What a weekend!!

Where to begin!! I had such a fun and crazy weekend!!

Started the weekend with Trampled by Turtles on Friday night at the Wonder Ballroom. Tons of fun with a bluegrass on acid kind of sound.

Then the Mountaineering adventures continue, FULL weekend. Saturday, we did Ruckle Ridge which is one of the STEEPEST climbs in the Gorge, all with my ridiculous pack of course. Here's where the story gets interesting. We start the hike with a greeting from a State Trooper. Missing hiker, went out for a day hike, didn't come back last night. Keep an eye out. There have been a few tragedies already this season and its the beginning of hiking season!! So a bit ominous. Then there are planes, helicopters and search and rescue around. We get 1,000 ft from the summit and here is this woman (packing heat). Exhausted but otherwise uninjured and she survived a night unprepared by herself!! Happy Ending!! So the group leader and I walked her out while the rest of the group finished the hike. She got lost in the snow, then decided to descend below snow to wait out the night (with gun) until morning. Here's where I learned from her... she has an AMAZING back up plan as she often hikes alone. I RARELY hike alone, unless it is well populated and traveled. She tells/told 2 people, I will be back by 5. If you do not hear from me by 9, call for help. Do NOT alert family until the AM, AND emails both people her exact plan with a trail map. WOW. Although...don't hike alone? I understand as a girl, sometimes its frustrating to pass up on a great day b/c everyone is busy, and you feel like a vulnerable girl... but don't hike alone? Glad she is safe and AMAZING to witness.

Sunday, snow skills on Mt Hood. Crampons and ice axes, oh my!! It was SOOOO much fun!! I was intimidated, but quickly realized it was such a rush and so much fun!! We started ice arrest feet first, then went down on our tummies (see pic) then head first on our backs... SCARY!! So you slide uncontrolled on the snow on a steep slope and use the axe to stop. Here I am at the top, getting ready to push off and slide. We learned to glissade, use crampons, rope, set anchors and all sorts of stuff. SOOO much fun!!

We stayed the previous night at the group lodge and had a fun night in Government Camp getting to know each other over beer of course. Really a great group of people. Think I will be hiking with some of them for a while.