10.03.09 SSCX...Beautiful day, nice to be able to race in Issaquah, so I could ride out to the venue and then race--was going to go for a car free race, but took a ride with RW as getting home sounded pretty good. Next time. No results up yet, but the short story was I suffered and the lack of intensity work was obvious.

10.03.09 SSCX...with a 5 week window to prep for the world championships, I'm heading out to Issaquah for the first race of the 2009 campaign. It wasn't supposed to be this way, I was gonna do my intervals, practice some mounts/dismounts and get a few new parts.... oh well, cx always sneaks up on me, but I'm in it for the fun, not the glory.

08.23.09 Snoqualmie Figure 8...Too lazy to drive to the mountains, but still wanted to go "big" (for me) So with some internet surfing saw a ~95 mile loop on some rail trails, roads and gravel that I had never ridden. So, rolled out the door and put in a long day with some fantastic riding. I'll put this one on the list to do again. Pics are here

rolling a few miles of gravel enroute to Preston, August 23rd, 2009

Snoqualmie Falls--a bit touristy but spectacular

08.16.09 End of an era...With SB moving, it was only fitting he throw a big party and have one last mini-bike extravaganza. I got tangled up getting a bike and didn't qualify for the semis--but that was ok, spectating might have been as much (or more) fun.

Dougie charging hard, August 14th, 2009

07.018.09 riding...4 rides this week, another lake loop, a couple of MI's and a few laps on magnolia. Still have nothing for speed, but getting a bit stronger.

07.011.09 Comeback...trying to get back the bike fitness after a spring of doing lots of other stuff--long ride today through South end of the lake, May Valley, Issaquah and Preston...legs getting better, but a ways to go.

07.05.09 Rainier Summit...A whirlwind 1 1/2 day trip to climb Mt Rainier. TJ and I left Seattle at 4:30am on Friday to make sure we could get a climbing permit on the busy 4th of July weekend and to get up above Camp Muir before it got crazy hot. Rainier from Paradise to the summit is over 9000 vertical feet, so it's a long day no matter how you parse it. We decided to go to Ingraham flats at 11k, melt water, sleep for about 3 or 4 hours and then leave for the summit, hoping to summit at sunrise and stay ahead of other groups for both safety and quickness.

We had our permit and left Paradise at 8:00am and made good time up the 5k to Muir, arriving in about 3:45 minutes. We took a break for lunch and a 20 minute nap before roping up to cross the Cowlitz to cathedral gap.

There was plenty of rockfall debris on the glacier, but we had an uneventful crossing and got up Ingraham flats in about 1:15 minutes. While I melted lots of snow for water, TJ dug out a bivy platform and we went over some crevasse rescue details. Took a nap for an hour between 5 and 6 pm and then cooked dinner and packed for the climb. It was surprisingly cold and I was worried that I didn't have enough clothes.

We went to sleep around 7:45 and would get up at 11:00pm and start climbing around midnight in order to get in front of the guided teams (slow). We were the first group to leave Ingraham flats around 12:20 with a about 20 climbers coming up around 20 minutes later. Up the DC went quickly, but the moon set and the wind picked up noticably above 12,500. We ended up not stopping from the top of the cleaver until the crater because it was so windy and cold. Got to the top about 45 minutes before sunrise so we tried to stay warm out of the wind and nap for a bit. We both woke up at 5:00 and headed the last 3 minutes to the summit. Amazing sunrise and views. A moment I won't soon forget. Plenty of pictures and gazing around and we headed down from the crater at 6:00--getting back to Ingraham flats by 8:00am and packing up camp. It was nice to be ahead of most of the groups and to stay ahead of the rockfall that was happening in the warmer parts of the day. We then hauled ass to muir, put the rope away and slogged down to Paradise at 11:30. It felt so good to put on chacos and relax. Burgers in Ashford and drove home. After 30 hours on the go I was ready for a long nights sleep. Pictures are here

TJ watching the sunrise on the summit of Mt. Rainier, July 4, 2009

Summit shot--Mt. Rainier 14,410

07.02.09 Rainier...Any clear day in Seattle you almost inevitably gaze to the SE and stare at Mt. Rainier, rising 14,400 feet above the city. Tomorrow TJ and I are doing a quick hit summit attempt---leaving early in the morning, climb to 11k, nap til midnight and then push on to the summit. With any luck we'll be back on Saturday afternoon and hopefully get to the summit.

