Writing this blog requires taking time away from doing whatever it was that I was doing. Sometimes it is just staring out the window.
Sat while sitting at the bar at 10 Barrels i struck up a conversation w/ 2 women who appeared to be physically fit and dressed in exercise apparel. They had hiked to the summit of South Sister. That piqued my interest. I researched the hike / climb and scheduled the trip for yesterday, Monday, that would be free of weekend crowd. No technical equipment or skills required, does that make it a hike or a climb? I hiked to the summit, or climbed? Hurkin effort climbed 4954′. First part was in deep forest cover of hemlock climbing steeply. The trail burst out into the alpine:
Just loose junk. Many braided ruts, pick the one that appears to be less loose. I made the summit. My Suunto elevation had not be calibrated for this location and it read low. The summit is 10,335′, I was 900′ low which affected my drive. I set a turn around time of 1:00. I made the summit @ 12:30 then calibrated the altimeter. I stayed long enough to eat a Clif bar then headed down. On the way down I lengthened my hiking poles to slow my descent. Dave told me I should use both poles and I heeded his advice. I slipped up high and caught myself w/ both poles. I woke up the atrophied muscles sooner than planned. So far there appears to be no damage done. A young woman passed me in the open alpine. She stopped for bfast and I passed her. She used me as her rabbit but only caught me once I was on the top. She caught back up w/ me down low and we visited while we finished out the woods descent. On my way down I encountered a young woman on her way up late in the afternoon. Forecast called for 20% thundershowers after 11:00AM that I shared. She said she was good to go. I finished my hike and headed back to Bend. I drove thru several bands of high energy t-storms which dumped hail so heavily that the ground was whitened. I pressed the brake pedal to slow down and was rewarded w/ anti brake pulsing. No rain in Bend. Later as I was leaving 10 Barrels I spotted the woman as I recognized her shoes. Lindsey and she works here. She said she got caught by the storm just as she made the crater rim. She said hikers were running down mountain to get below the lightning strikes. Nasty. I just made it.
I left 10 Barrels for camping. I noticed the “F” icon displayed on the frige control panel. Meant no propane. I filled the tank the day before. I checked the fuel gauge which showed sufficient level. The spitter valve spit so there was propane. No fuel reached the stove. Bummer. Now to seek emergency repair. No fuel supply meant no refrigeration and spoiled food. To say nothing of no breakfast. I researched RV repair shops. I ate b-fast out. I called my first choice. Slammed. Suggested Jerry’s. I called and Jim said come on over and if I had patience he might be able to help me. Turns out they serviced my frige on a previous visit. I suspected a blockage. Jim pulled off the valve and restrictor which allowed air passage. Turns out the electric valve was plugged. Removed it and propane flowed. The temp rose to upper 50s which spoiled food that will be thrown out and re-provisioned.
I am now leaving for Prineville to attend a COTA meeting and check out land. I was going to do an overnight back pack trip in the Mill Creek wilderness but my legs are beat from my Sister climb.
Back in mid 80’s I ski climbed to the top of S Sister and skied down. Skinning up was way easier than sliding in the ejecta. I was also 30 some years younger.
I asked PT Dave if I would have been better off having not played while I was working and not wearing my parts out then start playing after I retired. He said I was ridden hard and put away wet and that I was better off because the sitters developed issues and that many of them are suffering from over use injuries. It is what it is, we are products of our decisions.