August 29th-September 1st Rainier Attempt

Map by Archana of our route

I write this blog many days after my attempt to summit Rainier.  Though it was an amazing experience, I am still struggling with my own personal failure.  I have realized that I needed to be at a higher fitness level, and I have realized the stars did not align that night for me.
To go back to the previous days, we got off to a good start heading as a team to Ashford on August 29th.  We had an orientation, met our guides, and had a gear check.  We enjoyed staying at the Whittaker bunkhouse.
The second day was mountain school.  We hiked about an hour to a steep hill on Rainier.  We learned about the safety and efficiency techniques for mountaineering. We then (briefly) got to work with our crampons on, learn self arrest/ ice axe techniques (kind of fun), and ended with how to walk on a rope all harnessed up.


Excited to start our big day

The next morning we headed back out to paradise to start our Muir trek.  We had an overheated room because after turning out the heat to dry our clothes during dinner, the heater failed to turn off.  I had slept poorly but I felt pretty good going up to Muir.  At the snow field, I followed right behind Ben, one of our guides, as he decided to "make a new trail" up the steep field, making it extra hard!  At the last break, I developed nausea which only somewhat improved later on.  I blamed the cytomax powder, but for all I know, it could have been the altitude. 

Our whole RMI team with guides

Enjoying one of the rest breaks

After we reached Camp Muir we all packed in the RMI bunk house to eat our "dinner" (it was before 4pm).  We then had a meeting with the guides and were given our rope teams.  I assume because I had decided to hike behind the guide up to Muir, I was put third in line on the lead rope team led by Pete, our lead guide.  I didn't think much of this at the time, but was bummed that the rest of Team Bonda was all together on a different rope.

Resh and I in our nook at the bunk house

Arch, Resh, and I at Camp Muir

At Camp Muir, it was beautiful being over the clouds.  We went to bed at six, but no sleep was to come for me or most of Team Bonda.  After several hours of lying horizontal, we were told to wake up and get ready, it was midnight.  In an hour, we had to eat "breakfast", use the bathroom, get our gear ready, put on our crampons, etc.  It was nothing but stressful, but our rope took off before the others were ready and Pete had us moving!  So, now the tragedy of the story.  I was feeling lousy, had a headache, and was somewhat winded without even starting.  Then, I was totally unprepared for how disoriented I felt hiking with a headlamp on a glacier.  We started up Cowlitz glacier and that went okay.  We then went up the rocks of Cathedral gap while hearing rock fall and rushing streams nearby.  I could only look at my feet as I was finding it very difficult to keep my footing and watch the rope and keep the pace.  Crampons on rock are really no fun.  The worst part for me came next heading to Ingram flats.  We had to walk on a ledge of ice and I felt totally outside my comfort zone, and because my crampons kept catching my pants, I was feeling very anxious.  Michael who was behind me was my only encouragement.  Pete just kept saying to watch the rope interval and breath.  At the break, I was told if I could handle my footing and go faster I could go on.  Of course, just getting to the first break under these circumstances and without constructive encouragement was a problem.  I also was "fuzzy" in the head mistaking head lamps of the other RMI team in front of us for asteroids or planes.  In retrospect, obviously, I was having altitude issues. 

Cowlitz glacier and Cathedral gap during the day

Anyways, Reshma and Archana also had had a hard first leg and were turning back.  I initially tried to start the second leg but my legs felt awful and I was still winded.  I then decided to turn back.  The journey back to Muir was also eventful with falls of various team members, including myself. 
Anyways, we made it back to Muir and analyzed every single thing that happened.  I was glad to have the support of Team Bonda.  Steph, my hero, made it all the way to the Summit!  I am so proud of her!

Yes we still did hero shots, but at Camp Muir!



A hug for the rock star, Steph!



Steph and Zeb, one of the guides, hiking down from Muir

Making it to 11,200 feet (Ingram flats) was still the hardest thing I have done.  I had a great six months training with Team Bonda.  As I had never had the opportunity to hike in the midwest, it was really a great summer.  I also am so grateful for all the Team Bondas and my family and friends who supported me through this journey, especially Ajay.  I cannot say that I have not been grieving and have some grievances about our guides and what happened, however, it was still the experience of a lifetime!

August 27th, 2011 Last training hike at Tiger Mountain

Team Bonda took on Tiger Mountain at 6 am for our last training hike.  For the first time, the trail wasn't open on arrival.  Sandra, our mountain goddess who already finished a successful summit (yay!), joined us, which was awesome! We had a great hike up.  On top, food experimentation lab took place to figure what could be eaten/quickly cooked, at Camp Muir.  We finished our hike in great time and I was looking forward to the rest of my day, when, alas, I could not find my car keys!  I then realized I must have locked them in the trunk with my purse.  The day was not lost however, as Archana adopted me and took me on a needed shopping spree to REI flagship and then we ate brunch, followed by lunch with our families in the city.  Ajay and I then went back to the trail head only to wait 90 minutes for triple A! There is truly never a hike without an incident! 

