The plan started as an attempt to climb Mt. Rainier. But as weather forcasts looked less appealing, we decided to try for Mt. Baker by starting the climb friday night and hoping to be off the mountain by late sat. morning, and beating the weather. After getting all eight of us (Tim, Brock, Nick, John, Doug, Justin, Steve and myself) out of seattle, gased up, last minute supplies, and a hearty dinner we found ourselves at the trail around 11 pm with clear skies. We were headed uphill into the darkness before midnight. We charged up the trail and found ourselves at snow in no time at all, and geared up with boots, skis and skins. As we enjoyed skinning under the stars we could see the storm approaching...rather quickly. Eventually we found ourselves at the bottom of the glacier with clouds about to swallow us, so we threw all our clothes on, hunkered down in a rocky shelter and had a little discussion. We came to the conclusion to kick around for a bit, watch the sunset, and ski back down avoiding white-out conditions on the glacier. While the conditions were far from good, it still felt good to be making some turns and the snow ran out all to soon (except maybe for nick :) As we made it back to the trailhead our decision making skills were put to the test again to come up with plan C. So we ate and slept on the matter. Eventually a peak in the N. Cascades was choosen and while a few headed home, the rest rallied over to camp and go for that "hike" on Sunday. Several more pitstops, food, camp, sleep, and we wake to what else....rain. It would be no hiking or climbing and back to city it was. A few headed for the rock gym determined to climb something while everyone else would head for their respective homes. All said is was a good send off for Timmy. See ya all in a couple weeks.
See all my trip photos here: http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&conn_speed=1&Uc=8taz4t1r.33scjo0j&Uy=o6knek&Ux=1
6.07.2005
6.06.2005
6.01.2005
Kayaking Exploits
Its been awhile since I have posted here because I have been busy on numerous projects including a new kayak specific blog to keep track of all the river-related adventures. You can view this blog at www.therangelife.blogspot.com
It is being run by two other friends as well, so that should provide plenty of content to check out. I just returned from a trip in week long kayaking trip in Wyoming that you can read about there....hope you enjoy.
It is being run by two other friends as well, so that should provide plenty of content to check out. I just returned from a trip in week long kayaking trip in Wyoming that you can read about there....hope you enjoy.
4.15.2005
What Kind of English Do You Speak
Your Linguistic Profile: |
| 80% General American English |
| 10% Dixie |
| 5% Upper Midwestern |
| 5% Yankee |
| 0% Midwestern |
What Kind of American English Do You Speak?
American Rivers' 10 Most Endangered Rivers
I thought about just listing a couple rivers, then I thought....Topher always told me of the Susquehanna River and my new Sister-in-law, Ashley, is from New Mexico, and I love the Toulomne River and I decided the whole list had relevance.
1. Susquehanna River - New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland Threat:
Inadequate sewer systems and dam constructionConservation Partners: Chesapeake Bay Foundation, river activist Don WilliamsEach year, millions of gallons of raw or poorly treated sewage are discharged into the Susquehanna River and Chesapeake Bay due to aging and inadequate sewer systems. A new inflatable dam proposed to stretch across the Susquehanna would make this situation even worse by creating a stagnant pool of this sewage next to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, further threatening fish, wildlife and human health. If elected officials are not willing to invest the resources necessary to clean up the Susquehanna River and restore the Bay, an irreplaceable piece of America’s natural and cultural heritage will be lost. Urge your Congressmen to act in the interest of clean water and public health. Click here to take action to save the Susquehanna River and Chesapeake Bay today!
2. McCrystal Creek - New Mexico Threat:
Impending Coal Bed Methane DrillingConservation Partners: Amigos Bravos, Coalition for the Valle VidalThe Valle Vidal of northern New Mexico, and the health of one of its signature streams, McCrystal Creek, faces the prospect of intense and intrusive coal bed methane drilling. A proposal has been submitted to drill 500 wells on 40,000 acres, accompanied by hundreds of miles of roads, pipelines, and compressors. This development threatens the health of New Mexico’s largest elk herd, native Rio Grande cutthroat trout, and the remarkable recreational opportunities of the area.
