MudNCrud Forums
Climbing and ... Climbing => Everywhere Else => Topic started by: Brad Young on September 05, 2017, 07:04:51 PM
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As indicated in the last bit of the previous report, we did it. We crammed all we could into a three day weekend and still made it home yesterday in time for Tricia to do her AP History homework. Here's how it went.
September 2, 2017:
Tricia was thrilled in early August when she made the J.V. Volleyball team. But, of course, she had to be at team practices every day after that, and as a result we didn’t get an August week on the PCT. So, I proposed a crazy three day run to Oregon over Labor Day Weekend. To my pleasant surprise, all three girls - Katie included - agreed.
The long drive up to Klamath Falls seemed worth it once we’d reached Windigo Pass on Saturday morning. Although Klamath Falls is still an hour and a half drive from Windigo Pass, we were there and ready to start hiking by late morning:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4441/36238283143_a761b80fee_c.jpg)
The trail in this part of Oregon is odd in a way. There are so many lakes in Oregon’s portion of the Cascades and yet significant portions of the trail stay along the crest and are bone-dry from about mid-summer on. As a result, most PCT through-hikers are pretty thirsty by the time they reach Windigo Pass. Trail angels have stepped into the gap though. Here’s Tricia looking at the Windigo Pass water cache (trail angels had left more than 50 gallons of water here, most of it in bombproof five gallon bottles):
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4421/36238284513_5aaf6d83cd_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4438/36238287203_a1910c0c61_c.jpg)
Conditions upon arrival are very different than they were in July. It’s a little hotter. The roads and the trail have been used a lot more since then and are very dusty. And the smoke is just terrible (there are something like 30 fires within 50 miles):
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4377/36238290653_2e0a92bbb1_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4435/36210952154_7dffc7dbd6_c.jpg)
Still, we make progress. Vistas (or what would be vistas) open up:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4372/36210958664_07e2176539_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4350/36210956834_193e5cc1bc_c.jpg)
Soon Cowhorn Mountain is visible:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4335/36210953124_7043328ca0_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4436/36210964374_35ed5673d7_c.jpg)
Cowhorn is like much of this part of the Cascades; it emerges directly and abruptly from rolling forest and is very dramatic:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4377/36210959764_c1cde8e34e_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4413/36210957864_b1c08b9e11_c.jpg)
Naturally the smoke continued. Here is our first “view” of Summit Lake (look especially in the gap between trees, about a third of the way from left to right, and then also right of that):
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4353/36857886156_c1edffbfea_c.jpg)
And, in what otherwise would have been a spectacular sight, here’s Diamond Peak as we were able to see it this day (look for patches of snow on the peak, just right of dead center):
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4395/36857887566_8cd191c88a_c.jpg)
More forest hiking:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4407/36857889226_20c02d3af9_c.jpg)
After just under 12 miles we reached the shore of Summit Lake:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4430/36857894456_ffd68234a1_c.jpg)
This is a big lake. We traversed halfway around its west shore, expecting to find Vicki somewhere (it’s Labor Day and we expect crowds, and she intends to set up camp where and as availible). Sure enough, when we find her, she’s found a spot well away from crowds; she’s set up and watching the trail, waiting for us to show up:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4377/36857897356_0ae51c289a_c.jpg)
Although the lakeshore is crowded, we’re off the road a way and (other than the occasional car passing by on the dirt road and the pleasant- sounding wedding ceremony across the lake) we’ve got quiet and peace:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4380/36857899756_0104c5ddb1_c.jpg)
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September 3, 2017:
I wake Katie up this morning with a hot cup of coffee. I ask her “what were you doing 22 years ago today?” She smiles and then laughs. It’s her birthday and I’m pretty jazzed that she’s here on the PCT with us.