August 28th, 2011 Last week day hike!

We did Poo Poo point trail for the occasion.  The hike started positive with everyone clocking record times and then enjoying doklas while watching para gliders on the top.  When we decided to gleefully pose for pictures, poor Resh jammed her finger on my shoulder.  She powered through on the way down, but ended up with a swollen finger and a ring that could not come off!  Poor girl had to go the urgent care two days later, luckily no broken bones...

August 20th, 2011 Camp Muir or bust

Distance 9.2 miles round trip
Elevation gain 4600 feet
Max Elevation 10,050 feet



Team Bonda takes Muir!


Reshma, Archana, and I headed up to Paradise in Rainier National Park.  We were greeted by beautiful weather, much warmer than our hike here a few weeks earlier.  We trudged up to Muir, taking breaks on the hour.  This time I carried the full 35 plus pounds.  Arch and I rented boots from Whittaker, which,thankfully, worked great. The first hour was quite brutal, but after that, it was challenging but doable.  The views were spectacular!  We saw Mount Adams, Mount St. Helen's, Mount Hood, along with waterfalls, wildflowers, and of course Rainier herself. 


Resh, adjusting my load lifters

View of Rainier from Paradise

Team Bonda did great, with all of us being able keep up with the RMI group.  At camp muir, the RMI guides showed us the bunker we would be staying at during our summit climb.  They also were amazingly helpful and answered all our questions. 

The way down was a slog because the slush made the glissading less than ideal, and the ground sooo slippery.  Nevertheless, we were all in good spirits as we headed to dinner in Ashford at Wild Berry, a Nepalese restaurant Sandra had recommended.  The food was amazing and totally hit the spot!  A very long but super successful day.

the trudge up to Muir

Base Camp!



August 18th, 2011 Poo poo point

Distance: 5.0 miles

Elevation gain: 1650 ft

Highest point 1850 ft

Ajay and I hiked on the lovely Thursday afternoon with Maya and Chayya.  On the top, we enjoyed watching all the para gliders along with the beautiful views of the Snoqualmie valley.  I felt good on this short but pleasurable hike, and was glad the dogs could join us.

Paragliders galore!

August 13th, 2011 Lake Serene

Roundtrip 7.2 miles
Elevation gain 2000 ft
Highest point 2521 ft

This weekend a trip in honor of Ajay's birthday was planned with the whole family to Sleeping Lady Resort in Leavenworth.  As I still had to get a hike in, Ajay, my dad, Maya, Chayya and I headed out before the rest of the family to hike to Lake Serene.  I carried my now usual 35 lbs.  The hike was beautiful with old growth forest, waterfalls and streams.  What made it slightly moderate in difficulty as opposed to easy was that all the elevation gain was in the last 1.5 or so miles in the form of 23 switchbacks.  This was fine for everyone except old Maya, who had to be helped at several points, but still she willed her way through.  My dad was, of course, the fastest on the hike.  He liked the hike so much he is going to join a hiking group when he moves to New Zealand.  Lake Serene, with Ajay's bad luck on hikes, was completely fogged in.  However the waterfall made the hike worthwhile for both training and enjoyment!

good thing dad was there to catch this stump from falling!

Bridal Veil Falls

August 11th, 2011 Painful Solo Hike on Si

Distance 8 miles
Elevation gain 3700 feet
Highest elevation 4167 feet




Above the clouds at the summit of Mount Si


So I decided because of a busy weekend ahead to tackle my big hike on a week day.  I approached the hike like it would be no big deal.  I forgot to take my aleve, and had no music to distract me.  Carrying the 35 lbs up Si, my knees and feet were feeling it.  I made it up in 2:35 minutes, and down in 1:20 minutes.  I was completely in pain at the end.  That evening, I couldn't step on my right foot because I would get numbness and shooting pain down my 2nd and 3rd toes.  My knees were swollen up.  Maybe it was the lack of medicine or Si is just hard on the joints, but, by gosh, this hike totally brutalized me!
Every morning for the last few weeks,  my right ankle hurts when I first get out of bed, and if I step on my feet a certain way, I get the same shooting pains.  Uggh!  I blame the heavy pack.  Hopefully, this is the worst of it!

