Favorite Travel Quotes

"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts."
-- Mark Twain
Innocents Abroad

"Stop worrying about the potholes in the road and celebrate the journey." -- Fitzhugh Mullan

"A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving." -- Lao Tzu

Mount Rainer—By the Grace of God & a Damn Good Guide

©Bert Gildart: Though thousands of people climb Mount Rainier each year, I suppose completing the feat is something deserving of a few minutes of fame, for as we returned from a breakfast out this morning, Craig Geyer, the owner of the Mounthaven Resort, was moving his arms up in down in an expression of praise. Somehow—and I’m not sure how—he was aware of my accomplishment.

Mount Rainier, 14,410'

Mount Rainier 14,410'

Yesterday, in fact, I did successfully climb the 14,410-foot mountain, but I must acknowledge that I made it only through the grace of God, Paul Baugher—a damn good guide—and lots of well wishes from both family and friends.The climb took three days, and yesterday morning, from our base camp of 12,000 feet, we started at 1 a.m. and completed our ascent at 7:30. Then, we turned around and descended almost 10,000 feet to our cars, contributing, I’m sure to the foot-full of blisters and the big toenail that I’m sure to loose. For me the descent was more demanding than the actually climb.

And now, because of complete and total exhaustion, I will have to save details for the next several blog postings. At those times I will be posting photos of the climb (and these may be some of the most dramatic of my 30-year career as a photojournalist) and of the magnificent country that unfolds in a way no other place in the world can offer than Mount Rainier.

I feel privileged to have made the climb—and blessed that I was able to accomplish my goal.



5 Responses to “Mount Rainer—By the Grace of God & a Damn Good Guide”

  1. Bob Rossman Says:

    Congratulations, Bert from all of us back home in Montana.
    No doubts that you would succeed.

  2. Tim Says:

    Wonderful Bert! I am so happy you got to stand on top! I agree, going downhill is way worse than going up. Oh, the knees, the knees. Congratulations! Can’t wait for the pictures.

  3. Andrew Says:

    Nice to see what I have to look forward to. Hope you’re feeling well soon, I’m looking forward to reading your trip report.

  4. Rich C Says:

    Bert,

    Congratulations! I’m glad you had the opportunity to do the trip. Makes me want to go. Years ago, right after my AT trip, I knew I was in the right shape for bigger climbs. Currently I’m trying to work back up to that shape. We’ll see what the future holds.

    Thanks for sharing with us!

    Rich

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