Busted

We busted out of the cloud layer to witness a wonderful winter view of Red Mountain, Guye Peak, and Chair Peak today from Commonwealth Basin, just beyond the Alpine Lakes Wilderness line near Snoqualmie Pass.

And on the decent, for our backcountry ski/stroll/social tour, I busted my cable binding. Bummer.

It is very powder. I'm sinking!

Christmas day tradition: ski
Forecast: 10 inches of new
Destination: Stevens Pass

Matt and dp and I headed out EARLY to Stevens. We waited in line for the big cheif chair (have I ever waited in line for first chairs?) and then waited at the top of that for double diamond to open to take us into the back side. Matty counted: we were the 10th chair. There are no friends on powder days, so we made a plan to meet up at lunch and keep in the loop. I can't believe I skied all the way till noon. Endless untracked powder and DEEP. Over the boot and, with the genuine tele genuflexion, thigh high. Not as light as we had thought, with an interesting density inversion, but still delicious, although exhausting.

I overheard a non-native-English speaking couple skiing beside me. She hollered to her friend," It is very powder. I'm sinking!"

The sucker hole dp noticed as we drove up, and parked right up front of the stairs, opened into a beautiful blue day. Sunshine and powder. What a glorious christmas present.

By lunch we were all dragging. Matt and I even layed down on the benches at the table. We lingered, and munched, and stretched. And made a plan for more. dp and I skied the backside again with a few laps in Tye Mill valley. By three we met up with Matt who invited us for a "family ski". Undecided and indifferent, we debated. Then, Matt threw in the towel: "Let's ski!" and we took a fabulous final run of the day.

Merry indeed!

The light of darkness

I push off from the classroom shore
as windows tell of wind and tree limbs wave
shadows on brick walls.

The way is worse
than forecasted.
To breathe means aspirating raindrops
that fall so furiously I've got five squelchy
toes in fewer minutes.

I throw a wake through intersections,
eddy out in the pools below stop signs,
water standing rim deep.

I hear sirens, and then smell fire.
Smoke's a strange odor in a deluge;
what's not so wet it can still burn?
The next six blocks are blacked-out.
Christmas lights lost their cheer,
street lamps lonely in the inky tunnel
of a street.

Approaching home, I squeeze a river
from my soft-palmed gloves
as I brake to slow this flow.

Steven's Pass Season's Pass

Bonus.
Being handed my season's pass from the group sales coordinator on Saturday morning when the SkiAttle chaperones meet for a program walk through.

The kids are going to love it up here. I do.

Sean and I had a great day, dodging the fog (and thus avoiding the back side), and finding the joys of freshies on the edges of the earlier race course. My skis work well, the new boots are really great, and my shoulder handled the day well. Again, my legs are tired. Must have been Thursday's work out in the pool, followed by serious plymetrics.

We brushed 3 inches off the car at about 3 pm and headed back to town. Sean and I discussed education, philosophy, and dreams of smaller schools. He's a great teacher. He's going to make a great dad... his wife, Aliza, also a chaperone last year, is due mid January.

Back on the Boards

I said I would wait to ski DOWN until I got a ride UP. Oh well, the snow got the better of me. I just had to take my dad out on a little tour. He was visiting this past weekend and we were in Leavenworth for a Wilderness Medical Workshop with Remote Medical International . So when we drove over the pass on route 2, we stopped to head up Heather Ridge for a bit. The rehabed shoulder works well, the new boots turn like a dream, the p-tex repair and tuning I did over Thanksgiving was good to go, and the legs... they could use some work! Looking forward to picking up my season's pass this weekend and making many more turns this snowy season. 

Whether there will be any weather...

Tuesday: Thunder showers and lightning, that reportedly jumped out of the wall in one of the classrooms, and hail. The kind of weather that stops a meeting of science teachers to run to the windows. You can only imagine what that weather does to the kids.

Wednesday: More rain. We are officially on record as the wettest month EVER recorded in Seattle.

Thursday: I'm giving thanks to the rain, as it is dumping SNOW in the mountains. I hope the roads are clearer for the drive over the passes next weekend with the east coast guest.

Snow Science in Action

Justin invited me to play around in the snow. We left Seattle at 8 am. The drive to Stevens Pass revealed the landslides and damage to the roads from the last week's deluge. We were delighted by sun and slathered on the sunscreen. We were off to do some snow science. Justin opted for his skis, despite reports of the dust on crust conditions. My snowshoes (a great introduction to back country post accident) punched the crud. Wednesday's rain layer was obvious even before we dug a pit. Check out the photos here to see the snow science in action.

