[Tazz]

This was a trip for me so I am doing a report on it. Great people, mountains, laughs and food. What more could a person want? For me nothing. This was a great weekend to end the summer season with. Picked up AB in Kenniwick and headed to the social. We arrived at 11:30pm. Everybody was still up and hanging around the fire. After introductions and hanging out a bit we decided to set up the condo tent. It took a while in the dark after having too much to drink a swamp 6 inches from our set up spot. Yes I was up to my ankles in black stinky mud. We talked to CH Dean and wbs (Brad) and decided we would plan on being at the trail head around 7am. This was around 1am. Dean hit the sack and we hung out and socialized with the others till 3:30 - 4:00am . Next thing I know Dean is waking us at 7. My head was in the fog you know one of those heavy nasty fogs. Dean told us he was headed out and will meet us there. We got up as quick as we could and headed to the trail head. Brad, AB and I started up the trail just after 9:30 or so. Dean was not there so we figured he headed up and we would see him at some point. The trail heads up a ridge using countless numbers of switchbacks. The views of Rainier are around every corner.

Mt rainier

Around 3 miles AB was already having problems with her feet and boots. We stopped and she doctored the up a bit. At around 4 miles at 7200' the trail comes to a intersection with the mount Aix trail and the Nelson ridge trail. Take a right and it takes you to Aix. Take a left and it takes you up Nelson ridge. This is a great area for a overnight backpack. Countless camp spot choices up on the ridge and one perfect one on the corner of the last switchback with great views of Rainier. The trail then traverses along an open ridge and you have great views all around. oh yeah and more Rainier hehehe.

AB & rainier

rainier

mt rainier

Once we reached the saddle just below the summit ridge AB stayed back due to not enough time and her poor feet. Brad and I picked the shortest most direct route up the west ridge. There is a scramble path all the way up to the top. Class 2 all the way with a few short sections of class 3 stuff. Lots of fun!

wbs goofing off

There is also a trail that is more of a hike/class two that traverses around to the East ridge to gain the summit. The summit 7766' is flat where an old lookout sat in the past. There are cables and remnants of the lookout all around the summit. Great views of Rainier and surrounding mountains.

wbs and i on the summit of Aix

We saw Dean down on the east side of the peak. He had already been to the top but came back up to hangout with us for a few. Sorry you had to wait for us Dean.

Dean on Aix

We headed back down to the saddle to meet up with AB. can you find Dean and Brad?

Look for Dean and abs

Dean,AB,wbs, and Aix

Poor AB and her feet. Descending was slow because her boots chewed up her feet. She needs to BURN those boots!!!! This was a fun little scramble. It was such a pleasure hiking with and getting to know Dean and Brad. Dean headed out to meet a friend for a hike the next day. Brad AB and I headed back to the social where the food was waiting. Got back to camp just after dark and everyone was there getting the grub on. Food was just great and tons of it! We all stuffed our faces and enjoyed the fire. Slug showed up a little later as a nice addition to the group. The next morning we had another breakfast feast and then all packed up and headed out. It was such a great pleasure to meet and hangout with all of you. I don’t think I have laughed and enjoyed myself like that in a long time. Thank-you, all of you. MG and Damian it was great spot you guys picked and set up for this THANKS. What a great group of people this forum has on it! I had a blast. Summit 7760' 12 miles rt via standard route 10.5-11 miles rt for the scramble route 4200' gain acc gain was 6530'

[Dean]

Good stuff Tazz. What a great day we all had. However, I felt bad for AB and her feet. I give her a ton of credit for her effort under those conditions. AB, you earned my respect. Here's a few shots from the Mt. Aix hike. This isn't a trip report but it'll give a flavor to what the weather was like Saturday. I had left a bit before Tazz, Action Betty and wbs (Brad) and ended up meeting them at the summit.

This first shot shows some of the beauty we were blessed with. The shot was taken from near where the west side scramble route begins

This shot shows the summit of Aix from the north side. Notice how flat the top is, it was the site of a lookout and was leveled off to accomodate it.

A shot of Tazz and Brad up on the summit:

A lookout used to top this peak but its long gone and the top is flat like a pancake.

A view of the west ridge leading up to the summit of Aix:

This is the way I'd do the whole thing next time.

I came up the east side and descended the west while wbs snapped a few.

I was about 1/3rd of the way down when I looked back and saw him snapping some pics.

Heading back down towards the junction of Aix and Nelson trails. What views we had although it was hard to see Adams and St. Helens due to the haze.

The clouds are starting to come in.

A great day and great company. Thanks guys. I have posted a Trip report on this at Summitpost

[gary]

Love that first pic. Looks like some surreal painting!

[wbs]

Tazz wrote:

[ree]

Glad you took lotsa pictures! It looks wonderful. That sounds like a brutal hike. I can't imagine doing it with a hangover! More power to you.

[Tazz]

WBS. It was a long day ya know. LOL We are goooood if we did that many miles in a day wow.