the beautiful monster : follow up

In the last day, Rescue Missions for the missing climbers on Mt. Hood have ceased and any further efforts will be now deemed a recovery mission. Most likely, no more evidence or clues or bodies will be found until the spring thaw. Since tuesday, when I made my last post, there has been more press and more debate on the climbers, their timeline, what may have happened, and also the whole rescue beacon debate (which will always rage).

Here is a follow up gathered from local news sources:

TIMELINE of ACTIVITIES

(based on KGW.com)

Friday, Dec. 11, 2009

1 a.m. Anthony Vietti, Katie Nolan and Luke Gullberg register at Timberline Lodge intending to summit Mt. Hood via the Reid Glacier route. The trio had an active cell phone

1:30 a.m. One of the climbers activates the cell phone, most likely while still in the lodge's vicinity

2 p.m. The climbers expected to be back at Timberline having completed their 13-hour summit

4 p.m. A worried friend reports the climbers missing

Late evening: A threatening weather system begins moving into NW Oregon

Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009

Early morning: Clackamas County coordinates 30 volunteers to search for climbers

10 a.m. The body of Luke Gullberg was found on the Reid Glacier above 9,000-feet elevation, near the base of a headwall. Searchers find a camera with close-up photos of all three climbers.
Family of climbers arrive, along with chaplains from Sandy and nearby communities

3 p.m. Volunteers continue the search; weather conditions become treacherous with limited visibility, preventing aerial support from helicopters or planes

Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009

Severe weather conditions across NW Oregon create zero-visibility, blizzard conditions on Mt. Hood and the threat of avalanches and falling ice prevents Search and Rescue efforts.

Churches and congregations across the country offer prayers and support for the three climbers, who were deeply religious and had met during church activities

Monday, Dec. 14, 2009

5:30 a.m. Search and rescue efforts begin with aerial surveillance from Civil Air Patrol, Oregon Army National Guard and the U.S. Coast Guard. A NWS meteorologist arrives and identifies a four-hour window for optimal searching, between noon and 4 p.m.

10 a.m. A press conference with the Search and Rescue coordinators and the family of Anthony Vietti
Lead Rescue coordinator narrows the search to the 10,000-foot-to-summit elevations of Mt. Hood's western face

12 p.m. Conditions clear enough for US Air Force Rescue Squadron to begin scaling upper reaches of Mt. Hood

3 p.m. State medical examiners determine Luke Gullberg died from hypothermia and had suffered minor "non-life-threatening" injuries in a fall

3:30 p.m. Another weather system moves in and forecasters predict 18 inches of new snow. Aerial search suspended.

5:00 p.m. Vigils held from Portland to Longview, Wash. by friends, coworkers and acquaintances of the three climbers.

6:30 p.m. Search effort suspended for day. Experts predict that the two climbers could remain safe in a snow cave for five days with provisions and without injury

Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009

5:30 a.m. Blizzard-like conditions and a "white wall of snow" delay search efforts
Military arrives with aerial support and ground squadrons canvassing mountain
Coordinators say the moment weather lets up all rescuers will be "instantly deployed"

10 a.m. Search and Rescue specialized medic arrives to speak with family about survivability scenarios

11 a.m. Coordinators reassure family that operation remains "search and rescue" and not "recovery"

4 p.m. Dr. Teri Schmidt, a search and rescue special medic, said the odds of finding Nolan or Vietti alive after five days on the mountain were about 1 percent.

4:30 p.m. Investigators reveal that Gullberg may have died while trying to rescue Nolan. Search and rescue effort suspended until early Wednesday, when Blackhawk helicopters were scheduled to resume efforts.

Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2009

2 p.m. The massive search for Katie Nolan and Anthony Vietti was suspended. Clackamas County Sheriff's Office said rescue efforts would transition to a recovery mission once the harsh weather abated atop Mount Hood.

Katie's father, David Nolan, said his daughter was now buried upon the mountain she most loved - where she'd told her friends she someday wanted to be buried.

Anthony's father, John Vietti, asked those who had offered support and prayers to not lose faith in God. "God has answered our prayers - and for myself and my family this has not shaken our faith."

