Nonna and I joke that this Mt. Shuksan ski trip (June 1992) was our “first date”.  In fact we were pretty familiar at that point, and had done a trip or two together with others.  But yup, it was our first night alone together....although shivering in our bags at the edge of the Sulphide Glacier dampened any amorous spirit we might have felt.   And it was a long way up to that point through the woods with gear and skis on our backs.  And we left the stove behind to save weight, so dinner wasn’t up to our usual standard.  And we wanted to be moving before dawn so we could get off the glacier before it softened up too much.  You get the idea.  Most of all, I was hoping for a few good hours of sleep.

 

As the sun rose, we got our first good view of what we had come for.  A high snow year and warm late-spring weather made for an easy ascent and some great skiing on the way down.  

 

From the top of the glacier, we ascended the summit cone on the Southeast Ridge, a relaxed and casual climb.  All in all, it was a great first date experience.