August 6th, 2011 The Beautiful Granite Mountain

Roundtrip 8.0 miles
Elevation gain 3800 feet
Peak Elevation 5629 feet

Archana and I got an early start on this Saturday morning.  We started our hike at 7am, and what a beautiful hike it was!  I carried 35 lbs and braked for 5-10 minutes every hour again.  I had good music to listen to, and even better scenery.  After the first hour, the trail is actually not in the forest, completely different from all the hikes on the Snoqualmie corridor!  It is basically on a small trail, uphill of course, through gorgeous meadows of wildflowers.  There were also streams and mini waterfalls to add to the splendor.  The hike was harder than Mount Si because the first mile was flat, so all the elevation gain was in the last three miles.  In addition, the trail was rocky and more irregular.  But, so much more interesting than Si for sure!  I made it up in three hours.  Archana rocked the hike as well, carrying 40 lbs! 
The last 1/4 mile involves climbing boulders to a tower, we went a little way and decided it wasn't worth the injury.  Not to mention coming down the boulders looked frightful indeed.  Though no panoramic views, the mist did clear on one side to enjoy seeing the jagged mountain and a beautiful field of snow.  This hike, other than Camp Muir, was by far my favorite! 

gorgeous wildflower meadows

Arch, glad to pose without her extra heavy pack

Archana's great photography at its best!

7/31/11 Trek to Camp Muir, the base camp for Mount Rainier

Distance 9.2 miles round trip
Elevation gain 4600 feet
Max Elevation 10,050 feet




Grinning silly on the descent!


Ajay and I headed out at 6 am to Paradise in Rainier National Park.  We met Archana, Reshma, and their friends who are training for Kilimanjaro, Denise and Vanita there.  We headed out at 945 am, after poor Archana dropped her bagel twice.  The second time a loving bug creeped in ruling out the "three second rule".  Poor Archana also sustained a fall on her knee (ouch) early on.
This hike was entirely different and more difficult than any of our training hikes, namely the whole hike was almost straight uphill on snow.  Also, this is the only hike we have had to deal with higher altitudes.
The visibility on this day was quite poor, and only got worse as we headed up the trail.  Ajay and I hiked together, breaking every hour for 5-10 minutes, RMI style (RMI is Rainier Mountaineering Institue, the guide group who we are using for the Rainier summit).  The wind picked up big time by hour three as did the lack of visibility.  At one point I said something to Ajay and he was nowhere to be seen!  He had stopped to tie his shoe and was 30 yards below looking for me.  Once we found each other we also found the RMI group heading to base camp for their summit climb.  Using their foot prints to help track on the snow, we tailed them essentially the rest of the way up.  I have to say, I loved the wind and the crazy visibility, I felt quite adventurous!

Picture I stole from the internet of a clear day at Camp Muir

The last 90 minutes was the hardest, but I really felt great overall, despite the calf and thigh burn.  The visibility improved near Camp Muir and we were rewarded with views of part of the Rainier summit, but very windy conditions at base camp.  Ajay and I made it up in exactly five hours.  We enjoyed hot lentil soup, and then I almost passed out using the disgusting Camp Muir toilet facility.
The way down turned somewhat bittersweet.  We ran into the rest of the team at about 9000 feet.  They had through a combinations of reasons (boot issues, lack of visibility, etc), decided not to continue to base camp.  Resh and Arch also were now worried about the actual summit climb.  This fear was luckily fixed the next day when they both spoke to RMI guides who said they were doing great (I had said this to them as well, but of course it is more meaningful coming from experts).  We did enjoy a team snack on the way down of banana bread from Resh and grilled peaches from Arch, as well as more of Ajay's lentil soup.  Ajay and I then hustled down, enjoying glissading down several shoots.  Total time down was 3 hours.




Me, Reshma, Archana, Vanita and Denise innocently smile before the hike

July 27th, 2011 Tiger Mountain Cable Line

Elevation gain 2100 ft
Distance 3.0 miles
Highest point 2525 feet

I was joined on this sunny Wednesday by Connie and Sandra.  Sandra, who recently returned from China, had already hiked west Tiger trail earlier that day, rock star indeed!  I carried my 35 lbs (still yikes) and scrambled (or should I say stumbled) upwards making it up in 90 minutes.  I beat my time last week by 10 minutes, so I was quite happy.  On the top, Connie fed a bird out of her hand a nutritious fiber bar.  The bird clearly did not appreciate the healthy snack as he did not come back for seconds!
We took the cable line on the way down, which made for more entertainment for sure.  Sandra gave us the details of her amazing trip which was the highlight of the hike.

