Ex-soldiers taken on climb of their lives

Published 11:15 am Friday, April 20, 2012

The Monday article, “Army’s 10th Mountain Division responsible for modern-day skiing,” stirred memories.

The summer of 1946 found me and several other ex-GIs studying in the library at the University of Washington. One fellow mentioned that it was too hot to study; the summer had been extremely boring and maybe there was something they could do that would be more interesting. Another student spoke up and said, “Hey, I’ve got an idea. Why don’t we climb Mount Rainier?”

Well, believe it or not, that’s what we did. One of the fellows knew a couple of recently discharged 10th Mountain soldiers and he was sure they could get us up and down the mountain. We rented crampons and ice axes and on a cloudy day in August of ‘46, eight foolhardy guys (all of whom I’m sure had never climbed higher than the second floor of the library) started from Paradise Lodge to climb Mount Rainier.

The article credits the 10th Mountain Division for its involvement in skiing, but let me tell you, these guys are also experts at climbing mountains. They taught us to rest-step. This is done by straightening the leg after each step so you are actually resting half of the time. I also saw them save the life of one of our climbers by getting him stopped before he slid into a 2,000-foot crevasse.

Yes, we made it! Our names are inscribed at Register Rock at the top of the mountain. But if we hadn’t had the two Mountain Division soldiers to lead us up and down the mountain, I am sure I would not be writing this today. Thank you.

Jack Bartlett

Marysville