What the conditions were like last Friday on Mt. Hood:

What is determined that happened:

"Crews had hoped for a break in the weather Wednesday for one last possible air search over Mt. Hood but the storm never abated. A series of snowstorms dumped nearly two feet of snow on Mt. Hood since Monday. Images from the cell phone of the third climber, 26-year-old Luke Gullberg, whose body was found Friday, revealed that all three climbers reached Reid Glacier, and suggest that there was an accident involving Nolan. Investigators believe Gullberg then tried to rappel to get help.

Investigators suspect Nolan was injured because mountaineers found just one of her gloves Saturday with the body of Gullberg at the base of the Reid headwall. The slope rises at a 50-degree angle from the glacier to within a few hundred feet of relatively easier climb to the top above 11,000 feet. They found neither of Gullberg's gloves, Thompson said, leading them to think that Nolan had lost one of hers in the accident, that Gullberg had left her his glove, along with his pack, and that he had headed downhill, taking Nolan's single glove for whatever warmth it would provide. After a fall in which he suffered bruises and scrapes, Gullberg died of exposure. His body was found at the 9,000 foot level, at the base of the 1,500-foot headwall of the Reid Glacier. Nearby were tracks and some of his equipment, including a camera whose pictures gave rescue workers information about the route and equipment the climbers took." -kgw.com

As well, more news about the climbers and their short, but full lives:

An interview with one of Katie's clients she helped get off the streets:

The Mazamas explain the appeal of climbing Mt. Hood in the winter:

Why Portland Mountain Rescue opposes mandatory beacon usage:

closure and full report from local media:

In summary, I will close with this comment that Katie's father made regarding her and the incident. When I heard it on the raw video footage, it really hit a vein with me as I've shared that exact thought. I am sure that Katie and the two others climbers, when assessing their risk before setting out for their climb thought the same thing to themselves as I do when I set out... that, if today were to be the day when it all ends for me... that I can't think of a better place or a better way to end it. I can't say that she was lucky, but is really is quite fitting that she was able to have a poetic ending as such.

"Katie loved the mountain so much she wanted to be buried up there. And right now she is," said Nolan

the beautiful monster

So, as I'm sure many of you have heard already, recently three very experienced climbers went missing last Friday when they attempted to climb Oregon's infamous Mt. Hood. At 1am when they left their truck in the Timberline Parking lot and filled out their climb report, conditions were good. Conditions were to stay good for most of the day, but then turn nasty as the evening progressed. Ideally, they were not figuring on being out that long. For a 1am departure, you hope to reach summit by 7-8am, and then back down the mountain to their car by 3pm. They had gear they needed, harnesses, helmets, ice axes; though, no emergency beacons and no snow shovels. Their climbing report was sloppy though, they wrote down the wrong names for things and appeared to write info for routes that were on the other side of the Mountain.

The climbers were Luke Gullberg 26, Katie Nolan 29, and Anthony Vietti 24. All of them have climbed mountains together before, Adams, Rainier, Mt. Baker. In fact, Luke Gullberg had already summited Mt. Hood six times prior while Anthony was a member of Olympic Mountain Rescue. I'm sure, in the back of their head.... it was no big thing, easy up - easy down. Granted, they were taking one of the hardest routes up the Mountain... but, these were people who seemingly didn't take the easy route, while climbing or in life.

The other day, searchers found the body of Luke Gullberg near 9,000 ft. at the Reid Glacier. Gear, harness, helmet, etc was scattered all over the slope of the mountain near his body. Apparently included in this gear was a camera containing photos of everyone shortly before "something bad happened". One of the photos shows Gullberg anchored to the snow and the ice of the Reid Headwall, apparently with two snow screws. Seemingly, a rope led from the anchors to his secured harness. Autopsy reports determined that Luke had a long slow fall, but that's not what killed him. In fact, he had minimal cuts scrapes and bruises and it's very likely that he was able to walk and crawl for several hundred yards. Luke died from hypothermia, from exposure.

As I type, Katie and Anthony have not been found yet. In the three days of searching as weather has allowed, each hour that passes makes the chance that they hunkered down in a snow cave and are still alive grow fainter and fainter.

My mind is wrapped around the this story. I am confused and I try, much like everyone else... to figure out what might have happened. What was the "something bad?" Who was it who went first? How high were they? Were they roped together (some of the prior photos show they were)? Was there a fall, a crevasse? How long were they out there? Did they have sufficient gear with them to stay warm or eat in case of emergency? Were they trying to climb light and fast? Why wasn't Luke's backpack on him? Why did he have Katie's water bottle and glove? Did Luke go for help after the two of them ran into problems and built a snow cave? There are so many possibilities and so many scenarios that I gobble up all the latest news about the incident... hoping that there is a better idea of what happened, but alas.... no one knows.

