Little Bald Mountain - Turning a Frown Upsidedown

Little Bald Mountain, 25 miles East of Chinook Pass, has been on my radar screen for about a year. Mike and I had heard good reports about the ride, and the scenery was supposed to be stellar. People call it an 'epic' ride; as climbers who have had a few epics between us, we were braced for a memorable day.

I picked Mike up at 0515, in North Bend, and we headed out. Mike mentioned he was not feeling well, but we both hoped that it would pass and we could complete our objective. The twists and turns on 410 took their toll, and we took a "medical rest stop." Thankfully, after vomitting about seven times, Mike felt better. We were back on the road. The day was dawning crisp and clear, and Mt. Rainier was out in force. We continued over Chinook Pass, and started looking for the starting point for the ride. In preparing for this ride, we had found little in the way of good, concise information. We had a map from one source, a trip report from another, and a guidebook description - none of them fully jived. We missed the turn, found the turn, and drove around confused by too much information. We finally made a decision based on instinct, and the surrounding terrain, and went for it.

The 3,500' elevation gain is absorbed over a 15-17 mile ride on a very well-graded Forest Service Road. We both jacked in to our iPods, put our heads down, and made time. We took a few breaks and kept moving in the cool morning air. It was the first weekend of elk season, for archery hunters, and we saw a lot of rigs on the road. We made it to the start of the trail in about 2 hrs 30 minutes. We took time to eat and get Mike's new helmet-cam setup rigged for action. With out gear sussed, and a plan in place, we took off.

I took the lead and Mike followed with the camera. I dropped into the trail and found it loose, rocky, and dusty; quite different conditions than we found on Kachess. after the first 200-m, we took a left hairpin turn and started a sidehill descent towards a talus field. I was carrying a lot of speed, since Mike was behind me, and this proved to be my undoing. I bounced through a few rocks, and then got bounced into the uphill side of the trail. The brief airborne experience, which followed, included neither beverage service nor a complimentary magazine. I got tossed over the bars and landed on my shoulder. I got composed, checked for major damage, and started off again. We soon started pushing our bikes across a big talus field.

In a short rideable section of this talus field, Mike's derailleur got bashed by a rock, trashing his rear dropout. His derailleur was now smashed against his rear wheel. One half mile into a 12-mile descent, and we had a wreck and a major mechanical. The sun was shining, but not on us. We worked for about 15 minutes, and turned Mike's bike into a singlespeed. Mike chose a descending gear, not a climbing gear, so we pushed our bikes on the uphill sections we encountered. This negatively affected our impressions of the "flowability" of the ride. It also made us realize that, hiking is overrated.

After some nice twisty sections, we broke out onto the edge of the plateau for which this ride is known. Bumpy and dusty, we trucked along hoping for more exciting terrain ahead. We found it. The trail pitched down, and we entered a continuous series of flowing, banked turns. After that, we pushed for a bit, and found cougar tracks heading up the trail, very clear in the deep floury dust of the trail. We started dropping the remaining 900' of elevation in short order. Conditions warranted a bit of caution due to the rocky nature of the trail.

As if to exact one final toll on us, before spitting us back into the civilized world, Little Bald Mountain's whip cracked one last time. Dropping down final slope, onto the forest road, I heard Mike yell something. I looked ahead and decided to start braking. Not soon enough. My tires didn't bite well enough in the soft dirt, and I knew I was about to go down. I popped out of my pedals, and tried to land in the safest spot: right in-between a stump and a boulder. What's one or two more scrapes among friends? In all, we had a good time, despite the misinformation and misadventures.

On to the next objective.

Washington Mountain Biking

I took a good part of the summer off from mountain biking to focus on MMA training. I got some good Spring riding in but, training five days a week was kicking my ass for doing anything on the weekends. With Mike, my main riding partner, back in town, we set some serious goals to take advantage of the remainder of the riding season. So far, this late season onslaught has been about discovering new trails and riding some epic descents. Our plan is to hit as many 'big alpine' descents as possible; we've done the 410 Corridor, pretty much, it is time to move farther afield.

Close to town, Eric and Scott showed us the key to unlocking the sweet flow to the trails in the Tokul Complex. Our previous attempts in the area had shown us limited potential, at best. This time out, we were treated to some sweet singletrack: switchbacks, root drops, rocks, and buff forest floor.

