We did it again

Last Wednesday we once again climbed to the 8,525 foot summit of Mt. St. Helens. The first time we attempted it, (in September) we encountered freezing cold, wet and windy weather which forced us back down before we had even gone half way, but this time it was a beautiful sunny day, and clear enough to get some amazing views. 4 mountains were visible (not including the one we were standing on :) --Mt. Adams, Mt. Rainier, Mt. Hood and Mt. Jefferson (over 100 miles away!).

My modernized Lewis and Clark pose :) with Mt. Adams in the background

This hike is not for the faint of heart, it involves rock scrambling, 40 degree inclines, and being able to comfortably stand within a few feet of the crater (otherwise you can't see inside). The worst part is, it just keeps going on and on--you top one ridge only to see that the summit is another 3 ridges away, and then when you do make it to the last climb it turns out to be an incredibly wearisome crawl up a 45 degree slope covered with ash and gravel.







But then when you reach the summit, it's all worth it. You don't get that view any other way.

Panoramas courtesy of Christopher

I gave Zach the camera for this shot, and when I came to get my camera back he kept shooting, "No, no more photos!"

We made it to the top by about 12:10 p.m., had lunch, took pictures and did some rock fishing :) That's where you sprawl as close as you dare to the rim and try to retrieve cool rocks with a leather thong on the end of a walking stick. The concept is a good one, but usually your precious stone would slowly slip out and tumble down hundreds of feet into the crater--that's a sickening feeling :)





Daniel performed the traditional ring-toss in his makeshift hobbit costume (for a moment as he held the ring suspended over the rim you could hear people shouting, "Come on! Throw it in!)




Last time he did that it was a month before the second eruption, we wondered if there was a correlation... The dome has grown a lot since the last time we saw it, so we could easily see some more activity in the next few years.

Finally we began the descent by galloping down the gravel slope kicking up all kinds of dust, then refreshed ourselves with some real mountain glacier water. Daniel was still wearing his elven cloak and one guy told him jokingly, "Have fun superman!"



None of us remembered that the hike would be that hard, but as we piled into the truck we all agreed it was well worth it.

The Party

Too long ago on a homestead not too far away... :) Ok, seriously.

Two Thursdays ago our family traveled up to the Bittner's house in Olympia to celebrate a triple birthday party for Jacqueline (18), Gabriella and Abigail, in the form of an English country dance. I'll be honest, I knew that I didn't know how to dance, and I was a little bit reluctant to wear a costume, but before I knew it we were rolling up the interstate in long stockings, makeshift breeches (or whate'er you call 'em), vests and poofy shirts. :) Mom said, "Daniel Bittner needs to be a politician if he's convincing enough to make my boys wear all that." Anyhow, we fit right in and had fun with it.

Since we arrived early, we were taught most of the dances we needed to know for the evening, practiced for a while and then met some new folks as they began arriving.

Everything fell together (including the weather) and we all had a fantastic time of fellowship and fun. Mom took all these photos (I didn't even touch the camera--amazing huh?)

Virginia Reel

Tree Huggers

More reels

Josephina holding Christianna

Live music

Bittners and Berkompases

Christopher and Aimee

Daniel Bittner

I'm in there somewhere

Jacqueline and her father

Me again

Brian (middle), his sister and Daniel

Jacqueline and...Abigail? I'm wrong aren't I? :)

The official "Happy Birthday" quartet, Daniel, Phillip, Stephen and Stephen

Hey ya'll, here's what I picked up in Texas/New Mexico. We're waiting for our flight home from Phoenix right now (their Sky Harbor International Airport is massive btw).

Carlsbad Caverns: A Panoramic View

Dad and I spent the day at Carlsbad Caverns NM. It's late right now, but since I'm connected to lightning fast wireless internet I'll tide you over with a few of my best panoramas (Photoshop has an excellent stitch feature, try it out!). This cave is mindblowing, like nothing you've ever seen! and we were privileged to take a tour into some of the most stunning chambers in the Caverns. Don't you worry, I've got a lot more info and photos to post on this visit.

Rock of Ages
(column on left)


King's Palace

The Caveman
(lower left stalactite formation)