This was our second time up with our friend Bob VanEtten. He's the most patient guy alive (Derek is too) for putting up with my out-of-shape legs. Even though I know I was slowing things up a bit, Bob said we made pretty good time. And we did do better than the first trip in June 1998. We hit the slopes at 12:30 a.m. and plodded along with fairly short breaks until we reached the summit at around 7:30 a.m. I think we took eight or nine hours last time. We have to leave that early because it's easier to climb in the frozen snow and ice at that hour. It was a star-filled, clear night and suprisingly warm. We encountered a lot of other climbers but not as many as I was expecting for the start of the Memorial Day weekend. Though it takes quite a bit of stamina and endurance, the climb is more like a very steep walk. Only a few times does it get to a point where you use your hand to steady your body for the next step. Otherwise, you're on your feet the whole time using the ice axe like a cane for balance and support. More exhausting than the climb, I think, was the lack of sleep. I hadn't slept since 5 a.m. the previous morning and there was no getting any sleep before the climb when the adrenaline is running. All that fatigue passes away as you inch closer to the summit. Nothing compares to the view from the top.
Doug
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