Dege Peak

In foreground overlooked by Mount Rainier: trail to Dege Peak along Sourdough Ridge.

Hiking at Sunrise is an entirely different exercise from hiking the cascade foothills. Instead of the 2,500-foot elevation at the top of the Tiger 3 trail, the climb to Dege Peak took John Anderson, Joan Tito and me to an elevation of 7,006 feet, according to Wikipedia. A sign at the trail head said we would be ascending 800 feet, but the visitor's center at Sunrise on Mount Rainier is 6,400 feet, so it sounds like the ascent is more on the order of 600 feet.

Regardless, it was a drudge for me, because I was bearing a 20-pound pack as well as a 20-pound weight vest. There were times I had to stop and wait to catch my breath.

Interestingly, my heart rate rarely, if ever, reached 120 bpm.

It was John's 73rd birthday today. This is his fourth hike with me, and he continues to improve. We have known each other since junior high school.

Joan and John took a break at Dege Peak for the view and a light lunch.

A view to the Northwest from Dege Peak

Through the trees, a view of mountains abutting the West side of Rainier

Statistics for the day:

Distance: 4.2 miles
Elevation gain: 600 feet (maybe 800)
Conditions: thin air at 7,000 feet
Load: 20 pounds of backpack and 20 pound weight vest.

Statistics, year to date:

Distance: 1455.00 miles

Elevation gain: 48,320 feet  -- 9,324 feet to my next Rainier.

A trailhead map of the hiking trails at Sunrise

A dead pika along the trail