3. Fraser River - ColoradoThreat:
Water Withdrawals and Transbasin DiversionConservation Partners: Colorado Trout Unlimited, East Grand Water Quality Board, Town of Fraser TrusteeCurrently, 65 percent of the Fraser River’s water is siphoned off and piped across the mountains to fuel rapid development along Colorado’s Front Range. Now, there are plans to take almost all of the rest, leaving little to no water in the Fraser. Unless the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers refuses to issue a federal permit and puts an immediate stop to the water board’s plans, the remaining water will be replaced by discharges from local sewage plants, posing great risks to human health. Click here to save the Fraser River today!
4. Skykomish River - WashingtonThreat:
Rapid development and Population Demands Conservation partners: Pilchuck Audubon Society, Wild Steelhead Coalition Snohomish County is at a turning point. As population continues to rise, the county can grow in one of two ways -- haphazardly, in a way that leads to polluted water, more flooding, family farms paved over, and increasingly dangerous, congested traffic or thoughtfully and responsibly, in a way that encourages prosperity, protects clean water, and safeguards the values and lifestyles of residents. The Skykomish and its tributaries will become more polluted without a strong blueprint to manage growth and population demands. You can help by urging the Snohomish County Council to act decisively to safeguard the Skykomish River and protect the river valley residents. " Click here to save the Skykomish River today!
5. Roan Creek - TennesseeThreat:
Aging and Inadequate Sewer Systems Conservation Partners: Johnson County Citizens\' Committee for Clean Air and Water, Tennessee Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility The sewage treatment plant in Mountain City, Tennessee, is so outdated and inadequate that plant operators have been caught spreading sewage sludge on frozen ground within Roan Creek’s watershed. The United States is entering the 21st century with a 19th century sewage treatment system. The effects of outdated infrastructure, growing population, and poorly planned development are coming together to send about 850 billion gallons of raw sewage into rivers, streams, and lakes nationwide each year. Mountain City and other small towns throughout America need federal and state assistance to acquire state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plants that will protect the rivers at the heart of their communities. Click here to to save Roan Creek today!
6. Santee River - South Carolina Threat:
Harmful Hydropower ProjectConservation Partners: South Carolina Coastal Conservation LeagueThe Santee Cooper hydropower project has choked most of the flow from the once mighty Santee River by diverting 97% of the river’s water into other water bodies. This massive diversion threatens the extensive floodplain forests that are dependent on the river’s natural flows and eliminates any chance of public recreation. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) can restore and protect the Santee by issuing a certification requiring the hydropower utility, Santee Cooper, to put enough water back into the river for fish, wildlife, and public recreation. "
7. Little Miami River - OhioThreat:
Sewage DumpingConservation Partners: Little Miami Incorporated, Rivers Unlimited, Sierra ClubProposed wastewater plant expansions are poised to pollute Ohio’s Little Miami River with more sewage. Unless the state insists on modern sewage treatment, the crown jewel of Cincinnati’s and southwestern Ohio’s outdoor recreation will be spoiled beyond recovery. Write the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency today and tell them that sewage dumping must not be allowed in the Little Miami. Click here to save the Little Miami today!
8. Tuolumne River - CaliforniaThreat:
Rising Population Demands and River DiversionsConservation Partners: Clean Water Action, Environmental Defense, Tuolumne River TrustThe San Francisco Public Utilities Commission must upgrade the system that currently supplies water to more than 2.4 million customers in order to make it more reliable and safe from the risk of earthquakes. However, the Commission has burdened its critical seismic retrofit program with additional expansion projects including new pipelines and reservoirs that could divert 400 million gallons of water a day. Less water in the Tuolumne not only reduces the river’s ability to dilute agricultural and urban wastes and runoff, but also depletes salmon populations.
9. Price River - Utah Threat:
Imminent Dam and Reservoir Construction Conservation Partners: Utah Rivers CouncilNear the remote headwaters of the Price River in central Utah, the federal Bureau of Reclamation is under pressure to build a dam and reservoir to take away one community’s water and pipe it over the mountains to another. Unless the Bureau abandons this project, the Price River and the communities and wildlife populations it supports will suffer great harm. Click here to save the Price today!
