Government Camp, OR - Mt Hood, Ski Tour

A nice weather window opened up and so did an opportunity to break from work. Sarah and I had been talking about a ski tour and I was also keen on the idea of a winter ascent on Mt Hood. Perhaps a bit of a lofty goal given her lack of experience but one can dream...

We made it to Timberline late that evening and I parked the van beside a large service truck as a wind break. The weather was cold with strong wind gusts and the van pretty much was rocking the whole night; being blown about. At the wee hours of early morning I decided that we weren't going to summit but perhaps go to 9500' or something like that and so I went back to bed. When the sun finally broke I was greeted with a stunning blue sky view of the mountain through the front window. I woke Sarah and asked her to look at how beautiful the mountain looked? She was looking off to the side of the van and said yeah it is right there, pointing out the side window. I noticed what she was looking at and laughed my butt off, it was the image of the lodge and mountain on the side of the service truck! She had no idea it was just a picture until I turned her head to the front of the van.

The day turned out spectacular. My boots ended up way too tight, Sarah ended up way too winded and so after a few hours of skinning our way up we stopped and had lunch, took in the scenery and then made tracks down the hill.

The view from out the side window...looks like it could be the real thing?

Not quite!

The view from out the front window...now THAT'S the real thing!

Ski tour time with Mt Adams in the distance

Natures half pipe

Doesn't seem to be getting any closer

Uh oh - somebody hasn't been doing their cardio training

Hidalgo, Mexico - El Potrero Chico

It only took about 15 years to make it back to this place but it all came together when the Cartwrights, Ken, Karen and George Wiggins, Sarah and I made the pilgrimage to El Potrero. We ended up pulling down some 70 odd pitches over the time we were there even though there was cold weather, plagues and long nights playing dominoes. Sarah and I made it our first international trip together and put in a whole lot of multi-pitch climbing even with our "crack of dawn" starts.

I'm sure this sport climbing mecca will see us again but hopefully the town will have more to cater for us on the next trip.

Sarah cutting her teeth on Jungle Wall limestone

Jungle Wall from afar showing scrubbed lines

Spot the parties on the multitude of lines

Looking across from the Moto Wall towards the pinnacles

Base of Dope Ninja

El Sendero Luminiso runs up the center wall

Sarah coming up Dope Ninja

The "tricky" pitch on the Dope

Dope Ninja - route line

Summitting Black Cat Bone

Signing the summit register

Moto Wall - the scene of many multi-pitch climbs :)

Eyes down from the top of Black Cat Bone

Many P's off the deck on Jungle Warfare

The Black Cat Bone roof - so much fun!

Tie up them stinky shoes on Estralita

On Top of Snot Girlz

Higher on Estraliata - one of the few better pitches

George, WA - Ancient Lakes Ice Climbing

Cold temperatures in the Columbia River gorge allow some of the seeps around the Ancient Lakes to freeze up. With the sunny forecast and a sick day at work ;) what better way to work off a cold...did I just say that?!?

This stuff is good for a work out and the views aren't too bad either. Sarah's first time out to swing picks and she now knows the meaning of pumped once again.

North Bend, WA - Exit 38 Ice

Peaking thru the trees 'Early Morning Meeting' awaits

No one could really say this is the best ice climbing in our humble state but heck it is close to the city and once a year things seem to become more 'solid' as a cold snap appears in early December. This route just left of CYA is unnamed but for good reason I call it "Early Morning Meeting", WI3. At 7am I my CC partner and I are trudging up the path to the trestle around Exit 38. Looking at the formations we decide this one it "in". I lead (aka solo) the thing putting in stubbies that bottom out on the rock underneath. Falling is not an option unless a trip to the ER is in the schedule. A top out to slings above and we have a fun and challenging local route. Conditions vary wildly so take it all in par.

A thin curtain call

A big happy anchor

What a meeting! Is there anymore coffee??

That rope needs to be fixed

One more time, please?