July 23rd, 2011 Team Bonda takes on Mailbox Peak

Roundtrip	6.0 miles
Elevation Gain	4100 ft
Highest Point	4926 ft

Our team was complete this weekend, as Stephanie, the long-distance bondite, joined us from San Francisco!  Though I was nervous about repeating the dreaded mailbox, the hike was altogether a great experience.  The sun was out, hurray!  We started the hike at eight am.  My brother, Apoorva, joined us, and led the bondites up.  Steph, Apoo, and I took a break at nine and ten to drink water and enjoy energy chews.  Once we were out of the "root forest" the views were spectacular!  The last bit, though steep and hot, was beautiful beyond words.  Panoramic views of Rainier, the North Cascades, the Snoqualmie Valley combined with being surrounded by wildflowers was great motivation for the last leg up.

The root forest

My time up was 2:40 minutes, and I carried 15 lbs.  On the top, we enjoyed potato patties (thank you, Ajay), Reshma's yummy sheera, cherries that a friendly hiker was sharing, and Archana's glazed bananas.  Quite the feast!  The way down was a hard as usual highlighted by: 
a. taking just as long as the way up  
b. all four bondites slipping and gracefully falling at various times, luckily unhurt except for minor bruising  
c. a bee going under Reshma's shirt and stinging her, poor thing (Resh, not the bee)! 
d. Apoo sprinting down the mountain and taking an hour nap in the car waiting for Team Bonda to finish their slow decent



Only the very beginning of the steep descent!




July 19th, 2011 West Tiger Cable Line

Elevation gain 2100 ft
distance 1.5 miles up and down 3.1 miles (down on regular trail)



no switch backs here, straight up a very rocky path



Resh, Arch, and I did took on the cable line at Tiger Mountain.  It is straight uphill on rocky and steep terrain.  It was quite the workout, and the 35 lbs I was carrying definitely had be working up a sweat!  I made it up in 1 hr and 40 minutes.  Helpful to this climb, and climbing in general, was a "how to adjust your pack" video I had watched the day before (yes, 4 months into hiking).  I adjusted mine and Resh's packs (Arch's was already ergonomically sound) and we both felt a huge improvement.  I had also, on advice of fellow bondites, read about correct backpack packing/loading which also helped out.  We ran into these guys who actually were guides for Rainier.  They offered us lots of encouragement and were impressed at our loads.  All in all, a great strenuous week day hike!  go team bonda!

July 16th, 2011 Little Si

Distance 5 miles
Elevation gain 1200 ft
Highest point 1576 feet

On account of sickness and a rough night, our hike was downgraded to Little Si and delayed by several hours to the aforementioned issues in addition to the horrendous traffic in North Bend.  Resh, Arch, and I were accompanied by Chayya and senior citizen canine, Maya.  To make the hike worthwhile, I carried 37 lbs up.  The hike was highlighted by :
-Archana and I practicing and then "performing" our amazing race application video while Reshma filmed us with my flip and onlookers watched with amazement (that may be an exaggeration)
-while my chai, made graciously by Resh, was cooling off on a summit rock, Maya preceded to drink it all!
-"mountain" dogs begged us to play fetch and give them food.  These dogs apparently live nearby and go up Little Si on their own to hang out/play/eat with hikers.

Old M, pre chai fest

The stick fetching obsesses mountain dog!



July 14, 2011 West Tiger Mountain

Distance 6.2 miles
Elevation gain 2100 feet
Highest point 2525 feet

Another reunion of Team Bonda as we welcomed Archana back.  Headed up Tiger with 30 lbs, made it up in 1:45 mins (slower due to socialization).  This is the first time I hiked with mostly water weight and what a difference it makes!  I happily dumped out my water at the top and saved my joints on the way down.  Reshma had us going a quick pace on the way down.

June 25th, 2011 Poo poo point

Enjoyed an early morning hike with Shaili who was visiting and Connie.  Carried about 25 lbs with ease.  We started early so avoided the crowds who we saw in the parking lot on the way down.

July 9th, 2011 Mount Si

Distance 8 miles
Elevation gain 3700 feet
Highest elevation 4167 feet

We were rewarded with a spectacular view of our beloved mountain

Resh and I started early this Saturday, which was a blessing.  Hike start at 630 am, we reached the summit  by 850 which was quite an improvement for me.  I carried 30 lbs again.  The summit was spectacular with a great view of Rainier on one side, and the Snoqualmie valley on the other.  We headed down at 930 and happily smiled and bid good morning the hoards of hikers climbing up.  Our work was done!  We reached the bottom by eleven thanks to Reshma's quick pace.  I felt great, except I need to switch to water as weight so I can save my joints on the way down...