Artist Point Recap Written by Erin Gainey:
What a weekend! The mountain family finally got a chance to get back together after the holidays. All day long we dream about places to go and group text each other suggestions for our next adventure.
After seeing Mitch Pittman’s adventure up to Artist point in the snow, we were sold. We saw him at an outdoor event and he confirmed, we had to go. We had just been up to Artist point back in October but this trip would be different and an excuse to use all of our new gear.
We start our trips with a 5 am wake up call and a 6 am meet time. Jessi picked me up and my house and we were on the road to race Kim and Joe to the magical winter wonderland that awaited us.
As soon as we got to the parking lot and brought our bags out we just started laughing because they were about as big and full for an overnight trip as they were for our 4 day backpacking trip this past summer. That’s the point though .. winter camping is completely different. You need the right gear and it’s just flat out bulky.
We made it up the mountain in good time despite Kim and Joe deciding against snowshoes Still too soon? Almost at the ridge we noticed a few people turning around due to avalanches … they were minor but still necessary to take precaution. Jessi and I hurried to higher ground and out of the avalanche zone. Kim and Joe met up with us and we started to think we might be in a dull, moody whiteout. After being on the ridge for less than 20 minutes the skies parted and blue skies greeted us. This was just the beginning.
What a weekend! The mountain family finally got a chance to get back together after the holidays. All day long we dream about places to go and group text each other suggestions for our next adventure.
After seeing Mitch Pittman’s adventure up to Artist point in the snow, we were sold. We saw him at an outdoor event and he confirmed, we had to go. We had just been up to Artist point back in October but this trip would be different and an excuse to use all of our new gear.
We start our trips with a 5 am wake up call and a 6 am meet time. Jessi picked me up and my house and we were on the road to race Kim and Joe to the magical winter wonderland that awaited us.
As soon as we got to the parking lot and brought our bags out we just started laughing because they were about as big and full for an overnight trip as they were for our 4 day backpacking trip this past summer. That’s the point though .. winter camping is completely different. You need the right gear and it’s just flat out bulky.
We made it up the mountain in good time despite Kim and Joe deciding against snowshoes Still too soon? Almost at the ridge we noticed a few people turning around due to avalanches … they were minor but still necessary to take precaution. Jessi and I hurried to higher ground and out of the avalanche zone. Kim and Joe met up with us and we started to think we might be in a dull, moody whiteout. After being on the ridge for less than 20 minutes the skies parted and blue skies greeted us. This was just the beginning.
We set up camp, added a few layers and started to enjoy the views. I decided to test out my new InReach that my parents gave me for Christmas and unsponsored I am saying this device is incredible. Not only can I send a text and coordinates from anywhere in the world I can also receive communication back. My parents said the text comes in like normal from me along with a link that shows them on a satellite map exactly where I’m at. What a peace of mind and neat device!!
We noticed a few different pink shades of light hitting Mt. Shuksan and everyone on the ridge started to slow down and gather. An amazing display of colors started.
We noticed a few different pink shades of light hitting Mt. Shuksan and everyone on the ridge started to slow down and gather. An amazing display of colors started.
Of course we started trying to snap as many photos as possible and frustrated that none of them can truly capture the moment. We were all getting excited and yelling out loud .. “how did we get so lucky? How did we get so blessed? I can’t believe we live here.” … the mountains just kept screaming for attention and we all stopped to enjoy it.
Mt. Baker in all of her glory. After the sunset show we all settled in our tents to warm up and make dinner. I put my down booties on, hopped in my 0 degree bag and lit my jet boil to prepare my food. I was just beside myself with the feeling of accomplishment, emotion of joy and reward of stillness. After dinner we all started to gather again and Jessi wanted to try some Astrophotography of the stars and Mt. Shuksan. I would say from the shot below with the Big Dipper waving hello, she nailed it.
Jessi started to shoot and then she yelled out “Erin, come over here I think I caught the northern lights.” She sure did ...the more we looked at the sky with our naked eye and the more she took shots the more realized we had hit the jackpot. As Jessi was taking long exposures I was looking at Mt. Shuksan to try to be as still as possible. I saw 3 shooting stars just sitting there and it made me wonder, How can one not believe in God? He’s everywhere...his beauty, grace, strength and warmth shows up in big moments and small moments.
We woke up the next morning feeling refreshed, still excited and blessed. We traveled down the mountain just in enough time to beat the crowds. We’re still talking about this adventure and my guess is we’ll be talking about it for a long time.
