Sunrise At Columbia Crest

Daily Photo – Sunrise At Columbia Crest

After hours and hours of marching up the glaciated slopes of Mount Rainier, we had arrived at the crater rim. In total darkness we now sat within the caldera of an active stratovolcano. Still glowing with the excitement of a kid on Christmas, I through my down jacket on and began the waiting game. It was just after 5am so we had about 50 minutes until Sunrise, at which time we would be standing at 14,410 feet on Columbia Crest, the highest point in Washington, atop the most glaciated mountain in the Lower 48. I think this sunrise was the most special sunrise of my life, not because of the brilliance of the colors, but because I accomplished something special to me. I climbed Rainier.