The Washington Cascades didn't have a winter in 2014-2015 (warmest Dec. and Feb. on record).  This was February 2015, conditions more like June (no exaggeration).  It's about 6 miles to the little peak at left in this photo, with 4600' of gain.  The first mile was bare trail (usually it would be many feet of snow, and I wouldn't even be able to drive to the trailhead). We'll snowshoe to that little snowy notch (Surprise Gap), then walk left up the ridge crest:…

Just a little deeper, please?

The weather is awesome in Austin, and we went on our first official hike today. Campbell is a little over 4 months, and I have been walking her a little more each week as she grows. It seems to be working, since she took on the 1.2 mile mini-hike with no issues. Her pads don't seem…

Met up with John and Angela, and their Corgis Dora (Cardi) and Dylan (Pem) for a hike at Red Top Mountain State Park, where we had not hiked before.  Other friends had told me there was a 6-mile trail that was nice so we set out and it took TWO AND A HALF HOURS!! Much longer than we intended or expected.  But we made it, and so did our Corgis.  We made several stops along the way for rest and water, and even climbed down to a tiny beach area.  Next time we are picking a shorter…

We once quickly returned 2 lost pointers because the owner's cell phone# was on the collars.  Test your microchip when you visit the vet -- Gwynnie's gave no signal!

chillybuddy cooling vest    keep in plastic bag, so you can add water to wet it (crtitical; much of the cooling is evaporative).  They wilt in sun above treeline and this thing really does help.  Size Medium with a Small girth strap.

Carry…

She has climbed 7 mountains this year, and we failed on an 8th.  She gets to go more often lately because Al is recuperating from last September's injury.  She's maybe a bit slower than she used to be, but I don't have to wait for her unless it's icy or really steep.  She gets the occasional "corgi toss" past certain obstacles, and seems to like snowshoe hiking.  She…

Al claims the first failure on Glacier Peak's South Ridge by a Pembroke Welsh corgi without supplemental oxygen.  We could have done it easily had we been willing to walk the glacier unroped -- as many do -- but Al doesn't do glaciers unroped.  As he points out, "Nobody falls into a crevasse that they can see."  So 9200' is his high point.  Al is inspired by Sirowan's Goro,…

The weather has been AWFUL here in PA.   Wettest September ever, and we often have wet Septembers so that's saying a lot.   The leaves are turning and they'll be down before you know it.  So we squeezed in a walk in the deepening dusk on Jack's favorite trail today.  The Corgis are very lucky to live somewhere where they can walk in woods and fields every day.  Of course they just think it's normal.

These shots are all in the park right outside our door.  The fading light…

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This is our 5-day Labor Day trip.  Buck Mt. is 8570', not difficult technically, but one of the Washington Cascades' larger peaks, and fairly remote.  It had been a goal for a long time (30…

If you click on these photos, you'll get a clearer, higher-resolution view.

Seven-Fingered-Jack (9077') and four-fingered Al.  Our objective, Mt. Maude, is just to the right, and 5' higher.

Al saved this trip right at the start by passing…

Al doesn't even have his C.D. or C.G.C., but he did me proud Saturday and passed his PP.T.!

I'd been waiting, worrying, and preparing for the Porcupine Test for years.  By passing it, he saved our most notable exploit to date (more on that elsewhere).  I'm told porcupine quills are air-filled, so if you cut them, they become easier to extract.

The…

L>R:  Summit Chief, Chimney Rock, Overcoat Peak.  These are the highest peaks in the Snoqualmie Pass area of Washington's central Cascades.  We're on a little peak called Otter Point, 6360':…

Easter, schmeaster. We only do this 'cuz we get fed triple. Didn't even find any Easter eggs. Gwynnie found a WHOLE CLIFF BAR in the snow, and our "master" [what a disgusting concept] took it away from her!!!

Beats walkin' the 'hood though...