Free Diving

Tonight when I stumble into the locker room at the community pool after a tiring workout, I notice a woman standing there in a thick wet suit. "Training?" I asked her. "I'm a free diver," she says in an accent. The pool has introduced me to many new sports and athletes than my typical outdoor sports: swiming, water polo, triathletes, etc. This, by far, is the most extreme. Free diving is a competitive sport with three disciplines: time, distance, and depth. She's practicing today for time. She'll float with her head in the water for a l o n g time. Her record is 6 mins 2 second. She told me the reason she wears a wet suit is to keep warm, as her metabolism will slow so much in that time, she'll have trouble keeping warm. Remember the movie The Big Blue? That's a pretty good example of the depth division. Hold your breath and dive deep, pull a tag off the line and swim back up, hopefully without brain damage. Her name is Jade, she's from Switzerland originally. She heads off soon to the Free Divers World Championship in Egypt. Cool huh?

nostalgia in the midwest

The twig season arrived
before I landed.

I learned botany nearby,
becoming friends with hardwood
and humans.

This weekend, we've fallen together
on the open forest floor,
laughing and kicking up songs
made by dragging feet.

The melody is mixed with sycamore,
burnt potato chip bark of black cherry
and the memorable tangled
chartruese brain of osage orange.

The newest naturalist
has the largest eyes.
We're here to make sure
he won't be
the last child in the woods.

Driving you crazy?

This morning I heard a talk on the radio that is worth sharing.

Dr. Steven Bezruchka's talk on "Is America Driving You Crazy?" was given October 16, 2006 at Kane Hall on the University of Washington campus in Seattle. I heard it aired on KEXP's Mind over Matters radio program on Sunday 11.05.06 at 7 am.

My friends and family might recall Dr. Bezruchka as the author of Trekking in Nepal. He is a medical professional here in Seattle and had done work in Nepal.

To access this talk online for up to two weeks in the KEXP archives, visit the link below and then click on the program menu to access mind over matters. Then select Sunday, November 5, 2006, 7 am.

enjoy.
http://www.kexp.org/streamarchive/streamarchive.asp

Spooky Weather

This week has been surprisingly similar to the way I remember fall in New England.

Monday mornings sunrise, thanks to the daylight savings changes, set a fire over the North Cascades. I watched it warm through the windsheild.

Tuesday, I flew to school on my broomstick and the two wheeled bicycle beneath it. It was 33 degrees when I pushed off. The entire route red with street trees. A large oak tree has laughed off most of its toothed sharp leaves and left a large pile at the Northeast corner of the school. They rustle as I ride through them. A day of dry ice and mad science. Spooktacular!

Wednesday I rode with Robin, a student teacher who lives nearby. We paused on the Montlake Bridge to see the sillouhettes of skulls and crew teams draw ripples in the sunrise reflection. We rode home together, too, the dusk drawing its own magic on the new snows in the Olympics. Clouds gathered to warm the evening so much I pulled at the long legs of my cycling pants and Robin removed her jacket before the final hill.

Thursday morning pitter patted into my bedroom through the windows. Loud raindrops can't come quietly. I put on my super rain jacket and slipped down the driveway; yes, on the bike. Fenders protect me from the excess splashing, and the visor of my helmet keeps most of the drips off my glasses. I could ring my gloves out in the sink when I arrived, smiling. Robin and I rode home again, today. Large thwaps hitting me on the scalp through holes in the helmet. Deep puddles at the corners, and pocketed patterns on the Montlake cut. I hope it's snowing in the mountains.

Billy Bragg live in Seattle

One of my favorite singer/songwriter activists recently played in Seattle. I missed him, but fortunately cautght this video of his show at the Triple Door. Check it out here.

Biking in the fall

The Burke Gillman trail is loud with leaves. The dark morning mat of fallen big leaf maples is a yellow carpet in the last light of late afternoon. Wednesday I left work on two wheels. A block later, a young cyclist overtook me saying, "Hey!" in a friendly way. Anders is in my homeroom and science class. We raced down the long block of the school until he turned abruptly around to deliver a soda to a friend, he later told me. He might have beat me. I smiled back and hollered "See ya!"

Golden Larches in the North Cascades

Kevin, Cass, and Elias and I headed out very early on Saturday morning to catch the golden larches in the autumn prime. Not to be confused with the golden arches, we found the east-side deciduous coniferous tree in fine form. Nearly perfect weather made for a fabulous photographic adventure complete with ice, frost, and brilliant light. Enjoy photos and more here on my pbase site.