Personally, like many others, I want to know. I want to understand. I want to be prepared. I want to know the details so that I don't make the same mistakes they did. I don't want to be a statistic. It's been a goal of mine since I moved out here to climb the 11,249 ft Mt. Hood - and only inclimate weather has turned me around thus far. Honestly, even considering all the tragedy that has happened on the mountain over the years... it hasn't scared me away..... it only makes me want to understand it more. The mountain is a beast of nature. It can provide for an afternoon of fun as quickly as it can provide for a lifetime of terror. It demands respect and understanding. You never really ever conquer the mountain and if given the opportunity, it can quickly conquer you. And, because it is there, because it is so close and accessible, because it is one of the most beautiful and dangerous things we have ever seen... we are drawn to it.

Another reason this story is so captivating, is that currently, we only know so much about the climbers involved. At first glance of a news story, you see their name, their age, and their home. I identify with one of them. Though our lives may be entirely different, the truth is on paper that Katie Nolan, 29 of Portland Oregon loved climbing mountains and challenging herself. I, Jenn Levo, 29 years old of Portland Oregon, love climbing mountains and challenging myself. I don't know Katie, but it's very possible that our lives crossed paths at some point... at the climbing gym, at an outdoors event. It's hard to say... but I identify with her. She got connected with the two men because she was often going out hiking and climbing and doing it alone. Someone introduced her to one of the other so she had "people" and then they became fast friends with a shared interest in the great outdoors. Most of my friends that I have here in Portland I've found through the same way. Katie could be me, she could also be one of my friends.

In the days since the incident... more news about the life of Katie Nolan has come to surface. She, as well as the two men, were deeply religious people (in fact, I don't know how you can spend time in the outdoors and not believe in God.) Katie apparently worked in Portland for an organization which helped get women off the streets and into jobs and homes. She even went to Africa once to help free women from the slave trade. It appears as if all of them were good people who essentially had their faith and believed in helping others as well as a love and appreciation for the outdoors. (That doesn't mean that good people don't die... good people die every day, but losses are just a little more heartbreaking when the people are young, decent folks with a zest for life rather than cracked out thieves and hoodlums, right?)

In light of everything and the time that has passed since they've gone missing, I don't think this can be considered a rescue mission anymore. Temperatures on the mountain have dipped into the teens with more snow on the way. Avalanche danger is high and the upcoming forecast is not promising. While I'd love to think that they used their ice picks to make a snow cave and the two of them have been huddled in there keeping warm, by day four, it's not likely that they'd still have food or fuel for water. I think it's safe to say any further work is a recovery mission. I can only hope that all of the climbers, in light of the "something bad that happened" were able to be at peace in their final moments. There were out there in the wilds, doing what they loved in a place that they loved and if you ask me, that's a pretty good way to go. I for one, have always longed to go out they way Jack London described death in his tale "To Build a Fire". In this story, the man... left out in harsh winter conditions finally lost to the bitter freezing cold. After painful bouts of shivering, with his limbs losing control and sensation, a feeling of calmness and drowsiness came over him. Much like taking an anesthetic, "the man drowsed off into what seemed to him the most the most comfortable and satisfying sleep he had ever known".

My prayers go out to the families and loved ones of the climbers from last week's incident. I also send out kind thoughts and regards for the others who have lost on the mountain. And, I pray for safe travels and returns to all those who venture forth. Remember, you never really conquer the mountain, you are just spared from it from time to time.

I will close with my personal prayer that I repeat in moments of weakness, danger and uncertainty. It is a variation of Habakkuk 3:17-19 found in the Old Testament, (granted... it's not the exact text, but the meaning is the same and it's just the way it comes out of my mouth): "The Lord, God is my saviour, may he give me the strength of a deer to make it safely over the mountains."

____________________________

For a look at the mountain and search and rescue efforts, check out this video shot by a local news station helicopter.

Also, this rages the debate if rescue beacons should be mandated for climbers. I've save my thoughts on that for a later post.

a mayo jar and two beers

Another heartwarming forward my mom sent me. I'm sure many of you have heard this before, but it's worth repeating (especially the beer part).

