I peed on a National Monument.

Twice. What else is a girl to do when she's trying to overdose on hydration on a hot day while climbing a volcano?
This is the Mt. St. Helen's crew getting ready for the climbing battle at way-too-early-O-thirty in the morning. Big D, Deeann and Mama Klavano. Now all 3 of these ladies had climbed Kilimanjaro in June so I had to bring it. Bring it Krista bring it!

So the first 2 miles is easy-cheesy. Were doing a gradual climb in the forest, stopping to pick berries, I'm reminding myself to stay awake - it basically feels like any other hike. I basically have no idea what to expect. Big D doesn't either - we just know somehow we'll be at the summit of Mt. St. Helen's eventually that day.
Soon the forest disappears and were presented with this huge lava boulder field. It is so steep that I'm still not comprehending how far were going to climb. The night before I was thinking "Elevation of 4500 feet in 5 miles? Oh, that's easy!" In my head anything less than 1000 ft elevation gain per mile is do-able and a great workout. And here's where my simple thinking failed me: Those hikes are usually long switchbacks. In forests. With dirt. And stable ground. To get to the summit of Mt. St. Helen's it's just a bit different...
To start we had to "look out for the posts" in the rock fields. There is no trail. Big D and I kept saying "Just up." Look for the posts and climb up.

*****Where's Waldo: Can you spot the post in this picture? One of many******

So this is "just up." These are lava boulders and can be sharp to the hands so eventually Big D and I started sporting garden gloves. Oh yea, they are also for massive rock gardens. Some rocks weren't stable. It was a constant maze of testing rocks, looking out for posts, finding a boulder that was small enough to climb over, asking "Where are you?" over the tall boulder and dodging squirrels. Yeah, you heard me. Those ferocious squirrels.

Check out this assertive bastard! He jumped on Big D's pack trying to get food! So here's a rule for the outdoors: Do not feed the animals. And don't ask me why not feeding squirrel's applies - you can ask Big D that question. Guess in actuality I really can't answer that question except to say they'll expect food and jump on your pack to get it! No squirrel guts, no squirrel glory!

Oh, and at this point I only heard one pika. Just one. I think there's a squirrel gang overtaking the lava field. It's not how it once was back in the day: a rock field that pikas, squirrels and marmots could live together in harmony. Those were the days...damn those gangster squirrels - they think they run the place now and all the granola bars are their's for the taking!

Anyway - all this drinking water (Ok, I finally admit having a camelback *is* nice), made our bladders full. After Big D braved a gut-relieving pee I decided that I couldn't hold back anymore and had to take advantage of her pee skills. She went to work and quickly found me a great pee spot. Mt. Adams and I had a very private moment as I took care of my business sans penis.

Climbing over the rock fields took FOREVER. But I didn't take many pictures because it took me a while to regain my balance everytime I stopped. I was kind of glad when the rocks were left behind and our portion of climbing thru the loose pumice stone and ash began. We broke out the trekking poles (thanks Mama Klavano!) and slowly trudged up the mountain taking one step, sliding down a half step before going on to the next step.

A lot of this climb reminded Big D of Kilimanjaro - except today wasn't as treacherous for her! She talked of steeper terrain, back in the pitch black dark which made her unaware of how much risk she was really taking navigating her way up...thank God today for bright sun. I like to know how much my life hangs in the balance...I think.

Finally to the top! This was my first official big picture! I saw a familar friend in the distance - why hello Mt. Rainier! Big D I were in awe...I hadn't been to Mt. St. Helens since I was a kid and puked pink pop out the window of our moving german station wagon. (it was white and looked pretty bitching with the pink racing stripe if I do say so myself...) Anyway - I was suprised to see all the trees were still collected in Spirit Lake. I was also impressed to see how much work our little Helen has done rebuilding her dome! But it was really cool to see it from this perspective.

I just like this picture. It's Big D and her shadow taking in a panoramic view for the very first time at the summit. Sah-Weet.

So one of our picnic neighbors at the summit was very nice to take pics of Big D and I with Mt. Rainier in the background...

....Then with Mt. Adam's in the background (shout out to Coach Sh ull and Andrea for climbing that bitch in one day last summer)

...then finally with Mt. Hood in the background so it wouldn't feel left out.

Enough with the pictures - we were stinking hungry. I could of been eating tuna fish and would of been the happiest girl in the world....no, that's not true. I would of thrown tuna fish in the crater. Which reminds me - when they climbed Kilimanjaro one night the cook's made "tuna fish stew." Gross. Seriously gross.

Anyway - Big D took a nice pic of my hiking boots hanging over the rim while we ate lunch. After stuffing ourselves with summit food goodness Big D and I laid our heads down in the ash and had a light nap while we waited for the rest of our hiking party. Life is good.

