Conquer Childhood Cancer Act to Become Law

From the CureSearch Blog, Tuesday, July 29, 2008:

We did it! YOU did it! After years of relentless effort by so many in the childhood cancer community, including thousands of Congressional visits, and tens of thousands of letters, calls and emails to our nation’s leaders, the Caroline Pryce Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Act has become law! You, the nation’s “champions for a cure,” deserve so much credit for this remarkable achievement.

Full story here.

Camp Curtis: Brief Rest

Between Glacier Basin Camp and Camp Schurman lies bare-bones Camp Curtis (not that anyone was camped there), on the ridge above Glacier Basin and the Emmons Glacier beyond. We stopped here briefly before dropping down to the Emmons and then climbing up to Camp Schurman.

These guys were Montanans, on their way to Camp Schurman and beyond, and we graciously allowed them to pass us by at this point. "We're dumb," they said, "But we're good at carrying stuff."

The mountain waited in the clouds.

Climbing the Interglacier

Urgh.



Well, Bob was still smiling.



More Urgh.

Moraine, Glacier Basin

After waking on Day Two, we left Glacier Basin Camp and headed up into Glacier Basin proper, leaving behind the evergreen trees to hike up the moraine seen below, climb some relatively gentle snowfields, then roping up to climb the Interglacier itself--a long trudge with 60-pound packs--to the ridge that connects Steamboat Prow to Mount Ruth.

Sunday Evening at Glacier Basin Camp

Little Tahoma:



Rainier behind the ridge:

Looking Fresh and Happy

...on the way to Glacier Basin Camp.



I was already grimacing after the first mile or two carrying that 60-lb pack. Why did these guys look so chipper?



See all our pictures (and a couple of videos) here.

Glimpse of the Mountain

On the trail to Glacier Basin Camp, where we spent the first night, we caught a glimpse of Rainier (hanging glaciers at the top of the Willis Wall), roughly 9,000 vertical feet above us.


See all our pictures (and a couple of videos) here.

Sample Rainier Pictures: Happy and Innocent

Rob, Bob, and John leave the parking lot before the easy stroll up Mt. Rainier. Sixty-pound packs merely add to the joy.

See all our pictures (and a couple of videos) here.

Closer to Sea Level

I knew climbing Mount Rainier would be hard. But jeez.

Thank you to everyone who donated for the cause, prayed for us, lit candles for us, gave us talismen of strength and union. Surreal as it seems at this point, we made it to the top.

Then we simply had to find the strength to get back down.

I'm still kind of speechless about it all, but will write some words about this adventure when I can. Many, many pictures are on the way too. Best. -R