Thanks to Eric, who supplied us with good beta, we did two awesome laps on the Poach Next Door. The admission price was worth it, both times. The first time around, we weren't even sure we were in the right place. Steep, buff, and tight, with nice drops and quick maneuvering to keep you on your toes (and poised over the brakes) all the way down. I had trouble getting into the flow on the first lap but, I made up for it the second time around.

Kachess Ridge
Time for an epic descent in the beautiful Central Cascades. The original destination was Little Bald Mountain; a ride I had been wanting to do since last year. Unfortunately, I had trouble getting my rear brake to bleed properly, and we had to wait until Singletrack Cycles opened up in order to set it straight. Well, that blew our original plan so Mike suggested Kachess Ridge, off of I-90. As a 20-mile loop, the eight miles of singletrack are accessed by a 12-mile uphill grunt on Forest Service roads. Mike had ridden Kachess Ridge the week before; he called me on the road home from that ride and told me the price of admission was worth the payoff. I knew it had to be sweet. The climb gains about 3,200', all in the last five miles. It was good training for some bigger rides we have planned.

We left the road at a beautiful saddle looking down into French Cabin Basin. We dropped into the basin and traversed across to another saddle. I dubbed this saddle "Flat Tire Pass", as I got a flat tire during the last hike-a-bike section to reach it. Immediately, the trail drops away and deposits you into a series of beautiful sub-alpine meadows, followed by beautiful forests. Drop after drop, bermed sweepers, sweet root sections, and awesome Cascade forests continue to deliver for eight mindblowing miles. 'How can this trail continue to deliver?', you will ask yourself. At each break, Mike and I were grinning ear-to-ear. The final mile, or so, has been pretty chewed by horses; it just forces you to use different skills to get it clean. Awesome ride; I'm sure we'll do it again this season.

Competition Cycle

We are entering the fourth week of a competition cycle. Fights are October 6th.

The intensity increases each week.

The combinations get more complex.

The level of expectation rises with each passing week.

The advertised two-hour session has been stretching to 2-1/2; beyond that, Ivan keeps us late to spar. The nights grow longer; camaraderie is strengthened. Most of us agree that our mental toughness is being conditioned as well as our bodies. Something you don’t get spending evenings surfing MySpace Groups or making claymation videos for youtube.com. It is not uncommon to have guys drop 4, 6, even 8, or more, pounds of water weight by the end of the night, even while replenishing during practice.

Attendance ebbs and flows around a nucleus of regulars. A newcomer, at this stage, is tossed into the deep end immediately. On the nights I feel weak, I am thankful to have three months of buildup to help push through the pain and fatigue. Sometimes, I am surprised the new ones make it, or that they return. It is nice to be considered a “regular” now; the road to get here was long and painful, but worth every step.

Sparring is getting more intense. Last night was a round-robin, with each fighter in the ring for two two-round sessions, with fresh opponents each round. It was a good test of muscle-memory, endurance, and strategy. Upon reflection, I saw some areas which have improved, but others still need work. In a true ‘learn-by-doing’ sport, sparring is the truest way to find holes and improve.

Transitions

Another phase of life is ending, and a new beginning is quickly approaching as we map out our future. Our two-and-a-half year association with the University of Washington Medical School is coming to an end. The past two years have been a singular focus for Anastacia to wade through, persevere, and excel in the Physician Assistant Program. Anastacia graduates in a month; finally, the needle will be bumped to a new groove to continue playing out the symphony of our life.

Now, we contemplate pursuing that future in a new place, nurturing new roots, away from all that has become familiar and somewhat comfortable. Remarkably, it is without apprehension that we consider turning our backs on this town; easily said, for me, as my disdain for it has grown as of late. New opportunities have arisen, and exciting new horizons are being mapped.

George Patton Speaks to 21st Century America

Thanks to M.A. for spotting this gem.

Defining 'Insanity'

A common, colloquial definition of 'insanity' is, "repeating the same action and expecting a different outcome each time." Robert Mugabe, esteemed dictator of Zimbabwe, is about to become a living definition of insanity. Mugabe seized farms from white landowners, only to see their new black owners run that industry into the ground. One cannot expect this action to end any differently.

While the injustice done to the companies affected is enough to make one's blood boil, the real victims in this are the four out of five Zimbabweans jobless.

article

By Cris Chinaka 1 hour, 22 minutes ago
HARARE (Reuters) - Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe on Wednesday threatened to seize foreign companies, including mines, that have raised prices and cut output in an economic "dirty tricks" campaign to oust his government.

