Tonga Ridge Snowshoe, Mt. Rainier, USA: Adventure on the side of a glacier!
Snowshoeing Tonga Ridge on the Nisqually Glacier is a 7 mile roundtrip, 1400’ elevation gain adventure, that takes you extremely close to the summit of Mt. Rainier! When I went with my friend Pete, I’d never gone snowshoeing before, and it’s a BLAST.
(I borrowed a pair of snow shoes, but you can rent them for $15-$25 for a few days if you don’t want to commit to buying a pair right off the bat. Local outdoors outfitters, like Ascent in Seattle, usually rent equipment for newbies!)
Somehow, in the middle of the rainy season in the Pacific Northwest, we lucked out and showed up to snowshoe on a crystal clear day that gave us views for as far as the eye could see. Days like this always remind me why I chose to live in this part of the world!
Every part of this journey was magical, nothing but beautiful views and peaceful quiet. I snapped all these photos on my old iPhone and didn’t touch any of them up--so you’re getting an unfiltered perspective on this hike!
And there she is. Mt. Rainier ascends to 14,410’ above sea level and is the most glaciated peak in the contiguous US, feeding 6 rivers! Hiking to the summit is the stuff of legend for hard-core hikers. Tonga Ridge gets you really, really close. There it is!
I’ll leave you with this cool snap of Pete out on the mountain. I couldn’t get over the amazing white/blue color contrast out on the trail. Mt. Rainier is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful places in Washington. Get out there, y’all!
Hi friend! I’m almost brand-new here, just over a week! I’m releasing content every day as part of @MarkRMorrisJr’s #DolphinSchool Bootcamp along with 20 other awesome emerging authors. Check out the project!
I’ll be using steemit to share thoughts on artistic practice, arts opportunities, equity, my personal projects, and other fun things happening in my world (like hiking!) For something outside of my photos, try my RURAL free-write. See you around! -- @lilyraabe
Very cool. I have always wanted a pair of snow shoes but I have never been able to bring myself to spend the money on some. It looks like you are having a great time with yours. Fantastic pictures by the way! -@bozz
Cool very nice photos!
Thank you so much for stopping by and saying so!
Those are some incredible, and stunning photos. Wow, I always say nature is our greatest artist and your photos explain why.. Wow just wow.
I bet these kinds of walks truly heal your soul. Amazing sun shining and beautiful nature around you. And, you only needed snowshoes to experience it. It does get much better then that doesn't it?
Thank you for sharing these amazing photos with us. Have an amazing day, and welcome to our little SteemEngine group. :)
P.S.- I always leave long comments on peoples post. Just a little fun fact about me. This I consider a short comment. :) lol
Hey there! Thank you so much for hopping over from Steem Engine to say “Hi” and leave a short post. ;)
I do a lot of social justice and business development day to day, so my mind gets fill to the brink with documents, emails, and complicated issues that are hard to “leave at the office”. Getting outdoors and unplugging from everything (bonus if my cell phone has no reception) is the best way for me to decompress.
So good for the soul! Will check out your blog too. See you around! @lilyraabe
I hope I get to go mountain climbing someday.
Oh, it should definitely be on your bucket list!
That is gorgeous! I've gone showshoeing once and that was pretty fun, through a foresty snow, but this... would be so much better! 7 miles does sound a bit long, but totally worth it. Really nice views!
It was definitely a bit long...but we were spoiled and had a hot tub at the cabin we stayed at to relax those muscles after the trek! Thanks for stopping by. :)
This is beautiful. I have been born in the mountains and I love all the high places. My only glacier I have visited so far is Vorab in Swiss Alps. One benefit of Vorab is that it is a skiing run as well. One of the best feelings I have ever had was that descent. You start at the top of the glacier and go down through the clouds. The ski run is connected all the way from the top of the glacier to the village where hotels and apartments are. I went for the full run and descent has lasted for two hours of non stop skiing. This place reminds me of the time spent there! :D
Wow, that sounds incredibly beautiful. I just tried snowboarding for the first time this winter and have never been on skis, so I’d be a little scared of that run probably--but it’s something to aspire to! :)
And how did you like snowboarding? I have never tried it but I intend to. My aunt has taught me how to ski so I fist wanted to perfect that before moving to snowboard. :)
Wow these views are breathtaking!!! The only mountains I’ve ever seen were in Colorado, Springs. There is just so much beauty in nature. Thank you for sharing these amazing shots with us. I think it’s cool that you can rent the snow shoes as an alternative to buying a pair :)
Hey! Thank you for stopping by and checking them out! Mountains are a pretty essential part of who I am, I don’t know if I could live very far away from them, haha. I just checked out your blog and saw the homeschool article. :) Looking forward to seeing more of you around the steemosphere. Cheers! @lilyraabe
Absolutely my pleasure! Wow that is so cool! So I’m guessing you never get tired of looking at them! I know I wouldn’t if I lived by some. I really think they are the most breathtaking site I have ever witnessed in nature.
Thank you so much for visiting and supporting my blog! I look forward to seeing you around too!! 😃
Gorgeous!!! There's nothing like pristine snow and blue sky. And an adventure on Mt. Rainier?! Wow! Lucky you! Thanks for posting so I could come along too. :)
Thanks for saying so! Blue sky, white snow is indeed a divine combination!
wow these pics are amazing! Wish I could go out there they sky is a blue I dont think I have ever seen before almost magical!
Definitely magical. :)
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