10. Santa Clara River - California River Threat:
Runaway Development Conservation Partners: Friends of the Santa Clara River, Santa Clara River Alliance, Heal the Bay, Center for Biological Diversity, Lawyers for Clean Water, and Ventura CoastkeeperPermits for new housing projects are currently pending throughout the Santa Clara River watershed. The five-village Newhall Ranch will be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. It is one of the largest developments ever proposed in Los Angeles County. If the developer secures the required permits for Newhall Ranch, it will unleash its bulldozers on 19 square miles of natural areas straddling the upper Santa Clara River, including 141 acres located in the river’s floodplain. 95 percent of habitat in tributaries to the Santa Clara River will be lost if development is permitted. Click here to save the Santa Clara today!"
If any of the links are not working or you want to learn/do more please go to www.americanrivers.org
1. Susquehanna River - New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland Threat:
Inadequate sewer systems and dam constructionConservation Partners: Chesapeake Bay Foundation, river activist Don WilliamsEach year, millions of gallons of raw or poorly treated sewage are discharged into the Susquehanna River and Chesapeake Bay due to aging and inadequate sewer systems. A new inflatable dam proposed to stretch across the Susquehanna would make this situation even worse by creating a stagnant pool of this sewage next to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, further threatening fish, wildlife and human health. If elected officials are not willing to invest the resources necessary to clean up the Susquehanna River and restore the Bay, an irreplaceable piece of America’s natural and cultural heritage will be lost. Urge your Congressmen to act in the interest of clean water and public health. Click here to take action to save the Susquehanna River and Chesapeake Bay today!
2. McCrystal Creek - New Mexico Threat:
Impending Coal Bed Methane DrillingConservation Partners: Amigos Bravos, Coalition for the Valle VidalThe Valle Vidal of northern New Mexico, and the health of one of its signature streams, McCrystal Creek, faces the prospect of intense and intrusive coal bed methane drilling. A proposal has been submitted to drill 500 wells on 40,000 acres, accompanied by hundreds of miles of roads, pipelines, and compressors. This development threatens the health of New Mexico’s largest elk herd, native Rio Grande cutthroat trout, and the remarkable recreational opportunities of the area.
3. Fraser River - ColoradoThreat:
Water Withdrawals and Transbasin DiversionConservation Partners: Colorado Trout Unlimited, East Grand Water Quality Board, Town of Fraser TrusteeCurrently, 65 percent of the Fraser River’s water is siphoned off and piped across the mountains to fuel rapid development along Colorado’s Front Range. Now, there are plans to take almost all of the rest, leaving little to no water in the Fraser. Unless the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers refuses to issue a federal permit and puts an immediate stop to the water board’s plans, the remaining water will be replaced by discharges from local sewage plants, posing great risks to human health. Click here to save the Fraser River today!
4. Skykomish River - WashingtonThreat:
Rapid development and Population Demands Conservation partners: Pilchuck Audubon Society, Wild Steelhead Coalition Snohomish County is at a turning point. As population continues to rise, the county can grow in one of two ways -- haphazardly, in a way that leads to polluted water, more flooding, family farms paved over, and increasingly dangerous, congested traffic or thoughtfully and responsibly, in a way that encourages prosperity, protects clean water, and safeguards the values and lifestyles of residents. The Skykomish and its tributaries will become more polluted without a strong blueprint to manage growth and population demands. You can help by urging the Snohomish County Council to act decisively to safeguard the Skykomish River and protect the river valley residents. " Click here to save the Skykomish River today!
5. Roan Creek - TennesseeThreat:
Aging and Inadequate Sewer Systems Conservation Partners: Johnson County Citizens\' Committee for Clean Air and Water, Tennessee Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility The sewage treatment plant in Mountain City, Tennessee, is so outdated and inadequate that plant operators have been caught spreading sewage sludge on frozen ground within Roan Creek’s watershed. The United States is entering the 21st century with a 19th century sewage treatment system. The effects of outdated infrastructure, growing population, and poorly planned development are coming together to send about 850 billion gallons of raw sewage into rivers, streams, and lakes nationwide each year. Mountain City and other small towns throughout America need federal and state assistance to acquire state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plants that will protect the rivers at the heart of their communities. Click here to to save Roan Creek today!
