Traveling

[O Really]

So this week we're visiting Mt. St. Helens National Monument.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/gifford ... ecid=66100

We went up the mountain yesterday, although there wasn't much opportunity for hiking in the misty/rainy 40 degree weather, but it was still a great day. Much of the area has been regrowing since 1982 and you'd never know the ground you're looking at is 150 feet higher than it was before the volcano blew. Other parts still show where the main flow went, and offers a surreal other worldly landscape. Today is raining all day, so we'll be staying in, but tomorrow is good for some hiking out from the Johnston Observatory site.

The top of the mountain is only about 30 miles up a very good road from the 5, easy access and even if a casual visitor didn't do anything but drive up to the end and back it would be worth the day trip.

[Vrede too]

So this week we're visiting Mt. St. Helens National Monument.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/gifford ... ecid=66100

We went up the mountain yesterday, although there wasn't much opportunity for hiking in the misty/rainy 40 degree weather, but it was still a great day. Much of the area has been regrowing since 1982 and you'd never know the ground you're looking at is 150 feet higher than it was before the volcano blew. Other parts still show where the main flow went, and offers a surreal other worldly landscape. Today is raining all day, so we'll be staying in, but tomorrow is good for some hiking out from the Johnston Observatory site.

The top of the mountain is only about 30 miles up a very good road from the 5, easy access and even if a casual visitor didn't do anything but drive up to the end and back it would be worth the day trip.

I really like the series of visitor centers offering different views and info on different aspects of the eruption. I once had plans to hike up the backside to the summit, but the weather sucked. Someday . . .

[O Really]

I really like the series of visitor centers offering different views and info on different aspects of the eruption. I once had plans to hike up the backside to the summit, but the weather sucked. Someday . . .

You were going to take the Summit via Ptarmigan Trail? Described as a "8.2 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail ... only recommended for very experienced adventurers."

Comments from people who've been there the last 2-3 days:

Hiked 10/8 and it was awesome! It took around 8 hours with breaks for snacks and views. There were a few inches of snow in the last 2 miles, and a lot at the crater/summit. Micro spikes were helpful, but I think you would be okay without them. Temps mostly in the 40s for the day. The true summit was hard to reach due to unstable snow. Great views of all the mountains on the way up, and it was pretty socked in with fog on the way down.

Today’s weather was amazing! Perfect visibility and almost no wind at the summit. “Vertical beach” is covered with a nice dusting of snow, making it much easier to pass than during warmer months. Get to the trailhead early and you may see some nice cloud inversion on the way up. Views of Adams, Hood and Jefferson are incredible!

Recommend hiking poles, gators and lots of water. The climb up isn’t so bad, except for the last 100+ meters. The climb down is challenging on the knees through what feels like an endless boulder field maze. Watch for slippery spots on the way down day if the day heats up. Can’t wait to do it again!

Trail was well marked and maintained Weather did not cooperate like I had hoped. Got just to the edge of the tree line and snow started coming in but kept going. Pushed up the ridge and made it about a mile from the summit. Took a look around and could only see about 20-30 yards with wind and snow beating down on me. Was hiking alone so thought it was safer to turn back. Will return on a better day!

[Vrede too]

You were going to take the Summit via Ptarmigan Trail? Described as a "8.2 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail ... only recommended for very experienced adventurers." ...

I think so, it's been years. Whichever is the most common summit trail. I'd also love to hike into the crater from a visitor center if it's legal. I never looked into the difficulty.

[Ulysses]

I've been to the Marin Civic Center... probably about 30+ years ago, during my motorcycling days. Probably to deal with a speeding ticket. It was an interesting experience. I probably got off with traffic school. IDK, too long ago. I remember thinking, "This is an interesting building", but the interior of the part I was inside looked like any gubmit office.

[neoplacebo]

I once went to the civic center on charges of possession of marijuana and open beer. I remember thinking "this is bullshit."

[Ulysses]

Meanwhile, here's an RV alternative:



They're saying it can be towed by the smallest whatever...

