2022.4.29. Selling Kabul at Seattle Rep

4/29, Friday. I had a ticket to 4/22's preview, but it was cancelled without any notice. So moved to this Friday. Selling Kabul is one dramatized evening of an Afghan family, where the brother who was interperating for Americans was hiding and waiting for an American visa, the sister just came back from the hospital with the news that his son was born, the snooping neighbor looking for the brother, who's now wanted by the Talibans. The time is 2013. I like the sister's husband the most, loving, quiet, doing everything in order to survive, including sewing army clothing for Taliban. I dislike the brother the most: irritable, irrational. However, I didn't learn anything new. Good stage set, good acting, single act.

2022.4.17. Hidden Lake Peak snowshoe

4/17, Sunday. 12 of us + 1 dog snowshoed up to Hidden Lake Peak, not the lookout. The car I was in had 5 people, jam packed. On Hwy-20, we stopped to give some van a jump.

NFD 1540 is mostly snowed in, so we had to park ~2 miles out, at elevation ~2300'. We walked about 1.5 miles on the road, sinking a little bit, but still no need for snowshoes or spikes. At ~3000', we abandonned the road, and took to the forested hills. More or less followed the ridge all the way. Very steep until ~4200'. Occasional down trees. At some point, I put on microspikes. Once the terrain eased a bit, we put on snowshoes. The snow was soft and fluffy, quite deep. Even with snowshoes following steps, I still sank from time to time. As the temperature rose, snow fell from tree branches, glissening in the snow. Very pretty, like confetti.

The view is splendid once you break out of the trees, ~6000'. We saw some skiers, and 2 snowshoers. Heading straight up to the peak, and the terrain got a little steeper, but nothing dangerous. It's a small summit for all of us. We all made it, at different speed. ~7020'. We stayed for ~1.5 hours, it's jaw-dropping gorgeous here.

On the way back, I tried to glissade, but only made it right below the summit. Snow was too soft, and speed couldn't pick up. The last person was more tha 1 hour slower than me, and I was ~10-15 minutes later than the faster ones. All in all, almost 5000' elevation gain.

This group always stops for dinner. On the drive, we just realized that this was Easter Sunday. Most restaurants were closed. Finally they ended at a Mexican place in Burlington.

More photos from others in my group.

2022.4.13. Ibson's Ghost at Seattle Rep

4/13, Wednesday, 7:30. I actually have a ticket to 4/12 performance of Ghost. However, I got busy working, and forgot about it. I'm not sure if I like the story. To me, the title is contrived. See a summary here or on Wikipedia. The priest character is the most unpleasant one, even though he appears and thinks he's the nicest and most righteous.

I enjoyed the stage set and the acting, the dialog too. The music was played behind glass door, so you could see the guy playing it. Not sure if it's a good idea. At least it's different.

2022.4.8-10. Hetch Hetchy loop in Yosemite

4/7, Thursday. Our company event finishes at lunch time. After a volunteer shift packing groceries at Second Harvest 1:30-3:30pm (it was intense), I repacked in the office, leaving my laptop behind. Picked up a car at 5pm. It was HOT. Driving out had terrible traffic, especially near Livermore, exacerbated by the construction on I-84. It was hot today, see photo: 93°F. By the time I arrived at Groveland (to use the restroom), it was already after 10pm.

4/8, Friday. The road to Hetch Hetchy is only open 8am-5pm (later in summer). I saw at least two road blocks, not sure which one would be closed at 5pm. Saw 4 deers by the road. I arrived at the national park entrance at 8am. Filled a registration for backpacking. I asked any other options than my tentative plan. The ranger told me that for my 2 nights, this is the best choice. A classic, and I should camp at Vernon Lake and Rancheria. They asked about my bear can. Apparently I could rent one here. (When I called the ranger station a couple of weeks ago, I was told they don't rent bear cans here). They said they'd like me to report the trail condition when I'm done, as they only took over the station last weekend, and hadn't talked to anyone who did the loop. Through the winter, this post is manned by volunteers.

I parked at the overnight parking lot (at least 0.5 mile further away, at the entrance to the walk-in campground). 2 cars were already here. The sites are quite nice, more or less private, each has its own food storage box and picnic table. But I don't see where water is. I changed into hiking boots, chowed down more food, hoisted on my backpack. Another car pulled in. ~9am, already warm. Little shade. From here I walked by a few campsites (all on short side trails) and scrambled down to the day-use parking lot. Elevation ~3800'.

