RadoLife

Life in Colorado and Beyond

[stathmandu]

#tbt to my man Dave charging up Rainier. He kicked serious ass for a city slicker from NYC. I'm reminded today of the bonds we make in the mountains. I've never come across a better way of getting to know perfect strangers as easily as when I'm hiking or climbing. The close proximity, teamwork, and shared experience conspire into the perfect storm of bonding. A day or two in the mountains can form lifelong friendships. Maybe we should all get out there, get out of our comfort zones, and focus on what we all have in common instead of our differences. #mountrainier #washington #pnw #pnwow #themountainsarecalling #theoutbound #beautifuldestinations #bestmountainartists #ic_adventures #getoutmore #ourdailyplanet #theglobewanderer #neverstopexploring #fromthetribe #clymblife #whatgivesyoulife (at Paradise, Mount Rainier National Park)

[stathmandu]

"Hey guys, it's this way, right?" #LostInTheMountains #TakeMeBackTuesday

[stathmandu]

I know you're all probably getting sick of these, but too bad. It's #tbt and I'm posting yet another Rainier pic. This one from lower down the mountain before we hit the snowline, but comfortably above the clouds. Mount Adams looming in the back left and the infamous Mount St. Helens in the back right (with the flat top for obvious reasons). #mtrainier #mtadams #mtsthelens #volcano #clouds #abovetheclouds #hellowashington #mountaineering #theoutbound #pnw #pnwow #washington #clymblife #bestmountainartists #ourdailyplanet #beautifuldestinations #theglobewanderer #discoverearth #nationalparks #neverstopexploring #fromthetribe #whatgivesyoulife #rei1440project (at Mount Rainier)

[stathmandu]

for my purpose holds To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths Of all the western stars, until I die. It may be that the gulfs will wash us down: It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles, And see the great Achilles, whom we knew. Tho' much is taken, much abides; and tho' We are not now that strength which in old days Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are; One equal temper of heroic hearts, Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

Ulysses by Alfred, Lord Tennyson

[stathmandu]

A great shot courtesy of @caitmixter of me roped up with our lead guide, the legendary Craig Van Hoy (who has 430+ summits of Rainier, as well as all of the Seven Summits - Yes, he's a badass and man crush status is in full effect) and with our other guide Lira, a certified badass in her own right. They're getting an early start on the end of season clean up and I got to play designated anchor for them as we navigate between a couple crevasses on the Ingraham Glacier. And the Summit of Rainier looms over us. It looks inviting but from there we can see how blanketed the route is with a couple feet of fresh snow. #mtrainier #ingrahamglacier #washington #volcano #glacier #pnw #pnwow #ourdailyplanet #beautifuldestinations #bestmountainartists #ic_adventures #getoutmore (at Mount Rainier)

[stathmandu]

Looking South from Camp Muir early Sunday morning at the other great volcanoes of the Pacific Northwest. Mount Adams closest on the left, Mount Hood back center, and I think you can just barely see Mount Jefferson, the little bump to the lower right of Hood. Tough to see, but it is a few hundred miles away in Oregon. #takemebacktuesday #mtrainier #campmuir #cowlitzglacier #mtadams #mthood #mtjefferson #volcano #pnw #pnwow #washington #oregon #sunrise #glacier #mountains #mountrainier #mountadams #mounthood #mountjefferson #neverstopexploring #fromthetribe #clymblife #whatgivesyoulife (at Camp Muir, Mount Rainier)

[stathmandu]

#MountainCrushMonday goes out to the incredible Mount Rainier. She may not have let me all the way to the top, but just being this close was more than enough to fall in love. #mountrainier #cowlitzglacier #lenticularclouds #washington #pnw #pnwow #volcano #glaciers #sunrise #alpenglow #bestmountainartists #ourdailyplanet #beautifuldestinations #theglobewanderer #discoverearth #theoutbound #natgeo #nationalparks #themountainsarecalling #neverstopexploring #fromthetribe #clymblife #mountaineering (at Mount Rainier)

[stathmandu]

My view as I awoke from my tent early this morning on the Cowlitz Glacier on Mount Rainier, high above the clouds at over 10,000 feet. Unfortunately, it reminds me of the humility that is necessary when climbing mountains. We learn last night that our summit attempt will be denied due to the several feet of new snow that fell Friday, completely covering our route, making any summit attempt foolhardy and life-threatening. Disappointed as our team is, we understand that it's not up to us. It's up to the Mountain. Only she dictates who may enter and when. But a view like this makes me think that the Mountain is aware of her own unpredictable nature. It's as if she feels our disappointment, but honors the respect we've shown her. And I can't help but think that she won't forget that humility on my next attempt, whenever it may be. I walk down the Mountain happy that I spent two days in such a breathtaking place; eager and anxious to set off the next adventure in the mountains. (at Mount Rainer)