4th of July objective (from the summit of Mt. Adams)

07.01.09 Settling in...I've got about 3 rides and ~125 miles on the max so far--settling in nicely (my legs not coming around so fast) Need to work on dialing in the Sram shifters, they still seem a little slow and noisy, but that's probably just a little cable stretch and settling.

06.27.09 First ride...Got the new hampsten max up and running on Thursday (thanks to RW) and went out for 45 miles this morning, heading around the north end of the lake. Verdict is two thumbs up. Steel is real, 28mm conti's make for a comfy ride. Still need to retrain my brain from campy to sram, but that will come.

06.18.09 Rocky Mtn High...3-days in CO for a family reunion--a return to the mountains of my youth, when I was growing up in Loveland, CO. Won't have to much time,but looking forward to some trips into RMNP.

06.14.09 No mountains, new frame...Didn't make it to the mountains this weekend, but did pick up a new frame last week and have some parts on order. A lightly used columbus max hampsten frame will replace the c-dale that is well past its prime. Can hardly wait to get it on the road--it's been 11 years since I got a new road bike (which is hard to believe)

The bike is built around a race geometry and 57mm brakes (regular or long reach depending on who you ask) with a Alpha carbon fork. It's built to run bigger tires (700x28-30) and can run fenders for those long winter rides (or I could go skiing)

Next weekend three days in CO

Hampsten columbus max tubes welded by co-motion in OR (I only bought the frame--this is a website photo)

06.07.09 double-double...2 out of the last 3 weekends have been double headers with MTB and Spring skiing. Memorial day weekend was Buck Mtn, the B-day tour and Buck Mountain. This weekend, bikes and brews fizzled, but SB and I shrugged it off and headed to the 'ham for our owns bikes and brews. 3:30 of riding at Galbraith followed by beers with Alan, Rachel and Michelle at Boundary Bay.

Today was supposed to be spring skiing in the morning sunshine before rallying back to Seattle. Unfortunately it was fog and drizzle, but the snow was good and we had a lot of fun. Most photos are up on the flickr (link to your left)

Stephen enjoying his new bike at Galbraith 06.06.2009

SB dropping the knee 06.07.2009

Summer and Kirk skinning to the poster peak col (Birthday Tour) 05.24.2009

05.17.09 Silver Star...After first heading up there with Mary, Stephen and Summer (and friends) four or five years ago I've had Silverstar on the tick list. 2007 saw a pretty decent effort, but a late start (mmmm, pancakes), weather and time constraints had us turn around at 7500 feet and enjoy some great corn (photos). So, with TJ's desire to tick another top 100 peak off his list (60+ done) and my desire to finally get to the top we hatched a plan. We only had one day, so I set the alarm for 3:30am, woke up, made coffee picked up TJ at 4:00. This had us at the trailhead at 6:55.

We geared up and hit the trail. Unlike other years, we had to hike the first mile/1000 feet to get to skinnable snow. From that point on we made good time. An avy warning and some weird windloaded snow in the glacial trough had our attention, but all the tests said "go" and we felt pretty good about the stability. Blinding sun as we headed up the final headwall and onto the col. A mildly sporty bootpack had us on the summit (8876) about 20 minutes later. Ski down was great, first (only) tracks in heavy powder for the first 1000 feet. Heavier, sticky snow for the 2nd 1000. Psuedo corn for the 3rd 1000 through the larches. Then double poling and some traversing til we put running shoes on at 4300. We hit the highway about 4:30 for a 9+ hour day on the go. A long drive home with burgers and shakes at Good Food to finish off the day. We were the only group on the mountain, so it was great to have zero tracks and 5k to call our own for the day. Pics are here

skinning to the silver star col 05.16.2009

TJ and our tracks on the upper 2200 feet of Silver Star

05.11.09 Euro Pics ... are up on Flickr-Ortler ski tour, Florence, Montepulciano and Rome and a North Cascades Mountain Guides report.

