Photo: Karis and I headed to Mt Hood today with snowshoes. Conditions were perferct - p e r f e c t! Sunshine, slight breeze, blue skies, new snow. These snow-drenched trees were along the route to the Camp Creek/Glade Trail.
"Such days are rare," said Glade. "Use 'em or lose 'em." (Opportunities, 1217, 2010)
Photo: Karis is taking a rest in the sun along the lower section of the Glade Trail.
"To survive this journey, ya gotta have the right stuff." (Kibbles & Bits, 1220, 2010)
Photo: Cascade ski lift at Ski Bowl. There's a lot of new snow on the slopes just waiting for a little action.
"It never rains below 32 degrees," replied Tamanawas. "Just one more reason to seek higher ground." (Snow Zone, 1128, 2010)
Photo: The trail to Multipor Mountain. Sixteen snowshoes making their way quietly through the forest...
"Go ahead, test yourself," said Sahalie. "Find out what you really believe." (Confronting Giants, 1130, 2010)
Photo: Hamilton Mountain, on the Washington State side of the Columbia River near Bonneville Dam. There's a lot of intersting detail in this photo if you know what to look for: eight miles of spectacular views, several world-class waterfalls, delightful wooden crossings, unique (exposed) ridgelines, deciduous and evergreen forests, and in this photo there's even a splash of sunshine.
"I'm much more interesting than you think," replied Hamilton. "To know Me is to love Me." (Friendships, 1203, 2010)
Photo: This is Cpl Rex Medlen on his way to the summit of Zig Zag Mt. We were the only ones on the mountain, and our prints were the first in this early snow. Words cannot do an experience like this justice.
"Don't try this without snowshoes!" warned Zig Zag. (The Path Less-Traveled, 1113, 2010)
Photo: The beautiful Poplar, adorned in gold among the evergreens. We came across this sight on the way to Rainy Lake.
"If I were you, I'd take my boots off," whispered Moses. (Forest Fires, 1108, 2010)
Photo: I took this photo on the approach to the summit of Zig Zag Mt. The marvel of the watching the autumn colors change is an interesing experience.
"Watch and learn," said ZigZag. "Everyone has one last lap around the track." (Finish Lines, 1110, 2010)
Photo: The new Zig Zag Mountain Trail sign at the saddle above Burnt Lake.
"No other tracks... interesting." mused Zig Zag. "The trail is certainly well marked." (Personal Decisions, 1116, 2010)
Photo: Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach, shortly before sunset.
"Step into the Light, please!" (Last Chance, 1024, 2010)
Photo: Took Thursday off and went back to the beach. There's a pleasant three mile trail from Ecola Park to Indian Beach that need some one to walk it.
"Some day even the ocean will be at rest." (The Last Tsunami, 1029, 2010)
Photo: Fallen maple leaf in Multnomah Creek (above the falls).
"We all reach the end of the road at some point," said Autumn. "And then what?" (Time Travelers, 104, 2010)
Photo: I found this vine maple near the trail head to Tamanawas Falls. It marks the coming of Autumn, as few can.
"Change is imminent," warned Autumn. "These are the final signs." (Ready Or Not, 1013, 2010)
Photo: Lupine, Paintbrush and buttercups along the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) in Obsidian Basin.
"I don't get it," said the city slicker. "Yea, I know." came the reply. (Seed Pods, 917, 2010)
Photo: It's early, maybe 5:30 AM, and I'm standing in the shadow of the Sisters (North and Middle) looking due west.
"The Morning Star will arrive soon," said Dawn, "and then there will be no shadows." (A New Day is Coming, 904, 2010)
Photos: 1) Rex is enjoying the view from the summit of Middle Sister at 10,047 elev. On this trip four of us covered 26 miles through Obsidian Basin, ascended a total of 7,400 feet of elevation and scampered up Middle Sister from a base camp at Arrowhead Lake. 2) This GPS track shows our exact route over 3 days and 2 nights.
"A few hundred yards. I don't think this will rattle me the next time," wrote Rex, "especially since this was ice, and when I used the sharp end of my axe, it didn't want to come out, so I could have arrested a fall." (Rattled, 827, 2010)
Photo: Left is Ed, center is Adam (the toughest guy on the hike/climb). They both slept in bivy sacks, Rex used a mini-tent and I hung from the trees in a Hennessey hammock.
"Mountains are easier to climb if you take your time," said McKensie. (Rest & Refuel, 830, 2010)
Photo: That's Ed, with Middle Sister in the background. We're waiting for the alpenglow, that moment when the upper snow fields reflect the colors of the sunset.
"Light changes everything in its path," explained McKensie. (Origin of Auras, 0829, 2010)
Photo: Here's what my Canon Camera saw when I pointed it at the sunset on the evening of the Scott Lake forest fire (Monday). We spotted the fire as we were descending from the summit of Middle Sister. The sun a brilliant (electric) red. It was spectacular.
"Fire is both dangerous and beautiful," warned McKensie. "It purifies and destroys." (Don't Get Smoked, 825, 2010)
Coe
Photo: You're looking into the crevasses of Coe Glacier, dangerous obstacles I refer to as "crevasse tombs." We are about 3,000 feet from the summit of Mt Hood.
"Beautiful, awesome, terrifying...," replied Coe. "Those who do not fear me are fools." (The Myth of Favoritism, 0730, 2010)
Interwest
Photo: Artwork in Zihuatanejo at the Interwest Resort.
"Art is always the human re-creation of something that already exists in nature." (Original Copyrights, 0403, 2010)
White Oak Grove
Photo: White Oak grove on the Sylva Creek trail.
"I found myself in an unusually quiet place this afternoon. I did 'nt realize how important it was until I settled down." (Journal, March 24, 2010)
Zihuatanejo
Photo: Palm tree silouette during sunset at Madera Beach.
"Day dreams and sunsets belong together," said Madera, "like red zinfandel and Tuscany cheese." (Clearing the Mind, 0311; 2010)
Palms
Photo: Palm trees on playa del ropa in Zihuatanejo. I was told Zihuatanejo used to be a coconut farm. Sure looks that way to me.
"No. I do not know how to make a coconut!" Replied the scientist. "Well, I grow them here on the beach," said Guerra. "Would you like to try one?" (Coconuts and Cuckoo-clocks, 0316, 2010)
