dave.ross.name

MLK day adventure

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 18:17:48 -0800

Got my first adventure in the snow yesterday with Jason and Sam. We did a loop south on the PCT from Frog Lake Snopark and then back towards Salmon River Meadows. We had to do a brutal off-trail slog up a clear cut at the end to make this a loop but it was worth it and the snow was great. Sam had a tough day, his booties fell off right away and he got lots of ice clumps but he was a trooper and hung in there. Treats and pampering today for him.

PCT - Salmon River Meadows loop at EveryTrail

Crack clinic

Sun, 20 Nov 2011 19:46:30 -0800

Thursday night Jean and I went see a presentation at the Mazamas center by climber Steph Davis titled "Earth to Sky" about her recent adventures climbing desert towers and base jumping off of them! We were both inspired, especially because we are planning an extended climbing trip for next summer. The next day we were lucky enough to take a two hour clinic from her. We got lots of good nitty gritty tips and more inspiration. Then Sunday became unexpectedly nice for November and we headed out to Broughton Bluff to put some of the ideas in to action. Jean and I both climbed Classic Crack and felt better than we had before and so lucky to spend a day in the sun.

Hiking the Wonderland trail

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 10:43:26 -0800

Scott and I hiked half of the Wonderland trail around Mt. Rainier in three days. We'd planned to go all the way around but Scott fractured his wrist after slipping on the trail near the end of the day and we hiked out to get him to a hospital. Luckily the bones remained lined up and he should heal up great. We loved both of our first visits to Mount Rainier National Park. We saw bear, including a cub, and mountain goats and vista after vista of gorgeous alpine terrain. A highlight for me was a swim in a calm clear lake that took me away from the bugs and to a very peaceful place; there was a perfect balance of water to air temperature. I hope to get back there for another visit. We had great help from NPS rangers, Morton emergency room staff and helpful passersby for hitchhiking back to our car. more photos

Hiking around Mt. Hood

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 09:26:33 -0800

Scott and I hiked the Timberline trail around Mt. Hood this weekend, partly in preparation for hiking around Mt. Rainier on the Wonderland trail in a couple weeks. I'm pretty bushed from the two-day hike so I hope I'll stand up to the five days of hiking the Wonderland. We almost got turned around on the north side by a fire but after running in to a crew of Hispanic firefighters we learned it was a small fire and lower in elevation than our trail took us. If it had been windy we probably would have turned back. We had gorgeous weather throughout and I managed to take some photographs on the way.

Coast weekend

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 09:19:13 -0800

Spent two nights at the coast over the weekend at a rental house in Rockaway beach. We were a short way from the beach on a hill with a great view of the water. Some foggy mornings clearing to beautiful sun it felt so good to get out of town. Got a bike ride and a hike/run in. I found an old road that Google showed but was grassy and unused, a great footpath through what used to be an old-growth forest. Some of the stumps must have been 15' in diameter!

Bicycling Portland to Hood River

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 08:20:51 -0800

Jason and I bicycled from Portland to Hood River on Saturday, something we have talked about doing for a while. Neither of us have been bicycling that much this year but we were blessed with perfect conditions on a great route and really enjoyed the day. Jason prompted us to get an early start which really helped to beat the heat and traffic leaving town. In Hood River we got to visit with Jennie and Gavin and Jean drove out to visit and give us a ride home. We even got in a visit to the beach on the Columbia.

Portland to Hood River at EveryTrail

Camping in Badger Creek Wilderness

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 09:13:07 -0800

Headed to the east side of Mount Hood on Saturday with Scott for a two-night backpacking trip in to the Badger Creek Wilderness. We'd been there a number of years ago and had always wanted to go back. We came in from a different direction this time and saw some great terrain. At the beginning we couldn't always follow the trail because of the snow and it was hard going at times. We had a great campsite and got the morning sun first thing. Really relaxing to be out in the woods. More photos.
Camping in Badger Creek Wilderness at EveryTrail

Three Corner Rock mountain bike

Sun, 26 Jun 2011 14:45:39 -0800

A few weekends ago Jason took me, Amy and Patty on a wild ride in the forest north and west of Stevenson, Washington further cementing his reputation as an adventuresome trip leader. We had several mechanical incidents and persistent flats but the biggest hindrance was snow near the top of our climbing and on our return leg to the car. Still managed to make it Walking Man's brewpub before closing with everyone more or less in good shape; tired, happy and some with an extra bruise or two. Thanks for a sweet ride Jason!

