I promise I started this blog with the best of intentions, only to get distracted by.. life. In the (long) time since my last post, I’ve changed living situations, gone backpacking, done some outdoor climbing, and separated my shoulder in a ridiculous bike accident. I figured I’d do a short review in picture form, since I’m typing this all one-handed.
Shortly before my last post I hightailed it down to Terrebonne for some outdoor climbing. I went with a friend who far eclipses me in terms of skill, but patiently led me one some multi-pitch sport routes. We also happened to run into my climbing guru (the man who led me on the climb which resulted in my black eye – the one for which I’m famous throughout the Mazamas) who led us on some trad routes and let me clean them.
Taken at the bottom of the final pitch of Brogan Spire.
Clearly very pleased with myself and the beautiful backdrop.
I also met a very talented photographer with whom I became fast friends – Andrew. I’ve made him promise to accompany me on as many hikes, backpacking trips, and climb as possible, in order to have some good-looking photo documentation of my adventures. He’s an aspiring mountaineer and even “looks up to” me. It’s hard to keep from laughing sometimes.
We decided in mid-January to go up to Olympic National Park and backpack along the Hoh River. The Hoh Rainforest is supposed to be one of the wettest spots in the country and is mere spitting distance from.. FORKS, WASHINGTON. No sparkly vampire sightings, though. We were incredibly blessed with beautiful weather the first day, but long stretches of completely submerged trails and some sketchy water crossings.
Early on and still mostly dry. (Photo by Andrew)
Could this look any more artificial? (Photo by Andrew)
Photo by Andrew. Obviously.
I then dragged Andrew with me on a climb of Mt. St. Helens in mid-February. My first winter climb and his first ascent of a glaciated peak! We had bluebird skies and the best possible company.
Andrew’s phenomenal pano which is currently my work computer’s desktop wallpaper.
My friend Matt’s glorious and faithful dog – Roscoe – who snuggled with me at night to keep me warm. (Photo by Andrew)
Taken from camp. (Photo by Andrew)
Our group, with Andrew in front.
I even got to make Greg’s dream of Summit Boggle come true. Also, I won with “armoire.” (Photo by Andrew)
*You can find more of Andrew’s wonderful photography at his website.
As I write this, the climb schedule for the summer has been released and a printed copy is sitting on my desk, covered in notes scrawled in the margins, stars next to big climbs, and highlighter swathes to remind myself of what I just HAVE to climb. It’s an exciting time of year for me, filled with hours spent rearranging my calendar and saying goodbye to any semblance of a social life.
If all goes well, my darling readers (by which I mean.. you know, six of my friends) will be regaled with stories of Mt. Adams, Hood (again), Rainier, Olympus, Shasta, Jefferson, Middle and North Sister, Three Fingered Jack, and as many more as I can possibly cram into three and a half months.
Climb on!
It appears that the hiatus was merely punctuated.