Figured it'd be a good thing to put up a year end recap of 2009, since I didn't really blog any of it. Got some nice pictures and had some great adventures last year though, and looking forward to new mountains to climb and adventures to have in 2010. :)
June 13th, 2009 - Mt. Si
Headed up to Mt. Si, and ended up doing the hike in jeans and boots, because I rode the 'busa up there. Honestly not a difficult hike, but coming down in the dark (reached the bottom ~9:50) and not having the right kind of clothing or lighting equipment was kind of a poor decision. Good hike though, even if the views aren't much, especially when it's socked in.
June 27th, 2009 - Mt. Pilchuck
With a super late start, and dubious amounts of remaining daylight we decided we didn't really want to navigate the snowfield in sneakers and shorts and only made it about 1/2 way up.
Runkeeper log
July 11th, 2009 - Mt. Pilchuck
Two weeks later, and virtually all of the snow has melted off, and the views were simply beautiful. Pilchuck really is located in a prime spot to see a huge number of great mountains & scenery.
Runkeeper log
July 19th, 2009 - Hurricane Ridge
Hurricane ridge is a great easy hike, though you can make it a lot more challenging. We found a rocky crag that was a moderately difficult scramble, but well worth the effort to get to the top. It was a great clear day with easy views of Vancouver island and the Olympics, who can ask for more?
August 9th, 2009 - Snow Lake & Gem Lake
Friends had been telling me about the alpine lakes up beyond Alpental for a long time, and finally got to head out and check it out. The lakes are downright beautiful, and if you get a nice early start, snow lake isn't even too crowded. Gem lake is nice, and super quiet because there's a bit more up/down and distance to get to it, but very worth it.
Runkeeper log
August 16th, 2009 - Twin Falls
Nice fairly relaxed hike up near North Bend, it's different because it feels like you're so far back in the woods, even though at times you can hear I-90 wizzing right by. Nice and short, and not too difficult so it was a good one to get my brother in law & nephew out there with us. :)
August 22nd, 2009 - Mt. Townsend
Great hike in the Olympics with nice, varied scenery. From woods to high meadows and then breaking out over the top of the clouds made for an amazing hike.
Runkeeper log (didn't exactly record correctly this time)
August 27th, 2009 - Mt. St. Helens
By far the most challenging hike I'd done up to this point especially being slightly gimpy in my right knee. It didn't help to sprain my left foot the week before either, but a bit of aleve and some tiger balm and up you go! The climb wasn't bad until the last bit, but the thinning of the air combined with the loose pumice & ash scree made the going slow & difficult, or at least tedious. The reward of the view, and the feeling of accomplishment was definitely worth it!