It didn't seem to take long for Mama Klavano and Deeann to make it to the summit to join us! Deeann met 2 of 2 goals that day: reach the summit and not injure herself on the lava rock field requring stitches. I'll let you guess what happened to her last year. But man oh man I was thinking of stiches every time I navigated a boulder and loose stone.

So Mama Klavano revealed we were *not* at the true summit yet. The true summit was beyond that crowd pictured above...then down (which was treacherous), then back up. OK. Were here. Might as well officially summit right?

So that treacherous part...holy crap. My butt was puckering the whole time! I was fighting off sheer panic while we were trying to navigate a steep rock field that was lining the crater's rim and a steep slope. A few times I put my weight on a unstable rock and watched it tumble, and tumble down the hill with a mini-avalanche. I couldn't decide if I wanted to die by falling into the crater or tumbling down the steep mountain. Both which seemed like very probable outcomes to me at that point. Big thanks to Big D for keeping me calm and showing me the way...

...to this. The true summit! Yes I was sitting on the crater's edge. It felt WAY safer than the treachery I just climbed thru with Big D! I waited as Big D went pee for the...3rd or 4th time I think. Yeah, take that national monument - at least I limited it to twice. After this I dropped shorts and relieved my bladder for the 2nd time. It was a really weird experience to be out in the open, on top of the world and mooning Mt. Rainier. But I liked it.

Here's Big D and I being picture whores. I still don't think I took enough pics - it was so amazing up there! (Mt. Adam's in the background).

*******2nd Where's Waldo: Can you spot Big D hiking along the crater's rim? Badass.*********

Here's Big D heading back up and over the rim of the crater to get back to the trail to head back to the car. I mean, there's not really a trail. Going down the ash/pumice stone was the best part! You take a step and "PLUNGE" down far! It was far easier going down that part. But then we hit the rocks. Holy hopping snot it was harder getting down that part. How we made it out without stitches, twisted ankles and broken wrists (yes, we fell a bit) is beyond me.

One last self-portrait at the top! Yay us! We made it! Big thanks to Mama Klavano and Deeann for helping and sharing this experience with us. Big thanks from me to Big D for helping me combat my inner-scaredy cat. And thanks Helen for reminding me to be more thankful for my trails. I forgot how nice it was to take a nice long stride again.

It has now been over 24 hours since the summit. I am sore. Beyond sore. My arms and legs are sore. Going down the rocks you basically have to do tricep dips to get down the rocks (and lat pulls to get up actually). Oh, and not putting sunscreen on the back of my legs was a bad idea. I'm waddling around like ET - if I had a sunflower it would be suffering too.

Was it worth it? Hell yeah. Will I do it again? Hmm....

PS - Unrelated but big props to Jenny and her first 5k! Big D and I could barely keep up with her in the last mile when she informed us she was going to "kick it". Even up the hill folks. Jenny got a PR and an amazing time - 9:35 miles. Did I mention she just starting running 2 months ago? I'm so proud and inspired!

Get out

So at least I get out. Yesterday as Big D, Andrea and Coach Sh ull and I drove up to the trailhead we could see nothing but green hillsides, mountains covered by mist and rain on our windshield. The picture above would be really impressive if you could see how stinking high we were! We couldn't even see how high we were but the steep grade of the trail and our burning thighs were a good indication that it was high.I was trying to brag to Bid D "See that wall of cliff and rock across the way? Yea, I hiked that b*tch" But it could barely be seen thru the clouds and mist. So then I follow it up with "Well, we'll have to do that hike when in the fall when it's sunny and the good colors are out..." She's excited. And I'm excited. I'll save face somehow.
So our pretty scenery had to be up close - what a pretty waterfall. *sigh* I'm such a scenery snob...I like the high elevation scenery. It helps me enjoy my post-hike meal more to know I used my quads to get really really really high up! Thanks for trying waterfall...you're a good consolation prize.
To the right is my hiking party. To the left is Red Mountain and Red Pass where we were heading. Oh you can't see it? Stupid mist. Stupid clouds. Trust me, you should be impressed by now.

After an intense climb we made it to our destination. It's kind of interesting - this is called Red Pond. Which we got to by climbing to Red Pass which is connected to Red Mountain. There is a lot of red. But I think it's interesting that these great mountainous features are accompanied by this itty bitty pond. No fish here Alan.

