Thursday, August 30, 2012

Crater Lake Rescue Training - August 2012

Here is a batch of pictures from our 2012 joint high-angle training with the National Park Service, Deschutes Co. Mtn. Rescue, Jackson Co Mtn. Rescue, and Josephine Co. Mtn Rescue. Was another great trip over there and again, pretty amazing to be training with Crater Lake as the backdrop. :) Our new crop of trainees are pretty amazing too, and it was great to see them in action on the various rescue systems we had set up (pick-offs, litter scoops, and a Norwegian Reeve Highline)! Lot's of fun. Finally is a photo montage that Kate from Josephine Co. Mtn. Rescue put together of a couple of the training evolutions. We spent most of the weekend training specifically with Josephine Co. and those folks we're absolutely great to work with. Looking forward to the next time we cross paths with that crew (hopefully just another training, not a real rescue, right??)!

Monday, August 20, 2012

Broken Top - 8/20/12

Mel and I had an awesome trip up Broken Top yesterday, despite some smokey weather. We got an early start and made great time up the usual NW ridge. Except for another party that was a couple hours behind us, we apparently had the whole mountain to ourselves. I'm always amazed by the view from that ridge (and the top)... It's got to be one of the best in Oregon. Mel cracked me up at the narrow part of the summit catwalk, only pausing for a second to mutter something like "are you freaking kidding me"? before tiptoeing across the foot wide spot. Check out the awesome spring we stopped at on the way out. Beautiful spot for sure, one of my favorites in OR.

Thursday, August 9, 2012

More summer creeking

Mark, Sarah, Mel, and I dodged 100 degree weather on a familar OR creek this past weekend. We didn't even need wetsuits this time! Flows were mellow and low, and most of the drops were rigged (from our previous trip though!). As usual, the photo conditions were horrific, but a few shots came out. The last drop of the trip is really a showstopper, very very beautiful. We did do one guiding line rappel, more for experience then necessity. Worked pretty well!

East Coast Trip, July 2012

Here are a few pictures from a trip back east that Mel and I took. The first batch of pics are from Mel's trip to the White Mountains with her family... I was able to meet them there for a day and it was great to see a lot of the old stompin' grounds. Next we headed west for Eric and Rebecca's wedding over at Sugarbush. We didn't take enough photos of that rather monumental event, but it was an epic good time and great to see a lot of people we hadn't in a while. After their wedding, we met up with the Meehan clan for a week at Lake George. Again, the pictures don't do justice to how great of a time it was, but they will have to do!