2010
Mt. Rainier . . . or bust?
I shouldn’t be writing this blog post. I should be starting my first day of backpacking on the Wonderland Trail, a 90-mile path that circles Mt. Rainier in Washington state. But, to quote the famous Burns poem, “the best-laid schemes o’ mice an’ men gang aft agley” (the Scots have a remarkable way of torturing the English language—revenge for centuries of cultural repression, I suppose). Loose translation: shit happens. So, instead of experiencing the joys of the open trail and carrying my own house on my back, I am instead sitting in the dark interior of my home office, pecking away at my keyboard. The only mouse to be found is of the optical kind, and its only scheme (best-laid or otherwise) is to move the cursor around on my computer monitor.
Why, you ask, am I here and not gallivanting through the hills and dales of Mt. Rainier National Park? A conspiracy of sorts, I suppose. A cabal of circumstances—hiking partners dropping out, an unusually late and high snow pack in the mountains, late wildflower blooms, extortionate rental car costs, and cash flow issues—all came together in a perfect storm o’ scheme wrecking. So, here I am, scheming anew, trying to come up with a compensatory plan to ease the pain of having to cancel an adventure I have been dreaming of for years.
Well, I think I have come up with an acceptable consolation trip. Next week I’m taking my sea kayak up to the Apostle Islands on Lake Superior and hitting the water. The Apostles contain some incredible coastal scenery, complete with cavernous sandstone sea caves, towering sea stacks, rocky shores, and tranquil sandy beaches. I plan to spend a week or more exploring the wild backcountry of the Apostles, which should ease the sting of losing Rainier this year.
"The Sleeping Bear" - Rock formation on the shore of Lake Superior.
I spent some time kayaking the Superior coast last year, with a few days in the Apostle Islands and another few at Pictured Rocks in Michigan. I’ve been itching to get back ever since. As they say, when one door closes, another opens (or some such nonsense): now that my Rainier trip has been cancelled, I’ll get my chance to get back to the greatest of the Great Lakes.
So, my new motto is: Lake Superior or bust! Let’s just hope those pesky Scottish mice don’t interfere this time . . .
Interior of a sea cave, Apostle Islands, Lake Superior
More From Ian Plant Dreamscapes
Ian Plant's photographs and instructional articles have appeared in a number of books, calendars, and magazines, including Outdoor Photographer and Popular Photography. Ian writes a regular blog column for Outdoor Photographer online, and he is the author of numerous instructional eBooks and digital processing tutorials. Ian leads several photo tours each year.
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Sorry that you will not be able to make it to Mount Rainier. I was about to message you to try to meet up next week until I read your post. I totally hear you about people dropping out & ruining plans. And of course, coming up with the money on the limited budgets that we operate with is always a challenge. Please let me know if you make it next time. Best wishes.
Hey man, I should have totally thought of you when I was trying to decide what to do about my Rainier trip. I have a backcountry permit for 3 people for the next ten days . . . I was wracking my brains trying to think of someone in the Seattle area who might be fit enough for the Wonderland Trail who could join me . . . should have thought to ask you! Oh well, too late now . . . but next time I am out there I will definately let you know.
Bummer man! I was looking forward to living vicariously through your return posts. Keep an eye to the sky while you’re up there, high potential for aurora borealis in the north country currently. If the damn clouds ever leave Vermont I might get to shoot some.
Have fun, can’t wait to see the images.
thanks Kurt! Hopefully the aurora activity will still be going on when I get there, which probably won’t be for a few more days . . .
Hate Rainier didn’t work out for ya, I’m headed that way next week to visit a friend in Issaquah and taking 2 days or so to venture around the park (particularly Paradise). Next time you need a fill-in sherpa, let me know!
so jealous – good luck while you’re out there!
Sorry your Mt. Rainier trip didn’t pan out, but Lake Superior is an awfully good consolation prize – one of my favorite parts of the world! Have a great trip there!
BTW, where is the Sleeping Bear formation? This reminds me of the view from the ice caves between Bayfield & Cornucopia…
- Jack
Jack, the Sleeping Bear is on Bear Island (hence the title) – it’s the second farthest island, just before Devil’s Island
Ah, I see a certain logic to that… thanks!
:^D
- Jack
DUDE! That’s horrible. I’m headed to Rainier next week, but can only swing a couple of days. I wouldn’t be fit enough for the trail anyway, but it would have been killer to hook up for a day or two.
Next time for sure. Besides, I don’t think the flowers are going to be too hip this year. So far the season has been bad with a capital B.
I love your photography. I live in Pierce County about 60 miles from the Nisqually entrance to Mt. Rainier. Let me know a bit ahead and I am since I am retired if you need a hiking partner I can most likely hike along with you. I bet I could even provide pick up at SeaTac airport and we could discuss lodging. I know a couple of tricks to get food and beverage onto the trail in advance to lighten the load. Are you game?
Miles & Brad – next time I’m out there, you’re on! Would love to get together to hike and shoot