So here's the lower half of Red Mountain. Now it's just mocking us - it's covering up it's greatness so I can't show how awesome we are. I can't say "Yea, we hiked that b*tch."
Earlier in the week I had the same problem on a solo hike. I tried to climb Granite Mountain but the day was filled with clouds and mist. It's four miles to the top where there is a fire tower and the views, on a sunny day, are breathtaking. I was hopeful when I turned around and saw a little beam of sunlight poking thru to the valley below me.
But then I looked up...and there's the mist. The mountain was a lot higher than this - there is a fire tower hidden under the swallowing mist of white. Right after this I was greeted by a hiker who was heading down the mountain. He was bundled up and indicated that he didn't even make it to the top -1. It was windy and cold and 2. He spotted a bear cub. "What? A bear cub? Did you see it's Mom?" Turns out other hikers saw the cub's Mother. I start hopping up and down to shake my bear bell "Do you think this is good enough for the bears?" His advice? Just don't pet them. Thanks man...So I continue on and contemplated whether or not I should keep going. I sent consultation texts to Big D and Alan the Ogre and continued on...but hiked a bit more slowly shaking my bear bell. Then it happened...my foot slipped and half of me slid a bit down the hillside while one of my Nalgene bottles popped out of my pack. It rolled and thudded down this hillside and was gone forever. Thanks for the memories man. So, that confirmed it, I'm turning around. I hate not finishing a hike! I will get dizzy, sweaty, hot, tired, wet, hungry, I will even hike out in the dark to finish a hike. However, I ain't messing with no bear cub! Heck to the no.

So the conclusion? At least I get out. I'm hoping the fall hiking season can offer more opportunities for me to point to big hills and state "Yeah, I hiked that b*tch". But until then I think Coach Sh ull sums it up best with the above picture. Take that outdoors - I'll be coming back for ya!

Fangs for Coming

So this weekend Big D and I went to the Oympics - in Washington, not China. "Fangs for Coming" was the exit sign as we left Forks, WA where we stayed....doesn't make sense right? Well apparantly there's some huge book by the name of "Twilight" that has brought major tourism to Forks. It's a romance about vampires and Forks was picked as a good vampire town and they are stinking proud of it. And there were no signs of The Coreys so I think the vampires are safe...for now.

The first night we took a trail down to the beach. This tree was pretty wicked and I really wanted to sit in it. On our way back there were guys sitting on my branches! I was nice though, I didn't even ask for a tree toll...they're lucky.
This is my favorite part of taking a trail to the beach. Right here is when we started to hear the roar of the ocean as we hiked down, down and more down. Look how green and lush everything is!
We were a bit early for the sunset so Big D and I took some very reflecting pictures of each other. We ended up sitting on the big part of the log that's in front of me to watch the sunset which was no doubt the best seat in the house. It's hard to tell in the picture but we were directly left of the Hole In The Wall. Watching the waves crash through that hole was pretty stinking awesome.
Here's Big D's reflective picture looking at one of the sea stacks. There are two unusual things in this pic: 1. Big D's has nails. 2. Big D has color on those nails. I'm convinced this change has to do with Ben...and I asked her about it but I'll keep her remark private. It was pretty funny though. So you should ask her.

So after the sunset Big D and I headed to this small, old cemetary to find a geocache. I had this travel bug called "Zack's Little Devil" that wanted to go hide in scary places so this seemed fitting. I could barely tell what graves I was stepping on. Is that bad luck to step on graves? I have nothing to lose at this point.

Big D made a good point: We were both very happy to see there was not a floating head above this gravestone after we took the picture.

We found another geocache first thing the next morning. Look how stinking huge this geocache is! This may be the biggest one..I dunno. I like to always think that I've seen bigger...

Geocaching is so clever - I love that they took the time out to paint this bucket and hang it from this tree.

Next we headed to Da Hoh Rain Forest and took a little hike led by this ranger - he taught us lotsa interesting stuff that I'm going to forget in a few days. Except for the importance of fungi - fungi makes the world go round I found out.

Ranger Darrell couldn't explain why the trees on the Washington Coast have Elephantitis though. Doesn't this look painful? Tons of trees look like this.

Big D and I love hiking, we love forests and we certainly love Da Hoh Rainforest but we couldn't wait to get back to the ocean that day....

Again - my favorite part of hiking down to the ocean: The first glimpse of the water and the roar of the ocean. Big D and I had soup and beer (good combo I know) before we did this short hike so we ran ALL the way back up the hill on the way back to earn it. *burp*

I love sea stacks! The seastack to the left was stinking awesome. I was drawn to its holes (no perv comments please) and had to go jump into one when the waves weren't coming. Big D took good pics but I'm going to just make you have your own visual in your head.

Big D and I frolicked on the Ruby Beach for quite a while. I think it's called Ruby Beach because when the waves descend it causes the rocks to make the sound of a rainmaker as they roll over each other. There was a river that ran into the ocean and Big D and I had skipping rock competitions. I felt really bad for her at first because I was schooling her - we could hear the bell ring and everything. But then true Klavano greatness kicked in and she won the competition of who can skip the rock to the shore. It was fun. Trust me. Had to be there.