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 Beers.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him..
When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.

He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar He shook the jar lightly.

The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.

He then asked the students again if the jar was full and they agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar.
Of course, the sand filled up everything else.

He asked once more if the jar was full and the students responded with a unanimous 'yes.'

The professor then produced two beers from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand which made the students laugh...

'Now,' said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things---your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car. The sand is everything else---the small stuff.

If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.... Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.
Spend time with your children.
Spend time with your parents.
Visit with grandparents.
Take time to get medical checkups.
Take your spouse out to dinner.

There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.
Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter.

Set your priorities, the rest is just sand.


One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the Beer represented.
The professor smiled and said, 'I'm glad you asked.'

The Beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of Beers with a friend. :)

bike racing in the next decade

As we come to a close on 2009, I've taken some time over the past few weeks to reflect on the year and see how I rated on my goals. While I still have almost 20 days of the month of December left to go... this by no means is a year in review posting, it's just one little kernel of my year... and a general ponderance of how to improve upon it for next year. And yes... it's all about bike racing.

So, if anyone recalls my to-do list for 2009, you may remember that going into bike racing, and trying to do decently at it, was #9 on my list. This year I was brand new to the sport and pretty much clueless when it came to a lot of things. First of all, I had no idea what type of racer I was. This, took some trials and errors of on the pathways to discovery. The first one was the Banana Belt #3 (which was actually the second race of the series), it was 40 degrees on that horrendous March day with pouring rain. Despite the nasty conditions, I entered the race full of positive energy and cheer; however, within two minutes off the start I had a flat tire and a replacement wheel with the wrong cassette. Needless to say, the next two hours of riding were cold, wet, and alone. In short, not the best experience of my life (read the write up here).

A little while later came my second big race of the year (when you're new.... they're all big races) and that was the Cherry Blossom Classic Stage Race. While the road races in this event were a two hour or so experiment in how long I can hold on before I get dropped, the saving grace of these stage races is what came in between the road races. Much like the cream filling in a oreo cookie, I found that the criterium race (held in between the chocolaty cookie crust of two 40 some odd mile road races) was the one part of the Stage Race that I enjoyed. Not only was it flat, short, dangerous, and (unlike the other events where I got passed) here, I was actually doing the passing. Instead of placing 20th or 21st out of 27 Cat 4 riders, I actually placed like 12th while many of the riders who had prior placed ahead of me got cut from the course. In my books, thats not bad for the first crit ever. And also, armed with the knowledge that I had actually found a bike racing discipline I enjoyed and a discovery what type of racer I was, I shrugged off doing any more highly disappointing road races (or the way I look at it, paying someone $20 for a two hour scenic ride) and vowed to show up at PIR and any Crit I could get my hands on over the summer.

That being said, that's what I did and I ended up doing pretty well.

Since I had discovered that I liked Crits the most, it was my goal to do the best in them that I possibly could. Meaning, I was aiming for top 3 in the CAT 4s. I may not win a podium spot... but just like the racers who compete for the green jersey in the Tour De France, it's about consistent results that matters in the end. So, by the end of the season... never placing worse than 8th in any of the races that I competed in, I technically finished tied for 2nd in the standings (however I'm listed at 3rd, but 2nd place and I have the same point spread). My over all best was a first place sweep of Cat 4 races at the Midsummer Crit Series and my best large pack finish was 4th at the Swan Island Crit.

The other important discovery that I found this summer was racing track bikes at the Velodrome. I didn't start going out there till late in the summer and racing with the beginner women, and holy jeeze, why'd I wait so long? In the few times that I raced, I was never beat and I found myself at the end of the season 9th overall in the Cat4 standings. Had I gone out there every week like Amy Sheppard (who I beat when I raced her) I am sure my rankings could have been much higher. So, needless to say, this is something I am defiantly going to be focusing on for 2010.

