In 2024, Jen has taken 21 trips, hiked a total of 190 miles, climbed 54,500 feet, and spent 6 nights under the stars.

Sloan Attempt and Vesper Success

12 miles of hiking • 5250' elevation gain • 2 nights

Started out with an attempt of Sloan Peak in the North Cascades. We were bushwacking in steep terrain when one of our climbers sustained an ankle injury and could not bear weight on it. Successfully used iphone SOS feature to get 911. SAR rescue ensued, took 10 hrs and 18 volunteers to carve a path and haul them out on a litter. Great learning experience.

We rested the next day and then hiked up to the base of Vesper Peak. We veered off the trail to the north side to climb to the summit via Ragged Edge; a 6 pitch 5.7 trad route, what a hoot! Had to hike out the last few miles via headlamp, but at least we had a trail.

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Mt Aix

12 miles of hiking • 4250' elevation gain • 1 night

Highest point in the William O Douglas Wilderness.

We started early and got to the top at 11am.

Lovely ridgetop, flowers going strong. Bugs not too bad. Fun summit scramble.

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Larch Crater Loop

6.5 miles of hiking • 1250' elevation gain •

Early morning loop to beat the heat

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Shale Lake

15 miles of hiking • 2750' elevation gain • 1 night

This was supposed to be a Mt Jefferson climb. We weren't sure of the summit conditions but had suspicions it would not be tenable. About four miles in, we were able to see the final approach to the summit block. A storm last week resulted in rime ice on the summit, precariously wind loaded on the western face. The warm temps would make the "terrible traverse" treacherous with ice fall.

Some of our group turned back at this point, but 4 us went on to the Shale Lake area which is still under about 3 feet of snow. We had a pleasant night this first eve of summer. No bugs whatsoever, just bird and creek songs. Hiked out the next morning.

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Unicorn Peak

6 miles of hiking • 2750' elevation gain •

Took up a group of 10. First time leading on alpine rock in mountain boots! Luckily it was very easy climbing. The moat has opened up but is just a slightly spicy hop-over. Fun glissades down. We did not glissade the couloir, careful plunge stepping, it is melting out and was posthole city. We caught the tail end of the weather window, started to rain when we got back to parking lot.

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Camp Schurman

12.5 miles of hiking • 5250' elevation gain • 1 night

It took us all day to get up here. 10-12 inches of new snow, got soft in the afternoon. Breaking trail from Glacier Basin Camp all the way up the Interglacier, was quite exhausting. We were supposed to have an acclimation day at Camp Schurman before a summit attempt, but the weather window closed up so we headed back down.

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Rimrocks

6 miles of hiking • 500' elevation gain • 1 night

I was meeting friends in the evening at the Steelhead Falls campground, so I explored some trails at Crooked River Ranch and along the Deschutes. There are long trails along both river canyons. Went climbing at Smith the next day.

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Eastside Foray

4.5 miles of hiking • 500' elevation gain •

I go out every year and usually find a few. This year, we hit the jackpot!

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Defiance

11 miles of hiking • 4250' elevation gain •

I decided not to turn off to hit the summit. Raining, windy, inside a cloud.

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Glass Buttes

3.5 miles of hiking • 750' elevation gain •

Wandered around and found some obsidian

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Gales Creek/Storey Burn Loop

7.5 miles of hiking • 1750' elevation gain •

Nice loop hike enjoying the filled out understory.

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Waterworks Canyon

4 miles of hiking • 750' elevation gain •

Came up to climb nearby at Royal Columns. Had a nice evening hike before cragging. Beautiful canyon in bloom.

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Hospital Hill

8 miles of hiking • 2000' elevation gain •

Blustery day, flowers lovely

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Tilly Jane

6.5 miles of hiking • 2250' elevation gain •

Spectacular Day! Came up to check on the wildlife camera. No critter shots, but we saw all the big volcanoes and some ravens and bluebirds

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Elk Kings

11 miles of hiking • 3500' elevation gain •

With BCEP team

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Ochocos

15 miles of hiking • 3000' elevation gain •

We stayed at the Ochoco Ranger House for two nights. Snow at higher elevations. On the first day we got to ski on frozen Walton Lake. Hiked up the Lookout Mountain trail to Duncan Butte on day 2. Stopped at Lake Billy Chinook on the way home and hiked the Tam-a-Lau Trail.

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Hospital Hill

7 miles of hiking • 2000' elevation gain •

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Dog x2

12.5 miles of hiking • 5750' elevation gain •

So fun, I went back again the next day! Pretty much melted out now.

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Cottonwood Canyon

17 miles of hiking • 2750' elevation gain •

Stayed in a cabin for two nights for Galentines Day. Saw lots of sheep. Explored an old homestead. On the second night a storm came in and we awoke to snow in the desert. Magical!

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Newton-BPA Loop

5.5 miles of hiking • 1000' elevation gain •

Verdant balm for my soul

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Tilly Jane

6.5 miles of hiking • 2250' elevation gain •

Cascadia wild camera check

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