Washington — Blog - Joshua Forester

Mount Rainier/Winter Denali Seminar - Day 5

The conditions on the descent reminded me of my Mount Washington summit. The visibility and temperature were not quite as bad, but similar enough to have flashbacks. As we moved down, the whiteout was disorienting. Even while moving, it was very hard to discern whether the next step would have us move up or down and to what degree. Faraway rocks appeared closer, and ledges and ridge lines were camouflaged in the flurry. After hiking for an hour or so, my goggles were covered in a sheet of ice, and our clothing and packs in rime…

MountaineeringJoshua ForesterFebruary 16, 2018Paradise, WAMount Rainier, Washington, IMG, Paradise, mountaineeringComment

Mount Rainier/Winter Denali Seminar - Days 3-4

The night ended with a long conversation about politics and religion and everything in between. None of them were “solved”, so I guess in the end it was no better than endless superficial banter about climbers and alpinists that were “badasses”, but having the deeper conversation sure felt more meaningful. I wonder if those badasses carry on about who summited what and how quickly they did it…I hope not…

MountaineeringJoshua ForesterFebruary 15, 2018Camp MuirWashington, IMG, Mount Rainier, Camp Muir, mountaineeringComment

Mount Rainier/Winter Denali Seminar - Days 1-2

Because while they Netflix the latest documentary from their couch, we are digging platforms in the snow for tents. While they are sipping hot chocolate at the ski lodge, we are hunkering around a stove melting snow for water. And while they thumb through the photo books, we are taking in the scenery the camera simply could not capture…

MountaineeringJoshua ForesterFebruary 12, 2018Panorama Point, WAMount Rainier, Washington, IMG, Panorama Point, Paradise, mountaineeringComment

NOLS/Mount Baker Ascent - Days 10-14

“Falling!” was what rang in my ears, echoed by Bryan, a software engineer and sea kayaking guide who anchored the team and was presently yet above the smaller crevasse. I immediately slammed into the hillside of snow beside me, all seventy pounds of my pack and every bit of me underneath it leaning into the shaft of my ice axe. Quickly, I kick the front teeth of my crampons into the snow and brace for impact—that moment when Matt’s rope finally tensions and shock loads me and potentially everything connecting me to the ground out of place…

NOLS/Fisher Chimneys to Boulder Route Traverse - Days 7-9

Mostly, I was terrified of being terrified—of having my abilities petrified by fear. The team would slow on a difficult section and I would chill—not in a good way, but I would stiffen up—both with my body and mind. Not moving and being in the rhythm of movement makes me not trust my first movements, especially when they are on foreign surfaces, which are everywhere here for me…

NOLS/Mount Shuksan Ascent - Days 1-6

I always tell my children, “Don’t climb something you can’t climb down.” Today was not a day they should’ve followed my example. Down climbing is hard, and when my footholds were blind, my fear of heights set in…hard. Luckily our instructors were far more competent climbers, and were amazing at setting up great protection. Our navigation of it less superior…

MountaineeringJoshua ForesterAugust 14, 2017Mount ShuksanMount Shuksan, NOLS, Washington, mountaineeringComment