Sunrise Sunset

After yesterday's trialthetic work out (bike to work, bike home, run to pool, swim, run home), I'm amazed I'm still awake to write about today's epic long day at the "office". I left home this morning, 6:15 am, moon light shining in a clear sky. The sunrise was magnificent, a pastel smudge of pale orange and purple clinging like whisps on the Cascades. The sun had not yet risen above the peaks by 7:10.

Then, I left work today at 6:15 pm. Brilliant October sunshine bronzed the Olympic peaks. From the Montlake bridge I couldn''t decide which way to look. By the time I pulled the bike up the driveway the sky was deepening a blood orange in the south western sky.

It's getting to be that time of year, when I come and go by the rise and fall of the sun. Still today was exceptionally long; the ride was richly rewarding.

Back on the Bike

After over three months out of the saddle due to foreign travel and a shoulder injury, I climbed back into the pedals at 6 am to power the ride to school. Oh! how I love being on the bike. Darkness lifts and the alleys, flowers, and house projects I haven't seen all summer emerge. Greetings exchanged with those folks running, cycling, or walking dogs. It's clearly October as the leaves scuttle under the thin tread. This afternoon mist of a rainy evening leaves me coated with the sweet magic of being outside.

Mt. Dickerman

09.02.06
Berry picking!

The Solomon seal sported fruit;
candy coated clusters.
Sweeter still, blueberries
that are riddled red
when they are green.

Rippened to perfection,
we hardly needed a pinch
to pull them from already blushing leaves
of many an aromatic patch.

Our harvest labor lingers
in stained lips and finger tips,
half a gallon zip-loc bag.

August 20: TAY Slush Cup

Check out my photos of the annual TAY Slush Cup here.
Other photos and tales of the day's adventure: here

Summer on the edge (of Puget Sound)

August 5th and 6th: Case Inlet (West of Tacoma, North of Olympia), Haley family annual Clam bake
August 11th: Agate Pass (North edge of Bainbridge Island), Amy F hosts an East meets West party (East coast family meets West coast friends)
August 12-14th: Whiskey Creek, Olympic Pennisula (near Port Angeles), Japan reunion
August 15th: Lake Union, Duck Dodge, aboard the Mata Hari
August 25th: Deception Pass State Park (Whidbey and Fidalgo Islands)
August 26th: Puget Sound, Strait of Juan de Fuca, Whalewatching with Rainier Scholars

Mt. Yale, July 25, 2006

Collegiate Wilderness, Colorado
Elevation: 14196 feet (thus, one of Colorado's 14'ers)

We wake in darkness. Since the accident, it's only the third day that I can get dressed by myself and I don the clothes I've left out on the rocking chair. Nick helps me tie my shoes. We drop Nancy off at her car, see her harness in her dogs, and say goodbye. By 6:02 am we are driving to the Collegiates.

Through Wilkerson Pass Meg reminds us that her granddad and his boy scout troops helped plant many of the pines that line highway 24. It is all so beautifu; green pines, red rocks. We drive through the town of Buena Vista and I am reminded of the 1997 trip we made with Crosson to climb Mt. Huron. We reach the Denny Creek trailhead around 7:15 and push off onto the trail soon after. Meg and Nick carry my jacketand sandwich--I carry water and some snacks tied around my waist.

We are rewarded with wildflowers: elephant heads along the stream, columbine, singing bells, arnica, cinquifoil, larkspur, penstemons--and higher up succulents, and the very aromatic purple flower I think is a Polemonium species. The trail is steep but well trodden and opens us up to the glorious expanse of views that Colorado 14'ers do. Lingering snow patches and cirques add to the beauty of the craggy peaks far far in the distance. We climb in cool temps and a cloud cover that both breaks into sun and begins to billow when we crest to the saddle at 13,916.

Marmots, pikas, and mountain blue birds have guided us to this point. I am thrilled to be here, but a bit frustrated as I remain at the saddle, sunning and writing, as Meg and Nick take the final 200 or so feet scramble to the summit. While I may have been able to negotiate the climb with one hand up the boulder field, the descent would be slow and difficult. With clouds billowing and gathering, and the always present possibility of lightning, I stayed back.

While writing and sitting with my jacket over my knees I hear two interesting sounds. One is a loud and large POP in my lap. The altitude has popped open my goggle defogging cream that lives in this ski jacket pocket. I laugh. The other sound is the distance roar of rain.

Meg and Nick return shortly, never having found the summit registry, but mentioned that they would have logged my name in with theirs. We move along the saddle to enjoy lunch. Then we see a bolt of lightning in the distance, pack up it, and head down the mountain. The rains come, smell delicious, and then, by the time we hit the tree line, go. We enjoyed the descent with some great conversations. Dinner in Buena Vista my treat for the newlyweds.

