Kendall Peak Lakes

Nollie and I decided to go hiking yesterday. We started at the remaining pile of snow from this year's Holy Oly Quarterpipe, which was at Summit West if you recall (refresh your memory of 2008's event here). Nollie ran around like an idiot not realizing there was 6 or so hours of hiking remaining, and I tried to decide where we were going to go hiking. It was the warmest day of the year with pass temperatures in around 76 degrees around noon. Through trying to avoid avalanche prone areas, forest service road closures, and long drives, we decided on Kendall Peak Lakes. The first half of the hike had hot temperatures and patchy snow. I don't know if Nollie is really out of shape or was too hot or just pretending, but she was dragging ass and only carried her pack for about a mile. Then I strapped all her stuff to my bag, and she was happy to follow close behind. The last half of the hike turned into a snowshoe expedition. Nollie stayed close behind the whole way, though I could tell she was growing impatient with my photographic exploits on the way up and the way down. For safety's concern, we got to the general area of the lakes but stayed away since everything was covered in snow. Instead, we snowshoed off a little higher to see a great view of Mt. Rainier peaking above the Central Cascade skyline. I don't know if you've heard the song Seattle by Perry Como, but yesterday I did see the bluest skies and the greenest trees I've ever seen in my life. Photographic documentation below.


Nollie on one of her many lay down in the snow to cool off breaks.


Kendall Peak Trail No. 1344.



"The bluest skies you've ever seen are [near] Seattle. And the [trees] the greenest green, [near] Seattle."


Kendall Peak(-ish). Don't ask me which is what. Different maps were saying different things, but I don't need a map to tell me it's pretty.


Do I wanna what?


Gold Creek Valley, Keechelus Lake, Central Cascades, and Mt. Rainier in the distance.


See? Mt. Rainier.


Oh yeah, I was there too. And don't look surprised, you should know Memorial Day kicks off mustache season.



These shots cost us an extra half hour. Thankfully, the sun sets sometime after 9p.


OK, seriously. Put your stoopid camera away, and let's go home already.

Hart Lake Hike

Despite my need to do laundry, since my work stay has been extended at least 4 days at Holden, I hiked to Hart Lake. The timing of it did not allow for any good pictures of the lake, especially since my hiking cohorts were more concerned about the fact they could get ice cream in the village tonight for the first time since we arrived. Needless to say, they hot-footed it on back for ice cream, and I had to stick with them until within a reasonably safe self-hiking distance to stop for pictures.


Glacier carved valley.


Black and white mountains as observed during the mining days.


Colored version of mountains as observed today.

Additionally, today began a large May youth weekend at the village. With the influx of about 275 high school age teens, the population of the village increased about 1000% right after lunch and things move at a quicker, louder pace. And I feel old.

A Common Sight

Today they served dinner outside, and a young buck and three doe were curious and came to see what was going on. At one point someone started laughing boisterously, a noise I would have thought would startle the deer, but one just go more curious and came closer to investigate, eventually getting too close. I snapped this picture after the fact while walking back to one of the "lodges" just to show this common sight in Holden. When a black bear comes by, though, they get scared/chased out of the village immediately. A black bear was looking through the garbage cans on the porch in the background earlier this week. However, no food is allowed in outside garbage, and an electric fences "guards" the compost piles outside the village.

Back to Holden

Drinks on the Links

It's that time of year again.....DOTL started last night.
We played short a few people, but we still posted awesome numbers.
We are currently in second place.

My Tiny Alaskan Adventure

I spent a few days in Anchorage, AK for a work conference where I gave a presentation on PCP. One of our outings was a glacier cruise on Prince William Sound. It was beautiful and the best part of my trip. Although Moose's Tooth was good too.