Glacier National Park Teaser

Kristin and I spent an amazing week earlier this month exploring Glacier National Park with my mom.  With too many stories and too many photos, we've had a hell of a time sorting through all the content and getting something posted about the trip.

Instead of waiting until its all organized, we decided to post a little teaser - a short clip of Mom preparing for her assault on Mt. Stanton.  The peak rises 4500' above Lake McDonald on the western edge of the park, and we figured it would make a great little hike on the second day of the trip.   

We won't give it away, but we will say that Mom kicked some serious butt.  Did she summit?  Did she bonk?  Did we lose her on the descent? You'll have to tune back in to find out what happened!  Reality TV at its finest.  

Labor Day 2010 - Springbok Arete Backpacking Trip

Labor Day weekend - the end of a wet and soggy summer - I tried to squeeze in one last mountain trip.  Faced with yet another mediocre forecast, Doug and I played the denial game and convinced ourselves we just had to be there because you never know what you'll get.  30%, 40%, 50% chance of rain.  It's all the same really ... isn't it?  How are we going to know what its like unless we go and find out?     

Ridiculing the stupid weather men, convinced they predict a 30-50% chance of rain every single day just so they're always right, we packed up our gear and headed to the Anderson River range in SW British Columbia.  The objective - Springbok Arete on Les Cornes.  If you're going to fail miserably, you might as well fail on a big objective.

El Potrero Chico Reprise

Back in March, Kristin and I escaped the dreary weather of the Pacific Northwest in search of Mexican limestone in El Potrero Chico.  We stumbled upon some amazing climbing, but we also met a memorable collection of personalities and characters.  One of the great people we got to know in Mexico, John Kelley, just published an article on his impressions of EPC and the unique community of climbers we found while we were there.  Check it out.  Nice work John!  

Big Win in the Ninth Circuit on Logging Roads and Stormwater

The Ninth Circuit just issued a long-awaited opinion in a case we've been working on for several years. We brought the case against the Oregon Department of Forestry for discharging sediment pollution from logging roads into salmon rivers in the Tillamook State Forest. ODF has long argued they were exempt from the Clean Water Act's permitting requirement - basically leaving the pollution unregulated - but the Ninth Circuit disagreed.  Check it out.

Phish at the Greek Theater

This whole Phish thing is a little ridiculous, I'll be the first to admit, but how can I pass up the opportunity to hang with a half dozen college-era friends at the Greek Theater in Berkely, California?!  I mean come on!  I only get this opportunity once every ... what .... uhhh ... hmmm ... 3 or 4 months?  How could I miss it?

Towards the end of the third show, a nice girl dancing next to me turns and says, "they have to play 2001 right here, don't they?  They just HAVE to!"  And then they segued sweetly into this.  Enjoy.

Shooting the Bugaboos!

Snowpatch Spire and the Howsers

Late last month, I spent a week in the Bugaboos in Southeastern British Columbia, my fourth trip to the range in the last eight years.  I can't seem to get enough of this place.  Since I returned to Portland, I've been focused on activities other than climbing (mostly work and ... ahem ... Phish at the Greek Theater).  I haven't had time for a proper trip report, and I honestly don't think I'll get around to doing one, so I'll give a little narrative through some pics I shot during the week. 

Beacon Rock is Open for Business

Guy Pinjuv on Blownout, 5.10a