Melakwa Lake

06.27.06

Bracken ferns beckon,

like a gnarled-knuckled finger,

bent,

unfurling, uncurling.

Come.

Come, my pretty.

Come, my darling,

the wizened ones call.

Little bread crumbs can’t be seen

on this snowy trail.

Come.

Get lost in these woods.

Linger by the lake.

Bake in the sun.

Dege Peak, June 2005, is now a little movie

I skied off Dege Peak last June in the Sourdough Chutes Fest 2005. I am one of the featured skiers in the 13 minute film about the day.
check it out here:

http://www.dan-jer.com/video/sc2005vbr.wmv

Hidden Lakes Peak, Father's Day ski

Read all about it here

Duck Dodge, Lake Union

My friend Paul invited me to crew on his boat Tuesday night for a race known as the Duck Dodge out at Lake Union. We cast off the dock from SYC at 6, sounded the air horn to the University Bridge master at 6:30 to raise the draw bridge under which we proceeded out to the Lake. I've always thought this was a small lake; imagine it packed with racing boats. While I have sailed before, Paul's entire crew was novice to this boat and his captaining style. Still we managed to do as Paul likes to do; we did well.

The highlights of the evening included the play of light and shadow, the perspective from being perched more than half way up the mast, and the end of race raft-up-soiree. Winding down, wind in my hair, wine in my soul, I then changed out of my sail sandles, back into my bike cleats, and pushed off the dock on the two wheels well after 11PM. Another not-so-urban urban adventure. I love this city!

Back on the bike

The humidity breaks

into droplets slow

and surprisingly warm.

The smell of ozone rises

from speckled pavement

beneath my bicycle wheels.

The sound of crinkling

on my helmet.

Somehow I sneeze

and send a flock of pigeons

into the bright gray sky.

Dusk Patrol, Alpental

06.06.06
A triple perfect number. A perfect evening.

After seeing Dave's post from their Saturday blitzkrieg I invited Dave and his son Brett to join us on a planned dusk patrol. Dave phoned Monday night to encourage me to push the start time to earlier; I thought perhaps to accommodate the middle school(er) schedule. Being Brett's Science teacher, I easily obliged.

In class, I asked Brett if I was going to have to chase him up the mountain. Later as I climbed in his family VW van, I turned to him in the w a y back and promised that I wasn't going to make this outing a lesson: although he should probably pay attention to the Newton's three laws of motion as it related to skiing. (I do have a bias about the development of science education and a connection to the outdoors :)

In the blazing sun at about 4:45 pm, we were stunned by the backlight leaves of the scrub and brush dominating the lower slopes of Alpental. Brett schooled me and selected a fine line over creek crossings and up the limited remnant snow patches. At the flats, the R's busted out their snack bag before beginning our skin up Deb's Gold to the base of chair 2. Snow, continuous from here on, was soft and sometimes slippery. New construction is underway on the access ramp of Chair 2. I skinned above into the little bowl and took about a dozen turns while Dave and Brett dined on dinner. The view of Red Mountain was lovely.

We skied the main line on Deb's Gold and found the snow sticky and s l o w. Pine pollen got gloppy on the bases of our babies. We hauled ourselves out on a block of concrete, like seals seeking some sun and dry land, to dry off the skis and reattach our soaked skins. Just then, Cass, Kelvin, and Mark arrived, from their ascent up Sessel, as we had planned.

Introductions made, we skinned again the same route. Brett got frustrated with his floppy wet skins and called it a wonderful night about half way up. Nice job Brett! We bid Dave and Brett farewell and continued higher. The guys headed to Denny. I gained the ridge to the cat-track and enjoyed the simple solitude and silence of snow.

We all skied out the couloir skier’s left (Eisenfallen). Lovely turns and little gladed "gate" opportunity. Crossing the snow bridge on the major creek crossing, Kelvin discovered the melt-out find of the season. He emerged from behind the huge rock with a snowboard strapped to his pack and a huge grin stuck on his face. This made for a good beacon to follow through the brush in the fading light. True to dusk patrol style, we hit the bridge in the darkest of dusk and the glow of the little lights, which paled in comparison to the moon.

more photos here and here

name in lights

Pike Market Street Fair

On June 3, I mentored a Youth in Focus freelance student photographer on assignment at the Pike Market Street Fair. Working off her shot list, I made a few pictures of my own. This is my favorite from the day: kids racing their gussied up zuchinni on wheels in the Zuchinni 500 at Peter Steinbruck park.

Mallardy Ridge, Memorial Day Hike

Janice offered to drive. She said we could turn around at the meadow instead of the full trail hike as described in her Best Hikes with Kids book. She was scouting for her summer class. Yet, half way up the mountain dirt road, I noticed that the trail was best recommended for July to October.