The other place I put in a lot of bike racing time was at PIR (Portland International Raceway). From June through August, I spent almost every Monday night there doing laps around the raceway trying to chase down attack after attack from Lisa Reeves ;). The thing I like and don't like about racing at PIR is that they herd all of us women together in one big open category (aside from the beginners that is). While it sometimes sucks to know you're going against Cat 2/3 women's riders, it's also cool to know that you're going against Cat 2/3 women's riders. Yeah, you may get dropped from time to time (and, when you can hang with them... it's well worth it), regardless... racing with them is a great exercise in being a better biker. Anyways, it was my goal to do well out there and even though participation numbers slacked off during the heatwave of July, over all I ended up placing in the top 3 of senior women at PIR (OBRA never did an official overall results, but because I get to be a little competitive, I did.) When you add that in to all the other open women's races road races that were held over the year... that put me at 23rd overall out of all the women who raced. And, if you look at the names on the list... those are some big names I'm very happy to be placing in the Top 25 with.

And, while we're discussing CAT's, this year they held a competition for the best overall Cat 4 riders. I think that overall the field of Cat4 women was very very strong this year. When I look back at some of the first races of the year, I'm finding names of women who quickly moved up a CAT and then starting winning there too. So, as a result, the final placings for the CAT 4 Series is a little wonky, but I'm happy with how I settled in at 13th.

And, the Cat 4 Women's Series Aside, I was decently happy with my 21st Overall CAT 4 women's placing.

I was thinking that by the close of the road racing year that I could Cat-up to Cat 3, but apparently all of my races at PIR in Open Women's Category that I did - don't count (which is a good excuse to try out short track MTB next summer). According to my OBRA results, I lined up to race appx: 27 times over the past year. However, according to OBRA rules (I suppose, it's still kinda unclear to me)... you need to line-up 25 times with people solely in your own Cat for the race to be considered for upgrade points. However at the same time it says that you need 20 points in 12 months. So, regardless of what listing you look at for me on the OBRA site, I fully full-filled (say that five times fast) the point requirement. Nonetheless, I am not allowed to upgrade? OBRA says I still need two more CAT 4 Mass Starts. Hmm... while this baffles me a fair amount, I'll take it as an opportunity to relax in knowing that I don't have to race with the CAT 3 Women during the upcoming road race season (compare racing for 40 some miles as opposed to racing 70 some miles).

My 2010 Racing Plan:

So here you have it... my top secret race plan going into 2010.

Basically, my plan is to do minimal amounts of road races this spring. Why is that? Well, if it's not fun... why do it? Hell, if it's not fun why pay to do it? Also, spring season is also the time when some of the best powder falls in the mountains. Pretty much, I'll put my time in on the slopes and then get a horrendous Banana Belt under my belt. With luck, all of my top placing fellow Cat 4 racers would have been granted upgrades and (god willing I'll have no flats), I can place better than last year and feel better about myself (ie: not break down crying in the car). A month later, I'll make my way to The Dalles and enter the Cherry Blossom Stage Race. Having only done one other race prior, according to OBRA, I would just then be meeting my up-grade requirement, but I'll still be able to race as Cat 4 (40 miles vs 70 miles, you choose). Then... by that point I'll be feeling the need for speed and I can go full force into PIR and Crit season (as a Cat 3) and also putting in a fair amount of time at the Velodrome.

I'd also like to try to perhaps enter a short-track MTB race and get a feeling for cross as well, but all those things are minor in comparison to my focus in the sprint events. So, right now I'm reading up on training programs and doing research. I'm not the kind of girl to go out and put hours and hours in on the bike. I know a lot of people will argue that the only way you can get better on the bike is to be on the bike... but I am a firm believer in cross training. As well, with all the other sports that I participate in, I don't have time for four hour bike rides after work. Which means, I've got to make every athletic event; be it running, soccer, snowboarding, or climbing, spinning, softball, crossfit and gym workouts, fit into my bike racing training regime. I've got a killer weight program put together for me by the kind folks at CrossFit Hillsboro that I'm eagerly anticipating getting started on in the next few weeks. The way I see it, putting tons of time on the bike might be good for endurance, but so is playing a 90 minute soccer match with tons of sprinting. I plan on not only working the endurance via one way or another, but adding in lots of explosive strength and power drills off the bike which I believe can help make me be a better sprinter.

So, when it comes to bike racing in 2010, maintenance and improvement are my goals.

-Upgrade

-Be a better sprinter: more explosive, more power for longer

-Finish strong and finish well

-Also, to be happy, to be healthy and don't do it if it's not fun

Really, you're not "that" good.

