My patient schedule bottomed out last week, so I jumped at the opportunity to have 5 days off. What to do? What to do? My first solo Sierra ski tour? Slogging in the Whites? Then I got the text from my mom that she and pop were in the land of Ports visiting my sis, sooo...
ROAD TRIP!!!
After cruisin' as far north as I could while staying awake (Eagle Lake), I camped off the road, and then the next morning checked out Lava Beds National Monument before finishing the drive. Found out that I'm not a big fan of caving, even getting the creeps in the lighted lava tube...
Picked up Neph #1 from his school (he's 3) and hung out...
Met the newest member of my rope team... (5 weeks. Shhh... my lilsis doesn't know about this plan yet)
Helped Mom make dinner...
The 'rents headed for home early Friday, and, checking the weather, I made the decision to head out as well. A few different routes to the volcanoes here, but all happened to pass by some pretty fantabulous wineries...
Crashed in the lot at Timberline Lodge for the night, then was joined by Don (Yay, Skooner!!) the next morning. With a bit of a late start, I was determined to just have a blast on the mountain. But perfect weather, great conditions (well, between the ice bands), and that old fire to climb ever higher burned bright and I slogged my way to the top.
I stashed my skis at the base of the slope below the Hogsback, since there was an UNfun layer of ice up there. Even then, until I was able to get around to the south face again, it was a maze of powder and ice bands to turn and jump through. Quote of the day from some guy heading down as I was still slogging up: "Are you going to smile all the way to the summit???" Oh yeah, and all the way down, even through the screaming barfies in my quads!
Met back up with Skooner at the parking lot and headed to Govt Camp for dindin:
Drove south with a case of wine and a growler of Oatmeal Stout from Mt. Hood Brewery. I was just glad that my knee held out well, and that I think was the signal that I can finally start some tougher training again...