Winnebago Is Coming Out With A Seriously Cool Tiny Off-Grid Camper

Winnebago is adding a neat addition to its lineup with the company’s smallest camper yet. The Hike 100 is just short of 16 feet long, weighs 2,700 pounds, and is built for outdoor activities.

The RV industry is continuing to cash in on America’s insatiable lust for travel. More and more people are buying RVs and camper vans, then setting out on road trips. Campers are getting even more accessible, coming in smaller, easier-to-tow sizes. They’re also getting built with the idea of adventuring far off of the grid in mind. Winnebago recently introduced six RVs from a wheelchair-accessible camper van to a giant Class A coach, but the coolest of the bunch is the little Hike 100.

...

The company says that the Hike 100 is for rugged adventure and “built for going beyond the beaten path.” And at least on paper, it sounds like this trailer is built a bit better than the flimsy things that even dealerships are complaining about.

It has some metal adorning the lower walls, 16-inch Goodyear Endurance off-road tires, and an axle lift. The roof is even strong enough so that you could walk on it. And yep, that means that this trailer can haul kayaks and other toys.

[O Really]

Welcome to the Oregon coast. Looks beautiful what we can see of it through the fog and rainish. We're close to Ft. Stevens where the Columbia runs into the ocean. Great park, lots of hiking/biking trails, interesting stuff to see. Hopefully not all days will be wet. But it is Oregon, where Wesen live in the forests and moss grows all around the trees.

[GoCubsGo]

Are they friendly Wesens?

[O Really]

Are they friendly Wesens?

So far. But we've only seen Eisbiber

[Ulysses]

You know, my brother lives in Oregon. He has two homes, one in Portland and another on the coast. Perhaps I need to take the van up that aways next summer and pay him a visit.

[neoplacebo]

Are they friendly Wesens?

So far. But we've only seen Eisbiber

That guy looks like the spawn of Spiro Agnew and a muskrat.

[Vrede too]

Very next post:

You know, my brother lives in Oregon. He has two homes, one in Portland and another on the coast. Perhaps I need to take the van up that aways next summer and pay him a visit.

What made you think of your brother?

[O Really]

So when your brother gets tired of being rained on in Portland, he can take a holiday and get rained on at the coast, eh?

[Ulysses]

So when your brother gets tired of being rained on in Portland, he can take a holiday and get rained on at the coast, eh?

LOL. It doesn't rain up there all the time. In fact, when I visited there in the 80's, not much rain at all. Must have been in the summer.

[Ulysses]

I once went to the civic center on charges of possession of marijuana and open beer. I remember thinking "this is bullshit."

You know, you shouldn't smoke bullshit.

[neoplacebo]

I once went to the civic center on charges of possession of marijuana and open beer. I remember thinking "this is bullshit."

You know, you shouldn't smoke bullshit.

Once again you fail English comprehension. I did not think "this is bullshit" when I was committing the crime. I only thought that after being called to account for it. If I had written "I once got loaded up on marijuana and beer and thought 'this is bullshit'" you would have been justified in your comment. Swing and a miss.

[Ulysses]

Just some payback, Neo.

You should be the last one here to object to a loose interpretation of what others say.

[billy.pilgrim]

Just some payback, Neo.

You should be the last one here to object to a loose interpretation of what others say.

I've heard some people say that you can get a contact high from bullshit possession.

[O Really]

So when your brother gets tired of being rained on in Portland, he can take a holiday and get rained on at the coast, eh?

LOL. It doesn't rain up there all the time. In fact, when I visited there in the 80's, not much rain at all. Must have been in the summer.

Sure, not all the time, but a lot. And that's what the locals say. From a camping guide: "Rain happens. Prepare for items left outside to get wet, tents without a rain fly to flood, and puddles to form in the campsite. It is Oregon. The sun might come out and dry everything up, but remember a wet tent is about as much fun as riding through a car wash with your windows down."

Also, a guy was walking along with his kids, who were whining about being cold or wet or something. He told them "Well, put on your coats. This is Oregon - you have to learn to play in the rain."