The little red car couldn't make it to the trail head. So we walked in about a mile to the trail head, and proceeded up the narrow, wet trail. About two miles in, we lost the trail due to the snow. The terrain flattened out and I thought maybe this is the meadow.

Sure enough, beneath the ten foot walls of snow was the meadow stream babbling away. Marsh marigold (Caltha spp.) were blooming in the banks. Other botanical beauties spotted on this jaunt: colts foot, british soliders (lichen), and early droopy leaves of the vine maple.

Ahh! Spring.
 

Addtional trip photos

 

Hannegan Meadows (Ruth Mountain)

Burgdorfer suggests in his 100 Classic Backcountry Ski and Snowboard Routes of Washington that Ruth Mountain “is a magnificent touring objective.” I’ve thought so for years since I first found my way into the Hannegan and Chillawack Valleys. Yet, Burgdorfer continues, “This tour should be attempted …only in ideal conditions.” While we did have the stable snowpack he refers to as ideal conditions, this weekend was far from ideal weather wise.

Still, we’d planned on it. I was hopeful and HOPE is a word I could use for a mountain sharing the same name as my mother who has recently finished her radiation treatments for breast cancer.

The road was clear to just a few hundred yards from the trailhead where a one deepish patch exists. We were surprised by the considerable melt-out of the trail since these guys posted their TR. With glacier travel gear, avy gear, and overnight gear, it was the heaviest load I’d carried yet this season. Needless to say, I was a bit miffed that I had to carry my skis too. Skinning was far from practical until the last 1000 feet to the pass. Precipitation was on again off again all morning sprinkling seasonal flora with diamond droplets on the bursting buds. Lower elevation trillium showed their nodding heads, avalanche lilies pushed up in fine form, and bleeding hearts (leaves and flowers) were just beginning to expand (as hearts do). Dog toothed violets were a bright spot to the gloom of the fog and rain.

We were slow going in the intermittent glop. Snow was so saturated that even when we started skinning we frequently had to kick steps. Small sun cups were pock-marked with recent rains. Visibility was seriously limited; we could hardly make out the sky from the snow. Ruth was elusive. Hannegan Pass became clear for a split second and we headed up that way to make camp. These two middle school teachers were asleep before 8:30 with plans to look for the peak at first light.

By 5:30 AM I had already heard two rain storms pound the walls of the tent. I could hardly see the trees nearby when I peaked out for a look. Thus, we safely canceled plans for a summit push. Over breakfast the sky brightened and Sean’s altimeter barometer spiked up drastically. Twenty minutes later we were socked in again, barometer falling.

We took to a few nearby (and visible) ridges for the skiing we came for. Turns were smooth and juicy. Above Hannegan meadows we ran a line that hardly had to beg to be yo-yo’ed. We dropped our loads in the meadows below and skinned up a few hundred feet for some super fine spring turns.

Again, any day in the mountains is a good day. JOM=25% over the 5+ miles.

Ruth Mountain: another time, Mom.

Zoo Field Trip

Something tells me it's all happening at the zoo. I do believe it. I do believe it's true. Wo-oo-oo! Where else can 150 6th graders navigate their own destinations, research endangered species, discover solutions to threatened habitats, purchase a hippo pet carrier and a meter long stuffed snake, beg me to come look with them at bats in the nocturnal house and the details of a jaguar's spots, see a Kookaburra slurp down a mouse, use math skills to estimate sizes of cages and enclosures, and exhibit, themselves, the tell tale elements of spring for any animal species.


Something tells me it's all happening at the zoo.

Bike to Work Day, May 19, 2006

Another fabulous BTW day in Seattle! This year I mounted my new digital camera to my handbars and rode with my finger on the trigger most of the journey. Some of the photographs are wacky; others are interesting. More than 10% of the staff at my school rode and more than a handful of students (including many of mine) rode to school as part of the Bike to School day aspect of BTW day. Get out of your car and ride safely! 

Dusk Patrol at Alpental, May 17, 2006

I got off the bike at 4:30 pm and waved to my neighbor working in his garden. At 5:00 when I came down the driveway with my skis over my shoulder he said, "You've got to be kidding!" With temps soaring in the city in the 80's I could only sort of see what he was getting at.

A bunch of half-naked, tank-topped, sun-soaked city folks spilled out of cars parked at the base of the Armstrong Express. Cass, Rodger, Elly, Kelvin, Jeremy, Ari and his partner, and I stood in the alpine shade beside the babbling creek and quickly got cold. So we quickly got moving.