Our morning is slow, but nice:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4331/36857903766_c5a0304017_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4416/37046036085_a6d86a4ee2_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4412/37046034495_a000424d6a_c.jpg)
We’re over to the trailhead and hiking by 9:00 a.m.:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4335/37046039495_6f5101fdf1_c.jpg)
The same conditions apply today; a little cooler, but still very, very smokey:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4386/37046045115_9968ff783e_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4392/37046047785_2a994cfc49_c.jpg)
We can at least see Diamond Peak as we start around its east side:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4356/37046051655_735990a075_c.jpg)
Again, vistas open up but they're not vistas (but who's really complaining, I'm completely thrilled to be here with my girls, even without views):
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4346/37046053955_d2ef56f0a8_c.jpg)
Slowly uphill:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4348/37046056155_c92785b5ba_c.jpg)
The east side of Diamond Peak has some open, alpine terrain (and a reliable creek for water and a break):
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4379/36857943016_d6e2f116bd_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4386/36211012274_5f556e195d_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4362/36211015724_6e5ea898cd_c.jpg)
The four-leggers prefer larger bodies of water:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4386/36649446380_fc8e33c3fe_c.jpg)
We started our slow descent to Odell Lake and Highway 58. Along the way we saw this fabulous fungus:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4399/36875255942_4b63bbf2be_c.jpg)
We reached PCT mile 1,900:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4347/36211028934_cce1d33536_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4418/36905240911_2ef280a3f9_c.jpg)
A little more forest hiking (we passed the lake without being able to see it):
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4353/36857983006_8a1832cd39_c.jpg)
By just over 17 miles for the day we were at the highway:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4426/36857985006_5f118267f7_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4343/36857985946_a1f7dba84d_c.jpg)
Another 100 yards brought us to a good stopping point (for the trip and the season):
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4346/36857988206_eee8277095_c.jpg)
And that was that, the quick fix.
We finished 17.2 miles before 4:00 in the afternoon. So we headed off. First to the town of Klamath Falls where we had birthday dinner for Katie at a fairly fancy restaurant. Then to spend the night in the Hat Creek area just north of Lassen National Park. The discerning reader may recognize Mud Lake Camp as a place we'd stayed for several nights two Augusts ago. The drive to this point got us halfway home and also set us up to do a California County highpoint before driving home on Monday (photos of that to appear below).
The fix worked. I got just enough PCT to end the season happy. For those who worried (no-one), I'll be OK now until next summer.
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September 4, 2017
Brokeoff Mountain is about five miles from Lassen Peak (both are in the national park). It's the highest point of Tehama County, California:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4420/36905257591_3115fdc628_c.jpg)
The hike to Brokeoff's summit is on a Park Service maintained trail. It's a seven mile round trip. Katie's feet really hurt after 30 miles in two days and she was worried about the effect that the steep descent would have on her knee. She skipped this hike, hanging out instead with Vicki and the dogs (she was right about the descent - I was definitely done for a few days after Tricia and I finished!).
Here are a few shots of Tricia and my ascent:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4434/36905259301_0b51695774_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4437/36905261301_0c072b32ea_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4390/36905263441_85297a8616_c.jpg)
Summit shots with Lassen in the background (the smoke prevented views of Mount Shasta):
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4341/36211082244_d48d0b8d92_c.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4352/36211083594_7e11e95352_c.jpg)
It was a bit of a whirlwind trip, but like I said above, it was just what I needed (and Vicki and the girls seemed pleased too).
Now I/we lay low for a while, becoming a climber again and maybe getting some backpacking in. We'll be back though; next summer our goal is to at least finish Oregon.
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Thanks Brad for the report. :)
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cool
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Cool. Sorry you have to drive so far....to Oregon of all places where they don't trust you to pump your own gas.
Next thing you know you will be in Washington, knocking on Mr Mud's door.
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Vicariously getting my nature fix. Sweetness-
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Brokeoff Mtn is cool. On the edge of a huge crater left by the explosion/destruction of Mt Tehama 600Ma - the much larger volcano that existed there before Lassen. Lassen is just a little burp in comparison. Ash from Tehama can be found in Silicon Valley. I'd post some cool pictures but those days are gone for me.
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Lassen is just a little burp in comparison.
