Summiting Mt. Rainier: Comfortable With Being Uncomfortable
June 02, 2017 | Women's Soccer
As a group of five climbers neared the summit of Mount Rainier they kept in rhythm, step, breath, step, breath, repeat. They stopped moments later to discuss whether or not to continue as the long and strenuous climb combined with the altitude of over 13,000 feet had worn on them; little did they know however that they were down to the last 15 minutes of a journey that had begun about a day and a half ago.
While others spent last weekend at barbecues or out boating on Lake Washington enjoying the Seattle weather, Washington women's soccer midfielder Ava Lewis and her mother, Husky defender Lisa Jensen and her sister, and team athletic trainer Chris Melton spent their Memorial Day weekend summiting Mount Rainier.
"Escaping your everyday luxuries you learn to appreciate the small things, such as dry shoes," said Jensen. "To really enjoy the grind you learn to be comfortable with being uncomfortable, something I think everyone can benefit from."
The idea to make the trip brewed from conversations between Melton and Lewis, when she mentioned making the same trip up the Emmons-Winthrop route with friends last year. Lewis is an avid climber and hiker, ever since she first roped up a glacier with her mother and sister when she was only nine years old.
"She said she would take us up, so it began," said Melton. "At some point in the winter we discussed it again and we actually put it on our calendars, and it became a real thing."
Lewis has completed numerous climbs and hikes before, tackling Mount Stuart in the Cascades, Grand Teton in Northwest Wyoming, and the Prusik Peak in the North Cascades. Her biggest achievement however, came in the summer of 2015 when she tackled the highest peak in North America, Denali, formally known as Mount McKinley.
"My family and I climbed Denali with some friends, which was a two and a half week expedition that took about a year to plan," said Lewis. "That was the first full expedition I have ever been a part of and one of the most memorable experiences in my life."
This past weekend, the group began their journey Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m. after obtaining the necessary permits, and began their hike at the trailhead. After eight hours of climbing, the five of them made camp at about 4:30 in the afternoon, digging out a base for their tent, making dinner and melting snow for drinking water. By the time everybody settled in to get some rest, it was 9 p.m.
After what the group claimed was a few restless hours of attempted sleep, everybody stepped out from their tents to prepare of the long day ahead at midnight, and were greeted with quite the show.
"We were outside getting ready when someone noticed the Northern Lights were dancing in the clear sky," said Melton. "It was incredible, none of us had ever seen this before, we were so lucky."
The group set off for the summit at about 1:45 a.m. with rising senior Lewis leading the way. A bit after four in the morning, the sun began to rise giving the five climbers a boost of energy to press on.
"We were taking breaks around once every 60-75 minutes to drink and have a light snack," said Melton. "We continued this for another several hours."
At an elevation of about 12,500 feet the group began to feel the harsh effects of the climb, with talks of turning around occurring on a couple of instances for the next two hours. However, when Melton checked their elevation level using his phone, the 13,300 feet reading energized the five of them to push on to the summit. What they thought would take over an hour, was only a 15 minute push to the top where they were able to celebrate their accomplishment and enjoy the breathtaking view.
"It's amazing to have stood at the summit of the iconic mountain that I gawk at every time I see it," said Melton. "I have wanted to, and wondered if I could, climb it one day when I moved to Seattle in 2010. Feels amazing to have done it."
For Jensen, this was her first major climb or hike she's completed, and credits Lewis for convincing her to attempt it.
"Rainier was my first dose of mountaineering and truth be told, I'm still dumbfounded that we were able to summit," said Jensen. "This year she's really coerced me into joining her for all of these adventures. We've skied a lot together, done a bike tour and a few other fun trips I'll never forget."
For the experienced Lewis, this was her third time summiting Mount Rainier, the highest point in Washington, but noted the people as the major difference in making last weekend such a unique experience.
"The best parts about this trip were the group of people we had and seeing the Northern Lights," said Lewis. "I've never been in a group that was so positive, cooperative and enthusiastic, and that really makes or breaks a climb."
After taking in their accomplishment of reaching the summit and enjoying the scenery, the group descended back down to their base camp, a four hour trip. Getting a much deserved night's sleep at camp, the group woke up and hiked back down to their car, another four hours, before enjoying a celebratory meal.
The two members of the Washington women's soccer team may have been on multiple adventures together over the past year, but this one stood out the most for both Lewis and Jensen.
"Everyone on this trip was awesome but I just want to give a little shout out to Lisa," said Lewis. "I've done a lot of different trips with Lisa this year and I've never met anyone who is so happy just to be out there. She has an amazing attitude, never complains and she's really good at making the best of things no matter the circumstance."
Lewis enjoyed the unique experience of being able to witness somebody achieve something they didn't think they could, and although it was a demanding task, the amount of fun the five of them had always seemed to take center stage.
"Lisa and everyone else's attitude on this trip was contagious and I think that is why it was so much fun," said Lewis.
While it was a tough trip that the five of them will never forget, being able to stay positive and laugh during the climb, is what let them overcome such a grueling task.
"One of my favorite memories was sliding down part of the glacier with our packs on our way out Monday morning," said Jensen. "It's funny because it took maybe 30 minutes to get down what took us hours to ascend. The dorky sun glasses were also a highlight, if I had to choose I'd say Ava won that contest."
