Barlow Ridge Hut Trip 2014

I had been looking at doing a trip to one of the Cascade Huts for a year or two and finally pulled the trigger in the middle of March. My wife was also interested in the trip so we recruited Andrew and Elena to round out the crew. While the hut was only 5 miles in and included everything you'd really need except food, I wanted to try out my ski polk I built a few years ago and see how much weight I could easily pull. This would be a good test for future backcountry skiing adventures. I considered this backcountry glamping so we loaded and pulled 4 growlers in with us and enough food to feed twice as many people.

Andrew and I were going to test out our backcountry rig, while the girls opted for snowshoes. Taking turns hauling the sled, we pretty much stayed the same pace.

Gearing up at the trailhead

All ready to go, but heading in the completely wrong direction. Took us a good hour to find the Mineral Jane trail. Trip almost failed before it even began.

Approaching Barlow Butte

Andrew beginning the long slog

Elena and I

Kerrie taking in the view of Hood

Kerrie very happy to have reach the hut.

Power nap for the Burker

Pretty posh living space.

After settling in, Andrew and I went out for a very very quick tour. Not the best terrain for backcountry skiing. The Barlow Butte hut is supposedly to be better, but it was booked.

We got a few turns in the open glade below the hut.

Cooking and drinking. Not much better.

Quick little walk to the privy.

Heading back down to the car. Thanks to Elena for taking a turn on the sled so Andrew and I could ski back down to the trail intersection. Definitely a lot faster.

Skinning up

Winter 2012-13

Sorry for the lack of posts recently. I have been experiencing some nagging injuries with the arch of the left foot that has kept me off the trails. After a few months of irritation and self diagnosed Plantar Faciitis, I went in to see my Sports Chircopactor, Dr. Brad Farra. Brad is the man and helped reverse my diagnosis to a collapsing/fatigued arch, linked to an injury in Sept that created scar tissue and weakening post tib and arch tendons. After some laser treatment, graston and stretches, I was on my way feeling way better.

However, this injury has a long road to recovery and relies heavily on strengthening and stretching exercises. I'll need to stick to my guns if I want to have a successful running season this summer. So dont expect too many running posts from me in the near future. I have to take it easy, which means short, flat runs when I can, but lots more bike trainer workouts and hopefully some road and mountain rides.

Here are some pics of what I have been able to so recently.

Deschutes River Trail - Thanksgiving

Munra Point - CRGNSA

Munra Point

Holiday Ale Fest

Larch Mtn Snowshoe Attempt

Metolius River Trail

Santiam Pass Snowshoe with the family 

Getting above the clouds at Hoodoo

Three Sisters

Zig Zag Canyon Snowshoe

I'll make this short since it is over a week late. Adam and I headed up to Timberline Lodge the other weekend to get a little altitude, and also, to find a little snow. Given the recent dry and cold weather conditions, the snow level was very high and very sparse and Timberline Lodge was the best option. Back ups were Twin Lakes and White River Sno park, but Timberline looked to have the best conditions.

At the Lodge, we did our best to find the PCT, but in the end, just headed west towards Sand Canyon, Little Zig Zag Canyon and Zig Zag Canyon. In the end, we were out for about 3 hrs and climbed up towards Mississippi Head near the top of Zig Zag Canyon. Great day, great weather, great company and great beer (Mt. Hood Brewing!)

Enjoy the pics

UNT

Bryan