Went on a lovely hike on Tuesday with my nephew to the Sunrise corner of Mt. Rainier. We hike all the way to the 3rd summit of Burroughs Mt., which is essentially a long tundra ridge peaking at 7800' that sits just a few thousand feet from the north face of Mt. Rainier. Mt. Rainier itself is an incredible mountain - over 14,000' high, starting pretty much at sea level - my understanding is that it has greater vertical relief than Mt Everest from its surroundings.
I strapped my 8x30 SFLs on at the beginning of the hike using a trusty Rick Young basic harness - a minimum viable product if there ever was one. I bonded with these bins in a way I hadn't before. Light and small enough to pretty much disappear for the nine miles and 2500' vertical of the hike's duration, they provide a big bin experience.
Some highlights:
I strapped my 8x30 SFLs on at the beginning of the hike using a trusty Rick Young basic harness - a minimum viable product if there ever was one. I bonded with these bins in a way I hadn't before. Light and small enough to pretty much disappear for the nine miles and 2500' vertical of the hike's duration, they provide a big bin experience.
Some highlights:
- Pair of Prairie Falcons playing around - high in the sky, next to their apparent nesting area, all with the stunning backdrop of the Rainier glaciers
- Baby Mountain Chickadees cavorting in firs
- Funny little duo of juvie Horned Lark and American Pipit - great close looks
- Hoary Marmots running around