05.04.09 Back home...Fantastic trip, 7 days of high mountain touring, friends and wine...followed by another 7 days of art, history, wine and food. Pics on the way, but for now---

Ortler Alps

My turn to buy beers--04.16.2009 (photo credit JW)

Kurt dropping into Hidden Valley 04.18.2009

04.10.09 Italia...leave for Italy and the Ortler tour---8 days of coffee, beer and ski touring through the Italian Alps---it's been a long time in the planning phase and I can't wait to meet up with friends in Innsbruck on Saturday night...

04.04.09 Powder-April-Sun...An unlikely PNW combination to be sure. With considerable avy danger in the forecast after 30+ inches of snow last week we decided on Mt. Catherine, since it's a NW slope and almost completely in old growth forest.

The now somewhat boring slog over the defunct ski area at Hyak and a bit of skating through the nordic center got us to the start of the skintrack in about an hour. Since I hadn't been there, it was nice to see the skintrack was in (and someone else broke trail through 15" of fresh snow. Beautiful in the trees, cold, light powder. A great climb to the top and damn good skiing down made it pretty much a perfect day with a good crew.

RW let me have first tracks off the top and boot top to mid-thigh shots were something I won't forget anytime soon. A few pics up on flickr

skiing up Hyak (again) 04.04.09

Mt. Catherine from the Nordic Area-a little skating before we skin

RW getting into a rhythm

04.01.09 flahute...36 degrees and raining on the way to work, 40 and raining on the way home--my resolve wavered, but managed to get in 1:30 on the bike on the way home in some light rain and cold temps. Felt good to train a bit on a miserable day (once I got home)

03.29.09 5k or bust...feeling guilty for missing vertfest on Saturday (for a variety of reasons) I wanted to get in a hard day of skinning in prep for Italia in two weeks. High avy danger and busy crew meant it was a solo mission to Hyak--I figured 5,000 vertical would be reasonable---5 full size laps later and I was done, which was good as the sun affected snow was quickly getting slabby and terrible for skiing. Not many people out today, maybe because it was beautiful in Seattle and snowing, blowing and intermittently sunny, foggy and everything in between at Hyak. Legs were pretty tired at the end and I was more than ready to head down the hill. Rumor mill said Tim did 10k the other week at Mt. Snoqualmie, yikes

Admiring my ragged tracks after 4 laps 03.29.09

03.22.09 Low expectations...With 40" of snow early last week and then rain on Friday, we had low expectations for today's ski tour. I must say--they were met. Toured up Commonwealth towards Red Mtn and then cut up, hoping to ski up to the ridge at Kendall Catwalk. A full avy cycle had run on Friday with debris everywhere. Where there wasn't debris, there was lots of runnels. Didn't bother to ski more avy debris to get to the top of the ridge, but we got a good 5 hours out in the mountains touring around and got in a few good turns.

Heading up into the basin 03.22.09

Our high point was the top of this debris filled gully-no need to continue

03.11.09 Full-Moon Skate...Dougie and I headed up to the pass under cold (14 degrees) temps and clear skies for a fantastic full-moon ski--helped by Ullr

Full Moon Skate 03.11.09

03.08.09 Mt. Hyak...With the Avy danger high and TJ's skins needing some use, we rallied to Hyak to put in some laps on 11" of snow they got yesterday. Since Hyak has no lift, it was earn your turns to the summit. We got in a good 3 hours of skinning/skiing in great snow. It wasn't bc by any means, but it was a lot of fun.

TJ getting into the backseat at Hyak 03.08.09

First tracks under the old abandoned lift 03.08.2009

03.02.09 still smarting a bit...Glanced at the results of the rally when they put them up at the OR Vertfest site, damn---I can't even fathom how bad I was crushed. It wasn't like I was having a snickers at the top and THEN taking my skins off....Maybe a little Ortler rally training is in order for the next 6 weeks? Not that I can expect to improve more than a handful of minutes...

Nice ride tonight, the rain held off until the last 10 minutes up the hill and I was treated to some incredible sunset views of the olympics from the sculpture park

02.28.09 whipping post...After doing one rando rally last year in the recreational division, and putting in a good effort, I decided to sign up for the "race" division for yesterday's Crystal Mountain Vertfest (where the dudes wear skinsuits with hoods). When I raced last year, I had a lot more ski days in my legs and was in a better shape, but that still didn't prepare for the beating I took yesterday. Almost 5k of climbing, two bootpacks and tricky skiing down made me sore and tired today. Not to mention I finished over an hour behind the top guys (a couple of national team members) But the $$ went to the Avy center, I got a incredible workout and you got two free beers for participating. I might have to sign up for the one at alpy in a month to try and redeem a little pride? Maybe limit the deficit to under an hour?

