The Ideas Genie Community Forum
Gardens open to the Public => Good gardens to visit (USA) => Topic started by: bossgard on June 17, 2012, 07:35:36 PM
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Hiking Up, Looking Down (South)
Paradise Park with Tatoosh Range in background.
An early morning sunrise casts its shadows, as we are welcomed to Paradise.
And what a welcoming sight it is.
It encourages us to go forward and upward to one of the most thrilling and beautiful hiking adventures Toby and HB have ever had.
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Hi Toby, what a wonderful place! I see that you have now mastered the art of posting photos on the forum. Well done.
Eric
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Welcome to a mountain wonderland famous for its dense forests, dazzling wildflower meadow, tremendous snowfields, and rugged glaciers. if you visit on a sunny day take time to absorb the fresh smell of living trees and soil, the soothing and sometimes deafening sound of falling water, and the intense green of the Pacific Northwest. If you visit on a cloudy day, remember that you are experiencing the park in its most frequent guise: cloaked in. moisture and hooded by snow. Moisture-laden weather systems move off the Pacific Ocean, batter the sides of Mount Rainier, and drop record-setting quantities of snow at higher elevations before drifting eastward. The huge amount of total precipitation - about 87 inches each year at Longmire and 126 inches at Paradise - shapes everything you see, from the 26 glaciers that cap the mountain to the dense stands of Douglas fir, western redcedar, and western hemlock that contribute to the old-growth forest at its base. In the subalpine parks, or meadows, on the mountain's shoulders abundant moisture blends with volcanic soils and intense summer sunlight to bring forth some of the most breath-taking wildflower meadows on Earth. - National Park Service.
Come and view some Alpine Meadows of Mount Rainier, located in the Pacific Northwest corner of the United States in the State of Washington, at Paradise Park.
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MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK
Mount Rainier, called "Tahoma" which means "the great mountain" by local Indians was established as a National Park by United States of America President Teddy Roosevelt on March 2, 1899.
Indians kept logging and mining companies away from the Mountain because it is a part of their heritage and religious beliefs. Even so, the US Government allowed a group of mineral experts to create "the Camp of the Clouds" in 1898 through 1915. The Camp of the Clouds was really used to get money from wealthy nature lovers looking for adventure.
'It was once widely believed that Indian people seldom used Mount Rainier's imposing mountain landscapes. That view began to change in the early 1960's with discovery of the park's first archaeological site - a subalpine rock shelter later found to be about 1,200 years old and containing charred goat, mountain beaver, deer, elderberry and wild hazelnut remains in association with pit features, fire cracked rock, broken projectile points, and profuse stone tool re-sharpening flakes and debris.' - National Park Service
In 1883, James Longmire established the first hotel; his advertising for "miraculous water cures" helped generate early tourism and a constituency for the creation of the National Park. Upon hiking to a high valley, Longmire's wife said "This is Paradise".
At 14,410 feet to the top of the mountain, it is one of the largest volcanoes on earth.
In 1870, Robert Stevens is known as the first person to reach the Summit of the mountain, except for maybe some Pacific Northwest Indians, but no actual records before 1870, have been recorded.
The Mountain has 4 Sides or Valleys, Paradise (between Emerald Ridge and Cowlitz Divide), Sunrise (between Cowlitz Divide and Sunrise Ridge), Carbon River (between Sunrise Ridge and Ptarmigan Ridge), Sunset Amphitheater (between Ptarmigan Ridge and Emerald Ridge), the latter accessible only by hiking. Each is a study in how different climates affect Nature. Carbon River is a temperate zone that gets a lot of rain; Sunrise is wind-whipped and gets the hot eastern sun. Paradise is moderate in weather, where life grows abundantly.
Sunset Amphitheater gets plenty of rain and lots of sunshine. All 4 areas are unique in their flora and fauna.
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Sphagnum Bogs, Moss, Wheatgrass, and fragile subalpine meadows mix with Red Paintbrush, Glacier Lilies, Pink Mountain Heather, Fireweed, Western Basque, Phlox and Shooting Star are among the 40 types of flowers found there.
Dense Coniferous Forests surround the Mountain, while Western Red Hemlock, Douglas Fir, Western Red Cedar, Sitka Spruce, Whitebark Pine and other subalpines mixed with Elvin Timber cover the hillsides.