Mugabe, 83, in power since independence in 1980, accused former colonial power Britain of seeking to overthrow him.

Political and economic analysts said the nationalization threat appeared to be aimed at winning Mugabe's ZANU-PF party votes in next year's general election -- echoing the government's campaign of farm seizures ahead of elections in 2000 that ended in economic disaster.

Speaking at the burial of a top military officer in Harare, Mugabe charged that some industrialists, including miners, had been drafted into a "regime-change" agenda by Britain, deliberately reducing production, raising prices and illegally banking foreign currency abroad.

"We will seize the mines ... we will nationalize them if they continue with the dirty tricks," an angry Mugabe said to a round of applause from hundreds of mourners at the funeral.

"All companies, we will take them over if they continue with their dirty game. Take note, we will be equal to the challenge. We are capable of playing that game too," he said.

RAISING STAKES
The nationalization threat by Mugabe raises the stakes against foreign firms and local company chiefs he has long accused of colluding with his enemies.

On Tuesday a government minister said Zimbabwe will transfer control of all companies, including foreign banks and some mining operations, to locals if a planned black empowerment bill is passed by the country's ruling-party dominated parliament.

Zimbabwe's business community -- including a dwindling number of local subsidiaries of multinational companies, older white-owned firms and black-owned companies which prospered after independence in 1980 -- is already struggling in what the World Bank calls the fastest shrinking economy for a country not at war.

Analysts said approval of the empowerment bill could deepen the economic crisis which has pushed Zimbabwe to the brink of collapse with inflation now believed to be over 4,000 percent per year.

Economic analyst Tony Hawkins said the government was employing a political ploy to distract people from the economic crisis that has left four in five Zimbabweans without jobs.

"I suppose the logic behind this thinking is because in 2000 the land invasions won them an election, company seizures could do the same in 2008," said Hawkins.

Mugabe said on Wednesday his government would not hesitate to jail company executives who were raising prices unreasonably as the hikes were designed to wipe out state-ordered wages meant to cushion the poor.

The government on Tuesday ordered prices of basic goods and services to be slashed by half to protect Zimbabweans after prices had risen by up to 300 percent within a week. The move pushed prices back to the levels of mid-June.

(Additional reporting by MacDonald Dzirutwe and Nelson Banya)

Redemption: 6/23/07 - Mt. Stuart, West Ridge

Mount Stuart is a big mountain (9,415'), dominating the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, and the foundation stone of the Stuart Range in the heart of the Cascade Mountains of Washington State. Early mountaineer Claude E. Rusk called Mount Stuart a "mountain of thrills." (Beckey, 2000) Having been on the mountain three times, successfully summitting twice, I can attest to the veracity of Mr. Rusk's statement. John and I had history with the West Ridge of this mountain, and we decided it was time for some redemption.

In the Fall of 2005, after several routefinding errors, we found ourselves atop the West Horn and losing daylight. Given the time of day, we opted to descend the West Ridge Couloir; a blundering nightmare which culminated in an overhanging rappel into the September night's inky blackness. The deathmarch which followed pushed me beyond exhaustion, falling asleep each time we sat down for a break. Since then, John and I have talked about going back to climb the route and do it right. That time came on June 22nd, 2007.

We bivied with the masses at the Ingalls Lake Trailhead Friday night, ready for an early start. 0330, to be exact. We were on the trail by 0410. The trail was largely snow-free, with a mix of snow and rock from Ingalls Pass to the Lake. We cramponed around the edge of the frozen lake and found a hole for water on the far side. This was also a good spot to scope the gully we needed to enter to get on route.

At the base of the "second gully" (or, "first continuous gully" as some call it), we started cramponing up perfect styrofoam snow, negotiated a short rock step, and got back on snow for a while. After that, it was rock scrambling time until we got to the head of the gully and found our way into the next one, where we donned crampons again to traverse over near the base of Long John Tower. We couldn't see the supposed 4th Class route to the notch so, we scrambled up left of the big corner and then decided to rope up. John led across to the corner, discovered ice, came back and went up and then crossed above the iced-up corner and onto a flat bench. He belayed me over and then we cramponed up the rest of the gully to the notch behind LJT. We saw the "scissor feature" on the side of the West Horn and scrambled, unroped, up the gully and crossed over and turned the Horn.

