Summit lake with some Hikerbabes!

Thanks to the WTA hike of the week Facebook post Natalie and I planned a trip south to the Rainier valley to hike Summit lake. A couple hiker babes Amanda and Emi joined us for a beautiful snowy adventure. I can't wait for more summer exploration and sites filled of wildflowers. It is a long trek for us but totally worth it. Couldn't have asked for better weather, a blue bird day with the sun shining bright enough to leave me with pink cheeks! We expected a lot deeper snow and contemplated bringing snow shoes but were surprised to find the trail mostly just compact and icy. Again I am amazed how many other unprepared hikers we run into on the trail with kids and in only tennis shoes and no traction device. ouch, not worth the risk of slipping. I was thankful for my micro spikes which  I still say are the best purchase I have ever made. Natalie however rocked her snowshoes most of the trip which where comical to watch but better than nothing! 

A relatively easy ascent 5 miles round trip with only 1200 ft elevation gain. The lake was completely frozen over! We continued onward up the ridge for the most rewarding views of Mt Rainier. Many photo opps ensued  and the obligatory hiker babes topless pic of course :)

Amanda and I

Natalie rocking her snowshoes

SUMMIT LAKE

We had a limited time frame for hiking because Amanda who provided the 4 wheel drive had to be back to work at 5 as an athletic trainer. As per usual we pushed it to the last minute and she was rushing back to make it to work on time. It was an unusual event that she was providing coverage for that night, the west coast quid ditch championship!! Thats right, you heard me...Quiditch, exactky replicated from Harry Potter. Its a real thing. Major universities all over the US have legit teams. I have never heard of anything like it so we had to go and see what it was all about. 

Stopping for a quick bite at Red Robin Natalie and I met Amanda at the strafer complex to watch he completion on the tournament. We laughed our asses off as we watched college age adults running around with brooms in between their legs. Not just any broom either, only an official league approved broom with suffice.  The perfect combination of dodgeball, tag, handball, and other sports there is a ton of strategic planing and skill required. Anything goes, the opponents are able to tackle and it was actually quite brutal.  . . who knew!