A sundog light up the sky. Two four footed friends (Kona and Keller) led the way skinning up Sessel. Snow was firm but pliable, not at all icy under the day's 72 degrees last I had checked the telemetry. Warm air and heat pockets persisted as we climbed and soon removed that extra layer we'd donned at the bottom. An early party of folks carved past us just before we topped out at the saddle and the top of the quad. Thinking she was now alone, we must have surprised Rainier. She was blushing in the most beautiful way. Cass and Rodger gained the side hill looking for a better view and descended with a few fine turns. We waited until the alpineglow faded from across the valley and Cass extracted himself from a thigh high hole until our ski descent.

The turns were simply lovely. Watch for the creek opening and other thawing hazards/treasures (Kelvin found a cell phone!). Cass thinks there is enough snow to last for at least one more Wednesday night Dusk Patrol. I don't think he's kidding.

more photos here

Rattlesnake Ledge

There are no rattlesnakes here. Just off I-90 East of North Bend, this City of Seattle Public Utility Property is so named for the grassland meadow that was once here. The early settlers heard the grass shake in the wind and they likened this bit of botany to the slithering serpant.

Alas, no rattlesnakes here. But on Mother's Day, every one and their mother and cousin was there. Really. And plenty of dogs.

Janice and I got a late start and headed into the hills for a little hike. Up the 2 miles and change, we actually managed to find a higher ledge lookout and some piece and quiet for our late lunch. This view shows part of the Snoqualimie Valley and the destination point for the hords of other hikers.

Get out there. 

Bike to Work Month Commute Challege

BTW kicks off. I'm the team captain again and a fearless cheerleader of bike commuting. Our team consists of 10 teachers; 5 from my school, 5 from a high school. Day two and already we've logged over 100 miles. Our team name: No Teacher Left Behind (the steering wheel)

Check it out here

Crystal Fest

Company, corn snow, creativity, and lots of sunshine.
a fabulous day!

April Showers bring...

Alpental
04.14.06
It’s raining in Seattle when Peter picks me up. I’m glad he’s driving because the driving rains make the visibility on I-90 difficult. Peter mentions that his sister who lives in Utah thinks we are crazy for skiing in this piss poor pissing conditions. We meet up with Tim just after 10:30 at the bottom of the quad lift. It’s teacher ski day, the last weekday of our spring break!

The rains turn to wet snow half way up the quad. So we seek the snow and ride chair 2 to the top. We see boarders cut some slides. Visibility is low: fog and snow. We drop into Edelweiss bowl. We each take turns turning ass over teakettle. The snow is manky, deep, and grabby. I’m riding the skis low and long and it’s tough work.

Second run we head back up chair 2 and go the long way down. This is only my second time ever on Upper International. It’s one year and one day to the day I first descended this route. This time, no pow, but still deep snow. Another tele-skier reminds me to breath. I do. It is not nearly as bad as we all thought, but still tough going. Lower Nash is debris field. Some chunks of snow are taller than my shins. I nail one with my chest. I watch Peter take a power eleven approach and he bails, bounces, and lands back on his skis.

We pull in for lunch and a break. We are soaked. After lunch we wiggle into wet jackets and head back for a few more. We decide to stay low, traverse the cat track a bit and drop into one of the side lines. Snow is fairly good and we make another go. The second time through, I’m doing a beautiful ballet move, right ski so high in the air that when I land, I take the tail of the right ski in my left thigh. A nice ski length scratch and bruise. Time to call it a day. We head to the cars and chuckle at the day!

Bundy and Mazama Ridge

Check out the post on TAY for this Rainier trip

Mt. Catherine

Please check the TAY post on Mt. Catherine

Catherine Creek, Columbia River Gorge

02.24.06
JT, JLB, and I head out on a phenology mission. JT and I studied botany in college and the last time I came to the Gorge with her, her daughter was just 19 months old, saying, "Touch. Touch mama” from the baby backpack. Today JLB runs along the trail on her own "thenology" mission. She's clearly out to study something, even if we are not sure what the -ology is. On that earlier trip I had predicted that JLB would be speaking botanical Latin by the age of 5. At breakfast this morning she proves me right and speaks our mission quite clearly: "Sisyrinchium" (Sysrinchium douglasii var. douglasii)

There in the moist moss we spot a few fuchsia colored heads. Most specimens are in the vegetative state. Long thing leaves clearly of the monocot world. I count 6 petals and not 3 bold yellow stamens that confirm the iris family. JLB tip toes on rocks and finds a few "fat leaves" that her mom tells her are flower buds.

