Hunter Summits South Sister

Hunter reached a new high point this weekend by reaching the summit of South Sister - 10,358 ft!  It took us 9 hours car to car including a nice lunch on the summit.  The hike is 11.8 miles and gains 4,878 ft of elevation from the trailhead to summit.  While not technical, it is a tough hike!  I am really proud of him, and he is super excited about the accomplishment.  The original plan was to train over the summer and maybe try it before it starts to snow again but he decided he would give it a go sooner and it went great. 

This is my 3rd time up there.  First time was in 2011 with Red.  Second time was in August 2014 with some people from where I worked at that time.  This year, for mid July, there was a lot of snow still on the mountain at pretty low elevations.  I had hunter practice some ice axe techniques on the mid mountain snow fields where it was steep enough you didn't want to slide a long way, but also not any risk of injury.   The snow also made for some fun on the descent!  

This first set up shots is from where we broke out of the forest to a point on the mid mountain snowfields were we stopped for a snack. 


These shots are from the upper snow fields where Hunter has the ice axe up to a sandy saddle at 8850 with a beautiful cirque lake at the base of the Lewis glacier.   The video is from the way down but taken from right around the saddle area.

 From here the climb gets steeper util you get to the crater rim.  You can see from the shots the cirque lake getting smaller and smaller as we climb.

Some shots from the summit!  First is of Hunter actually on the highest point. 

On the way down we stopped at the saddle and went down to get a better view of the cirque lake at 8850ft.  Notice Hunter in the top of the first shot walking down to give you an idea of scale.

Some fun sliding on the way down.  When there is snow the way down is much faster than the way up.  It took us over 5 hours to summit and we were down in a little over 3.  

Noah turns 10

Noah has officially entered the double digits. I can hardly believe he is this old already. We usually do a family party for birthdays but at 10 they can have a fun party with friends. Noah invited his friends to come with us to The Sharc. It's a fun outdoor swimming pool with water slides in Sun River. The weather was hot so it made for a perfect afternoon to celebrate Noah. We love you Noah and are so proud of the young man you are becoming.

Floating the Deschutes near Tumalo Oregon

We decided to try and float a section of the Deschutes that was a little less busy than the old mill area in Bend... but also unknown to us other than a recommendation.  After researching google earth, the plan was to put in near Tumalo (just downriver of Tumalo state park) and then take out a a place called Twin Bridge downriver.   

Overall, it was a fun float.  A little shallow in spots where you were hitting rocks on the bottom.  Twin bridge is too far though... a good 2.5+ hours and there are a couple of rapids that are maybe a little too 'exciting' for 'float rafts'.  In retrospect, I would have taken out at the bridge you cross under in the Tumalo.

Local crag in Sundance subdivision

This morning we went climbing with the Lovejoy boys (neighbors) at a cliff band just outside our neighborhood. It's possible we are the first people to ever climb these rocks. Lots of bushes to deal with. It's a great practice area and so close to the house.

Hunter - J2M age 12

Each year starting at age 6, I get the kids a special gift on their 'journey to manhood' (slightly different for Abbie :).

This year for Hunter turning 12 and we got him a watch to symbolize a year/time of transition from boy to teenager over the next 12 months. Next year's birthday is a symbolic year on the journey.

Junior Lifeguard

Hunter is in the Junior Lifeguard program this summer. He gets 3 1/2 hours of training in the pool and out of the pool. Junior lifeguards volunteer an additional 3 hours a week at the pool. Hunter is very excited and wants to get a job working at Juniper Pool when he turns 16. The best part he said is that he's allowed to go into the "staff room."

Today brought back a lot of memories for me. It seems like just yesterday I was spending my summers as a lifeguard. So proud of this boy..... He is growing up but still remains so sweet. He makes my heart so happy!

Iron Mountain

Its wildflower season now in some of the  lower peaks in the cascade range, so Hunter, Noah and I decided to do a 6.5 mile loop hike at Iron Mountain.  You will notice in these pictures its a lot more green as this is on the western side of the cascades so more lush than our central Oregon side.  We drove from Bend for about 1:10 min west on hwy 26 and parked at Tombstone pass.  From the parking lot we headed east on the cone peak trail.

Within the first 1/4 mile we came to this beautiful meadow.  The sign indicated it was a trading area for native Americans and a common stopping point for settlers heading west. 

From hear we heading up a number of switchbacks to the flanks of cone peak where Iron Mountain came into view to the west (with the big rocky pinnacle on the left/south side.)

Next we headed down to the saddle between cone peak and iron mountain, and across the north side before starting switch backs up the north side.  As we exited trees, wildflowers started again.  We actually might have been a little early.. I expect things will really explode in the next 1-2 weeks.

Upon reaching the summit, we were treated to amazing 360 degree views!  We spent a good 45 min up there eating lunch, exploring and enjoying the views.  A quick 1.5 miles took us back down to the car.  


Some front yard Landscaping

After our move in December and a very long winter, we were finally able to get some front landscaping down at our place.  We love it.  Besides not having our front step look like a construction site, it now also gives us a space to sit or play in the front.  As part of this we also added a second driveway entrance with some fresh gravel.  

Here is the before shot:

Here is the after shot

Couple more shots of the new second driveway (on the right side of the picture), and the lawn from the bottom of the driveway looking up towards the house as you drive in.