2022.10.29. Rampart Ridge Backdoor

10/29, Saturday. Was still hoping for fall color, wasn't prepared for this much snow.

We left Seattle ~8:45am in mist for Rampart Ridge Backdoor trailhead. ~2 miles in washboard, then ~1 mile in very narrow scratching forest road with large potholes (now filled with brown water). We were the 5th car parked at the road bend. Start hiking shortly after 10am, in full sun.

The trail starts narrow and overgrown. Soon, it goes up on steep forested slope. Faint, at times. We overtook one couple. ~1 mile later, at ~4600', a large cairn (we didn't understand its existance until our way down). Here, snow started in earnest, as the grade eases. Met one guy coming down. Inquired about snow conditions, as his pant legs were wet at the bottom. Reached Lake Lillian ~10:50.

It wasn't clear how to get around the cliff to the right (east) of the lake. The trail on my GPS map is by the shore. We followed some snowshoe track up the hill, getting to a bit too steep for the powdery slope. Bushwacked down through trees and snow (knee deep sometimes) to find the trail by the shore. I had to stop to shake off snow from my boots. Forgot to bring gaiters. On the way back, we were able to more of less get over the rock more easily. Looking back, great view of Rainier beyond the blue pool. Put on micro-spikes, just in case.

Getting out of the lake basin is also steep. But more rocks below the snow on this stretch. Digging my hands into the fluffy snow doesn't offer more traction, except for some stability. My gloves were so wet, that I had to sqeeze water out of them multiple times. Once over the ridge, it's a winter wonderland. Many small, frosen tarns. Still blue Rampart Lakes, Rachel Lake. Met one young guy in snowshoe going out. Better prepared than us.

Decided not to go to Rampart Ridge itself, as I don't see tracks going there. I don't want to sink more into the snow than necessary. My boots were already squishy wet. We followed some snowshoe track (we sank more, but not too bad) to a butte in the middle at about 5600'. Great 360° view here. Not cold, not much wind. It was getting more cloudy.

On the way back, met a middle-aged couple in shorts and running shoes. We missed the turn in the forest. Followed the more obvious track on snow. Even though the terrain looked different from our memory, I could see that we were on track (but the wrong track, it was going to Mt. Margaret). It didn't dawn on me, until we saw Silver Lake (frozen). Back tracked, looked for our turn, carefully now. There, we found this cairn. The trail going down to the backdoor trailhead is in steep forested slope, no snow yet, so not obvious. We made a small detour (by mistake) to see Lake Laura: much smaller and wooded. The rest is uneventful. Back to the TH, now just one car. Almost 4pm now, 1 hour later than I expected.

Stopped for some mushroom hunt. I didn't see anything. Too dark in the forest at this hour.

2022.10.25 Tour of Bitfarms

10/25 Tuesday afternoon. Bitfarms hosts an open house in a large "barn" labeled with "Advanced General Contractors". Moses Lake is one of their dozen sites, the only one in west US. Bitfarms is a Toronto-based Bitcoin mining company.

WTIA (Washington Technologe Indusctry Association) paid for 2 shuttle buses, one from Seattle, one from Portland, each with about 8-9 passengers. The Seattle shuttle was rescheduled from noon to 11:30, as our orgnizer said that she wants to arrive at 3pm, when the event starts. We waited at least 15 minutes for her husband and father to show up. Then, she decided that we'll stop at McDonald for take-out. Why? Of course, we are the last people who arrived. A few Bitfarm empolyees and their family (including a 10 week baby) were also in attendence. Catered reception with drink and food by Bitfarms. Quite a lot of food, and pretty good.

CEO L Geoffrey Morphy welcomes everyone, and expressed his commitment to and gratitude of the local community. Dennis Porter of Satoshi Action Fund spoke next, emphasizing that the mining is good for the community, using "otherwise-wasted" electricity. Senetor Judy Warnick spoke last. She expressed her welcome to new tech into her community. She is from Moses Lake.

