Top 5 Trip Reports - January 2025

Mountaineers started 2025 strong. (The bout of January sunshine sure didn't hurt.) Read on, dear friends, for a spilt pee bottle, the red-breasted sapsucker, Jupiter, dramatic contrast, and more. 

Winter overnight - Mazama Ridge - 1/11-13

"An extended weekend of winter camping at Mount Rainier!" -Colin Chapman

Highlights of this trip report include an inch of freshies, a day trip to Panorama Point, glorious sunrises, and equally glorious sunsets. Oh, and a spilt pee bottom, though I'm sure that didn't feel like a highlight.

Basic Snowshoe - Gold Creek Pond Basin - 1/11

"Easy snowshoe trip with bright moonlight." -Roseanne Lorenzana

Tag along for a headlamp snowshoe, featuring Jupiter, an (almost) full moon, bright stars, wispy clouds, and an overall just thrilling night sky. 

Day Hike - Margaret's Way - 1/11

"Glorious January weather on Squak Mountain, including great conversations and peeks through the fog at Debbie's View." -Courtenay Schurman

Read on for a delightful day hike including top-notch bird sightings. I'm talking about a downy woodpecker, tons of golden-crowned kinglets, a towhee, and the red-breasted sapsucker. 

Sea Kayak - Tacoma Narrows - 1/12

"The sun came out in places and we were treated to a rainbow over Tacoma." -Lisa Johnson

Read on for chop, smooth water, sunshine, gloom, wind, a rainbow treat, and (needless to say) dramatic contrast along the Tacoma Narrows. 

Ice climb - hubba hubba - 1/25

"The ice is thin in places but can be well-protected and takes ice screws well." -Paul Wade

Happy to report this ice climb delivered on both safety and fun. Tune in for stable avalanche conditions, cold weather, and good ice on (my personally new favorite route name) Hubba Hubba. 

Want to see more top trip reports? Check out our Top Trip Reports Library to get ideas for next week, next month, or next year!