Sunday At Sunrise

“SundayAtSunrise

Synchro, Ford and me spent an early morning up at Sunrise (Mt. Rainier). We did one of my favorite hikes, Burroughs 1 & 2 as a loop via Sourdough Ridge and Sunrise Rim. Synchro had never been to Sunrise, and while he isn't an Alpine Whore like I am, I think he liked it. Lol!
It was so clear after the last couple days of rain, I could see downtown Seattle-including the highrise Synchro works in..pretty cool! The haze has been SO bad!
We had blue skies, a raging wind and upper 70's...a nice way to make my mouth drool over being 3 1/2 days from starting the Wonderland... :-)”

“Damn you and your beautiful backyard PNW views!”

“Best of all, I set up a new Webshots account so that I can upload (hopefully) all the photos I take on the upcoming trip :-D
Ya know, Dub, you just have to come visit and meet the Posse ;-)”

“Oh, I plan on it! It might even happen this year as I am required to use my vacation days before the end of the year and I can't use any in Dec. So I'm thinking of coming out there in Oct, maybe late Sept. I'll let ya know.

So...are there many Grizzlies where you backpack?”

“Just Black Bears (read...Wussy Bears). The Black ones are pretty small too, hit my waist for height when on all 4's.
October is a good month, everything is red, yellow and orange, and usually snow free for the first 3 weeks or so in the Cascades.
What I like about September/October is a definte lack of Tourons and bugs. No one but hardcore packers are out. NP's though are best due to hunting season ;-)
Let me know, and I'd help you plan or meet up with you...of course you'll have to put up El Senor Grabby hands :-P”

“What's El Senor Grabby Hands? And of coure I'm gonna run my plans by you, you're gonna be my travel guide, right? ;-p

Black bears I don't mind...it's just those grizzlies and their bell laden poop.

October sounds great! Colors are awesome! So where are we going and how long are we going out and who else are you gonna bring from the PNW? None of that wimpy dayhike and have a lunch buffet crap either! ;-)”

“Lol...that's Ford's nickname...due to his love of giving wedgies and er, poking ladies in the chest....
I could give ya a 3-4 day weekend (Ford's in school, but hey, he can always miss a day or two for packing!)
I am fine with either the Olympics or the North to Central Cascades. You have to tell me what YOU'D like to see...views, ridgelines, lakes, trees, etc (ok, no trees, you can go see them on your time...lol!!)
I can think of a couple awesome loop hikes in the state that aren't total killers but offer views, views and more views!
Such as one of my favs in the Olympics:Upper Big Quillicene trail to Marmot Pass, drop down to Boulder shelter...and much more!
Or experience Rainier?
Or do the Olympics in the park, there is a loop I haven't done all the way via Obstruction Point, that takes you from Alpine Tundra, to subalpine to Alpine Tundra......
Yeah, you know you'd like to see one of our wimpy lunch spreads...better than eating top ramen :-P”

“Hmmm...I like lakes and views...I'll trust your decision for a destination. I'll email you next week when I get back to Ohio and we'll start planning this. I'm excited!

El Senor Grabby Hands will not be a problem.”

“Black bears I don't mind...it's just those grizzlies and their bell laden poop.”

“Dub probably won't see any animals when out here, if he is hiking with the PNWH....we tend to chat the miles away :-P”

“".....poking ladies in the chest..."

I can assure you, Dub is no lady!”

“See, the guys get wedgies, the ladies get poked. It's because boobs are at his eye level....”

“"Eye-Poppers" to young boys!”