On a sad note, we learned via local news that three had died on Mt. Rainier's Liberty Ridge on the day of our arrival. It gave us pause, as it always does. A few days later, three would die on Mt. Hood after three teams fell into the bergschrund on that mountain's South Side route. A helicopter then crashed (all six aboard it miraculously survived) into the mountain while attempting a rescue. Brian and I spent a decent amount of time on our trip calling loved ones and assuring them that we were a) okay and uninvolved in any drama, b) not insane for continuing to climb.