[stathmandu]

"Fire's the Sun, unwindin' itself out o' the wood." #fire #campvibes #centerofthesun #campfire #letscamp #trailchat #wearestillwild #wildernessculture

[stathmandu]

"I was halfway across America, at the dividing line between the East of my youth and the West of my future." -Jack Kerouac So happy to play host and tour guide for @katescotlander and #billyneedsinsta this weekend on their stop in Colorado, as they move their lives from New York to California. Although pushing them over a 12,000ft mountain pass on their first backpacking trip wasn't exactly the nicest thing I've done. #ecclespass #eaglesnestwilderness #whiterivernationalforest #gorerange #tenmilerange #buffalomountain #colorado #coloradical #coloradotography #colorfulcolorado #coloradohikes #coloradountamed #coloradoactivities #coloradoinstagram #coloradogram #coloradoliving #coloradolive #takemebackpacking (at Eccles Pass)

[stathmandu]

Snuck some August turns just in time. Figured I'd bring my board along for a little training reward. Gorgeous hike and unbelievable scenery. Shoshoni Peak here in the foreground with the tarn beneath collecting glacial runoff. And that's Long Lake waaay in the background. #isabelleglacier #indianpeakswilderness #shoshonipeak #longlake #colorado #coloradical #coloradotography #colorfulcolorado #coloradohikes #coloradountamed #coloradoactivities #coloradoinstagram #coloradogram #coloradoliving #coloradolive #earnyourturns #getuptogetdown #findingwinter #augustturns #snowboardeverymonth (at Isabelle Glacier)

[stathmandu]

It's nice to know that animals can be as awe struck as we are. #tbt #SQUIRREL #nothatsamarmot #dogsofinstagram #germanshorthairedpointer #germanshorthair #peoplestaringatstuff #dogsstaringatstuff #mountsherman #colorado #coloradical #coloradotography #colorfulcolorado #coloradohikes #coloradountamed #coloradoactivities #coloradoinstagram #coloradogram #coloradoliving #coloradolive #adventuredog (at Mount Sherman)

[stathmandu]

With Rainier looming only a month away, training is ramping up. Knocked out Mount Sherman this morning at 14,036 feet. This is the second time I've summitted Sherman (it was actually my very first 14er two years ago). The months of training are certainly paying off because it was a whole lot easier this second time around. #mountsherman #leadville #colorado #coloradical #coloradotography #colorfulcolorado #coloradohikes #coloradountamed #coloradoactivities #coloradoinstagram #coloradolive #coloradogram #coloradoliving #theoutbound #clymblife #stathmandu14er (at Mount Sherman)

[stathmandu]

Time has a funny way of standing completely still here. #hunkydory #lakeclaire #wisconsin #upnorth #wayupnorth #sunset (at Hunky Dory Farms Resort)

[stathmandu]

Lake Isabelle, you are too fine. #tbt #lakeisabelle #indianpeakswilderness #colorado #coloradical #coloradotography #colorfulcolorado #coloradohikes #coloradountamed #coloradoactivities #coloradoinstagram #coloradolive #coloradogram #coloradoliving #theoutbound #wildernessculture #wearestillwild #keepitwild #whatgivesyoulife #neverstopexploring #bestmountainartists #ourdailyplanet #discoverearth (at Lake Isabelle)

[stathmandu]

The Indian Peaks Wilderness never ceases to amaze. Had a blast playing tour guide for @devlincliche @jamesemoore and @alexcc13. Scouted some potential lines on Isabelle Glacier too. #indianpeakswilderness #isabellelake #isabelleglacier #colorado #coloradical #coloradotography #colorfulcolorado #coloradohikes #coloradountamed #coloradoactivities #coloradoinstagram #coloradolive #coloradogram #coloradoliving #theoutbound #bestmountainartists #ourdailyplanet #wildernessculture (at Indian Peaks Wilderness)

[stathmandu]

Gorgeous Morning on Mount Evans at 14,264'. My seventh 14er and first of the year. Even managed to bag my second 13er Mount Spalding on the way there (and the way back...) #iknowyoucandriveijustfeltlikewalking #drivingischeatinganyway #mountevans #14er #colorado #coloradical #coloradotography #colorfulcolorado #coloradohikes #coloradountamed #coloradoactivities #coloradoinstagram #coloradolive #coloradogram #theoutbound #clymblife #bestmountainartists #ourdailyplanet #beautifuldestinations (at Mount Evans)