Signing off!

Turns out I'm not much of a blogger, sorry! You can keep up with my goings-on on Facebook, and check my photo website hikersteve.smugmug.com for pictures. Thanks!

--Steve

5/02/09 Grand Ridge

 

4/25/09 Mountaineers & Magnuson Spring Festival

May & June hikes & more

Thankfully, another tax season has come and gone without too much stress, and I am able to enjoy spring! Here's what's coming up:

Sun. 5/3 - I'm co-leading a CHS hike to Poo Poo Point/West Tiger 3. CHS alumni welcome if the hike doesn't fill up by Fri. 5/1.

Thu. 5/21 - A talk about the joys and challenges of hiking the Stehekin area at the hikers potluck & slideshow, 6:15 p.m. at the Seattle clubhouse. Nonmembers welcome.

Sun. 5/24 - I'm co-leading a club hike with Mary Rohlman to Yakima Skyline Ridge.

Sun. 5/31 - I'm leading a BWT hike to Carbon River Road/Ranger Falls/Green Lake. BWT alumni welcome if the hike doesn't fill up by Fri. 5/29.

Wed. 6/3 - I'll be at the new members meeting, 7:00 p.m. at the Seattle clubhouse. If you have hiking friends who might be interested in joining the Mountaineers, send 'em our way!

Sun. 6/7 - I'm co-leading a CHS hike to Fragrance Lake/Lost Lake in Larrabee SP. CHS alumni welcome if the hike doesn't fill up by Fri. 6/5.

Sun. 6/14 - I'm co-leading a CHS hike to Esmerelda Basin/Fortune Creek Pass. CHS alumni welcome if the hike doesn't fill up by Fri. 6/12.

Hope to see you on the trails. Cheers!

--Steve

P.S. I'm participating in this year's LiveStrong Challenge event. If you're able to help out with a donation of any size to the Lance Armstrong Foundation, please click here. 

4/21/09 - Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

4/17/09-4/19/09 Columbia Gorge Weekend

4/12/09 Dungeness Spit

A brave and defiant group of eight hikers met up at 7:10 on Easter Sunday for the first Edmonds-Kingston ferry of the day, bound for Dungeness Spit. The Sequim rain shadow spared us as soon as we hit the trails, and we only had a sprinkle on the way back to the cars. Managed to catch both our intended ferries with time to spare, and had a decent meal at the Snug Harbor Cafe (beer and wine available, go for the the burger or fresh items, avoid the fried). 

4/05/09 Rattlesnake Ledge

Photo: Snow at Rattlesnake Ledge didn't stop these folks from zooming up the trail on yesterday's CHS hike. 

My friend Jennie is on codeine and antibiotics, getting over the crud and trying not to cough up a lung! I filled in for her to lead a small group up to Rattlesnake Ledge. This was the first weekend of hikes for the Conditioning Hiking Series -- we're offering 18 (!) in April to accommodate 74 participants (!!). On this day I met just four of them.

I've been to the main ledge several times, but another group had been here the day before and the leader suggested continuing on to the middle and upper ledges. Now that I know those less-crowded options, I'll definitely include them on future trips! The parking lots closest to the trailhead had plenty of space when we arrived at 8:00 a.m. -- by the time we got back at 10:30, they were full, with cars lining the road. Our cold, wet winter weather had taken a break for the weekend, so rather than join up for a post-hike meal, the group scattered to make the most of the sunny day. 

3/29/09 Beginners Rock Day at Vantage

Photo: Daughter Jo takes to climbing like a fish to water. 

I've always said that if it involves a rope or helmet or an ice axe you could count me out. I believe that more strongly now that I've seen rock climbing up close!

Jo has wanted to try "real" rock climbing -- none of that sissy gym rock wall stuff -- for a long time now. The Mountaineers' Trailhead program and my injured shoulder provided the perfect set of excuses -- I went along to chaperone and take pictures! 

Ken Hahn and his merry band of belayers took nine inexperienced rock climbers to The Feathers near Vantage to give them a taste. Jo was a natural -- I think she attempted 15 climbs on several short routes that day, and only two routes kicked her butt. Although the weather in Seattle was dark and wet, we enjoyed sunshine for our entire time East of the pass. By noon the small "parking lot" at The Feathers was fairly packed, and nearly every route had a team to claim it. There were climbers aged four to sixty-four, lightweights side-by-side with hardcases -- not too different from a typical hiking crowd, just a different kind of activity!

Tempted though we were to join the group for Mexican food and margaritas in Cle Elum, our carpool driver had to get back to Seattle. We did make a quick stop at Ginko Petrified Forest State Park on the way back -- this would make an interesting side trip combined with the Wild Horse Monument and Columbia River Overlook if you have time on your way to points in Eastern Washington.

April & May hikes and other goings on

Photo at left: Heidi Leads the Way, Ebey's Landing. Click here for more photos. 

The physical therapists have worked their magic, and things are getting back to normal! I'm back at the gym, back on the bike, and almost ready for a full pack. Had a great hike last Saturday at Green Mountain SF, where we got in about 11 miles and 2200 feet of gain. Now if we can get some of that snow to melt so we can get back into the mountains! Here's what's coming up:

Now through April 15th - Come have your tax return prepared and e-filed for free during the United Way of King County Free Tax Preparation Campaign! Click here for more info.

Wed. 4/1 - I'll be at the new members meeting, 7:00 p.m. at the Seattle clubhouse. If you have hiking friends who might be interested in joining the Mountaineers, send 'em our way!

Thu. 4/9 - Hike Leader Seminar, 7:00 p.m. at the Seattle clubhouse. Nonmembers welcome. This is part of the process for becoming a trip leader for the Seattle branch, but anyone interested in learning more about leadership and group dynamics will benefit.

Sat. 4/25 - Mountaineers & Magnuson Park Spring Festival, 10:00 a.m.. The club and several other outdoor organizations are throwing the doors open to the public for the day. Details coming soon.

Sun. 4/26 - I'm tentatively joining a club photography trip to the Woodland Park Zoo.

Thu. 4/30 - Amy and John Osaki will have a presentation about hiking the mountain ranges of Europe at the hikers potluck & slideshow, 6:15 p.m. at the Seattle clubhouse. Nonmembers welcome.

Sun. 5/3 - I'm leading a CHS hike to Poo Poo Point/West Tiger 3. CHS alumni welcome if the hike doesn't fill up by Fri. 5/1.

Thu. 5/21 - A talk about the joys and challenges of hiking the Stehekin area at the hikers potluck & slideshow, 6:15 p.m. at the Seattle clubhouse. Nonmembers welcome.

Sun. 5/31 - I'm leading a BWT hike to Carbon River Road/Ranger Falls/Green Lake. BWT alumni welcome if the hike doesn't fill up by Fri. 5/29.

Please be safe and have fun. Cheers!

--Steve

P.S. I'm participating in this year's LiveStrong Challenge event. If you're able to help out with a donation of any size to the Lance Armstrong Foundation, please click here.

Welcome!

Welcome, all, to my first attempt at a blog. I'm hoping this will serve as a good supplement to the monthly e-mails I've been sending to numerous friends and acquaintances -- my "private hiker list" -- now 182 addressees long! Thanks in advance for your interest, and hope to see you on the trails soon!

--Steve