Tiger Style! 4/11/10

Piper and I had a nice hike up West Tiger 3 on Sunday morning. She is definitly getting heavier! It didn't make it any easier that I hiked up Mt. Si on Saturday with a 30 pound pack. We got to the OSAT meeting a little late but it was still great to be there and get to visit with friends. After the meeting we hiked over to Tiger 2 summit with Rick and Dave for a little added leg burn. There was quite a bit of snow on the trail over to Tiger 2. As you can see in the photo riding in a backpack is exhausting !

Mount Dickerman 3/27/10

Big Four Mountain

Polly Penguins first Ascent!

I don't know why I hadn't climbed this mountain before but I am sure glad that I did now. This was a conditioning "hike" for the OSAT glacier climbing course. We had a mostly clear day with wonderful views. I am already an experienced climber and I am taking the course as an opportunity to meet new people and make friends. Mission acomplished! A great day with a very fun group. If I don't do another thing with the course it was worth it for this hike. Although I would not recommend it for everyone. It is about 4 miles one way and gains over 4000 feet of elevation to make the summit. Also if you are not experienced with snow travel and ice ax use I would wait until later in the season to attempt it.

Ascent of Squak Mountain 3/21/10

The obsessive nature of one who loves to climb up mountains sometimes has drawbacks. Instead of hiking what are I am sure very pretty trails we decided to hike up the road because it was the most direct way to the summit. This is made even funnier by the fact that the summit has a road to the top, a large communications tower and no views to speak of. We still had fun catching up with an old friend Ninja John who hiked up with us. Hopefully next time his son Olliver will not be napping and will get to come hiking too!

Little Si 1,576 ft

I remember when February meant cold, clouds and rain! It was a beautiful day for a hike and Piper and I had a great time.

Tiger Mountain Winter Ascent

Piper and Daddy on the summit of West Tiger Mountain Janurary 3rd 2010 I got my butt kicked carying a 50 pound pack! Piper had a fun time and talked to everyone on the way up. By the time we got to the summit she was pretty sleepy and slept most of the way down.

Polar Bear Plunge 2010

Travis, Risa, Dan, Janene, Julie and I getting ready to get COLD!

I started the year off with a brisk dip in Lake Washington at Mathews Beach in Seattle this year. This has become a tradition for Julie and I having done it 9 years in a row now. This year was extra special because after years of inviting friends to come and join us we finally got some to actually come and do it!

For years I had heard about crazy people who go for a swim on New Years day and called themselves polar bears. Julie and I did our first and third swims in Vancouver BC where it has been a tradition for many years.
We are pretty happy that it has come to Seattle though as it is a little closer to home!

Bicycle Fun!

Another awsesome activity for Piper and daddy has come of age. I am so proud of my 1966 Raliegh 3 speed. I have been working on getting the bike and seat set up for the last few months. Fritz at Dutch Bike Seattle installed custom gooseneck and handlebars to accomidate this kid seat. The final piece of the puzzle came Christmas morning when Julie got Piper a new helmet. Looking forward to many fun rides with her and Julie this spring and summer!