;D :D
I'd post some cool pictures but those days are gone for me.
"Those days" can and should be revived. And you should resume posting new photos using a different host (but that's just your adoring public speaking).
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using and different hot
??? :idea: :confused:
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??? :idea: :confused:
You grabbed too little in the quotes and I back edited. And now no-one will know what you posted about?
The pirate/idiots/cheats who've held your photos hostage don't deserve your patronage. That I agree on. But please, please work on restoring your photos to Mudn'Crud.
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....to Oregon of all places where they don't trust you to pump your own gas.
You know, you're not kidding. I've gotten out of the car, started to touch the handle of the gas pump hose, and been looked at like I was a criminal....
Next thing you know you will be in Washington, knocking on Mr Mud's door.
He better be expecting us to do just that.
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You grabbed too little in the quotes and I back edited. And now no-one will know what you posted about?
The pirate/idiots/cheats who've held your photos hostage don't deserve your patronage. That I agree on. But please, please work on restoring your photos to Mudn'Crud.
No one knows what we are talking about half the time anyway.
I figured it was an autocorrect thing and you were posting from the phone.
I've got clink working on restoring my photos :lol:
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YES, YES, YES!!
The PCT is now reopened from the closure 45 miles beyond Willamette Pass!!
It's been closed at that point since we were up there last September. I've been worried about this closure with the next season coming up (a closure 45 miles ahead of us wouldn't leave us much room to hike during our first, end of June/into July trip in six weeks).
And snow levels look like they'll be fine too. I am a very happy camper-to-be right now.
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Brad, you have managed to give "right now" an epidural throughout most of your life. Bombs dropped, ammo all spent, targets hit, many missions and always back to base. Keep going and reporting dude.
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Well my excitement is building. A lot. Conditions looks perfect for our drive to central Oregon on the 20th and for hiking for the whole next week.
And get this: we'll spend the first three nights car-camped at WALDO Lake (usually spelled without all caps). Could the omens be any better?
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WALDO Lake
How many Tecates did that take?
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How many Tecates did that take?
I'm not sure, but I'm willing to try to find out....
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Well, we're not looking too bad for this trip. We drive tomorrow and start hiking Thursday:
Current conditions at Willamette Pass (Ore 58 MP 62.3):
- Thursday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 62. West northwest wind 5 to 9 mph.
- Friday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 59.
- Saturday - Sunny, with a high near 64.
- Sunday - Sunny, with a high near 68.
- Monday - Sunny, with a high near 63.
It's been a long wait, but we're finally gonna get back on our beloved trail.
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Hope you guys have a blast :thumbup: :biggrin:
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Hope you guys have a blast :thumbup: :biggrin:
Hey, we'll be in the cascades. That's volcano country. Hidden meaning?
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Hey, we'll be in the cascades. That's volcano country. Hidden meaning?
Well...that would be super cool too...er...uh...super heated?
No...wait...that is Pinnacles...triple digits this week.
You can check the Cascade Volcano Observatory through the USGS website.
I just went out there and their (USGS) website is not very user friendly. Here's a link.
https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/cvo/cvo_about.html
St Helens has the highest probability but nearly all those vents are considered active.
I bet the scenery will be amazing :biggrin:
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Have fun! Can't remember where you are gunning for finish-wise this time, but if it's near Mt. Hood and the town of Government Camp, make sure to get a huckleberry milkshake at the Huckleberry Inn! They also have maple bars as large as my head :thumbup:
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Hmm, fourth post and it is about Huckleberry milkshakes and monster maple bars. I think this wins the award for % of quality posts.
Edit: First post was animal tubing. Definite winner.
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Definite winner.
If that's your impression after just a few posts, wait 'til you've actually met her in person.
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Can't remember where you are gunning for finish-wise this time, but if it's near Mt. Hood and the town of Government Camp, make sure to get a huckleberry milkshake at the Huckleberry Inn! They also have maple bars as large as my head :thumbup:
Not this trip. This trip we'll (ideally) finish on Highway 20.
