Doug texted me out of the blue, proposing a climb this weekend. Conditions were forecast to be just about perfect, including blue skies, gentle winds, and a freezing level circa 12,000 feet. Our friends in Texas were getting hammered with snow that should have fallen on Seattle, if not for a massive high pressure front parked overhead. We’ll take it.<\/p>\n
Originally the plan was for MSH, and I agreed. But, I was worried about the suffering that would accompany my lack of sleep or exercise for the last 14 days, thanks to a particularly vicious URI that I dubbed the Salt Lake Rhinovirus (courtesy of my lovely family member who came to visit for Thanksgiving and became symptomatic before departing). Thus, I was relieved when Doug proposed a lighter itinerary: Granite Mountain, via the Winter Route. Much less driving, and a shorter climb to the summit. I was sold… and our buddy Ken was game, too.<\/p>\n
7 AM meeting at the Exit 22 P&R, and we carpooled the last 15 miles to the trailhead. The rest pretty much speaks for itself…. I was indeed super tired this day, and was glad we had foregone MSH. But still a ton of fun, and a great day outside with my buddies.<\/p>\n
Last time I climbed this was exactly four years earlier, just two weeks before heading to Mt Vinson. This is how it looked then:<\/p>\n