Team Younkin: Apr 19, 2010

Ryan here again, can you believe it? Katie's busy working next to me so it's my turn to post about the last two weekends, and I'm thrilled to do so because they were great!
The weekend before last (Saturday I think) the Climb For Clean Air gang gathered at the base of Seattle's famed Tiger Mountain for training climb #3 (our 2nd - having missed the first). Filtered sunshine ultimately led to a warm and dry day following a crisp early morning start. Group members really started to get familiar with each other on this climb, and Katie and I both found ourselves having really nice conversations with a wide variety of our teammates as we ascended the trail. Next hike we'll be able to greet them by name when we arrive and maybe bond a little further during the hike. As for the hike, we were told to carry 20 lbs, which we did, and we had no trouble. In total I think the hike was around 6 miles and maybe 1,800 vertical feet. As a group we moved a little slower than we had on the shorter Little Si trail (the previous hike), but nice and steady. Based on experience with "MicroSpikes" (baby crampons for your boots) loaned to us from our reliable hiking buddies Jacob and Natasha, we had just spent our 20% REI coupons on some for ourselves and I got to put them through their paces near the summit when we encountered icy conditions left over from our recent spring snows. Unfortunately Katie's order hadn't arrived yet (separately ordered) so she braved the slippery conditions with only hiking poles. At the top we got a great shot of us with Tacoma in the background.

Tiger Summit (#3) - Tacoma in background

Last Friday night we had our favorite hiking duo (Jacob and Natasha) over for dinner where we discovered their plans to car camp on the San Juan Islands soured a bit due to the rainy Saturday forecast. So we asked to them to accompany us on a rainy hike instead. With all the spring snow we've been having and opting to remain out of the avalanche danger we chose a lower yet still challenging trail off Highway 2 this side of Steven's Pass. Actually, Katie and I had partially completed the hike after work back when we just started dating, but we really wanted to complete the route and see Lake Serene, after Bridal Veil Falls, where we had turned around the first time. In total the route was about 8.5 miles and about 2,500 vertical feet. Light rain for the entire drive was surprisingly replaced by humid but dry conditions on the trail initially. On the way up we actually had (as she called it) a "Boeing siting" of a gal I work with in Flight Test. She asked us why we weren't at work implying in jest 787 flight testing couldn't very well continue while we were all gone:) Truth be told one of the enablers of the trip was that all 4 flying airplanes have grown roots on the ground and aren't flying at present due to planned "layups." We crossed the multitude of falls that make up the Bridal Veil, stopping only for more than a pause at the largest fall for some photos and some cooling mist.

Bridal Veil Falls - revisited

You have to actually backtrack about a half mile from the fall to rejoin the trail and continue onward and upward to Lake Serene. On the way up we found a whimsical tree trunk precariously hanging over the trail - an excellent photo op.

I eventually had let it go

Continuing on, just as the trail steepened we encountered a trio that looked pretty wrecked. Strange given their descending, comfortable temps, no rain, seemingly no injuries, and obvious fitness. Weird. They half-heartedly warned us of impending snow but indicated we'd make the lake no problem. Onward. After some steep climbing interrupted once in a while by dramatic views across the Skykomish valley, we hit the snow.

Skykomish Valley - town of Gold Bar in the distance

And then we hit the rain! It's amazing how fast an enjoyable hike becomes "not all that enjoyable." After gearing up we continued with only a rare post-holing or slipping. The slushy snow didn't lend itself to the MicroSpikes so we went for it rocking only naked boots. Finally though, as with most mountain lakes, we leveled off just as we caught glimpses of the lake slightly below and through the trees. Wow! Lake Serene sits beneath a 3,000' vertical rock wall comprising famed Mt Index's NE face.

Lake Serene & Mt Index NE face

By the way, Mt Index is where the first American to summit Everest (Jim Whittaker) claims he came the closest to using his 9th life! Just as we sat down at the frozen lake's edge for lunch we were jolted by the thunderous crashes of ice and rock colliding as narrow avalanches whipped down the shoots between the cliff faces. Nature's fireworks, it was truly awesome! Not to be outdone by nature two gentlemen emerged from behind us breaking open a six-pack and firing up cigarettes! Ok, I enjoy a beer, so we've got something in common there, but these two were just wearing jeans and t-shirts, no sign of a pack with more gear in sight - literally just the beer! They sure were friendly guys though, I felt bad when I we had responded to their inquiry that we had no booze of our own. Heading down we encountered more folks who seemed pretty ill-prepared for the rough weather. And it turned out they would need better gear than sweat pants and tennis shoes as the sky finally opened and unleashed its deluge for the the last hour of our hike to the car. Our two beer loving friends made it just fine though, happy as clams as they emerged from the trail as we saddled up to head home.
After a shower and change of clothes we finished off the night with an additional $400 toward our cause thanks to a fun-filled night of poker with Katie's colleagues. Plus, Katie contributed an extra $40 as she came in 3rd pulling in 5 points toward the 2010 Flight Deck Poker Series championship!