Mailbox Peak — Saturday, Mar. 24, 2018

I climbed with the Recovery Beyond Paradigm team, about 20 in total, split into two climb parties.  There has been quite a bit of recent snowfall, and (driving from Tacoma Hwy 18) there was snow on the ground from Maple Valley on. Our vehicles did not need chains or 4WD despite the snow and ice. We had planned to ascend via the old trail and descend on the new trail, but climbed the new trail both ways.  The trail was well marked from earlier climbers (08:00 start); trekking poles advised the entire way. We put on micro spikes at the junction of the old/new trails for the final ascent. These were adequate, although a few other climbers were using crampons at that point. Still a lot of snow at the top compared to our climbs about this time of year previously, as illustrated in the photos.  This was a training climb for upcoming Mt. Baker and Mt. Rainier summit attempts; conditions were especially well suited.  We had a great time!