What?

So a week before we're scheduled to leave, Brian leaves me a voice mail. It goes something like this.

Play Messages
Brian: Dude this is Brian, give me a call when you get a chance.
Me: Hmmm...Doesn't sound that urgent....I'll call him later.

Delete Message...Next Message
Brian: Hey, man, it's me, give me a call when you have time.
Me: I need to call him and see what's going on.

Delete Message....Next Message
Brian: Hey, I have some news about my doctor visit.
Me: What the hell is going on? I better call him.

Conversation:
Me: Hey, what is happening?
Brian: Uh...I'm in the hospital.
Me: What? Why? (sounding very surprised)
Brian: Remember that pain in my calf? It's a blood clot...
Me: What? (huh.....)
Brian: Yea, deep vein thombosis, and the scan they did shows I have several in my lungs.
Me: No...f*cking way.... (Now I can't believe it.)
Brian: Yep...so the trip is over for me.
Me: No....You're shitting me right? A week before we're supposed to leave?
Brian: Yep, paid for and everything.
Me: Jesus H Christ....What would have happened if you didn't go to the Doc?
Brian: I'm not sure, but it might have been pretty bad, especially @ 20K feet.
Me: Uh, yea, I guess so.

Another arrow in my quiver of footwear?

When you get into the outdoor activities, you somehow end up with a lot of outdoor gear. For example I have several pairs of boots. These are lightweight day hiker Nikes. They weigh 1 lb each. I paid about 100 bucks for them in Oregon.

These are my standard hiking boots, now. They are Asolos, I paid about 179 for them, at Mountain Gear in Spookaoo, they weigh 1 lb, 14 ozs. They are the MOST comfortable boot I own.These are my winter boots. They are a mixed climbing boot, the Kayland Super Ice's. They were on sale @ Feathered Friends, for 299. They weigh 2 lbs 11 oz each. Full shank, waterproof with Thinsulate lining. I think they are a perfect Cascade range boot. These are my newest boot, the Vasque 9000's. They are warm and light. All you want in a double boot. They weight a little less than 4 lbs each.

I consder myself a pretty good gear head. I try to be in the know of everything that is out there for Bikes, Mountain Bikes, Climbing, Hiking and sometimes Kayaking. However, clearly as I grow older, I am unable to keep up with the most current trends, and this is most evident with footwear. Mother Mary Jesus H Christ, How in the hell did I miss out on these?

Good God, do the come in pink?

Mt Baker

So, it's time to climb Baker. Mid-morning departure @ the Heliopolis Parking Lot.
Baker and wildflowers on the way up.

Brian really struggling to make it to Hogsback ridge. As a result, we have to abandon our quest for the top. Later that week, we find out why. I considerd going solo, but thought it was better to stay @ camp. Sunset with Mt. Baker in the background.

I am scarfing the Starbucks Pumpkin Scone I left in my truck the day before. I thought about it, the entire way down, hoping it wasn't too dried out to eat. Man I was prepared for a major bum out if it was hard as a rock. It wasn't, and I ate it in 2 bites.

BTW, in my opinion, Mt Baker area is MUCH prettier (more trees, better scenery, more mountains in the distance) and nicer (not as many people, more rustic) as Rainier.

Happy Birthday Fish Sauce!

My pride and joy, and the best dog in the world, just turned 7 years old. Kuri, aka, Kur-Dog, aka Missy, aka Fish Sauce, aka Woo Magoo, aka Furry Kuri, aka Diver Doodle the underwater Poodle, aka Chessa-dork, aka Big Dog. This photo was taken @ Lake Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

This is the "you are NOT taking my toy" look.

This is the baby when she was just 8 weeks old. They grow up SO fast!

Rainier Climb

I get asked quite frequently (by folks who know I climb a little) "Have you climbed Rainier...Have you climbed Rainier? Have you"....enough already. Time to do something about it.

Departure @ the parking lot. I am sporting my newly purchased top of the line, state of the art, Arc'teryx Naos 55 backpack. I've used it a couple times, and have been very impressed. OK, on with the climb.

So, since they are rebuilding Paradise Lodge, most of the parking lot is closed down, so they have to shuttle people in and out. What a zoo! When they get done, Paradise will be FANTASTIC!

Me @ Camp Muir, mid-day. It was warm (hot?) there on the snow field in the sun.

We left camp Muir @ 10K feet @ midnight, and basically made the slog to the top. Went non-stop at a good moderate, steady pace, and got to the top @ about 7am. We passed all sorts of people sitting in the snow, right next to trail. What were they doing?

Anyway...Brian did really well, I neglected to eat anything all night so I pretty much bonked @ 5am in the morning about 13K in elevation. Somehow I was able to push on, and get to the top. We stayed for a couple of hours eating and drinking some water, and headed down @ 9am. Got back to Muir 1pm, and back to the car @ 4pm Sunday. Overall, Rainier is a good conditioning climb, but so much more of the Cascades have so much to offer.