I was recently cruising online and came across an infamous video from the last Winter Olympic Games. Remember when boarder cross was a brand new event and everyone, hands down had picked American Lindsay Jacobellies to take gold. In fact, she even believed it herself, so much in fact that going out of the second to last jump of the final run she grabbed some air and went off balance, crashing her landing and losing the Gold Medal. I thought I'd throw in a few other videos where it just goes to show that being a show off doesn't count.

Lindsay Jacobellies Olympic Finals:

Gotta love how obsessed some people are about their soccer:

Dude, that's all I've got to say about that:

And this one is probably the best of all:

So really folks, next time you think you're too big for your britches, take a nice lesson in humility from these athletes.

keep it quiet.

Pending on your stance as a superstitious person or not, you may or may not want to read the following story as it may or may not cause you forever change your actions and look into circumstances as directly relating to those actions. If you live far far away from Oregon and Mt. Hood and have no plans on coming to visit ever... go ahead and read on. If you are an avid hiker, skier, boarder, climber, camper, or traveler here in the Pacific Northwest, proceed with caution. This is your warning.

I am not an overly superstitious person.

Well, aside from ALWAYS putting on my right sock and shoe first, avoiding walking under ladders and scaffolding at all cost and changing my direction or crossing the street whenever a black cat crosses my path, I would not consider myself to be a superstitious person at all. I mean, it's not like I hold my breath over bridges (have you ever driven the Mackinaw Bridge? Good luck holding your breath over that!) or past cemeteries, cross my fingers over train tracks or hit the ceiling as I pass through yellow signal lights. I do none of those absurdly silly things. However, there are somethings that I'd rather not tempt fate... and one of those is Silent Rock.

For anyone who goes to the Mt. frequently, it doesn't take many trips in the snow, sun or rain before you start seeing car crashes on the side of the road. Passing car crashes is always unnerving (esp as a driver) and even more so when you see cars overturned, snowboards shot out of windows and broken glass everywhere that makes you realize that these people, just like you, were out for a day of fun on the mountain. You try to take into consideration the road conditions, weather conditions, what kind of car they were driving, if they had chains on or not, and how fast they were going as to what caused their accident... but not having a data spread sheet in front of you, always just leaves you to wonder. That section of HWY 26 near Government Camp is always dangerous and I personally take every precaution possible to minimize my risk in that area and while recreating on the mountain, even if it means shutting up and turning the radio off as I pass Silent Rock.

It was just about a year ago when I first heard the legend of Silent Rock. There are many stories out there about how Silent Rock came to be known as "Silent Rock", In fact, i've heard just about everything from a bus load of nuns that went overboard and down the mountain side, to a bus load of elementary students, a ski team, and even old ancient indians that were thrown over the mountain at that point. There are even legends of a blasting accident that happened when they were making the road and also similar stories of a collapsing tunnel. Regardless of the legend, they all have one thing in common: when you pass by Silent Rock, you remain quiet by ceasing conversation and turning off your radio out of respect to those who have died. While I don't buy one particular story over another (though I find the nun story particularly tragic)... I do think the Mountain and those who have died or been injured reaching it or playing on it via one way or another, do demand respect, and if turning off my radio and pausing my conversation (which is most likely about putting tater tots or hashbrowns in your breakfast burritos) appeases the Mountain Gods and Sprits, than so be it.

And the funny thing is, prior to hearing the legend of Silent Rock, I probably jibber jabbed my way past it countless times and nothing happened. However, once someone shared the story with me and no longer am I naive to tempt fate. In fact, now it's more like.... SHIT, I have to be quiet now, cause well, the thing is... you never know. So these days, when approaching that disastrous bend in the road, I take every effort in my driving ventures to the mountain to not only shh myself and my radio, but make sure everyone else does too.

Take for example February 10 of 2009. This date was my birthday and I was celebrating that evening the best way I knew how... inviting my friends up to the Mountain for Ladies Night at Ski Bowl. This is also about the same time that I really started to get to know Sam, my girl friend. Anyways, Sam had made her way to the mountain in her SUV to join the festivities, but at one point en route she passed a car on the snowy road and lost control of hers. As a result, she crashed her car into a snowbank. And, if that tale wasn't horrendous and frightening enough, on the way home she hit a patch of black ice and skated across the highway into a guardrail going the opposite direction. Needless to say, A) she's glad the guardrail was there and B) that there were no oncoming cars. In speaking with Sam sometime after the incidents, she recounts that she was most likely listening to music as she passed Silent Rock. Case in point: never again is Sam going to A) drive to the Mountain in the snow or B) talk or play music past Silent Rock.

