When I first started exploring in the Tacoma, one of my buddies - Ben @m3bassman - mentioned nonchalantly that he had gotten out to camp at least once every calendar month of the year.
That sounded amazing to me, and so for six years I repeatedly failed at actually accomplishing the same feat. Sure, there were some months where I'd get out two or three times, my annual average higher than the one-per-month I was after, but no matter how hard I tried, it seemed like I'd miss a month here or there for some lame reason.
Finally - with a little creative categorizing of a trip that spanned the end/beginning of a month - I succeeded in 2022. And then - to my amazement - I did it again in 2023! Being ultra-competitive with myself, that left me in a bit of a pickle. Would I be able to carry on at all - with any respect for myself - if I didn't carry on this tradition?
For the most part, trips seemed to just "work out" as 2024 ticked by. It seemed like the tradition would continue - as would my self-respect - without any real contortions to my schedule. That is, until October.
With the tenth month of the year fully booked with "normal life," I couldn't believe it when a three-day window - where @mrs.turbodb and I could get away for a few hikes - presented itself. We jumped. Or maybe I jumped and dragged her along. Whichever it was, luckily it was to one of her favorite places. A place that is a major reason she loves living where we do.
We were headed to enjoy Fall at The Mountain, Rainier or Shine!
Grand Park | Rainier or Shine #1 - When I first started exploring in the Tacoma, one of my buddies - Ben @m3bassman - mentioned nonchalantly that he had gotten out to camp at least once every calendar month of the year. That sounded amazing to me, and so for six years I repeatedly failed at actually accomplishing the same feat. Sure, there were some months where I'd get out two or three times, my annual average higher than the one-per-month I was after, but no matter how hard I tried, it seemed like I'd miss a month here or there for some lame reason. Finally - with…
Sourdough Superhighway | Rainier or Shine #2 - @mrs.tubodb had no idea what I was doing as I ran around outside the tent at 2:00am, but she knows I'm a little nuts, so after hearing me trip on a rock as I scurried to-and-fro, she confirmed that I was OK and fell back asleep. After about half an hour of stumbling, I too was back under the warm covers, where I stayed until well past sunrise, the camera I'd setup to capture the event mistakenly left on nighttime settings such that every photo of fantastic light on the mountain was both washed out and grainy. Amazing what Lightroom…