stars, we began the summit push. It was beautiful, and calm. After our rope team crossed the glacier field, the weather started in. A little at first, and then all at once. It was so windy and so cold as we started up the Roman Wall. We became robot-like counting steps with eyes on the prize (and safety first of course).
Almost like another planet up there, we made it. The wind was intense but we climbed the last little bit to get the iconic ice axe photo before heading back down.
That was the hardest part, the weather was in full swing and the cold was getting to our bones. We needed to stop for snacks to keep up energy stores but not too long or our hands were unable to warm back up.
Closer to camp, spirits began to rise again and we were all giddy with the excitement of being able to pass out for a good long while and then enjoy the cheer of having done something that challenged us to the core.
A type 2 fun day and time well spent.
