A fire and ice solstice

[TheJason]

Well, maybe that’s a little dramatic. How about glaciers and volcanoes? My wife and I climbed one to celebrate the first day of summer.

I’d like to give a major shout out to Les Schwab Tires in Hood River. They got us in and out after a catastrophic brake failure in a very short time.

A couple of lessons learned:
1. Change brake calipers if you don’t know how long they have been on, even if the looked okay
2. Don’t rely on the outside brake pad as an indicator of brake life remaining (see 1)
3. A pad and caliper that have disintegrated will make your truck sound like a Sherman tank as you drive through downtown, and draw lots of funny looks.
4. If you’re going to have to pay for the full monte brake job, do it where there’s no sales tax.

Moving on. The mountain.



The trailhead



The repaired truck



The flora.





Putting on crampons



Sunrise







Windswept snowfields













A very cold summit selfie



Coming down.



Vistas.

 

[kansasdad]

That is quite a pull to get up to the top. Sweet photos

 

[rtraverdavis]

I always enjoy your photo journals. Pretty cool to see one of a place so close to home.

And here I was feeling proud of myself for running a few miles yesterday—You and your wife are badasses.

 

[gouch]

Looks like a lot of fun. Love the pictures. I think my favorite is the last one of the sign, there is a lot of history right there.

But... and I apologize for this but I just cant help myself being a know it all smart ass and all. Fauna is animals. flora is flowers.

 

[TheJason]

Fauna is animals. flora is flowers.

You are correct. I’m still suffering from a long day and not enough coffee.

 

[TheJason]

I always enjoy your photo journals. Pretty cool to see one of a place so close to home.

It’s not a technical climb. If you decide to do it PM me.

 

[Hunting Wife]

Great pics, and looks like a great day! Summer, you say? I’m a little jealous, as I watched it rain...all...day.

 

[TheJason]

Great pics, and looks like a great day! Summer, you say? I’m a little jealous, as I watched it rain...all...day.

It didn’t feel like summer. I was highly concerned about frost bite on exposed skin. The wind chill was brutal.

 

[rmyoung1]

Really cool stuff. Awesome way to spend a day. Thanks for sharing!!!

 

[buffybr]

Great report and pics. I need to do more of that!

 

[Hilljackoutlaw]

Cold is right. I heard on the radio it was the coldest first day of summer in like 34 years or something here. It's been nice for work but I'm ready for the thaw.

Cool pics and nice way to spend a Friday and hopefully start a long weekend. Any wildlife sightings?

 

[TheJason]

Any wildlife sightings?

Just the customary campground deer.

 

[noharleyyet]

Looks like a real calorie burner JLS....awesome share.

 

[jbowlin]

Good way to spend the day, great photos!

 

[TheJason]

I think my favorite is the last one of the sign, there is a lot of history right there.

I'm assuming this is CCC era work?

 

[gouch]

I'm assuming this is CCC era work?

That was my first thought. The post could be newer but I would guess no more recent than the 50's but it looks like an original sign.

 

[Deleted member 16014]

Very nice! Time well spent.

 

[huronmtns]

Those are some awesome pictures of what looks to be a great adventure.

 

[Festus]

Very cool! You two have my respect!!

 

[Irrelevant]

My home Mt and one of my favorite places on the planet (I'm actually named after it), awesome!

Looks like plenty of snow to have brought the skis, but those sun cups at the lunch counter looked a bit hard.

No glacading on the way down? I assume the cabin wasn't out on top this early?

If you ever want to try it again I highly recommend a night summit on a new moon, then hang out on the top for the sunrise, it's pretty damn sweet.