A little after 4pm, we were taken to the server rooms to see the machines, in groups of 10. Very loud and windy: fans trying to circulate the cold air from outside. The empolyees have a phone app that can pinpoint which machine (row/rack) is in green/yellow/red state. Looks like a 24/7 operation, defintely power hunger, not using "wasted electricity". I asked what they do in summer to cool down. Answer: run at low capacity. Air is their only cooling method, and they only mine Bitcoin.

Around 5:30, we left. The two shuttles decided to stop at Porterhouse for a stake dinner. Why? I didn't bother, since I was full. We didn't leave until 8pm, which get to Seattle at 11pm. A long day.

2022.10.23. Earl Peak

10/23, Sunday. The first dry day after the rain. Air quality returned to normal. Chill in the air. 10 of us met at Green Lake. Drove in 3 cars. Made a stop at Pioneer Cafe at Cle Elum for coffee and food. I can never understand why people are willing to get up earlier in order to eat breakfast in a cafe. The organizer needs to smoke, here is why for today.

Follow Bean Creek Trail. After a creek crossing, at the signed junction, take right to the connection to Standup Creek, and Earl Peak. Fall color is not the best here. More brown than red. No berries to eat.

At a "pass", continue to Standup Creek (to Navaho Pass), or turn left and go up, as shown in the photo to Earl Peak. The peak itself is behind this summit. The grade picks up significantly. After this bump, the trail deteriorates. I think the old track works better than the newly laid trail. Smooth + steep = more slippery. I prefer rocks. Nothing is dangerous. The view is great. But quite crowded for a small-ish summit. Can see some larches below. Not many, and not very golden. Clouds moved in.

I walked along the ridge towards Bean Peak for a more quiet lunch. Met a couple continuing on to Bean Creek for the loop. There's some light snow, so need to be careful, but the track is easy to follow, and never steep. I came back to Earl Peak to wait with the group. After an hour, we were all a bit cold (not too bad), so decided to go down without waiting for the last 3. On the way down, in order to avoid the traffic jam, I took to the rocks, and actually slipped by stepping on a loose rock. Scraped my chin bloody. I met the Indian girl (the last of our group) on my way down, and she was alarmed seeing blood on my face. At the flat saddle, I cleaned up my chin with fresh snow. Not bad. Just skin deep.

At Cle Elum, they went to a Thai restaurant. Sarah didn't like it, because they only take Visa and Master Card. So our car returned home without dinner. It was only 4pm, too early anyway. Heavy traffic coming into downown from I-90. DK dropped me off at an I-5 exit, and the rest 3 continued north to the P&R.

I'm glad to finally get out after the smoke.

2022.20.19. Wildfires continue, dry and warm weather keeps smoke in PNW

The air quality is abysmal for a month, or rather getting progressively worse. Today, it reached a dangerous level: 249. All my outdoor activities are put on hold. Not seeing golden larch this year :( Rain is in the forecast coming Friday (10/21), so hope for some relief.

2022.10.16. Opera pop-up at Queen Elizabeth Theatre

10/16, Sunday. Hazy, sunny, very warm. CIty Opera opened its lobby for a performance of opera arias. 1 tenor, 1 bariton and 1 soprano. Without subtitle, I couldn't understand a single word. They did talk about the context of each aria. Quite a number of chairs were set up. We arrived late. No more seat. No problem. I brought my own stool. After the break, more seats became available. Ice water was also available with single use cups.

Last time, I think I came for Nutcracker. This is an excuse to get out for a walk in downtown, which we did after the event.

Very warm today.

2022.10.14. Latin Fire at Seattle Symphony

10/14, Friday. 8pm. Seattle Symphony's first pop concert this season. Latin Fire is all tunes from Latin America, except the last piece, Bizet's Carmen selection. French really sounds awful in opera.

Costa Rican trumpeter José Sibaja and Mexican vocalist Mónica Ábrego (based in New York) are the guest artists. The conductor Enrico Lopez-Yañez (from Nashville Symphony) and the two guests all changed their jackets/dress after the intermission.