Animals are everywhere including Squirrels and Chipmunks, Saw Hoot Owls, Black Tailed Deer, Elk, Brown Bears, Marmots, Mountain Goats, Cougars, Tomcats. Foxes, Coyotes and Wolves make themselves very evident. Birds include Steller's jays, Clark's nutcrackers, gray jays, and ravens.
Visitors Centers are at Paradise and Sunrise. Rangers have named it "1,000 Parks in One Place".
'The authors and publishers acknowledge the use of information taken from the 'The Tahoma News', issues for 2008 and 2010, and 'Mount Rainier', current issues, which are official publications of The National Park Service, US Department of the Interior."
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Hiking Up, Looking Up (North)
Paving of First Hill Trails prevents erosion of the most used trails.
This hard surface of the trails also provides safety for tourists in particular, as they start their trek upward. The open toed sandals and flip-flops they might be wearing are not adequate on the further trails that they will encounter. It also encourages them to stay on the trails.
'Mount Rainier is a place of great beauty and inspiration. You may be inspired to take a picture or to get a close-up look at a wildflower. But stop and consider your actions before you step off the trail. With each step you take onto a meadow an average of 20 plants are impacted! Subalpine vegetation survives in a harsh environment. With a short growing season, plants take longer to recover from damage. Much of the plant's energy is spent on rapid flowering. Even if a plant survives the weight of your footstep, it may be stunted for years.
So when exploring Mount Rainier's fragile meadows... Please, Stay on Trails.' - National Park Service.
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Hiking Up, Looking Up (North)
Mount Rainier viewed from Paradise Park.
Notice the signage along the trails. Obey all rules; remember we are protecting this for all of those who will be coming here in the future. Another rule or two to follow: 'If you pack it in, you pack it out!' also, 'Don't feed the wild animals'.
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It certainly looks quite a place, Toby. I am amazed to see the trails surfaced, they are much better than the track past my front gate :)
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Thanks for all that historical info there Toby, and the photos.
I can well imagine that the surfaced paths are necessary to cope with the heavy pounding from all the tourists.
Laurie.
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Hiking Up, Looking Up (North)
Dead Horse Trail through Paradise Park.
A meadow of Wheat Grass in foreground of this subalpine terrain is mixed with Douglas Fir and Western Hemlock trees. On the right are some mighty Douglas Firs with some Pine Trees in front of them.
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Hiking Up, Looking Down (South)
Paradise Park looking from Left to Right; Stevens, Boundary, Unicorn, Pinnacle, Plummer and Lane Peaks with Unicorn and Pinnacle Glaciers.
Wheatgrass with Red Paintbrush and Pink Mountain Heather in foreground. Amongst the dark green shrubs called Krummoltz in foreground are yellow Glacier Lilies and small twisted trees called Elvin Timber.
'You make choices daily that could impact the environment of the park. How you landscape and care for your yard and garden is critical for the global health of wildlife, water and air. The companies that you support through your purchases and the ways you choose to dispose of trash have an effect on life beyond your neighborhood.'- National Park Service.
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Hiking Up, Looking Up (North)
Paradise Park looking at Left to Right; Van Trump, Wilson, Nisqually, Muir Snowfield, Paradise Glaciers on Mount Rainier
On the left you can see White Bark pines, mixed in amongst the Douglas Firs. Wheat Grass is constant, but also assists the growth of the Pink Mountain Heather, White Daisies, Glacier Lilies and Krummoltz Shrubs.
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Hiking Up, Looking Up (West)
Paradise Park looking at Mount Rainer with Success Divide on the left, and McClure Rock on the Right.
The rather large boulders that you see in the foreground are what the Marmots like to lie on to sun themselves. There are no Marmots in this picture, but we did see several along the way sunning themselves as we went up the mountain. Marmots are a rather large animal that are similar in size to a full grown domesticated cat (or even larger), with large tail and all. They feed on smaller animals such as rats, chipmunks, squirrels, also berries and nuts to survive. When the snow falls, and the weather worsens they survive by eating nuts that are stored and grasses that are dug up out of the snow.
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Hiking Up, Looking Down (South)
Paradise Park looking at Eagle Peak on the left with Lookout Mountain (in background, left) and the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
An interesting patch of undisturbed Wheat Grass plays host to (look closely) White Daisies, Yellow Glacier Lilies, Purple Phlox and Red Paintbrush.
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Fantastic scenery Toby, and such a wealth of natural flora. It must have been so beautiful up there on that hike. (You are a very fit guy, that's for sure!)