After feeling fuzzy pussy willows and Verbascum thapsis JLB conducts an unprompted experiment. "I'm exploring nature," she says with hands in her overall pockets. "I'm exploring which rocks make a big splash and which rocks make a small splash." I can't stop taking photographs. When we leave the creek bed, we head up the trail to gain the ridge, the Columbia River behind us, rolling on. After seeing tracks in the mud, we practiced walking quietly through the woods so that we might see this animal. I asked JLB about the habitat and colors and characteristics of this creature. Like a 4 year old, she gestured as she told of the fuzzy animal that moved carefully all around this place. But like a careful scientist moments later she exclaimed, "Wait! I have an idea! We can look at its poop. Then we can see what it eats, or if it's fresh, where it has been."

Just before turning away from the creek back to the car I hear, "Wait! Close your eyes. Listen. Take a deep breath." Our young nature lover reminds me to soak it all in.

Mt. Tabor, Portland, Oregon

JT leads me to her favorite urban hike. Into this fabulous city park we climb the gravely path, that gives way to moss and pine needled dirt. From the top, a broad view of the Rose City and a forested feel. The sound of smiles and wind whistling through tall douglas firs. We've got time before picking JLB up from preschool so we run stairs along the resevoir. A great workout!

Eastside sunshine and snow

On Saturday I drove to Leavenworth. The views were stunning and reminded me how lucky I am to live in the great PNW. Stunning I tell you. The weather has been particularly cold. I was bundled in my down jacket driving over the pass and pondering the ponderosa's on the way down the other side. I arrived at Sleeping Lady Lodge Saturday late morning. After checking in I walked the snowshoe track along the Icicle River Trail. Hard snow made no need for snowshoes. Then I joined friends and the wedding love birds to the Icicle Creek Winery. By fireside and sunset we sipped a fine collection of wines and toured the cellar.

Sunday, Thisbe and I rented x-country skis and got into the groove of the track on the Icicle River Trail. Being down hill skiiers, we both zoomed along the track hoping to go fast. That's a challenge when the trail is dead flat. Skate skiers zoomed along so Thisbe tried to skate along the groomed area. Woah! Clearly, our x-c classic skis are not meant for skating as they have no metal edge. We admired the sunshine, the pinecones, and the state fish hatchery that resembled a "large shuffleboard court". After a tour around the 8 km course, Thisbe noted that to do it again would leave her in no shape for a wedding; plus we found it a bit boring.


So we hit the hot tub and then headed into town to see KB get beautified. A lovely weekend with lots of snow, stars, and sunshine. Oh, and love. Best wishes KB and GUS.

Sunrise Sunset

I ride through this morning's chilly temperatures, avoiding a pocket of black ice, and cross the Montlake Bridge to see the early glow of sunrise reflect in the waters of the cut. In an oranging sky, the caucophany of crows circle above me. As I gain the hill on 29th, the Olympics shine their snow in the first light of day. Rainier looms South through the second story bathroom window where I change out of bike clothes into cold jeans. All day students explore the laws of physics. After department meetings our principal leads a small crew of teachers to the roof. We can see for miles and miles and miles. Clear Cascades. I drink the sun. I can taste the snow. A patch on Mt. Si looks like the state of Louisiana. The light is shifting lower in the West when I change back into my bike clothes. I push off down 29th to the mirror of morning. An orange glow of the Olympics. By the time I reach the bridge the Cascades have cooled down. Stars twinkle above the driveway.

It is that time of the year when I catch the sun and silhouettes on both mountain ranges. The views are simply stunning and I see it without a windsheild.

Valentines Day treats

Skiing in the sun on Sunday, biking in the snow this Valentines morning. Diamonds really are a girl's best friend. They fell lovely on my black bike tights this fine morning. If that ain't love, I don't know what is. To top it all off, the waning moon shines clear and bright tonight. What a day!

Super Bowl Sunny Day

Every skier knows the lift lines are shorter on SuperBowl Sunday. When the Seahawks play, the Cascades are nearly empty, as the crowds left to head home for the big game. There were also a bevy of telemark skiers celebrating Telefest at Stevens Pass. On the way up to the mountain, I caught a glimpse of Rainier between two cloud layers. I never would have thought that was the harbinger of the weather to come. By 11 am, there was nothing but sunshine. Aggressive turns on the backside in velvet snow and super sunshine. From the top of Tye we looked out on the basins beyond saying, "That one looks like a super bowl. And there, another super bowl. Oh! another super bowl. Someday, I'd like to ski in that super bowl!"

So, while others sat around and watched some sort of sport today, I played in the super bowls and participated in another form of competition. The annual Glenn Wilcott memorial race was held in conjunction this year with Telefest. Despite a late start time and the more than casual organization (disorganization) I finished in third place in the women's novice division. At the bottom of the race, I looked back on the course and thought, "Damn, I could have skied faster." Well, there's next year!

