August 14, 2013
Dear Family & Friends:
We arrived yesterday at the International Mountain Guides facility in Ashford. The photo below shows our 5 star hotel. We had dinner at the Copper Creek Inn in Ashford. I had dinner at this restaurant when I drove my motorcycle to Seattle in October to have the sidecar built. The restaurant is famous for its blackberry pie. See the photo below. This was our last good meal for several days.
Our target mountain is pictured below. Mt. Rainier is 14,411 feet high. It is considered an active volcano, and last erupted in 1894. It is the most prominent mountain in the lower 48 states and is the most glaciated mountain in the contiguous United States, with over 26 major glaciers. Mt. Rainier was first climbed in 1870 by Hazard Stevens and P. B. Van Trump. Sir Stuart Smith climbed this mountain in 1994, and his beloved niece, Princess Noelle Smith of Greenhill, climbed the mountain in 2012. Commoner Bill Burke climbed Mt. Rainier in 2001, but few in the mountaineering community took note of this accomplishment.
We are looking forward to this adventure. My next post will be when we come off the mountain in a few days.
Bill
Our Five Star Hotel
Dinner at the Copper Creek Inn
Mt. Rainier
Good luck Bill. Climbed that big hill twice in the 1990’s with George Dunn of Rainier Mountain Guides.
Perhaps few in the climbing community took note of your 2001 summit. However, I want you to know, I have taken note of that blackberry pie, a la mode, no less, and I want some.
Your accommodations may not always be 1st cabin, but you do manage to find first-rate cuisine!! Rainier, like Mt. Baker, offers some excellent winter climbing in August. Best of luck–you all look happy as pie (blackberry not peach). Hiking blessings.
Rockman
Good luck and be safe!
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