02.24.09 riding...Actually went for a bike ride after work, a windy trip through myrtle edwards and a lap of magnolia before heading up the hill to home. I've been riding to work, but a longer ride cracked my legs. Good thing we've got a long time til' riding fitness is important.

02.23.09 5-7...Got out on the skate skis 5 out of 7 days last week for what will surely be the climax of the skate season. Two days up at the pass and 3 more days in the Methow where the skiing was fantastic. We hoped to bc one day, but the snow was shite at delancy.

Top of Jacks Trail-Mazama 02.20.09

Great ski down the valley on Sunday, fast, frozen tracks and good sensations made for one of the best trips down I've ever had

02.16.09 Skate session...Skied up Hidden Valley with Summer, but then we split up. Since I was skiing alone for about an hour and half, I decided to hit all the trails I never ski much, rockdale viewpoint, skidaddle, froglegs and others. Totally worked after rallying to complete them all and ski back to Silver Fir in time to meet Summer and TJ. A great ski on good tracks--a good way to finish the three day weekend.

02.16.09 Neglect...Sometimes I've got nothing to say--figure I could just scroll back through the years to look at entries, skating, bc skiing, riding to work etc. Been keeping busy--excitement over Italy is building with two months to go. 3-days in the Methow coming up this weekend, a Rando race the weekend after that at X-tal etc. A few pics from the last few weeks...Flickr link on the right has a few new photos from the last few weeks.

Ski-touring above Union Creek 02.08.09

SB getting after it on the descent of Red Mountain 02.14.09 (more pics)

Peach Pie and February Sunshine in PDX 02.15.2009

01.25.09 skating...Another sunday at hyak--started at silver fir and skied over to hyak and then up and around mt. catherine, windy acres and back with a couple of loops thrown in. Grooming was crappy, but it was only an 1" of new snow, so it wasn't too bad. Chilly--with temps around 19 degrees and brisk wind, but none of friday nights "death fog", where it was about 14 and 95% humidity.... that rated a high number on the misery index. BC skiing is still sketchy sounding, not a lot of snow and crusty conditions, but hopefully soon we'll get out for some tours.

01.21.09 Wednesday night TT...quick ride home on the bike and grab the skis to meet dougie for a quick trip to the pass for an evening ski--the first TT I've made it up to this year, and it was team relay, 3 laps each (alternating). Laps were 2.5k, so you got a perfect 7 minute interval and corresponding rest and back out again. I flailed a bit without a decent headlamp and little intensity, but it was a lot of fun.

01.19.09 2 out of 3...days of the weekend out skating---finally starting to get a little more comfortable clicking off the k's. Chilly, humid day on saturday at cabin creek on chattery tracks, but yesterday we were above the inversion for crazy good skating at Hyak---looking over at Granite and wondering whether SB and NS were going to be making bc turns down the south face as we watched.... Always debating what decision is best, skate? bc? Skating seemed like the best chance of getting good snow, and it was great skiing, but it did sound like the bc had some good turns if you found the right spots as well. We do need more snow after 10 days of high pressure---it's looking a little bleak out there for mid-January.

01.07.09 Climax Avy on Mt. Hyak?...Only the 7th day of 2009 and I'm already uttering phrases I never thought would be heard in these parts. After 25-50 inches of snow in the Cascades since January 1st plus 6 inches of rain in the last day at the pass, Hyak suffered a climax avy today. Strange days indeed.

As any longtime readers of this blog know, I have a love/hate (hate/hate) relationship with Hyak. Former home to our Wednesday night nordic TT's, the closest nordic center to Seattle and some fantastic skiing when they get it right (not very often). I have even coined my own motto, "Hyak---expect less" But even I was saddened by this event.

I still dream of buying it when I win the lotto---looks like the price just dropped. My fantasy of a nordic center plus "earn your turns" rando loop might be easier now that two of the lift towers are gone.