Highlight of West Sea Ski Tour 1-19

Striking Sunrise

Here's the sunrise today from West Seattle. Just beautifiul.

Alpental!!!

You may click the link to view my location in Google Map http://maps.google.com/maps?q=loc:47.439%2C-121.44309

Crazy Climbers

Wednesday evening I had the pleasure of attending a fantastic slide show put on by climbers David Gottlieb and Chad Kellogg. David has been one of the head mountain rangers at Mt Rainier for years and is a friend of a friend. Chad has all kinds of crazy climbing records. I think he held (or maybe still holds) the speed record for climbing Mt. Rainier. He has attempted the speed record at Mt Everest twice. Climbing solo. These guys just got back from putting up a new route in Himalayas. They climbed for like 55 hours, over 40 rappels, 30 food bars each, eight thousand meter peak, = ridiculous, resickulous, redonkulas! These guys are the super athletes of the world, and they live right down the street. (sort of speak) Check out David Gottlieb's blog:  http://alpineextreme.blogspot.com/

That's alpine extreme for you!

Rainier

Here's a lovely shot of Mt Rainier from the West Seattle Bridge. Off to work on my friend's house....Happy Tuesday to you.

Thoughts On A Long Walk

For the last ten years (or so) my outdoor activities have continued to become more and more important to me. For me, I need a balance between the music world (playing and teaching) and the natural environments that I love so much.

On The Promise of Nature:

I wasn't a boy scout. My family never went camping. So where did this all come from? I always loved nature starting with family weekends on the Oregon coast, and later beautiful sunsets on the lake at Camp Solomon Schechter in Tumwater, Washington.

I needed the right time and the right place. My long time friend David Oxman took me on my first backpacking trip in Big Sir, CA many years ago. I was hooked. In the last several years I have been on many backpacking trips, and several ski or split board descents of the Cascade volcanoes. My favorite!

Hiking the PCT will be much more than a hike. It will be a time to reflect, write music, meet new people, and experience a different existence for a short time. When I get home my life will return to normal. I will be doing the same things. Playing and teaching music etc... I will be a different person. I will change. What will be different? I am not sure, but I am looking forward to new experiences. So, please join me for a day hike or a picnic with wine and cheese at Yosemite!

To all my friends that have inspired me, and taught me new skills: You know who you are. Thank you so much. I am very grateful for your friendship and your patience.

Let's hit the trail!

PCT Dedication: Gladys Fendel

How in the world did this all happen? Some years ago my grandmother Gladys Fendel gave her grand kids a very small ammount of money from her will. Gladys was sharp even at the end of her life. She had a wonderful positive energy, and loved all things NBA and Portland Trail Blazers. She called jokingly called them "the dumbjerks." Gladys was hip, and a very loving person. After Gladys passed, I put that money in a cd to save for the PCT. Gladys would not have approved of using the money for bills and such. So there you have it. Thanks to grandma Fendel. I miss her everyday, and I am dedicating this  trip in her honor.

Much Love, Marc