With all that is going on just across the water in Japan, nothing feels appropriate here. Maybe this image from 1950 can take our minds away from the mourning and fear, if just for a moment, as we root for the
Brave 50.
A mountaineer rappels down the face of Pinnacle Peak, circa 1950. Mt. Rainier in the background. This is often the safest means of descending a steep cliff of rock or ice. Doubled rope is looped around a tree trunk or rock projection at top so climber can pull it down when he finishes his descent.
Climber is Walter Gonnason of Seattle.
Mt. Rainier is 14,408 ft. high and glacier descending on this side is the Nisqually.
Most of the largest glaciers in the U.S. are on this mountain. Near bottom is large Paradise Inn and trails that surround it.
Image courtesy Washington State Digital Archives.
That’s really lovely, and appropriate. Thanks!
Love the image of the woman in sunglasses directly behind the rope in the climber’s left hand
That just gave me the shivers.