6. Santee River - South Carolina Threat:
Harmful Hydropower ProjectConservation Partners: South Carolina Coastal Conservation LeagueThe Santee Cooper hydropower project has choked most of the flow from the once mighty Santee River by diverting 97% of the river’s water into other water bodies. This massive diversion threatens the extensive floodplain forests that are dependent on the river’s natural flows and eliminates any chance of public recreation. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) can restore and protect the Santee by issuing a certification requiring the hydropower utility, Santee Cooper, to put enough water back into the river for fish, wildlife, and public recreation. "
7. Little Miami River - OhioThreat:
Sewage DumpingConservation Partners: Little Miami Incorporated, Rivers Unlimited, Sierra ClubProposed wastewater plant expansions are poised to pollute Ohio’s Little Miami River with more sewage. Unless the state insists on modern sewage treatment, the crown jewel of Cincinnati’s and southwestern Ohio’s outdoor recreation will be spoiled beyond recovery. Write the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency today and tell them that sewage dumping must not be allowed in the Little Miami. Click here to save the Little Miami today!
8. Tuolumne River - CaliforniaThreat:
Rising Population Demands and River DiversionsConservation Partners: Clean Water Action, Environmental Defense, Tuolumne River TrustThe San Francisco Public Utilities Commission must upgrade the system that currently supplies water to more than 2.4 million customers in order to make it more reliable and safe from the risk of earthquakes. However, the Commission has burdened its critical seismic retrofit program with additional expansion projects including new pipelines and reservoirs that could divert 400 million gallons of water a day. Less water in the Tuolumne not only reduces the river’s ability to dilute agricultural and urban wastes and runoff, but also depletes salmon populations.
9. Price River - Utah Threat:
Imminent Dam and Reservoir Construction Conservation Partners: Utah Rivers CouncilNear the remote headwaters of the Price River in central Utah, the federal Bureau of Reclamation is under pressure to build a dam and reservoir to take away one community’s water and pipe it over the mountains to another. Unless the Bureau abandons this project, the Price River and the communities and wildlife populations it supports will suffer great harm. Click here to save the Price today!
10. Santa Clara River - California River Threat:
Runaway Development Conservation Partners: Friends of the Santa Clara River, Santa Clara River Alliance, Heal the Bay, Center for Biological Diversity, Lawyers for Clean Water, and Ventura CoastkeeperPermits for new housing projects are currently pending throughout the Santa Clara River watershed. The five-village Newhall Ranch will be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. It is one of the largest developments ever proposed in Los Angeles County. If the developer secures the required permits for Newhall Ranch, it will unleash its bulldozers on 19 square miles of natural areas straddling the upper Santa Clara River, including 141 acres located in the river’s floodplain. 95 percent of habitat in tributaries to the Santa Clara River will be lost if development is permitted. Click here to save the Santa Clara today!"
If any of the links are not working or you want to learn/do more please go to www.americanrivers.org
4.09.2005
4.03.2005
Out like a Lion
As March came in like a lamb, it appeared that we would be headed for a very severe drought for spring and summer. As of the middle of March, it hadn't really rained to speak of for two months. But then the pattern shifted and we have been getting front after front pushing through, and bringing Baker over 100" of new snow in the last week. Ryan Goedhart and myself rallied up there last week for the reopening day to 30 new inches. And as it kept snowing, Erik Schertzl and I made plans to get back up there. We timed it perfectly, on a clearing day in the middle of the storm, with 10" of new on top of 40+ Well the pictures speak for themselves and it truely made all of those dry days seem to disappear.
3.31.2005
3.20.2005
Seattle Stats
As an admitted student to Seattle University's Law school, they have been sending me all kinds of information trying to get me to commit to their school. Alot of the literature is targeted to out of towners, so much of it is about the city and the area. Here are some of the things I found interesting:
- Population: Seattle 572,000 And suburbs 3,388,000
- Average Rainfall: Seattle - 36.2 inches, San Fran - 19.2 inches, New York City - 40.3 inches
- The Olympic Peninsula receives 160 inches of rain annually.
- 96 espresso stands in downtown, Seattle
- Seattle residents purchase more sunglasses per captia than the rest of the US
- Washinton State is know for apples, fine wines, asparagus, wheat and salmon...all of which I enjoy from the local producers.
Come visit :)
3.19.2005
3.12.2005
Rado meets Dizl. Dizl is our friends Erik and Jodi's dog. She is obviously the same breed and is about nine months old. When we started searching for a pup, we quickly realized how fanatic owners of this breed are. We have now become the same way...giving extra attention to other Berners. And the dogs definately know when they are with one of their own...its fun to watch.
3.09.2005
3.04.2005
2.25.2005
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
