This was the 1st of our Camp Muir Field Trips. There were 12 students who attended. We left the parking lot and began our ascent through snow along the Panorama Point to Muir Route. Nothing like getting a feel for bad weather. The day before it was sunny and 70 degrees in the lowlands. As we left the parking lot it was raining. Shortly after our start the rain stopped and we all shed layers for the long climb. As we ascened higher we could see bad weather skirting around the mountain. The winds started blowing pretty hard with wind gusts up to at least 30mph which threatened to blow me sideways. The climb up was pretty straight forward otherwise. The path was well worn. 4 of us reached Panorama Point seeking shelter from the high winds for our break. 30 minutes later the second group reached the point. From there we continued up towards Muir. The winds became worse and at 8700 ft a whiteout blew in and visibliity was about 5 feet. Jay, one of our guides, had taken compass readings and we turned around and descended along the compass bearing. Great intro as to why we need to be able to use a compass and map. You can't always see your destination.

Having worked at Paradise Lodge years ago I was very familiar with the way the weather on the mountain can change dramatically without warning. Today was a great lesson on how mountain conditions can change very quickly. I brought a sleeping bag, tent, and extra warm clothes just in case.........

It was a great attempt to reach Camp Muir. Its a 4000f t ascent. We made it 3300 ft before the weather turned us around. Thanks to Lee for leading the trip and to Jay for making sure that we made it down safely. Too bad he didn't get to use that snow board he carried up the mountain.

Saying by Rik Anderson " Some of my best climbs have been ones that I turned around on and didn't summit"

Climbing is about physical ability to climb but it is also about the physical abilities of the group as a whole and using your head to read situations and make the best decisions. The mountain has its own cycle and it doesn't care whether you want to "bag that peak". Our goal is to learn to read the changing landscape and make the best decisions. Summitting is the icing on the cake.