Hitting the slopes

michaelaagenes — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 05:11:56 +0000

Hit the slopes yesterday at Timberline lodge ski area at Mt. Hood. First time since I lived in SLC which I think was mid 90’s maybe ’96. I really had a fun time albeit by myself. I guess like riding a bike, it just comes back to you. I am a little sore today in my lower back but the knees and everything else seems ok. My first use of the parabolic shaped skies also. I didn’t really notice great difference, did not help my technique, or make me a better skier. I had heard rumors that the newer skis are much easier to ski on – not so much for me. Looking forward to going again, but I did have some equipment failure. What I do own was in storage since previously mentioned dates. The plastic on my ski boots had crumbled by the end of the day; the elastic on my goggles was shot, and just all around outdated. I’ll try to replace as needed, but will work for now. Additionally, I was really shocked at the number of boarders vs. skiers. My guess would be 80% or higher on the boards. When in the height of skiing the snow board was just starting and was not COOL to be a boarder. Now I felt a little like the minority. I still however have no interest. It appears they spend a great deal of time on their ass and buckling and unbuckling from the board because they can’t get thru the flat spots. To each their own, but definitely not for me.

Wahkeena Falls in the Columbia River Gorge

michaelaagenes — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 02:43:13 +0000

Located between Latourell Falls and Multnomah Falls, Wahkeena offers its own beauty. It is not a long hike, but can be slightly difficulty because the entire trek is uphill. I don’t know how many miles it is and there are options to branch off to Vista trail, Angel’s rest, Devil’s rest and I think some others. This trip I stayed on Wahkeena trail and proved to be one of my favorite hikes to-date. Because the fact that it follows the creek almost 100% of the hike the beauty and sound are always enjoyable. Another feature of this hike that I found to be excellent was that I was able to hike to the top and see the Wahkeena springs that feed the creek and ultimately the falls. Amazing how the bubbling out of the earth at the top of the mountain can gain so much speed and volume to create such a beauty of a falls down stream. Check it out, I can’t wait to post photos in the spring run off and experience the difference.

You can click here to see more photos including the Wahkeena springs that feed it.

Michael Aagenes's Blog

Hitting the slopes

Wahkeena Falls in the Columbia River Gorge