Closing the evening with a sun kissed face, a warm shower, worked quads, and the memories of another damn fine day.

Lots of stellar crystals

Another winter storm made for a fabulous weekend. I stepped off the Summit Shuttle with more than an hour left of daylight on Friday night at Alpental. As dusk settled darker, and the lights came on, visibility shifted. Luckily the snow stayed light and lovely. I met up with Cass, Allyson, and JW for a few runs before catching the shuttle back to Central.

Suprising sunbreaks made for a Saturday of rest, yoga, food, time with friends, and beautiful bold rainbows.

Sunday ski bus seems earlier and earlier each Sunday. I have even taken to sleeping a bit on the ride up; my charges passed out too, listening to their iPods. Even with chains required today, we made it up to Stevens Pass by 9:30. What great snow!!! My lessons continue and it's safe to say that I've broken through another plateau on the learning curve in these few short weeks. I'm working on fine tuning my turn shape, turn width, and consistency. With hero snow, it's easier to be a hero. I was frequently in a turning groove and rocked out. I love this! Lunch with some friends and then back out in a snowstorm. Stellar crystals, hexagonal plates, and a few narrow columns showed off their stuff on the black cuffs of my jacket and the knees of my pants. I live for this magic. Thank you Wilson Bentley, The Snowflake Man, for your work and awe inspiration.

more on Bentley

Sparkles

Friday night in a over a foot of fresh
sparkling snow

after traffic jams and narrow lanes
late starts and a fluffy fall
to Alpental with friends

we break the fowg layer
so that Casseopia and Orion
and stellar friends
sparkle
as we ski

Winded

We've had 24 consecutive days of measurable rainfall. It wasn't the rain that kept me off the two wheels today. It was the howling winds at up to 30 mph gusts, so strong and loud that the rattling of windows woke me this morning. So I drove to work, and then walked to yoga. Two days of yoga, that pretty much left me winded too.

Stevens Pass

It was early when I left the house in the dark for the Sunday ski bus. I pulled into the West Seattle Stadium parking lot and there was no bus. Thankfully, it arrived a few minutes later and the boys from last year, now taller, boarded the bus. There were a few new kids, two who I later had to teach to put a wicket through their jacket pull and put the ticket on the wicket without getting it stuck to everything else! We made the regular stop at The Evergreen School picked up those kids, some of whom I've known for ten years! I think I slept most of the ride up there, through the rain and the dissapointing lack of snow. Clearly, the forecast for a winter storm was wrong.

This is my 8th year taking tele lessons from Steve at Ski King. This is compensation for my chaperone duties. It's a blast! Steve and I headed out for a number of runs on the back side of the mountain. Snow was inconsistent, cold, and icy in places. Fast. Gave me a chance to work on my rhythm. As Steve says, we are just fine tuning now. He's being picky. This is fine with me.

I met up with other friends for a long lunch. I seemed to have left the tele legs in the lodge for the 4 runs we did as a posse in the afternoon. But I pushed through the burn for the joy of the day.

Today marks ten days out skiing since November 1. Yahoo!!!
ski ya,
jcl

Snoqualmie Central and Alpental

Yesterday was the first Friday night ski bus and we went up to Snoqualmie where it was 35 degrees and pouring. I think the pass temp sign said 41 when we passed it! I joined some high school science teachers and fellow bike commuters to Alpental for a few turns in lovely carvable snow (spring corn quality) and then some beers. We rode the bus back to Central, I checked in on a few kids dripping wet and looking like drowned rats. A few of us adults then a final two runs in the rain at Central before getting on the buses for home. Sunday is the ski bus to Stevens and hopefully the temps are coming down some time today. It needs to snow!

crafty ladies

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Double load

Admitedly, the new year hasn't been so strong for this twowheeler. With reserves down, I've doubled my wheel load to work this week. While I feel a bit guilty I did hear an NPR story on Biodiesel. This drive time has also offered extra time for yoga and other reflection. Luckily, I've still caught the sunrise from my classroom windows decorated with paper snowflakes. Today I saw the snow on the Olympic Mountains, for the first time this year, through the windsheild. It is a new view.

Alpental

When he called for the snow report, I knew there was a hidden agenda. Kevin missed the North Cascades; he wanted to ski and he wanted to see me. So getting a late start after New Years Eve, we headed up to Alpental. KWu passed the buck in the parking lot as he was heading out, stating the conditions above. He was correct. Poor visibility, but decent snow to be had. Kevin and I took a few runs and generally enjoyed the day and time skiing together. We returned to Seattle to do some yoga and stretchs. The entire weekend seemed to be about stretching.