El cumbanchero     - Rafael Hernández
Tico Tico no Fubá  - Zequinha de Abreu
La Llorona         - Mexican folk song
Lucía              - Vinicio Meza
Libertango         - Astor Piazzolla
Bésame Mucho       - Consuelo Veláquez
Aquarela do Brasil - Ary Barroso

Cachita            - Rafael Hernández Marín
Granada            - Agustín Lara
Pelea De Gallos    - Juan S. Garrido
Júrame             - María Grever
En el Barco viene una Rosa - Andrés Soto
Estrellita         - Manuel Ponce
Carmen suite       - Bizet

I realized how little I know of music from Latin America. I haven't heard of any of these famous composers, nor most of these hit songs. I left Benaroya Hall cheery and light. I also like the small screen with caption, skipping some, on my (right) side of the stage.

Only about 1/3 of the audience wore face mask, despite of the "strongly recommended" signs in the lobby. That's unfortunate.

2022.10.12. What the Constitution Means to Me at Seattle Rep

10/12, Wed, 7:30pm.
I highly recommend What the Constitution Means to Me. Based on Heidi Schreck's, the playwright, own experience of competing in a contest on constitution at age 15, the women in her family. Very funny. Maybe over emphasized a bit on the gender equality.

The last section of the show, is a debate between a 15 year old local school girl and the actress on whether to rewrite the constitution. A small copy of US constitution is also distributed among the audience.

At the very end, the actress and the girl answered questions from last show's audience.

Quite innovative. Great stage set too.

Face mask is required.

2022.10.9. Mt. Ellinor

10/9, Sunday. Wide spread haze throughout WA. Abandonned my backpack trip (plan A, B, C), and day hiked on Sunday. Mount Ellinor is a short, steep, but rewarding hike, 2-2.5 hour drive from Seattle.

The trail starts in the forest, but pretty soon, you are out on a steet walk. The view over Lake Cushman is always behind you, which provides a good excuse to taking a break. On a clear day, you can admire the Hood River Canal and the Cascades. Not today. We did see Mt. Rainier's tippy top. Smoke level is quite high. I'm grateful that we have blue sky here.

Rocks steps, and reenforced ladders, all well laid out. This makes the hike a little boring, and easier. It's quite hot (almost 80°F) today, so you are paying more attention to the heat instead of where to place your next step.

The summit offers great view of the mountains in the heart of Olympics. The view is better earlier in the season when more peaks are cladded with snow. A lot of people today, maybe because of the same reason that drove us here: too smokey on the mainland.

On the way down, walked over to check out the connection to Mount Washington. Looks very sketchy.

Back to the smokey Seattle, still in day-light. No traffic.

Smoke map on the following morning, thanks to https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/"

2022.10.1-2 Tomyhoi Peak double take

10/1, Saturday. Met with both NP and her climbing friend BR at Green Lake at 7am. BR drove. We decided to head to Mt. Baker area, hoping that the massive mountain would block some smoke.

Yellow Aster Butte TH. It was so busy, we almost gave up on finding a parking spot and leave altogether. None of us is a fan of crowd. Luckily, on the way down, we found a large enough pull-out to park the car. It was busy for a good reason. The fall color is always amazing here, and it didn't disappoint today, and we could see it from the road.

There's no trailhead parking. From the shaded trailhead, you get on a sun-drenched slope very soon, zig-zagging through fall leaves. ~1.4 miles in, reach a short boardwalk, where a nice patch with plump (rare treat this year) huckleberries. I waited here for NP and BR. BR is very slow going up hill. No one seems to go right at the junction to Tomyhoi Lake (at ~1.7 mile). At the next junction, ~3.6 miles, I waited here again for long enough to take off my boots and socks. My waterproof boots are too hot for this weekend. Going down is to the basin with quite a number of tents. Not as bad as Gothic Basin, but getting there. We filled water here, and took a lunch break. Elevation ~5600'.

Crossed the basin, continued on almost due north, following a trail. First up a fairly steep hill to reach a plateau. A small tarn at the end of a small snow patch, at just shy of 6400'. I put some snow in my water bottle. Saw a dog pee-ing in the water, while the owners stoodby chatting. Unbelievable! There was a tent in the area already, so we continued up, and settling not far up on this plateau. Better view here. Copper Lake fire was spewing in distance. (This photo is BR's.) Quickly I set up my tents, and headed out to Tomyhoi Peak alone, shortly after 3:30. I was afrait if we tried tomorrow together, based on the progress today, they may not make it. I left my ice-axe at the tent, because on the way up here, from talking to those coming down, we learned that the glacier can be entirely avoided. Just in case, I took micro-spikes along.

