schubwa
New member
What does one do in the middle of the dog days of summer in the PNW? Go ride, of course. Well into another year round season, I figure September is usually the toughest month to bag a day, if you're record hunting. But looking across to the South Sister, it looks like there is an easy 3000 vert waiting for Labor Day. We'll see, I can always go to Timberline and ride the lift.
Jeff Munson and I started out at about 8:30 on a day that might rival the warmest so far this summer. I think we had one day of 95 degrees in Bend as it hasn't been a very hot summer. No doubt that's why I went snowboarding this morning!
Jeff works for the non-profit "Commute Options" that encourages folks to walk, ride a bike or bus, something other than drive a car. We've been buddies for a while but never done an adventure together. We took my pooch "Pancho" along for the hike. It's a pretty straight forward 3000' hike up the summer hiking trail to the top of the Summit Chair from the bottom of the Sunrise Lodge. Not too much snow booting as the trail ascends through a forest of Mountain Hemlock until you hit timberline at the base of the Summit Chair. Then you're on an AA lava ridge between the Healy Heights and Beverly Hills runs off the top. Not too hard for a couple of older fellows that try to stay active.
Jeff took AT skis and I took my snowboard. We decided to just boot up, a good choice since the trail was 90% free of snow. No need to skin or anything ridiculous like that. The snow was the usual summer fair: soft sun cups with some good sections to keep up the stoke. All in all, a great way to start a hot summer Sunday.
From about the 7000' level looking up. Lots of snow left. We rode an uninterrupted line, nearly 2000 vert, just to the left of photo above Rainbow.
Looking down the trail from about 8000'. Every Labor Day they have the "Sunrise to Summit" footrace up this section.
Right around the corner and it's still winter (well, sort of).
Schubwa, soon to be 59, defying age and common sense, exercising instead of eating and sleeping in.
I'm better than this, really.
Jeff, enjoying the good life in Central Oregon. He's off to a birthday party (think: beer) and I'm going for a nap and then paddle on the river.
PS: A La Nina reforming in a negative PDO only means one thing for us poor folks out here on the coast.
Jeff Munson and I started out at about 8:30 on a day that might rival the warmest so far this summer. I think we had one day of 95 degrees in Bend as it hasn't been a very hot summer. No doubt that's why I went snowboarding this morning!
Jeff works for the non-profit "Commute Options" that encourages folks to walk, ride a bike or bus, something other than drive a car. We've been buddies for a while but never done an adventure together. We took my pooch "Pancho" along for the hike. It's a pretty straight forward 3000' hike up the summer hiking trail to the top of the Summit Chair from the bottom of the Sunrise Lodge. Not too much snow booting as the trail ascends through a forest of Mountain Hemlock until you hit timberline at the base of the Summit Chair. Then you're on an AA lava ridge between the Healy Heights and Beverly Hills runs off the top. Not too hard for a couple of older fellows that try to stay active.
Jeff took AT skis and I took my snowboard. We decided to just boot up, a good choice since the trail was 90% free of snow. No need to skin or anything ridiculous like that. The snow was the usual summer fair: soft sun cups with some good sections to keep up the stoke. All in all, a great way to start a hot summer Sunday.
From about the 7000' level looking up. Lots of snow left. We rode an uninterrupted line, nearly 2000 vert, just to the left of photo above Rainbow.
Looking down the trail from about 8000'. Every Labor Day they have the "Sunrise to Summit" footrace up this section.
Right around the corner and it's still winter (well, sort of).
Schubwa, soon to be 59, defying age and common sense, exercising instead of eating and sleeping in.
I'm better than this, really.
Jeff, enjoying the good life in Central Oregon. He's off to a birthday party (think: beer) and I'm going for a nap and then paddle on the river.
PS: A La Nina reforming in a negative PDO only means one thing for us poor folks out here on the coast.