Next trip though, end-of-July into August, that's exactly where we expect to finish. We may be calling you from the approximate location (then) to ask for directions. Oh, and BTW, do you have a line of credit there? Is your line of credit in your name?
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The last few months I have noticed a new, disturbing trend of typos in Brad's posts.
I hope he's not using the same method for the new guidebook. :eeeek: :yikes: :lol:
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What, you got a problem with us taking another "rip."
I just finished four days of trial (that were supposed to go well - they went astronomically well). I'm probably still a little too amped up to type carefully.
Besides, you, yourself and you will be reading every page of the new book (at least if I get my way). So you'll clean up any errors that might, maybe creep in.
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When is the new guide coming out?
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When is the new guide coming out?
Years.
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I just finished four days of trial. I'm probably still a little too amped up to type carefully.
I thought maybe you were dictating into your phone or some such technology.
It was really messing with my OCD. Much more and I might have gone into Overdrive.
I ee you ixed that ost.
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If that's your impression after just a few posts, wait 'til you've actually met her in person.
Saw briham and mt.reynier at the Edge tonight. Had no idea briham was sneaking around Pinns on Saturday.
Figured we lost both of them to the Valley or the Pass a month or so ago. :out: :rolleyes: :arf:
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I thought maybe you were dictating into your phone or some such technology.
It was really messing with my OCD. Much more and I might have gone into Overdrive.
I ee you ixed that ost.
I meant what I said about you editing. You're the only human being (arguably anyway) who actually reads the stuff I post on the "New Routes" thread and then offers constructive suggestions. Sometimes OCD can be useful.
Yes, yes, I know I can't make you edit, but I can be very persuasive.
And yes, I fixed the error (you don't think you're the only one who can't stand that stuff now do you?).
I'm curious though why you didn't edit the typo in your original post? :P ::)
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If that's your impression after just a few posts, wait 'til you've actually met her in person.
We have met
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We have met
Actually yeah, I think I remember you meeting Brian and Whitney the day they climbed Shades of Jade?
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They also have maple bars as large as my head
I can vouch for this. I ate a whole one....
Definite Winner
If that's your impression after just a few posts, wait 'til you've actually met her in person.
I would tend to agree ;D
Figured we lost both of them to the Valley or the Pass a month or so ago
You did, but with only one day off and temps in the mid 70's it was game on down there. :yesnod:
Have a great trip Brad. I promise to leave you at least 2 undone routes up in you know where....it involves the G word though.
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Almost back to the trail for day one. Clear, crisp skies. The opposite of our last time here.
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Clear, crisp skies
Are you sure you're in Oregon?
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Could be worse, it could be Washington.
I hope he has his beard ready for Washington.
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He definitely is not in WA. I was stormed out of the Mountains yesterday. Torrential
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It would be more fun if we could see their progress....
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Come join us? We're out off the trail for a day in Bend Oregon (what a really cool city!).
So far, so good. In again tomorrow for three days to (hopefully) McKenzie Pass.
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Deschutes Brewing has good food and beer.
go rent a mtn bike Chance brother!
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Deschutes Brewing has good food and beer.
go rent a mtn bike Chance brother!
Last night we found a little "corner" restaurant that served great food and beer. Tables indoors and out, people walking up, biking up and driving up (it was a beautiful evening for walking). Vicki commented that most of the cars here have SUPs or other watercraft strapped to the top (it was a Sunday).
By the way, if you haven't been here, the Deschutes River runs right through town. And the Metolius River and town of the same name? Just to the north.
No mountain bikes for me this trip.
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By the way, if you haven't been here, the Deschutes River runs right through town.
Tell it to slow down and look both ways before crossing any intersections. :yikes: :rolleyes:
No mountain bikes for me this trip.
I can understand that. Bike shorts would probably protrude too much from short shorts to look cool and short shorts alone might ride up too much. :yesnod: :biggrin: :lol:
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Deschutes Brewing has good food and beer.
Jim and Wendy introduced me to Deschutes on a trip to the East side a couple years ago.