First, I walked along the dam. A few display panels about the history and images before this valley was flooded. Not it provides the drinking water to the SF Bay Area. Boating, swimming, fishing are not allowed here. Then, a tunnel with dim lights. It's wide enough for cars. The gravel road continues after the tunnel. Not a lot of shade.

About a mile from the Day Use parking lot, it's the first trail junction. I turned left, and up, towards "Beehive - 6.5 mile, Laurel Lake - 7.6 mile, Vernon Lake - 9.9 mile". There were quite some Blue Dick blooming along this first section.

The trail is well made and maintained, zigzags up the otherwise steep slope. South facing, little shade. Saw some Harlequin Lupine (pink). View is nice over the reservoir. You don't want to cut the trail here, because the bushes are very prickly. I don't remember the trail junction after 1.8 miles (at ~5200'). About then, you lost the view, but you are still going up, just more gradually, for another 1000'. It's quite boring for 4+ miles.

I took a photo of the next junction, about 4 miles from the bottom. Then, it's more or less flat. More trees, so more shade. I was running out of drinking water. Finally I saw a snow patch. I was very happy, sat here for lunch, and refill my bottle. It's probably the Beehive Meadow. Not sure why it's called Beehive. Snow sometimes obscured the trail. I do see footprints, but not fresh. Occasionally there're small plastic flags on tree trunks. After lunch, I tried to walk up ~100' in order to see Laurel Lake. But didn't see anything. I continued, instead of visiting the lake.

The trail crests ~7000', and finally less trees, more open scenery. It's the Falls Creek drainage. Quite pretty. Occasionaly a small/shallow pool of blue water or green moss patch on flat granite. This goes on for maybe 1 mile, and then it drops down towards Vernon Lake. This may be my favorite section of the loop.

By the time I reached the lake, it was already 4:30pm. I was ready to stop. Scared 3 deers away, after leaving the trail, over some snow ponds towards the shore. Found a suitable spot close to the west end, instead of going further east. Didn't see any other tent. A quiet evening. Washed and ate. Saw a yellow-ochre salamander. No fish. I didn't bother to put on rainfly. So I could see stars. The half moon didn't set until ~3am. So only a brief window for good stars. The night was surprisingly chilly (compared to the day temperature), and I zipped myself completely in my 20°F bag. Not cold, maybe ~40°F. Elevation ~6600'.

4/9, Saturday. Got up around sunrise. Read a bit before packing out. It's quite nice here. Backtraced to the main trail. Crossed this bridge. Then I lost the trail briefly. Now the trail goes up, for the next 1000'. It offers good view of the lake and the surrounding area, and the Falls Creek tumbling down.

At around 7200', the trail goes into the woods again. The slope eases, but a lot more snow. And then, I saw this pawprint. And again, and again. The prints look more fresh than the footprints I saw yesterday. Seems I was walking behind the bear(s). I unplugged my headphone, so my phone was broadcasting. The trail slowly crests about 7600'. Then there was a meadow and a small creek (should be gone in a month). Then slowly drops another 200'. All the while in a jumble of fallen trees and snow. I lost the trail from time to time. Using GPS to guide. No flags on trees. I never saw the bear.

Finally I reached the edge of the Tiltill Valley. South facing, no more snow. The trail turns east. Open view, more burned trees. Then the trail zigzags down. It's again dry and hot. Then, I could see the inviting meadow in the Tiltill Valley. At about 6.4 miles from the bridge, I had lunch in the shade at this meadow. Tiltill Creek is a short distance away. I thought about staying here for the night. Just it's too early.

Crossing the creek is easy, however, after a short walk, I ended in a swap. It looks like a meadow, like in this photo that I took at the beginning of my trouble. The tall grass obscure the shallow water. On Caltopo, it's marked as a lake. On the park map, it's marked as a meadow. I made multiple attempts, and got some water into my boots. I realized that the trail on my map goes in the middle of this swamp. I ended going on the outer edge of this swamp, bushwhacking trying to stay high. Finally, slowly, I rounded to the south end of the swamp. At one place, I heard voice. Then I saw some guys sitting on boulders ahead of me. I yelded at them: "how did you get over this?" Answer: "we didn't!". I seriously considered taking off my boots and trying to cross in sandals. Couldn't even find a place to change footware. Finally, after some questionable manouvers, I crawled on to the same boulder. Now I could see better how wet this area was. I took out my socks and laid on the rocks to dry. Chatted with Damian (the "photographer"), Justin (from Twitter), Adam (from San Diego). They also camped at Rancheria.