We slowly made our way back to homebase to watch the sunset but thought we'd have time to stop and see THE BIG CEDAR TREE (I've seen bigger...like I said). We saw it on the Atlas and there were all these signs about this huge cedar. Big D is not only a tree hugger but she's also a climber of all things.

Suffice to say we took WAY too long making our way back to see the sunset by homebase and Big D did *not* want to miss it. I stayed silent as she sped down highways, took curves like her Nissan was on rails and silently hoped no deer would hop out in front of her speeding vehicle. Well, we missed the sunset by just a few minutes - she parked her car and ran to take this picture. She still was catching a beautiful pic right? That's another sea stack in the distance. I really do have a new crush on sea stacks - they just add a certain something.

And one last reflecting look into the ocean before we say goodbye. Big D informed me that anytime someone makes a life changing decision in the movies the wind blows thru their hair. As I stood there all I could think of was vampires and seastack holes. What does that mean?

"MINE!"

On the Katwalk

Man oh man life is stressful. Time for Wood Therapy. This time I went with my wonderful sister-in-law to Kendall Katwalk along the Pacific Crest Trail. I've been wanting to do the Katwalk for years because I heard it's kinda freaky. It's about 11 miles round trip on Snoqualmie Pass. Basically back in the day some crazy guys tied ropes around their waists, took dynamite and helped formed the Katwalk. Thanks crazy guys.

This is about 3.5 miles into the hike. 3.5 miles of Andrea hiking with gloves in her boots. She forgot her insoles but remembered her gloves soo....anyway this image caught her eye and I had to take a moment to take a picture. On these hikes you forget to really think about how gorgeous things are. As you can see it's misty - it was even making mystical forest sounds!

This is subalpine hiking now. We went from the woods, to the rock fields (and heard lots of pikas!) until we emerged the area where the rocks are left behind and the meadows begin. Were also almost to the top! I couldn't decide what movie I felt like I was in...something whimsical.
Getting to the top we found ourselves in Kendall Gardens (above). Why didn't I take more pictures of the gardens? It was amazing. I have to go back and take more pictures now. There is no better feeling ridge hiking among some kicka$$ meadows. These are the meadows you see from I-90, point at and say "I want to go up there. It looks so green and inviting." And that's a Alan the Ogre quote (or loosely quoted).

In fact, this is I-90 from where I was standing. You can barely make it out. Feel the power of being on top though - right?
Were finally on the ridge (top) and heading towards the katwalk. Andrea is looking into pure white mist. We had NO idea what was out there. It was so odd that the mist wasn't spilling over to our side. I should of paid attention in science class better so I could know why. I bet Big D knows.
Here we are now on the Katwalk and the mist is swallowing us up. The trail is no longer dirt it is now pure rock that was blown up by the crazy guys back in the day. If you look closely at Andrea you can tell she's saying "This is scary, I don't like this - the edge is too close." And it kinda was scary so I couldn't resist to take advantage with a pic (see below).
So I wanted to show how vertical this rock was...I also liked the pretty flowers that were growing out of it. I had NO idea how far up I was but was certain my death was calling my name from below. I mean, I *am* on top of a ridge right? But as soon as I sit down on this rock Andrea scared me with how serious she was for me to GET OFF THE ROCK NOW. And then she said "I AM SO SERIOUS! That rock is moving!" I felt the rock wobble a bit...
And this is the rock I was sitting on. The rock on the edge of the sheer cliff. It didn't look that bad before I sat down. So. I probably wouldn't do that again. That's why I hope people enjoy the picture I got out of it! Don't let my near-death be in vain!

Here's Andrea taking one last look down the edge. I'm SOO stinking curious what this looks like when there's no mist. I think it was right before this that I exclaimed "I love being on top!" And found out Andrea is a perv. I just like hikes that go straight to the top of something. I like to say "See up there? Yeah, I hiked that bitch."

Looking at Red Mountain as we descend. I think we were along side Red Mountain at the top. Hmm..gotta go back so I can tell for sure. Oh, and Andrea's feet are starting to hurt her a bit at this point. Gloves aren't made to be insoles I suppose.

This rock is huge. Remember the rock creature that was trying to escape The Nothing from Neverending story? I think he left them here. It's hard to tell but you could fit a very square house inside that rock and live pretty darn comfortably. And the roof would never leak either.

I was really curious what the Katwalk looked like in the sun and this is the picture I found. I definitely need to go back. That's what I love about hiking - the same hike can seem like 10 different ones depending on the time of year and weather. So if you'd like to go back with me hit me up!

When Andrea and I got to the bottom she showed me the inside of her hiking boot without the insole. She hiked freaking 11 miles on green plastic...and a glove in each boot to cushion her heel. I should blog sometime about her amazing ability to block out pain when doing something physical. Mt. Adams. 101 temperature. That's Andrea.