In June 1999, I drove north with my frosty friend Bryan Palmintier to meet some people-friends and mountain-friends of Chris Hooyman; it was the first anniversary of his death.
Leaving the wet and misty weather below, we stopped in lovely conditions at Muir Camp.
Next morning, on June 6, Bryan, Bob Martin, and I formed a rope team to reach Ingraham flats, where some of Chris' ashes were scattered at sunrise.
Many RMI teams went as far as the toe of Disappointment Cleaver.
Bryan and I continued up, stopping for one of Chris's favourite drinks (rather explosive) at ~3800 m, until we ground to a halt somewhat higher.
After a wonderful day in Seattle, Bryan and I entered the lush rainforest low on Rainier's northern slopes.
The scenery changed quickly as we met the toe of Carbon glacier and shortly thereafter were treated to a beautiful flurry of fresh snow...
which, while providing a fresh blanket for our campsite, did not load the slopes of Liberty Ridge, the striking and inviting feature ahead of us.
Avoidance of serac fall is one good reason to climb a ridge...
... and panoramas are another. We crossed the upper Carbon glacier and climbed to Thumb Rock ...
... for pizza.
Next morning, sunrise amid interesting weather found us well on our way up the ridge.
The route is lovely,
and the snow conditions were perfect...
but at ~4100 m, with some winds ahead and Chris Hooyman's memory in our thoughts, we turned back and downclimbed nearly the whole route.