It took me ~1 hour to get to the snow/ice. It was straightforward with clear trail to follow, up to this point. Quite some ups and downs though. This ridge is after a somewhat steep drop of 200', and then up.

On the way, one Indian guy was very kind showing me his photos on the route he found. He said it took him 45 minutes to find a good route. First stetch of snow, I squeeze between the moat and rocks, then on to some snow, both very short. See the bottom left of this photo to the right in portrait.

Then I saw a blacked foot track on snow further, recognized what the Indian guy told me. So I went down towards it. See this photo I took the next morning, and our track. However, I couldn't figure out which "flat slab" he mentioned, let alone how to get there. I tried 2 gullies (the left 2 red track on the left photo). The first I tried (the middle red line) had a little bit overhang. I didn't try harder, and went to the 2nd gully (the left red line). I made it up, but it felt sketchy to me to come down there. In the end, I return along the right red line I drew on the photo. This matches the description of the Indian guy's "flat slab".

Once I reached the ridge, a little to the right, I saw a cairn, and a trail! It's more or less flat for a while skirting to the left side of the rocky spine. Met 2 climbers on their way back, and inquired the condition. They told me that the cairn is where I need to go down, and going further, more up and downs, but mostly with good hand-holds. From then on, I was the only person on the mountain. I reached the summit shortly before 5:40pm. The view is fabulous, but unfortunately hazy to the north. Took a few photos, and headed down just before 5:50pm, because I need to be back to safety before sunset.

On the way down, I took a sharp turn at the cairn. There is a gentle ramp, more fitting for the Indian guy's description. From there, it was a bit slippery to get down to the blackened snow. I put on spikes, as I was afraid of that it may become icy as temperature dropped. Also, this short stretch is a little steeper, even though I walked in (slowly) just in boots. The sun set on my way out. All was very pretty in the glowing low light. Saw a group of folks admiring the sun and they asked if I made to the summit. "yes!"

There is a small shallow pond at the bottom of a snow patch. I cleaned up a bit there before continued to the camp. I reached ~7:15pm, already pretty dark. My teammates had fetched more water for me to cook dinner. We discussed the route, and I promised to be the "guide" if the condition is good tomorrow.

~11pm, I was up for a bio-break. It was very smokey. I was glad that I climbed today.

10/2, Sunday. The smoke was gone. No wind at all. NP asked us to be ready at 6:30. BR was slow, and we left shortly before 7a. Sun rose as we went higher. Very beautiful. We were the only people on the mountain. Today, it was hazy to the east, more clear to the north. Huckleberry leaves were shining.

We took my return route up and down. They stowed their packs and hiking poles at the end of the black snow. NP had a bit trouble with the loose slab (difficult) and the short knife edge on the rocky spine, which didn't occur to me to be difficult. Exposure, yes, but solid.

We made to the summit just before 9:30am. Lingered here for half an hour, no rush. On the way back, met one guy solo on the top ridge. He came up from a different gully. I took this photo, circle the guy on the climb. Yes, from this ridge, you drop down equally steeply, and then climb up steeply. Looks scary, but feels okay. Good hand holds.

When we were back to the safety, saw a couple trying to scramble up. Then a large group of ~20, none had helmet. Someone recognized my voice, it turns out to be ZY from my last Enchantment scramble. I chatted with her and detailed the route we took.

Back at camp, BR was again very slow in packing. We hiked down a little after 1pm. Waited at the trail junction long enough so I can air my boots and socks. We stashed our packs here, and headed to Yellow Ester Butte.

I cannot believe that I never walked along this ridge before. Yes, need to drop down from Peak 6178 (which I usually turned around, as many others). The trail continued all the way to the rocky peak at the end of this ridge, a little bit of scramble at the end. View of Tomyhoi to the left, and Larabee and American Border Peak to the right. Took this photo on my way back.

Good color on the slope to Peak 6178.

Stopped for ~10 minutes to pick huckleberries at the patch by the boardwalk. Smooth sailing driving back.