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George, here’s a fun thing you and other Forum Members might want to do:
This link will get you to the United States National Park Service.:
http://nature.nps.gov/multimedia.cfm
When you are there, scroll down until you come to WEB CAMERAS. Click on it.
When it opens you will find a map of the United States. In the upper left-hand corner you will find three National Parks in the State of Washington.
Click on Mt. Rainier, and you will see an instant webcam shot of Mt. Rainier from Paradise Park. The web camera is located very close as to where we started our hike up Mt. Rainier in these photos.
Click on the other two in Washington State – North Cascades and Olympic. Check them out. In fact click around all of the locations shown in the USA if you and others are so moved to do so.
These are National Parks; it takes an act of Congress to create them! They are protected for all to enjoy! Admissions are usually charged, although by an act of the President of the United States he can open the National Parks to the public free of charge for a short time period. .
Interesting, huh?
- Toby
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Thanks for the link Toby, I got to the Mount Rainier web cam but it was quite hazy. I will try again later when it might be clearer. There was an interesting Clear/Hazy comparison but the view I got was hazier than "Hazy". I will be back.
Eric
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Very interesting Toby and very clever. No doubt you would take a look at that before setting off for a hike :)
The Landmark tag gives very useful info about the terrain.
Here's the status when I visited:
Visual Range is about 50 miles • updated 07/10/2012 02:15 PM PDT
I'd say the comparison is Hazy.
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Eric,
Think light rain or snow! It was quite 'hazy' when I looked at the webcam this morning, but so was our weather here. There has been quite a bit of morning moisture in the air, and then quite warm and clear in the afternoons. One extreme to another.
The webcam that I looked at early yesterday morning was clear, but had snow on the ground which is common for this time of year.
The photos that I'm posting with the full sun and glorious blue skies is a rarity, and only happens in August on the Mountain. We were very, very lucky to get the photos with that kind of weather and the flowers out in all their glory. It all came together so nicely for us. A once in a lifetime thrill!
Don't expect it every day! We were very fortunate!
Also take into consideration, the time of day when you are looking at the webcam, and the time of day here.
- Toby
Written just before George had posted his entry.
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Hiking Up, Looking Down (South)
Dead Horse Trail, looking at left to right; Plummer, Lane, Wahpenayo, Chutla and Eagle peaks of the Tatoosh Range.
On the right, a Meadow of Wheat Grass with hard to see Purple Phlox and Red Paintbrush. At lower right is Western Pasque Flowers, which is difficult to distinguish from Yellow Glacier Lilies in this photo.
This is photo #2 of the panorama, right to left.
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Also take into consideration, the time of day when you are looking at the webcam, and the time of day here
Just had another look, Toby. Much clearer this time. How good to be able to check the weather before setting out on a hike!
Eric
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Eric,
I'm glad that you are getting a good view from the Mt Rainier Paradise webcam! It is very hazy this (Thursday) morning here in the Seattle, WA (USA) area.
Here's today's photo of our climb in the Alpine Gardens:
Hiking Up, Looking Up (Southwest)
Dead Horse Trail, Looking at Mount Rainier from Success Divide to McClure Rock, with Van Trump, Wilson, North Squally, Muir Snowfield and Paradise Glaciers in between.
A knoll covered in Wheat Grass with a patch of Purple Phlox, surrounded by White Daisies, Yellow Glacier Lilies and a small Red Paintbrush on the left.
Photo #3 of the right to left panorama.
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The air looks crystal clear in your last two photos, Toby. Beautiful!
Eric
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and a beautiful blue sky and that rare thing called sunshine :)
Excellent photo Toby!
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Hiking Up, Looking Down (South)
Dead Horse Trail looking at Tatoosh Range on the left and Lookout and Dixon Mountains in the background. On the far Right is the start of Rampart Ridge.
Boulders dot a hill of Wheat Grass with a good view of the slight difference between Pink Mountain Heather (lower left) and Purple Phlox (center). Look closely, you will also see Yellow Glacier Lilies and Red Paintbrush.
Photo #4 of the right to left panorama.
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Hiking Up, Look Down (South)
Dead Horse Trail, looking at Far Left is Alta Vista Mound with Pinnacle, Plummer, Wahpenayo, Chutla and Eagle Peaks of the Tatoosh Range. Lookout Mountain is in background at the Right.
An area stripped by wind and snow in front of White Bark Pines and Douglas Firs.
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WHY MOUNT RAINIER LOOKED SO HAZY WHEN WE TURNED ON THE PARADISE PARK’S WEBCAM TO CHECK THE WEATHER THERE LAST WEEK!
