Fall returns to Spencer Butte
I had a permit and plan to hike Mt Jefferson Wilderness yesterday, but the are was closed due to the Bingham Fire and a refund returned for permit. Tuesday’s Ridgeline hike showed all the smoke in Cascade foothills, and a … Read More
Sunny, hot October on Ridgeline Trail
A couple of days to hike later in October than normal with hot and sunny weather … the decision on where to hike and in what order had to comprehend all the wildfires still burning in both the Willamette and … Read More
Late summer flowers hanging on
While taking care of my short-legged granddaughter for a few weeks, trips to the mountains have to wait. Sometimes a squirrel-hunting very small dog is my top priority and everything spins around her (just what grandpas are supposed to do … Read More
Hiking Gear 2024 Summary, 2025 Plan
Looking back over gear failures and gear ‘save my arse’ memories … time to update gear kits. The same exercise completed 2 years ago, and again last year. The 3 kit gear set is based on conditions and trail type remains … Read More
Durstan X-Mid Pro 1
Initially in 2024, I was going to continue using my old REI Flash 1 person backpacking tent. However, in planning 2024 adventures I had initially leaned into more backpacking and decided a new tent was needed for those plans (wild … Read More
Gossamer Gear’s Fast Kumo 36 Fastpack
This will not be a biased review. I love my Fast Kumo Fastpack and wear it exclusively on day hikes unless weather conditions are poor (wet / snowy). I would buy again, and recommend the pack highly. All images and … Read More
Getting away in space and time
We’ve heard it on the TV … sometimes, you just gotta get away from the everyday routines and places. A relaxing river cruise on the Moselle, Rhine and Main rivers in Germany with short stops in Paris and Prague at start / finish hit the … Read More
Horror in 3 Sisters Wilderness
While away on a tourist vacation, the Linton Creek Fire exploded in 3 Sisters Wilderness on September 8 (US FS notice). As of 9-11, the closures were wide-spread and the fire burning a beautiful area around Linton Meadows (my 2023 … Read More
3 Sisters Wilderness under a blue supermoon
Most times, if one steps back a bit and lets the trail unfold, good things happen. An earlier trip to Sisters was canceled due to bad conditions, and last year just didn’t work, so I was due to visit Sisters … Read More
Cool marine air above Spencer Butte
Finally the weather broke a bit and a marine layer of cooler, wetter air came into the lower Willamette Valley. – not bad for an Aug 13 after so many too hot days and too many fires. I picked a … Read More
Latest posts
Fall returns to Spencer Butte
I had a permit and plan to hike Mt Jefferson Wilderness yesterday, but the are was closed due to the Bingham Fire and a refund returned for permit. Tuesday’s Ridgeline hike showed all the smoke in Cascade foothills, and a … Read More
Sunny, hot October on Ridgeline Trail
A couple of days to hike later in October than normal with hot and sunny weather … the decision on where to hike and in what order had to comprehend all the wildfires still burning in both the Willamette and … Read More
Late summer flowers hanging on
While taking care of my short-legged granddaughter for a few weeks, trips to the mountains have to wait. Sometimes a squirrel-hunting very small dog is my top priority and everything spins around her (just what grandpas are supposed to do … Read More