Jefferson Park July 2009

Mt Jefferson

Wendi graciously invited me along on her backpacking trip into Jefferson Park with Cece and Joe.

Dakota, Wendi, Cece, Joe.

Mt Jefferson from the PCT.

We hiked in on the Whitewater Creek trail to the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) and on to Russel Lake. This where we set up our base camp for the extended weekend.

Looking across Russel Lake to Park Ridge from our camp.

looking back to Mt Jefferson from our camp.

Joe proceeded to go for a swim in the frigged lake, while the rest of us setup camp and tried to relax while fighting off the mosquitoes. After dinner is when things started getting exciting. While setting up a bear line to hang our food, the rope got hung up in the tree. As I pulled it loose from the tree it dislodged its self, flying back and splitting my head open with the carabiner clipped to the end of the rope. Wendi helped doctor me up while Cece and Joe went back to their game of cribbage.

Cece, Wendi, and Dakota on our way up Park Ridge.

The next morning we made our way up Park Ridge. Unfortunately somewhere along the way we lost the trail. So we ended up bushwhacking our way up the to the top of the ridge. This turned out to be a little hard on Dakota (Wendi's dog).

View of Mt Jefferson from the top of Park Ridge.

By the time we got back to camp, the pads of Dakota's paws were pretty tore up and blistered. We were even thinking we may have to carry Dakota out the next morning. Dakota was a trooper, and pushed on despite the pain.

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The next morning, we all made it back to civilization and the 103 degree weather. This was a fun trip despite the injuries. I'm looking forward to the next adventure.

Grand Ronde River Float 6/17/09-6/21/09

I got a call from Ryan about a week in advance. "We're planning to run the Grand Ronde River next week, and we have an extra seat if you can go. It's looking to be a great trip! You really should come, it will be a lot of fun!!" Having some extra vacation time on hand, I requested the time off and started gathering my gear together.

We headed out early Wednesday morning. We arrived at the Minam State park about five hours later. The campground was empty except for a few overly tamed deer.

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Soon after getting our camp set up the campground began to fill up with other river goers. The next morning we were not the first to make it to the boat launch, but we still managed to squeeze out and get on the river ahead of the other groups.

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The timing of the trip was just about perfect for both water levels and the flowers being in bloom.

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Despite the rain almost every night, the weather was good during the day with the exception of the last day. This trip was a fun and relaxing good time.

Rooster Rock Hike 6/7/09

Wendi had just picked up a set of new macro filters for her camera and was looking to try them out. We decided to give Rooster Rock in the Table Rock Wilderness a try. There always seems to be a lot of fun and interesting things to photograph up there. As it turned out it we were still a few weeks early for the flowers to be in bloom (no real surprise), but we still managed to find a few early bloomers and other things to photograph.

Wendi offered to let me play with her camera, which was cool and a lot of fun. On the other hand, this meant that I didn't take many pictures with my own camera, and makes me want a DSLR even more than before.

The following pictures are some of the few that I managed to take with my camera. Enjoy!

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We had a great time despite the cool cloudy afternoon. I hope to make it back up here in a few weeks to catch the meadow when it's in full bloom.

Climbing Weekend at Leavenworth, WA

Memorial Day weekend, and what better excuse to go climbing in Leavenworth, WA. It was Greg, Jodie, Wendi, and I that had the weekend off and ready to get our climb on. A couple days before the trip, things changed and Jeremy was able to join us in our adventure.

Leaving PDX around 1:30pm we arrived in Leavenworth around 8pm. Camp sites had filled up quickly with it being an awesome holiday weekend. Luckily Dev got there earlier, and secured a campsite for the group.

The next morning we got up and enjoyed some breakfast burritos. Then made our way to the Pearly Gates area to get our climb on. It was a steep hike/scramble up from the Snow Creek trail head, but worth it. Lots of fun climbs.

The mangy goat guarding the crag.

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Wendi getting the feel for climbing granite

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Jeremy jamming his way up one of the days climbs.

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Jodie's turn to show us how it's done

Hay Wendi, no laying down on the job :-P

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Wendi on her way up and topped out on her first two pitch climb, with Ian on lead.

Nice job Wendi!!

Day two, we returned to the Pearly Gates to finish off the remaining climbs that had not been concurred the day before. Personally I would have liked to explore another area, but we still a good day of climbing.

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Jodie and Logan dealing with some crazy shenanigans.

The climb was about 3m longer than the rope. Oops!!

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Wendi's turn to give it a go.

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The goats were pretty chill with us around, as long as you didn't take a pee in front of them.

If you pee within eye or ear shot of the goats, they will charge you to lap up your pee.

(first hand knowlage!!)

On the way home Monday we took a detour, stopping at Tieton to check out the climbing there. Greg gave a trad lesson, showing how to place gear, setup anchors, and what not to those who where. This was a fun trip with great friends. Looking forward to the next Adventure. Until then, have fun and be safe...