Excerpted from the Seattle Times Newspaper, dated Saturday, July 14, 2012:
When Cliff Mass flew in from New York last week, he couldn’t believe how hazy the Seattle sky looked.
“As I descended down into Sea-Tac (airport), I said ‘What the hell is going on here?’” he said.
The unlikely culprit: Smoke from dozens of wildfires burning in Siberia, which has climbed into the jet stream in recent weeks and found its way on the Pacific Northwest. Mass, a professor of atmospheric sciences at the University of Washington, said the smoke – which is not a health risk –also may be the reason behind the recent series of spectacular sunsets.
The smoke’s long journey isn’t as strange as it might seem.
“We always see some level of smoke and pollution” from East Asia, said Dan Jaffe, a professor of atmospheric and environmental chemistry at UW Bothell. It’s especially common in the springtime.
But the smoke that has drifted here in the last two weeks is the worst since 2003, Jaffe said, fed by huge fires burning near Lake Baikal and on the Kamchatka Peninsula on Russia’s east coast. According to RIA Novosti, a Russian state news agency, 67 wildfires were burning in Eastern Russia last week.
- Toby
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With the following link, scroll down until you come to a posting entitled A BEAR IN THE WOODS by Aaron Lavinsky.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/picturethis/
This picture appeared on the front page of the Seattle Time Newspaper this morning, Tuesday, July 17, 2012.
The accompanying text and information you might need some day. So jot it down or make a copy of it. Make sure to carry it with you at all times. But if you don’t have it with you, do as it suggests and make a lot of LOUD noises, by clapping your hands, yelling, and carrying out your conversation with BEAR in a very LOUD voice.
- Toby
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It doesn't bear thinking about ::) ;D
Eric
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and that big fella sure is not Yogi :o
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Hiking Up, Looking Down (South)
Paradise Park facing Alta Vista (Center), Stevens, Boundary, Unicorn, Pinnacle, Plummer, Wahpenayo and Chutla Peaks. Unicorn and Pinnacle Glaciers in the forefront.
A Wheat Grass Meadow with part of it eroded by previous winter snows. Red Paintbrush and yellow Glacier Lilies dot the area, in the foreground are some Purple Phlox.
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I'm impressed by your knowledge of the plants up there Toby. Is that territory covered by snow in the winter months?
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George, the plant identifications were done by HB (my Hiking Buddy), not myself! He told me that he used a publication entitled ‘National Park Guide’, which is a sister publication of the National Geographic Magazine as an aid to do so. He maintains a collection of past issues of the National Geographic Magazines, like I do several of my gardening magazines. In other words, hands off!
Also, using HB as my informational person, he tells me that at the level on the Mountain that the photos I am posting today were taken, there probably remains about 3 feet of snow. These pics were taken at the approximate 6,000 foot level of the mountain, which is over 14,000 feet at the summit.
The following is an excerpt from a newspaper article published about a week ago: ‘Beware that snow remains on higher-elevation trails and meadows in the park, and that Paradise may not be snow free for weeks to come. For this year’s wildflower season, plan a visit in August’. – Brian J. Cantwell, Seattle Times travel staff.
As I indicated when I began the posting of these Sub-alpine photos, we were very lucky to have such good conditions to get these photos. Indeed, a lucky break for us, these photos we have were taken August 16, 2010.
Hiking Up, Facing Down (South)
Dead Horse Trail with Alta Vista flowing from Left to Mound on Right. Tatoosh Range in background and Gifford Pinchot National Forest behind it.
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Thanks for the additional info Toby. Many thanks to your HB ;)
Ive always been puzzled by the accounts of gardens and flowers from my contacts in North America and Canada. Its seems to be a very short time between messages that the gardens are covered by snow, then only weeks later, the gardens are in full bloom! You get the extremes over there, and the plants seem to know that there is a short growing season in some regions.
Those alpines you've described don't hang about, do they. That newspaper article tells us that the flowers are under snow in July, and in flower in August. Amazing 8)
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Hiking Up, Look Down (South)
Skyline Trail with Altra Vista on Left. Paradise Park on right and Tatoosh Range in background.
This photo and the one following are almost identical, and were taken within a short lapse in time.
To bring the pictures into perspective from the human aspect, there are some hikers coming up the mountain, look closely, and you will see how small they look, and just how large and awe-inspiring this beautiful landscape appears to the many tourists and hikers that visit the Mountain each year.
