Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Thursday happened on a Tuesday

Diane, Jonelle, Carl, and Al (I took the picture)
Because Thursday is a holiday, Al sent around an email to see if anyone might be interested in a hike earlier in the week. Today, Tuesday, five of us went up to check out the Church Mountain situation. When we tried two weeks ago, the raging current and huge rocks on the road made it impossible to even consider it. But today, the road has been CLEARED and we drove all the way to the Church Mountain trailhead!
Jonelle and Carl crossing a stream
It was a beautiful day for this hike; the weather was warm as we made our way from the trailhead to the meadows, climbing three miles with an unremitting upward trudge. We didn't see any snow at all until we were almost to the meadows, and then... it was bright sunshine reflecting on the snow. Jonelle's friend Carl, who is visiting her and doing lots of hiking as he gets ready for a two-week backpacking trip, joined the Trailblazers for his first trip into the Mt. Baker wilderness.
Mt. Baker 2 July 2013
Although we were crossing slushy snow, the sun was so bright and warm that nobody had to add any gear to stay warm. In fact, it was the opposite problem: it was downright HOT with the reflection of the sun on the snow. I was breaking in my newest purchase: a Tilley hat! Yesterday was Canada Day, and I celebrated by buying myself this Canadian chapeau. Before long I was saying, "eh" with a Canadian accent. It was the hat's fault, I'm convinced.
Me with my new hat, Al behind me taking pictures
Diane took this picture of me to show off my new hat. Have you ever heard of a hat that has a four-page instruction manual? Well, this one does. I had heard of them before, Al wears one, and I just happened to be in REI looking at socks for today's hike when I saw this one. I couldn't help myself.
Jonelle and Carl standing in snow
Carol and Jonelle lead hikes in the southern California region during the winter, and they both thought that a picture of them hiking in snow during July might cool their friends back there down a bit, so this picture is for all of you who haven't seen snow in ages!
Heading down the trail
After having a nice lunch break, we decided not to try to go any farther than the meadows before heading back down. We turned around and descended the 2,500 feet we had climbed. We figured the entire trip was somewhere around seven miles up and down, and I'm feeling very refreshed and a little sunburned (although I was prepared with sunscreen) and ready to take a nice shower and have dinner. It was a great day with some wonderful friends, old and new!
:-)

21 comments:

  1. Even I have to say it sounds like a wonderful day. One I could be jealous of.

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  2. 4 pages of instructions on a hat? smiles...i will have to look that one up online...smiles...cool adventure...i love your climate too...still snow yet warm...def need to make a trek one day...

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  3. You couldn't look more Canadian in your Tilly Endurable if you hiked with a beer in your hand, eh? ;) Looks like another lovely day.

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  4. It's always great to hear that you get to walk in snow. i always thought that was cool when i hiked. A Tilley hat is Canadian? I didn't know that!

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  5. you look GREAT in your new hat! :) and you were messing with my mind on this post. thinking it was thurs!

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  6. Love your hat! You will have to tell us what the instructions said..in a sentence or two and if you like it! Great photo of you in the snow! :)

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  7. Regardless of the season, your hikes always inspire - not just for the stamina you all exhibit, but for the sheer beauty of the places where you hike.

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  8. Oh wow, just look at all the sunshine and gorgeous views. After all those rainy hikes it was about time Mother Nature gave you some sun. That hat is very stylish looking and sounds like it might be multipurpose too.

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  9. I love the Tilley hat, and the fantastic photo of you in it!
    Glad to have a picture to put with the idea of the Tilley.
    I tend to get into "eh" phases, myself. :)
    Our friend Jim, up in Pickle Lake, Ontario - a local there, has lived all across Canada. Originally from Newfoundland, and lived in beautiful BC.. now settled smack in the middle of vast Ontario remoteness. He is a HOOT to listen too - I could listen to his Canadianisms all day. :)

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  10. What an incredible photo of you and your new hat with the mountain in the background. You actually sparkle with vibrant life. Wow! What a glorious day!

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  11. You, your hat, the scenery and your friends are all WONDERFUL. Vibrant and full of the joy of life. Thank you.

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  12. The four pages of instructions got me so I went to the site. No help there regarding instructions though they are grand looking hats--- if a bit pricey.
    Shirt sleeves and snow, a sight that always amazes me.

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  13. What a surprise! I didn't expect you to hike on Tuesday. Now, I wonder what you will post on Thursday. Cute hat, by the way.

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  14. What a great post DJan. Well, now you are almost Canadian, if you are donning a Tilley Hat. I have had 3 Tilley hats in my lifetime so far. I have passed two of them to my niece and nephew and am presently now wearing one much like yours and almost same colour.. I am impressed DJan - you are now outfitted from head to tow. When you hike in winter, your hat should fit snugly over your toque or ear band. I love my Tilley hat and trust me, the two I passed on were well worn and the kids relished the idea of being given them :) :) Eh!! As my Dad would say, looking at your photo " I likes da cut o' yer jib, Eh" Only in Canada, Eh :)

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  15. I've not heard of a Tilley hat before so I am really curious as to why you need instructions on how to wear a hat. Thurs post maybe?

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  16. Such verdant scenery and the photo of you and new hat is a keeper!

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  17. Great hat. Can't imagine what kind of instruction is needed to explain it, but nowadays they leave nothing to chance.

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  18. Beautiful post!
    Good to see the photo of you. You are usually behind the camera and not in front of it. Great photo of you.
    That mountain is so beautiful. I've said it before and will say it again: your photos are magazine quality. You should publish some of them. Gorgeous scenery....

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  19. Tilley hats are great but 4 pages of instructions?! Looks good on you, though. Gorgeous walk in that fine weather. Congrats.

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  20. I am always amazed that you guys don't only hike you cross streams on rocks and fallen trees! That's the part that I'd have troubles with--LOL!
    What can that hat do that it needs four pages of instructions. I'd never heard of it, but it is a really, really cute hat on you.
    Looking at snow as nice today when it was 90 degrees. ;)

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