I was feeling pretty happy that we were on-route; however, I hadn't been feeling well all morning and was moving slower than was ideal. I appreciated John's patience, and gave him pizza on the summit. Truth be told, my nerves had been haunting me since we left the car. I had not done muc climbing this Spring. I was pretty confident about my conditioning but, I knew that would only get me so far; the mental stress of the steep environment, the exposure, and the constant nagging doubts took a different kind of conditioning. I kept reminding myself that most of the climb was only 3rd & 4th Class, with some low- to mid-5th Class climbing - all well within my abilities. However, the creature within still picked at the tumor, that is doubt, as each chance arose.

We crossed a few more ribs and looked up to see a "notch", which I think we thought was Beckey's "tiny notch". We thought for a bit that we had accidentally done the Southside Bypass mentioned by Beckey, but realized a little later that we had indeed hit the W.R. notch. Thinking we were at the "tiny notch", I racked up and went up and right, thinking we would find the ledge which would lead us to the summit pitches (author's note: upon review of the route description, the direction I was headed would have put me on the Southside Bypass Variation). What I found was the point at which we should cross over to the North side of the Ridge; I brought John up. John racked up, crossed over and disappeared from sight.

Soon, he was off belay and I followed...oh, boy, that was interesting. This pitch nominated John for "scary move of the day": for me, this move entailed stepping down onto a 12"-wide ramp with no hands and walking across to two large blocks. Once I cleaned John's pro, I tried to figure out how he had climbed passed them (he told me that he had squeezed through sort of). I didn't see that and I ended up going out and around, hanging my ass out over the Stuart Glacier! I got to John, grabbed the rack and climbed a half-lead up to Beckey's "tiny notch"; there we dropped down, back onto the South side, and looked at out options. As John had said earlier in the morning, "the hardest part is there are so many options."

As we saw it, we could walk around on the ledge and go up, or we could find our way from where we were at (which Beckey says goes from 5.3-5.6). Given the time, and the proximity to the summit, we couldn't see the sense in traversing. John spied some good, blocky climbing so we decided to go up. John took the lead up a fun, interesting 5.4 corner to a ledge below another corner which had a slung block. I really didn't want to lead this pitch, but John was getting tired and I wanted to pull my weight. I passed the block and got into the corner, which was pretty crusted up with lichen. I voiced my lack of enthusiasm and John gave me the beta and encouragement I needed to pull the two-move wonder and get out of the corner (it was maybe 5.8). I moved up another 50', or so, and set a belay due to massive rope drag. John cleaned the gear and I got nominated for "hardest move of the day".

John meandered through the final blocks and reached the summit at 1800. We spent about 15 minutes on the summit, sharing pizza and water, transitioning into descent mode. I could not help reflecting on the fact that we had made it. On a certain level, it seemed a little surreal. How had we gotten so upside down during out last attempt? As I sat at 9,416' above sea level, I looked back on this climb and felt good about keeping the creature at bay. I had taken my pitches and pulled my weight.

The occasional cairn and bootprint led us towards the crossover into the Cascadian Couloir and onto the snow. After some initial crustiness, we got into some nice plungestepping snow and made good time. Unfortunately, where we needed to go there was no snow, bearing West into the lower part of the Cascadian. The snow did continue down the left fork, which appears to be "Variation No. 1" in the Beckey Guide. We decided to stay on the snow to make time and walk the extra distance on the Ingalls Creek Trail back up to the Long's Pass Trail. This proved to be the right thing to do. Again, finding the right bootprints and cairns took us down and out without a hitch! It was dusk under the trees, but we still had daylight.

The Long's Pass cutoff is clearly marked, the way across the creek is not. We did find a log crossing, just downstream, and then acquired the trail again and trudged off. I was feeling pretty beat by this time, but putting one foot in front of the other was working for me. We found and lost the trail several times before we broke out of the trees and onto the snow. We donned crampons and trudged up, up, up. The Pass appeared soon enough, and we started down.

I have had the "joy" of hiking down the Long's Pass & Ingalls Lake trails after dark, several times, and it gets longer every time. For the last quarter mile, I was having internal arguments about resting or going on. Make it we did, reaching the car at just about the stroke of midnight. 20 hours car-to-car, 9 hours on the route; certainly no record, but we did it...and found some redemption.