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Hiking Up, Looking Down (South)
Skyline Trail with Alta Vista on Left, Paradise Park on Right. Tatoosh Range in Middle, with Mount Adams on Left and Mount St. Helens on the Near Right of the Background.
A few seconds time lapse of previous photo.
Eric, your might notice that with this picture, the paved trails have disappeared, and are now replaced with 'make do with what you got'. No pampering for the tourists now. The climb gets serious from this point on up the mountain.
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‘Those alpines you've described don't hang about, do they.’ – George’s quote.
George, I talked to HB about this, so I will try to explain what he told me.
The first thing to remember is that Mount Rainier is an ACTIVE VOLCANO, and can blow anytime!, It is HOT, HOT under that Mountain, as well as under all of the Cascade Range. That means from Vancouver, British Columbia to the State of California. Mt. St. Helens here in the State of Washington, which blew several years ago is part of that active movement of the Earth way down under the surface.
Put a very thick blanket of snow on top of that heat, and you’ve got a naturally made greenhouse, or call it a whitehouse, if you prefer.
A subalpine plant live its own cycle of life. What that individually is, I do not know. I suppose it varies by the Species? Does it reproduce by seed, a root division, or what is its method of maintaining its life cycle? But the plant continues to grow as it is destined to do. Does it have an inactive time, and then begin all over to renew itself?
HB has told me that he has dug down into the snow, and uncovered growing plants that already have their blossoms attached. So are the actual sun and its resultant heat necessary for its survival? Maybe ErikP, who as I understand from his postings grows alpines, can add some information on this topic for us.
If Mount Rainier blows, what the gentlemen in the know tell us is that all the glaciers of snow on the mountain will be quickly melted, which will have a heavy impact on the natural drainage system (rivers) that carry that water out to (eventually) the Pacific Ocean. I live on a hill above a valley that was formed by one of those rivers while in its natural state. Hopefully I live high enough up in elevation, that my home will not be destroyed, but there will be serious flooding that will go in all directions, North, South, East or West from the Mountain! Supposedly the gentlemen in the know will give us enough warning to try to escape!
From the American Indians, is a recorded instance of a flood occurring in the very late 1890’s, and the valley below me inundated with flood water from hillside to hillside. It is not indicated how or why it actually occurred. Maybe, it was caused by some volcanic activity at that time.
- Toby
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Hiking Up, Looking Up (North)
Skyline Trail with Panorama Point on Right Foreground, The top of Alta Vista on the Left and Mount Rainier.
This and the next photo were taken with a short time lapse between them. Note the hikers still going up the mountain. We stopped our hike in this area, which is at an approximate elevation of 6,650 feet from sea level. There was gusty wind coming up, and we both were not properly dressed and equipped to continue our trek.
'At Mount Rainier, the weather can change rapidly. Hikers who aren't prepared for weather conditions increase their risk of becoming lost or injured. Avoid problems: know and plan for Mount Rainier's changeable weather'. - National Park Service.
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Hiking Up, Looking Up (North)
Same area as previous photo, with hikers moving up the trail.
If we had continued, we would have gone up further, and then hiked over to the right. We could see in the far distance, some of the trail where we would have been. This route also takes those serious hikers who are heading up further to the glaciers and other destinations, including Camp Muir. Camp Muir is a base camp for the more experienced hikers. Those hikers that passed us, as we hiked back down the trail, had large backpacks strapped to their shoulders and backs, with bed rolls and other equipment that they would need as they journeyed further up the Mountain into the snow areas.
'Each year, approximately 10,000 people attempt to climb Mount Rainier. Nearly half reach the 14,410-foot summit. Climbing permits are required for travel above 10,000 feet and/or on glaciers.' - National Park Service
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Hiking Down, Looking Up (North)
Alta Vista Trail facing north. Left of trail are subalpine trees surrounded by Pink Mountain Heather.
As we made our trek down the mountain, we came upon this beautiful display of mountain flora.
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That's an amazing photo Toby. It looks like you were very fortunate to be up there on such a beautiful day - great visibility to see the the mountains so clearly in the background.
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Hiking Down, Looking East
In the same bank of flora as the previous photo, a few feet further down are more Pink Mountain Heather and Purple Phlox in front of subalpine trees.
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Hiking Down, Looking East (Right Side of Trail)
Pink Mountain Heather and Purple Phlox in front of subalpine trees.
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Nice one again Toby.
