Posted by GeoTom on January 17th, 2011 |
3 comments
If this looks familiar, think back to last January and our 2009 hiking recap. I won’t recap every hike we did during the past year, but just mention a couple favorites for each of the 12 months. So, sit back, grab some trail mix and a water bottle, and follow along. Or click on something else, anything else, and wonder how you ever got to this site.
January came early again this year, and the tradition of snowshoeing to Kendall Peak Lakes took off as that was the destination for my 40th birthday. Towards the end of the month Dani headed to Maui with Kristine. Who goes to Hawaii and hikes? Well, between mai tais, snorkeling and watching the surfer boys (and chicks), they took a pleasant hike through a bamboo forest to Makahiku Falls. While they were away, I joined some friends for a weekend trip to the Table Mountain A-Frame near Blewett Pass.
February made me shiver, with every storm the weather delivered. High winds on the ridgetop, I couldn’t get to the top. Actually, February wasn’t too bad a month. I started shooting in RAW with my camera on a gorgeous trip to Oakes Peak in the North Cascades, removing one monkey from my back. Now I was able to spend even more time going through photos. Oh joy. Near the end of the month I joined some people on an overnight (yes in the cold of winter!) trip to another part of the North Cascades, Stetattle Ridge and Sourdough Mountain.
March saw me march to the top of Middle Chiwaukum with some 2 and 4-legged friends at the beginning of the month (removing another monkey off my back). I also got to march to the top of Bedal Peak later in the month, getting a good look at a future goal, Sloan Peak.
April once again brought her showers. To celebrate Dani’s **th birthday, we spent the weekend on Orcas Island, where we did a little hiking and a little sitting on the beach. I almost didn’t go on the TNAB to West Granite Mountain, but I was glad I decided to at the last minute. A quick trip up Kachess Beacon with Dani and Jasper was very enjoyable. So much so that I didn’t mind leaving the camera at home. Well, I did mind a little bit.
May saw the TNAB season well underway, and we enjoyed a surprisingly warm and fun trip up Bandera Mountain (yes, that Bandera). I visited the Teanaway again, joining Monty and Bryan for a trip up two summits that had surprisingly good views, Malcolm & Johnson. Dani took the girls for some flower viewing on Sauer’s Mountain.
June means warmer temperatures (but not that warm) but often lingering snow. Dani and I took some Teanaway Virgins on a favorite loop trip of ours, Mary’s & Judy’s Peaks. It was hard to tell what was brighter, the sun or the smiles on everyone’s faces. While on a visit to Vancouver Dani and I headed up Silver Star Mountain for a very pleasant hike. Jasper got his 200th different summit on Three Brothers (in view of his 1st summit Miller Peak if not for the fog). I joined a rag tag crew for another trip up Mt. Rainier at the end of the month. I was glad to share a tent with JK on this particular trip.
July saw me remove yet another monkey off my back as Scott L. dragged me up Silver Star Mountain (no, the other one). Near the end of the month we headedto Blanca Lake for an afternoon hike and swim with our favourite Canadian and some dogs. Jasper went to stay at the Yellow Dog Inn at the end of the month as Dani and I took our vacation to Switzerland. But, most of the good hiking there was done in August. So…
August happened in Switzerland at roughly the same time as here. Dani and I stayed in the Lauterbrunnen Valley for almost two weeks, hiking and riding trains around the area. All the hikes were good, but the two that stood out were the trip from Schynige Platte to First on our 6th Anniversary followed up with an ascent of the Schwarzhorn a couple days later. The full story can be found here. With an unsettled weather forecast for the end of the month, Jasper and I stayed closer to home and made ascents of Surprise & Spark Plug Mountains, enjoying naps on the summits.
September means no (well, significantly less) bugs, sometimes warm temps and more color in the vegetation. Scott L. and I enjoyed all of that along with a little snow and great views on an ascent of Cashmere Mountain. Keeping with the theme, this was another monkey removed from my back. I was beginning to feel lighter from all these monkeys jumping ship. Towards the end of the month I headed into the Enchantments for 4 days/3 nights. Scott & Josie L. joined me, but unfortunately Dani wasn’t able to get the time off, even with a 6 month notice. Ingunn took her place and we saw lots of goats, larches starting to turn, beautiful sunsets, stunning sunrises, a little snow, a couple summits and lots of stars. Oh, those lakes too.
October = LARCHES! I got my fill of them and then some on a trip to Libby Lake and Hoodoo Peak with Scott and other Scott. We even ran into Colleen and Mazzy at the lake. Dani and Jasper joined some other 4-leggers, little 2-leggers, adults and John up Noble Knob and Mutton Mountain. She acts like she doesn’t like kids, but I think she enjoyed herself on that hike. Just when I thought the larches might be done for the season, Scott O. and I visited Ingalls Lake and enjoyed the bright yellow and orange needles along the way. I even made an ascent of South Ingalls Peak to complete one of the few peakbagging lists I have the ability to complete, The Teanaway 20.
November saw me joining Eric on my first non-TNAB hike with him. Our goal was to make a phone call from the phone booth on Cave Ridge. Wouldn’t you know it, both of us forgot to bring a quarter. Jasper simply marked the booth. We visited the north summit of Guye Peak in the growing darkness on our way out. A few days later I took a Wednesday off to join Lisa L. and her friend Jenny for a hike/snowshoe up Rock Mountain under blue skies.
December began and I hadn’t even started my Christmas shopping. Rather than join the crowds at the mall, I joined Suzanne and David for (another) trip up Smithbrook Road. Our original lofty goals were adjusted somewhat due to conditions, but the views from the Lake Valhalla overlook more than made up for it. Who woulda thunk it that Mailbox Peak made this list? An early start with good people, good dogs and Jasper combined with seeing the sunrise from high on the peak and a surprise deconstruction project made this a very worthwhile trip. Keeping new traditions alive, I joined Ingunn and JK (along with newcomers Scott & Josie and John) for the 2nd Annual Lille Julaften snowshoe trip to Skyline Ridge.
There you have it.
And for the numbers geeks, here’s a statistical summary of the year 2010:
Dani: 47 days on trail, 272.3 miles, 78,450 feet of gain
Tom: 96 days, 689.5 miles, 262,750 feet
Jasper: 78 days, 554.2 miles, 202,350 feet