After the guys left, I waited a bit before continuing. On the walk out, I met a bunch of 20 year olds, and a small snake. After about a mile, a series zigzag drops down towards Rancheria Creek. This is a view of the the water slides and the reservoir.

The camping area marked correctly on Gaia, I saw some tents. I walked around, didn't see the creek close by. So I continued. But didn't find the camping area marked on Caltopo. Back tracked to where all the tents are. At least 3 more groups. I found a site next to a large log. No view whatsoever. There are ants here. I pitched my tent, this time, with rainfly on. Went to wash at the creek. A group of 8-9 20-year olds came to sit in the shallow pool. My nose was bleeding again, I was washing it with cold water. After that, I cooked and eat there. Not a bad view. I went to visit the 3 guys I met at swamp. They are all climbers, mostly rock climbing. One guy has heard about Enchantment Lakes, but none of them has ever seen larch trees with yellow needles. After the visit, I went downstream for more photo opts.

4/10, Sunday. I planned to drive out by noon, and it's 6.5 miles out. Total is about 29 miles, 6100'. I packed out shortly after 8am. The walk now is straightforward. Very easy. Still ups and downs. A small bridge over the narrow Tiltil Creek. More flowers.

Multiple bridges under Wapama Falls (Falls Creek)'s many braids. Wapama Falls is really a delight. It's big, and sprays all over. It is a worthwhile day trip. Saw quite a few day hikers. After this, I overtook a large backpack group (at least 10 people). Met more day hikers. I got lost a bit in the camp area. Got to my car at 11am.

I stopped at the park entrance to relay the trail condition. Different rangers today. They told me another party was doing the same loop.

Stopped at Groveland to use the restroom. A birthday party was at the park, so I didn't feel comfortable to go to men's room to use the sink. The sink at the lady's room has no water. There's a drinking fountain here, so I could fill water.

Minor detour to Modesto to fill gas. $5/gl. I refilled the last gallon near my office at $5.79/gl. Arrive at the office at 4:30. Took a shower, and changed into clean clothes. While I was repacking and drinking a beer from the fridge, I saw our CEO walked by. I said hi. Forgot that he was tested COVID position just Monday (6 days ago). I wasn't wearing a face mask, because I thought I was the only person here. Oh, well.

Returned the car shortly after 5pm (overshot the rental car entrance once). While checking in, I was told that my flight was delayed again for 2 hours (from 10pm to midnight). I was too early to check in my bag. I complained to the agent about the delay, and asked her if there's any earlier flight I could move to. Sure enough, the next flight has one remaining seat, but I had to hurry. The boarding would start shortly, and I still had to go through TSA. Well, I made it. Back home at 10pm! Perfect.

2022.4.4-6, company outing in San Francisco

My company holds annual meeting every January. Of course last year's was canceled. This year we spent 4 days (April 4-7) in the Bay Area, at our HQ. Sunny all week, getting warmer and warmer each day. On 4/6 (Wednesday), after the morning work session, we were put on a big bus to Alcatraz's ferry terminal. Some drove. It took awhile for everyone to show up, because we had a group ticket. The boat was very crowded. The view is quite good. Can see both Golden Gate Bridge and Bay Bridge.

I first walked up the cell house on the top of the hill. On the way, I stopped to listen to a lecture by the ranger (at 1:30pm) at the bottom of the building. He said that it was built by the inmates. Only federal offenders were locked here, including those who refused army consript during the war. I was surprised at how "nice" the prison is. Each inmate has his own cell, with a bed, a toilet, a little shelf. There is a little bit natural light shining down from high windows. The food is said to be the best of all US prisons: the warden ate the same food as the inmate. See this list of breakfast items: stewed fruit, scrambled egg! Sounds better than most of my breakfast. There's a recreation yard at the end of the building: outside, but within walls.

The island is very scenic, with a lot of flowers blooming now and tons of birds: I saw an egret nest (in one of the few trees), a large colony of cormorant.
On the way out, I stopped by the bookstore + exhibit room. This is a map of incarceration rate, the size of the black balloon represends the per capita lockup.

Most of us took the 2nd last ferry (3:30). A long queue for the return ferry. Once we are back, I walked with P and R to see the seals at Pier 39. Only a few were here. I don't remember when I was here last time, there were hundreds then.

