2010.10.28. The Lieutenant of Inishmore

ACT presents Martin McDonagh's The Lieutenant of Inishmore. Poking fun of the Irish nationalism (anyone can start an army, and kill whoever s/he dislike in the name of Ireland). However, nothing new or interesting. Lots of killing: 2 dead cats and 4 dead people. No intermission. 1.5 stage sets. Very realistic (and expertly done). Good acting, funny accent.

2010.10.27. Lucia di Lammermoor

Seattle Opera presents Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor. Superb acting, tear wrenching, especially Lucia (however her voice goes dry in high notes). Edgardo's voice is bright and resonant. Raimondo, the priest, has a wonderful base. Costumes are like 19^th century, even though the story is set in the 17^th century. Stage set is effective, also look more modern than it should be. Lighting is always excellent. Beautiful melodies, pretty song like even when talking about tragedy. Big chorus.

Lucia:           Aleksandra Kurzak
Edgardo:         William Burden
Enrico:          Ljubomir Puškarić
Raimondo:        Arthur Woodley
Conductor:       Bruno Cinquegrani
Stage Director:  Tomer Zvulun
Set Design:      Robert Dahlstrom
Costume Design:  Deborah Trout
Lighting Design: Robert Wierzel

2010.10.15-17. Enchantment Lakes

My all time favorite hike. A different approach this time. It rained a little in Seattle Thursday evening, ignited my hope of seeing golden larches laden with snow. Anticipating a large crowd on the first weekend after the camping permit enforcement is lifted (each year on 10/15), and the forecast was SUNNY, I propsed to hike to Colchuck Lake Friday night, in order to reach Enchantment Lakes basin on Saturday morning early enough to secure a good camping site. However, I was ill prepared: forgot hiking boots, didn't study the trails, camera battery lasted only one photo, head lamp battery was half dead ... Still managed to enjoy the hike. Such an unforgettable place, even though it was at least a week too late for the larches.

Friday. Traffic. Arrived at the trail head close to 8pm. Saw at least 6 dark figures emerged from 2 cars with head lamps. Hiking at night on an unfamiliar trail is not a good idea. Missed the turn and arrived at Lake Stuart after ~2 hours. Saw at least two other tents. Realized the mistake, set alarm to 7:30am.

Saturday. On departing, the morning sun just was moving across the lake. Set against steep (green) hills, hanging ice fields on Mt Stuart, Lake Stuart is quite lovely!

Back track ~1 hr (passed a few camp sites, a bushy meadow). Turned right (left, if coming from the trail head, maybe 20 minutes past the double log bridge) on to a small side trail (a small sign was fixed on a tree) towards Colchuck Lake (~5600'). A (shorter) bridge soon after, then sharp turn over a small boulder field. Then, the slope picks up. 1.5 hrs and many zigzags later, reached Colchuck. Walked along the boulders next to the shore to the right for ~0.5 hrs. Refueled at a small sandy beach (a good camp site). Now the real climb starts. 2200 ft gain in one mile. Loose gravel at times (very slippery, especially the upper half). Had to cross a running creek to the left, where rocks were coated with ice. Adding on the treachery is the number of hikers closer by. Maybe 30 at the same time. Anyone can set a rock loose and hit someone behind. Not easy: took my street shoes, both hands (and by now somewhat shaky legs) over 2 hrs to reach Aasgard Pass (~7800', @~1:20pm). Exellent view to the north, including Mt. Baker.

Enchantment basin starts soon. Icy Tranquil Lake, green Isolation Lake. Larches and red and yellow low lying plants came to view ~30 min later. Set up camp in the middle of the middle basin, surrounded by a dozen larch trees (almost bare branched, but carpeted the ground golden), only steps away from a pond with running water. Cooked some noodles, while watching the hiker traffic going both directions.

~3pm, took off with just water and a jacket to the lower basin and more larches. Walked along the cold Inspiration Lake to the large inviting Perfection Lake. At its north end, branched cross the yellow meadow (slightly swampy) to the left, up a knoll towards Prusik Peak. Soaking in the view on the top of the knoll: two deap blue lakes (Shield Lake?) to the north and more mountains beyong, Vivian and Leprechaun Lakes to the east close by, a distant snowy mountain (St. Helens?) looming over the hazy valley to the south, Pusnik Peak is up close and vertical (looks unattainable without proper rock climbing gears). Turned back ~4:30pm. Saw a group of 4 coming back from the climb.

Sun went down quickly. By 6pm, only the top cliffs were casted pink. Still a few hikers were looking for camp spots, a group with 3 tents set up next to ours. Over the main trail, at least 5 more tents. I knew it would be busy, but not this crowded.

Sunday, bright sunshine. Warm if you sit in the sun. 2 goats (mother and child) with heavy coat walked by each tent site. With a background of golden ground and blue sky, they looked adorable. Depart ~10:30am, took almost 2 hours going down Aasgard pass. Reached the car ~4:30pm. Stopped by Leavenworth for some sausages and OB beer. At home shortly after 8pm. Fairly relaxed schedule. Saw this shocking news: A hiker was killed by a mountain goat in Olympic national park on Saturday!

Practicality: Hwy US2, 1 miles west of Leavenworth. South on Icicle Creek Rd. @mile 4, it's the Snow Lake trail head. Pavement ends. @mile 8.5, turn left on #7601. 4 miles to the end of the gravel road (in good condition), or 1 mile after the bridge. This is the Lake Stuart trail head. Very large parking area. ~50 cars Sunday afternoon each, here and at the Snow Lake trail head.

2010.10.5. God of Carnage

Seattle Repertory Theatre presents God of Carnage. Winner of 2009's Tony Award of best play. Two sets of parents meet one day to discuss the incident of one child hitting the other. However, the meeting degenerated rapidly as the 4 adults getting into unnecessary arguments and ridiculous behaviors. Funny, but no point, nor anything new or profound. Well acted, good stage. Single act, finishes early (9pm sharp).

2010.10.2. Thornton Lakes and Trappers Peak

Cloudy all morning. Luckily all burnt off in the early afternoon.

Thornton Lakes and Trappers Peak. First 2.3 miles are flat (long abandoned logging road, lots of unedible mushrooms). A couple of easy creek crossing. Then another ~2.2 miles in the woods, but with steady up slope (up ~2000 ft) till a huckleberry filled saddle. ~5000 ft. Muddy at times. Finally (after 2:15 hrs) in the open. Junction to Thornton Lakes (in 0.6 miles, -500 ft) and reportedly not-so-good camp sites at the lower lake. Continue straight, now very steep, hands are better than the poles. More huckleberries (brilliantly lit under the afternoon sun) and certainly progressively better views. ~960 ft and 0.8 miles later, reached the 5964 ft top. A few people rested on one of the many rocky crops along the way. Fine view: all 3 lakes to the SW, Teebone ridge, the town of Newhalem past the highway, Neve glacier, Pyramid and Colonial peaks to the east, Pickets Range to the north. But it's worthwhile to go to the top. More of the Pickets, the NE face of Mt Triumph. Even saw a patch of blooming lupines this late in the season. Can spend hours wondering around or just sit and rest in the many little crisscross trails among the inch high huckleberry bushes (no berries this high) and heathers. Small biting flies.

Direction: Hwy 20, 11 miles east of Marblemount (or 3 miles west of Newhalem. Turn northwest on Thornton Creek road. 5.1 miles of rough gravel to the end. A small (< 10 spots) parking area with a privy.