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We, I mean I would love to join. The look on the boys face when they find out they are hiking...all day and no iPhone. The next best thing would be for them to catch their own food.
bend is nice for a day of climbing at Smith and then a burger and beer at the brewery.
When I was there I wasn’t paying for my beer....heaven!!
Enjoy brad.
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I can understand that. Bike shorts would probably protrude too much from short shorts to look cool and short shorts alone might ride up too much. :yesnod: :biggrin: :lol:
Et tu, Brute?
You are the very, very last person I expected to jump on the bandwagon mocking my normal length, store-bought shorts.
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We, I mean I would love to join. The look on the boys face when they find out they are hiking...all day and no iPhone. The next best thing would be for them to catch their own food.
bend is nice for a day of climbing at Smith and then a burger and beer at the brewery.
When I was there I wasn’t paying for my beer....heaven!!
Enjoy brad.
It'll be interesting to see how young minds are 30 years after a childhood spent with iPhones (I hope I'll still be around then to see). I don't suspect that there will be many benefits. And yet we as a society have made our choice; that boat sailed long ago.
Get them out as much as you can.
And BTW, I haven't been paying for my beer either (I've had RPM IPA by Boneyard Beer three out of six nights).
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Et tu, Brute?
You are the very, very last person I expected to jump on the bandwagon mocking my normal length, store-bought shorts.
Oh. Never mind. I think you literally are the very, very last person to jump on that bandwagon ;D
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A four lane, sixteen block band wagon.
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Et tu, Brute?
You are the very, very last person I expected to jump on the bandwagon mocking my normal length, store-bought shorts from the 1970's.
Someone must have hijacked my account.
There...I fixed it for you :nono: :lol:
Ahem...as long as we're on the subject...I defy you to find any shorts that length (in men's clothing) in any store today.
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Oh. Never mind. I think you literally are the very, very last person to jump on that bandwagon ;D
Crap, maybe it was me. I am usually quick to defend the fact that it's your long legs that make the shorts appear so mini. I guess I was just running off at the mouth :idea: :frown2: :crazy:
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If Pinnacles was ever to have a hall of fame and Brad was ever to be inducted into it, the sculptor could take a break from doing busts and represent Brad's likeness from the shorts down.
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Oh no, please...
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:puke:!
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:puke:!
I second that expulsion :arf:
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:)
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:)
Causing trouble when not climbing.
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And Mr Muds Trooper would need to be bronzed.
Such fond memories of freezing in that rig.
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We’ve got reception near Big Lake next to Santiam Pass/Highway 20. In less than an hour’s hike we’ll reach PCT mile 2,000. We’ll then finish for the trip at mile 2,001.
See some of you soon!
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An Earth Odyssey.
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A four lane, sixteen block band wagon.
If Pinnacles was ever to have a hall of fame and Brad was ever to be inducted into it, the sculptor could take a break from doing busts and represent Brad's likeness from the shorts down.
Clink is on a freakin' role hahaha
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Caleb and Geoff called last evening. Their porta ledge is set up 3 pitches from the top of Jericho Wall. Caleb took a fall when he leaned sideways on a hook placement to go free. Second time worked with 2 hooks instead of one. He says it's a good route.
Geoff took what Caleb refereed to as the "The un-sexiest fall". Geoff said that he just lost his balance. ;D
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Nice segue, Clink. I’m not sure Jericho Wall has anything to do with the PCT, but we’re halfway home and I think I’m supposed to climb granite tomorrow.
Vicki hiked out meet us at 2,000. What wonderful country in the type of weather we had (that is, perfect). Great, great trip.
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Congratulations on 2000
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Nice!
Caleb posted a real nice view pic of Liberty Cap and the falls.
Stoked for them
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Hello Jack. Yep, hijack, a long tradition here on Mudn’Crud.
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Well done!
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Hello Jack. Yep, hijack, a long tradition here on Mudn’Crud.
It all ties in.
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I still have Caleb's hat from the MoM weekend.