Still 2.5 hours until the 6:30pm dinner reservation, so I decided to walk across the city to REI to buy an isobutane canister for my stove. It's a hilly city. I happened to walk by Coit Tower, so paid $10 to ride the elevator to its top. Not many people, but a long wait. Only one elevator, may fit ~6 people, with one lady operator riding in the elevator with you. The ground floor is already ~280' above sea level, so not a bad view. Murals cover the walls of the ground floor, all about different works in the area. Not bad. There's another lady on the top floor, which you have to walk a flight of stairs after the elevator. Too bad, you are still inside. They installed plexi glass all around, so you cannot take a good photo. The lady has a key to open the window so you can take a clear photo. However, it's slow, and you have to wait. She wouldn't let you stick your arm out. This is very annoying. Why not put some metal bars so it's safe to take photos without the glass glare? Save on labor cost too.

I then walked along Kearny street, saw lot of Chinese were playing card games at Portsmouth Square. There, met a small guided walking group. I didn't stay long to listen to the guide, because I still had many miles to walk. The grocery in China Town here is very cheap. Too bad I couldn't buy anything. Walked through Union Square, and then Powell Station. This sign shows all sister cities of SF. Finally, to REI, passing some homeless tents and government buildings. A 1/4 lb canister is now $6! So expensive. I then walked through some industrial buildings to Embarcadero. The Embarcadero is a nice wide promonade.

Finally I reached Pier 1.5 at 7pm. Our company took the entire patio. They were still drinking, and snacking on yuca (? taro?) chips (very tasty). Most of them were standing. I went to the booze table for a beer, because I was parched. It was in the upper 80°Fs today. I ran out of drinking water. I only took 1L. Dinner was served in family style. N. acrossed my table has so many food allergies (no allium, no tree nuts, no corn, ...), that one waiter consulted him after each dish. K. next to me is vegetarian, so she got a sorbet for dessert. I tried both red and white wines (we had both meat and fish), and like both. However, I didn't take a note of what kind. I enjoyed the dinner, the first restaurant meal for a long time.

We had chartered two buses back, at 10pm and 10:30. I went for a short walk before catching the 10pm bus home. I fell asleep on the bus. Once disembarked in front of the office, still half asleep, I walked 1.2 miles back to the hotel. As I reached the hotel, I saw the bus pulling in! Oh, well. The next day, I heard that the 10:30 was a party bus. They kept on chatting even after getting off the bus, until way past midnight.

2022.4.2. Norse Peak - Crown Point traverse

4/2, Saturday. 8 of us + 1 dog started at the parking lot off FR-7190, just before Crystal Mountain ski area, east of Mt Rainier.

Headed on Norse Peak trail. It's all in the snow, but we didn't use snowshoes (only carried them just in case). We cut a couple of zigzags, because pretty soon, we could see any trail, so just went up the slope. At some point, I realized that those ahead of me were heading up to Kahuna, the trail on my phone is much lower than us. So I headed the saddle between Kahuna and Norse, while the rest of my group went to Kahuna.

Naturally, I arrived at Norse Peak first, breaking a trail. The top is a little steep, but okay. One of us never made to Norse. After waiting for awhile, 7 of us continued on the ridge, up and down. We made to East Peak, Platinum Peak, Bullion Peak, Crown Point, and all the unamed summits in between. This photo is on top of East Peak, where we had lunch. The ridge is not the safest place to walk on.

Maybe it was Bullion Peak, I saw this sign. Not clear what's written. You can see the ski area below us. Between Bullion and Platinum, we saw 2 groups of skiers. They came up from the ski area. We came down from Crown Point towards the basin of Silver Creek. Tried to glissade a few times, the snow was crusty. A very bumpy and somewhat painful ride. Then we walked along the Silver Creek drainage to the housing and then ski lift. Of course all in snow, no creek to be found.

My group (6 of them) went down to the ski parking lot. Di, our hike leader, ran back to the car, so he could drive to the ski area to pick the rest up. On my way down, punching holes on the edge of the ski slope, debaing whether to put snowshoes on. I decided to walk along NF-410. It's flat, but more snow than I hoped, so I still sink a bit. It's 2+ miles. I was the last one to reach the cars, but not much later than the rest. They were still changing clothes and storing packs in the cars. Our 8th person was also here. Not sure where he went, after we all went to Norse Peak.

This group always stops for dinner. I don't eat in-doors, so waited in the car with my book.