THURSDAY'S SEATTLE TIMES

Check out Thursday's Northwest Weekend section of the Seattle Times (http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/outdoors/2008127969_nwwbakerride210.html) for my story on this year's Ride 542 (http://www.norkarecreation.com/) coming up Sept. 7. Charlie Heggem's added a century ride for folks itching to ride to Artist Point twice (as well as ride the Powerhouse Hill twice), and a 10K Trail Run. And, like last year, there'll be a cyclocross race at Silver Lake Park the day before the hill climb. (If they could only have the 'cross race the day after the hill climb, I'd be all over it.)

CAMP MUIR - MOUNT RAINIER

So intrigued was I by the big mountain during last week's RAMROD that on Wednesday past I headed down to Mount Rainier for a story I'll be writing for the Seattle Times about day-hiking to Camp Muir. It's an incredible place, the Paradise area of Mount Rainier, akin to Mount Baker's Heather Meadows-Artist Point Area. Only bigger. Much bigger. Below, a field of magenta paintbrush, which are everywhere up there right now.
From Paradise, elev. 5,420 feet, I set out for Camp Muir, elev. 10,000 feet, just a hair lower than Mount Baker's summit. Once on the Muir Snowfield (not a glacier so no crevasses to worry about), I followed boot track and wands that were still in place from earlier in the summer.
It's a strenous hike--about 5 miles with 4,700 feet of climbing one-way--but after about 3-1/2 hours I arrived at the below-pictured Camp Muir. It's base camp for most of the 10,000-plus folks who annually climb to the summit of 14,441-foot Mount Rainier.
Camp Muir is a whole village unto itself with climbing rangers (who pretty much live up there and have their own hut), a stone shelter for those who want to stay inside away from the elements (and likely wrestle with mice all night long), and several privies.
Below, check out the trail runner descending Camp Muir. I've no idea if he ran up too.

MAILBOX PEAK STORY DELIVERED

Check out today's Northwest Weekend section of the Seattle Times for my story and photos about the trailwork and our recent hike to Mailbox Peak, just east of North Bend. Steepest, toughest trail around though thankfully not that long. (Climbs 3,900 feet in 2.5 miles.) That's Lace Thornberg above, of Washington Trails Association getting to the root of the problem. (That's supposed to be humorous b/c of all the roots you can see. Ahem.)
There's a Mailbox up top and from time to time assorted other kookiness, like the fire hydrant you see above. Here's the story here via the Worldwide International GoogleWeb thing: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/outdoors/2008016454_nwwmailboxpeak260.html

WENATCHEE WEEKEND

Because lately it's been so hot and sunny in Bellingham (ALERT: An ironic tone is being employed), we are heading over to Wenatchee this weekend for (hopefully) a good ole-fashioned downpour. I'll ride the Wenatchee Century (http://www.applebikeride.com/) while Jen 'n' Bake will likely hit skateparks in Leavenworth and Apple town. Jen shant skate but will likely knit, for those of you scoring at home. Aplets and Cotlets is no doubt on their agenda as well.

Crazy weather, and by that I mean annoying (ALERT: An ironic tone is NOT being employed now), we've been having. Some have taken to calling this Juneuary, which is fitting. As we head over Stevens Pass later today, we're likely to drive through a rain-snow mix. Well 'tis the Northwest, I suppose.

Yesterday I was interviewed as a mountain-bike expert on KGMI, a local radio station. You can hear it here: (www.kgmi.com/news.asp?newsid=10971&page=hearitnow). I'm on segment 1 and 2 and what's really cool is Baker shows up a little at the end of the second segment. Kinda fun.

Back to the Apple Century ride. I've done it twice before. It's beautiful; you ride along the east side of the mighty Columbia River north to Chelan, climb a big hill, then return on the west side. Both times I've ridden it that return leg has been windy as heck, right in the old kisser. Tomorrow's forecast: 25-mph winds in the afternoon. Hmm, guess I'll get an early start.

Oh, and here's a story I wrote about mountain biking in Winthrop that was in The Seattle Times last week:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/outdoors/2004443280_nwwmethow29.html

SEATTLE TIMES LONGBOARDING

The Northwest Weekend section of today's Seattle Times has a story I wrote about longboarding. Here's a bunch of photos they didn't end up using, all taken at Interlaken Park in Seattle. The story features James Peters who has longboarded the last two STPs (the 204-mile Seattle to Portland bike ride) and who last weekend 'boarded 208 miles in 24 hours as a fundraiser for Livestrong.
The riders pictured here are Dennis Manougian, Shane Donogh, Sheldon Lessard, Jeremy Geier and James Peters.
Find the story here: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/outdoors/2004398520_nwwskateboards080.html