Generic

Hello! I am Chris Dessert. The entire purpose of this site is to promote my love of mountaineering, especially here in the climbing paradise of Washington State.

The year 2006 is here, and I have a full agenda for each coming month. Take a look at the navigation bar to the left to peruse my tentative schedule of climbs. When the hyperlink appears active it means i've finished the climb and you can peruse the trip report and pictures.

This is what I live for! Let's hope for a productive year, full of successful peakgrabs, early morning rises, amazing sunsets, and most of all, safe climbing.

See ya on the rock!

Chris

A Tribute To Ed Miller

August 9, 2006

On Monday at about 8am a 49 year old hiker by the name of Ed Miller fell off of a ridge along Mt. Formidable in the North Cascades. He was a climbing buddy and, more importantly, a friend of mine.

He was a very important figure in my climbing past. A few years ago, I knew I wanted to hike and scramble, but I didn't know anyone to go out with. I met Ed on a hiking website, nwhikers.net, and we agreed to go out. I didn't know much about scrambling and climbing, and he showed me everything he knew.

In 2004, when I fell near Vesper Peak and gouged my head on a rock, it was Ed who bound my wound and walked me back to the trailhead.

He had enormous natural talent, and a frenetic amount of energy. On climbs, we could hardly keep up with him. I used to tease that he was our 'scout', as he'd often go out ahead, scout out the correct route and come back down to lead us up. He took me up some mountains that I would never have dreamed climbing without him. I developed alot of my self-confidence on trips with him.

He was a humble guy, almost shy. He didn't always say much, but he had this excitement pouring out of him whenever we went out.

He was a great photographer, with one, or even two cameras strapped to his chest on all of our trips.

I haven't quite figured out how to process his passing. It doesn't seem real to me. I can't believe that I won't experience again his excitement before a climb, or rely on his frenetic energy on a hard ascent. All I can say is that he was loved and he will always be remembered by many.

Ed Millers Website

Seattle PI Article

Discussion about Ed's Death from friends and climbers

Scott Harder's tribute page

Photos of Ed from the local hiking community

Memories of Ed Miller






		(Image caption)	(Image caption)

"The mountains have rules. they are harsh rules, but they are there, and if you keep to them you are safe. A mountain is not like men. A mountain is sincere. The weapons to conquer it exist inside you, inside your soul."

- Walter Bonatti.

Past Adventures:

2005

2004