Sam's car....

In another event last year, I was not driving, but riding with my friends Jaleah and Christopher to put in a day at Timberline. After only a few runs in, we went up to Magic Mile.... the highest lift on Hood that takes you right to the Palmer Glacier. One third of the way down the run, Christopher lost control of his skis in an effort to avoid a rocky patch and wiped out, slamming his shoulder into the hard snow pack. In much pain, we had to call for ski patrol and it was determined that he dislocated his shoulder. Needless to say, Christopher's ride back to Portland in an ambulance put an early end and a damper to our day. Recalling the drive-up, I don't think we had the radio off past Silent Rock.

In another, less sever account but also as troubling, just the other week I went snowboarding with some friends and they drove. As we approached the rock, I and everyone stopped talking (once again... we were most likely discussing the state of potatoes in breakfast burritos) however, the radio remained on. As we passed the rock and the radio continued playing, I grimmaced and looked at Sam sitting next to me.... not really wanting to tempt fate that day. I sighed under my breath and hoped for the best. As the day progressed... I kinda forgot about not turning off the radio thing as I made turn after turn in the sweet snow. At one point though, my friend Amy, who is learning to board, took a nasty spill that caused her to crack her face against the groomed trail and pretty much call it quits for the day. Then, my other friend Julie had a little feminine issue that I won't mention exactly (cause I don't want to embarrass her) but it sucked ass. Around noon I went in meet the two of them in the lodge by the fire and enjoy a pleasant lunch of Thanksgiving leftovers. Then afterwards, we decided to give the slopes another go and went out into the snow and cold to grab our boards from the corrals. I went to where I had last left my board only to find a vacant, empty space. A quick glance around told me what I had already feared... not that I had misplaced my board, but that it had been stolen. Prior to going in for lunch, I had set it on the last row of corrals next to some suspicious guy who was shiftedly, fiddling with bindings on a board that did not appear to be his own (case in point: that when you get an odd feeling about somebody, it's best to remove you and your possessions away from them.... not set them down right next to them and walk away to go warm up by a cozy fireplace somewhere.)

I know that my stolen snowboard is my own fault. Stolen gear is one reason why God invented Ski-Check. However, hardly anyone seems to check their gear at Mt. Hood Meadows. At Timberline, yes... but it's also free there. At Meadows, ski check costs a dollar - which isn't spendy- but most people would rather spend that money on beer and they also prescribe to the "trusting vibe" of the mountain. Much like young dudes hitching a ride to the slopes or the top of Alpine Trail, folks commonly leave their stuff out with the understanding that you're not going to jenk their gear if they don't jenk yours. However, it being Thanksgiving weekend, there were many out of towners on the slopes and probably a few folks who aren't exactly as trustworthy as the regulars. I figured, someone got a little Black Friday Five Fingered Discount at my trustworthy expense.

More than anything, I was at a loss for words. By no means did I have the coolest or most rad board on the mountain, and with all due fairness, my bindings were a POS and held together by hardware screws... but I loved my board dearly and never in all my runs on a mountain anywhere... did I see someone with the same board. It was illustrated by a guy who lives down the street from me that I had met on occasion and it made me happy to look at it (you can read about my board here, I was kinda obsessed with it.) The security staff at Meadows did a great job at spreading word around the mountain that my board had been lifted and checking craigslists and ebay afterwards... but I figured that the board was long gone. So, needless to say, that put a damper on my day and came to be known as my own personal worst day on the mountain. True, I didn't get in a car wreck or injure myself and it's only money... but what a major buzz kill. Add that in with Amy's faceplant, and Julie's issue... no one in our car really had a good day. I blame Silent Rock.

So, if you have always driven to Mt. Hood on Highway 26 without knowing the legend and the consequences of Silent Rock, I hope that you can still pass by unscathed in all your future voyages. If you are cursing me for causing you to be superstitious about yet another thing, well.... you can never be too careful. And for everyone else, just remember folks, pay respect. Keep it Quiet.

getting dirty and then coming clean...