Three Corner Rock mountain bike at EveryTrail

Joshua Tree

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 17:29:27 -0800

Jean and I just got back from an amazing vacation to San Diego and Joshua Tree. We visited my uncle and his partner in San Diego and enjoyed his beautiful house. Then we headed to Joshua Tree where we had a two-day climbing class focused on leading with Vertical Adventures. We lucked out with amazing guide, Tony Sartin. Each of us (there was one other student with us) got two leads where we were backed up by a top-rope and Tony was on a fixed line next to us, giving us advice and commenting on our gear placements. It was a great way to learn. Wednesday Jean and I were inspired to do some climbing on our own and I did my first lead up Carolyn's Rump (5.4) on Cyclops Rock. It was exhilarating and scary at times to be out on my first lead but I really loved it. I was pretty sure I wasn't going to fall and I didn't. This week I'm starting a class with the Mazamas to further work on my climbing skills. This trip to Joshua Tree has me really stoked for that! Back in San Diego one of the highlights was a seafood taco cart, you must go there if you visit.

New home for David Ross Software

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 13:51:01 -0800

I've created a new web home for my software business: ross-soft.com. This new website combines the various websites I've had for my Mac, iPhone and iPad apps and will make it easier for folks to see all the apps I develop. Look for more exciting app development from David Ross Software in 2011 on ross-soft.com!

Raining in a winter wonderland

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 12:22:05 -0800

I'd been out in Enterprise, Oregon since the 1st of the year and last Thursday Jason, Elvira, Chrissy and Tori drove out to go camping in the Wallowas with me and Jean. We had bad luck with the weather as it warmed up and rained in what is normally a dry snow climate. So Jason and I didn't get any turns in and we left a night early but we all enjoyed getting out for an adventure regardless. It's a beautiful wilderness I'd like to see more of.
Big Sheep Creek camp and back at EveryTrail

Bird released

Sun, 26 Dec 2010 09:50:54 -0800

The birds have been hitting the feeder hard here with snow covering many of their other food sources. Here Mom is releasing an over-eager chickadee that managed to get inside the tube feeder.

Lewis River trail late season

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 07:32:25 -0800

Our monthly group run took five of us plus Sam to the Lewis River trail near Mt. St. Helens on Sunday. There was more snow than we anticipated but we were able to park near the bottom trailhead. Gorgeous winter landscape, Sam chased some elk and an owl. Sun was kind and came out for us. (route on Garmin Connect)

Adventure in Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 08:56:34 -0800

I'd been eyeing a certain section of the Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness I hadn't explored before so when Jason suggested an adventure for Sunday thought of it again. We headed out there along with Lisa and Sam. The trailhead at 3600' was snow free but we quickly got in to snow for much of the way. Usually it was still runnable if a little more tiring. Descended to beautiful Eagle Creek (not the more famous Gorge one) for a gorgeous stretch before slogging back up to the car at the old quarry. Sam was tuckered out at the end and I had to carry him for a stretch with Lisa's help. Wonderful day out on the trails despite a constant rain. Saw no one. (photos)

Douglas-Plaza-Eagle Creek trails at EveryTrail

Mushrooms!

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 08:44:12 -0800

Took a mushrooms for beginners class at Smith and Bybee Lakes on Saturday, taught by Metro's James Davis. Learned there are as many types of mushrooms in Oregon as types of birds in the whole world. We learned some basics and then collected whatever we could find and sorted them out with the field guides. Taking the class tuned my eyes in to the fungi and I saw so many mushrooms on my run the next day!