Hard to believe that all that splendour was "under the snow, waiting to grow" a few weeks before those photos.
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Hiking Down, Looking in Opposite Direction of previous photo.
Alto Vista Trail, looking at subalpine trees Western Hemlock and Douglas Fir in a field of Wheat Grass and Mountain Lilies (which bloom in May).
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Hiking Down, Looking Down (South)
The Building you see below (to the Right) in this photo is the Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise Park with the Tátoosh Range in the background.
The parking lot where we parked our automobile is within walking distance of the Jackson Visitor Center. The elevation there is 5,400 feet above sea level.
Mr. Jackson was a State Senator, representing the State of Washington in Washington D.C., the Capital of the United States of America, for many years. He was most active in securing Federal Government Funds for the development of the Mount Rainier National Park.
Because of him and others like him, we are able to enjoy the beauty of The Mountain'. And a beauty it is. We are so fortunate to have Mount Rainier in 'our backyards' to enjoy forever and ever.
This is the FINAL PHOTO of this series pertaining to the Alpine Gardens on Mt. Rainier. HB and I hope this presentation was both entertaining and educational for you. We might have some Alpine Meadow (at lower elevations) pics near Mt. Rainier at a future date.
Other future plan for posting photos to the Forum include some additional photos of Soos Creek Botanical Gardens, and then follow those with lots of photos featuring the Kubota Gardens, which is part of the Seattle, WA Parks System. Kubota Gardens is the first and last of any gardens that I have been to and photographed, that gives you a sense of calmness and peacefulness as soon as you enter. The original Mr. Kubota was definitely a Gardening Genius!
We will give you the Kubota Garden’s Website and some past and present history when we post it’s photos.
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Well done Toby. That was indeed a very interesting photographic journey for us and a well documented account of the many delights of nature to be enjoyed in the freshness of your mountain hike.
I look forward with great interest to your forthcoming presentations ;)
Did your hiking buddy accompany you on those garden visits?
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George:
You asked if HB accompanied me on the garden visits. Yes, we are a team, and a Hiking Buddy does just that! And, I’m very lucky to have a GOOD one!
I would never think of taking any hike, whether it is in a garden, a nature path, or the ‘Mountain’ without him. Accidents can and do happen, and its always nice and comforting to think that I have a friend that has the many talents he has.
During the time he spent in military training, he learned wilderness survival skills, map reading skills, life saving skills, and how to live off the land if one becomes lost, and then be able find his way back home. He also serves as my transportation provider, and my note-taker. The picture captions you have read are his work.
One personal thing I will tell you about HB. He lost his father to cancer when he was 16 years of age. A difficult time to loose a father, when a kid definitely needs someone to ask all those growing-up, important questions to. I understand that his Father was quite a guy, a good guy, a wonderful husband, who adopted three children from HB’s mother’s earlier marriage. He fathered three children with HB’s mother, HB being the youngest. His dad’s death, left the mother with 6 children to raise, and yet she worked full time, put food on the table, and paid the rent. HB had to make it on his own. I understand from him, he was the typical teen-ager; and got himself in trouble with the police and escaped by joining the military. He did serve time in Vietnam. He suffers panic attacks and visions from his experience there! And yes, HB’s mother is still with us, she is 88 years young.
With our relationship, HB has found a father-figure that he can share his thoughts with (and I listen), and I have found a great hiking companion and FRIEND! Yes, he is definitely a part of our team. I wouldn’t have it any other way! Thanks, HB!
- Toby
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Your HB sure is a wonderful guy, Toby (and so are you!!).
I'm delighted for both of you, to have forged such a solid relationship.
Long may it continue - my best wishes to you both.
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George, to carry out our discussion about the importance of having a Hiking Companion on the trails in the Pacific Northwest one step further, I bring to your attention this short news story, published in the Seattle Times, Tuesday, July 31, 2012:
"Ellensburg
Seattle Hiker dies after fall
A Seattle man has died
while hiking near Cle Elum.
The Kittitas County sheriff’s
office says 54-year-old
Aram “Chris” Abajian apparently
fell down a steep embankment
Saturday in the Mineral Creek area."
Could this unfortunate incident have been prevented, if this gentleman had a hiking companion with him? I would like to think so. More and more we are hearing and reading about these unfortunate events on the trails, and not only with amateur hikers but those with considerable experience.
I still want somebody with me! Thank God for HB!
- Toby
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Yes, I think its wise to have a HB Toby. Its probably safe on the main trail, but not a good idea to stray in that region.