Up the mountain with Edward Abbey – Intro

I’ve been spending a fair bit of time this week working on some mountain writing, specifically looking at Mount Rainier. I’m supposed to be writing some route descriptions and narratives about various hiking and mountain biking opportunities (and I am, I swear I am), as well as a few other projects.

Next year, for example, I hope to climb the mountain again, and write a series of articles on what the entire process entails, from physical preparation to gear to the actual climb itself. I’m already enjoying the idea of it; I believe it will be a learning experience.

Also, with the whole Carbon River access question in the news right now – “Should the road be rebuilt or not?” – I’ve thought a bit about what access really means. Access for whom? For what? Does more roadway mean more value, when it comes to a National Park, or less? I thought of Edward Abbey, some of the things he had to say on the subject. (Note to self: read some more Abbey soon.)

Although it’s been 15 years since the last time, I’ve climbed Rainier a couple of times before, and had a few other attempts end unsuccessfully. As it’s been on my mind lately, I went back and reread a piece I wrote years ago about one of the latter trips, an article that was written on spec and never published. I’m going to post it here, over the course of the next three days, and see if there are any answers in it.