Hey folks, just coming back from a little bit of a sick/holiday/pre-occupied break to share a collection of notes that hopefully will keep your mind on the green side of things. And no... I'm not talking about that smelly fungus that appears to be growing on your kitchen sponge. For goodness sake, throw that thing out already. Or better yet, clean it off well and then use a produce bag (not the plastic ones) but the ones that bulk potatoes and onions are packaged, and wrap it around your sponge for a little extra grit when scrubbing the sides of your green bean casserole dish. That is so much better than throwing it away. However, if you do have green moldy stinky stuff growing on it.... I'm not going to say anything if you do decide to toss it. It'll be our little secret. ;)

You've heard me confess before how I'm not the world's best showerer. It's not that I like being dirty (we'll talk about that later), maybe it's just that I'm lazy, or maybe truly I realize what a waste of resources it is to shower and soap every day. Well, according to some new studies recently published on the online version of Nature Medicine, dirty kids are healthy kids. Apparently, scientists have discovered that being too clean, can impair the skins natural ability to heal. Basically, when bacteria live on the skin they trigger a pathway that helps prevent inflammation when we get hurt. This bacteria then changes our bodies natural overactive immune responses that can cause cuts and sores to swell. So, when we let ourselves and our kids roll around in the mud and try to eat cigarette butts at the beach, we help our body build it's natural immunity. Our current obsession with cleanliness in developed countries also coincides with the recent growing trend of allergies people have. According to the study, rates of allergies in the UK have tripled over the last decade. It's gotten so bad that one in three people there have some kind of allergy. I say, let your kids get dirty, chances are their bodies will be better adapted to dealing with the nasties.

This is pretty much the same view that my mother shared with my brother and I while we were being nursed. As a teacher in our city's public schools... everyday my mom was exposed to germ after germ from disgustingly dirty teenagers. Rather than feed us from a sanitized bottle... she breast fed us and passed those mcnasties on to us. As a result, my brother and I had very very strong immune systems and a good appreciation for teenage sarcasm.

Speaking of mcnasties and dirt and germs... one place germs love is public bathrooms right? Well, the CDC recommends that you wash your hands after using a public restroom to prevent the spread of disease, but think about all that gets wasted when you wipe your hands with a paper towel? In fact, each person uses about 741 pounds of paper each year! Luckily, many companies and establishments have started using electric hand dryers and recycled paper towels, and then some companies like People Towels, are swinging on the green and encouraging folks to buy organic-cotton hand towels which come in cool patterns and colors. Essentially, I like their designs and that they create no waste and reduce a user's carbon footprint... but at the same time, for what they are - they are a little spendy. Personally, I've always been a big fan of using cloth dishrags, napkins, and hankies to do my dirty work. The great thing about them is that you can use them, abuse them, and then throw them in the wash afterwards. It's just that simple. And, for the more dirty work like cleaning my house, my car, my bike - I've always used old white v-neck t-shirts that are too dirty or stretched out to be seen in public and ripped them up to hand-held sizes. Add in a little simple green and you're good to go. No waste or paper needed.

(The Natural Resources Defense Council has a great listing and guide of well known paper products and their processes which include how much material is recycled and also post consumer. It also includes a listing of things you can do to make smarter paper choices. Check it out.)

Speaking of cleaning... does anyone else have a Swiffer? I have one and occasionally I'll use it to wipe my wood floors, but I always feel bad how it's "dead" after it fills with dog hair after a few swipes. I've been known to flip the pad over and use the other side but still... I get a little guilty tossing the cleaning paper away and not even coming close to cleaning my whole floor. Luckily, some others have also felt this guilt and have created more eco-friendly answers to the Swiffer problems.

This, for example, is a cotton swiffer cover which is hand crocheted. Apparently, it's reversible and washable and does a great job at picking up wet and dry spills. Sadly though, it seems to have recently sold out on esty, lets hope they make some more. Also, you can easily use the handle of your Swiffer and attach microfiber towels to it. According to this great little blog, these two folks discovered that microfiber towels work just as well as the Swiffer towels when it comes to cleaning your house. Better yet, you can buy a pack of them for $5 at the store and just wash and rewash them as opposed to throwing them out and buying more all the time. As well, when your loved ones give you a Shamwow this holiday season, you can clip that little baby right into the Swiffer for clean floor after clean floor. Shamwow!

Seasons cleanings y'all!