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We invite you to take a trip with Oregon Peak
Adventures. You may sign-up by
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Greetings from Oregon,
It's hard to believe, but it is September already.
We are savoring the last weeks of the good weather
and looking forward to the snow. Fall in Oregon is
one of my favorite times of the year. The days are
typically sunny with contrasting crisp nights.
For the past 73 days in Portland we only had four
days with any rain and that was more showers than
sustained. During the most excellent conditions, we
rock climbed, backpacked and climbed Mt. Adams and
Mt. St. Helens.
Brook Gardner, 70, from Ontario, Canada, shown here
with Guide Monty Smith, briefly held the distinction
of being our oldest St. Helens climber this year.
But on September 6, Richard Tunney, 72, topped out
with returning client Don Bowman.
Youngest summitter this year is my Great Nephew,
Aaron Collinsworth,12, here glissading from the
summit in July.
FAIRS AND EXPOS
We participated in several Wellness Fairs and expos
in August. Drawing winners of an OPA gift
certificate are:
August 11-12 - Providence Bridge Pedal Expo - Chayne
Piscitelli
August 16 - Freightliner Wellness Fair- Doug Barlow
August 24 - Boeing Health Fair - Justin Bilodeau
Winners, please call me at 503 297-5100 to claim
your prize.
So have we stopped playing outside just because it's
September? Of course not, and neither should you!
Here are the trips scheduled for September:
St. Helens Monitor Ridge Climbs - 13 September
(3 spots available), 22 September (3 spots
available), & 29 September (4 spots available)
Rooster Rock Climb - September 16
Mt. Adams South Spur Climb) - September 20-22 (6
openings
Mt. St. Helens RTM Backpack - September 22-25
Horsethief Butte Rock Climb Day - September 30
We hope you can join us for your next adventure.
As
always, our intent is to send this newsletter only
to people who wish to receive it. If you don't want
it, please click the Unsubscribe link at the bottom
of this email. There you will also find a link which
allows you to send this eNews to a friend or
colleague. We invite you to take a trip with Oregon
Peak Adventures. You may sign-up by e-mailing us at
info@oregonpeakadventures.com, calling us at
(877) 965-5100, or using our
secure form.
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MT. ST. HELENS STATUS
Climbing Mt. St. Helens again has been a
major kick! The new dome is different every
time we go up and observing the creation
process is awe inspiring.
The photo on the left is on July 21; the
photo on the right was August 25.
Daily updates are available at
http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/MSH/CurrentActivity/.
The 100 person per day quota is in effect
through the end of October and there aren't
many permits left for purchase.
We have prepurchased permits for the
following days:
September 13 (3 spots available)
September 22 (5 spots available)
September 29 (Orientation Sep 27) (4 spots
available)
October 13 (Orientation Oct 11) (5 spots
available)
The climb is much the same as in the past,
except for a significantly different view of
the crater from the summit rim. Even though
we and the Monument managers believe that
the risk level is very low, we will
institute some additional protocols. The
Forest Service will rely on the US
Geological Service to monitor conditions and
will close the mountain if they believe the
risk level is unacceptable. As a precaution,
we will provide an "Eruption Kit" consisting
of a climbing helmet, filter mask, and
goggles for each party member.
We had to prepay when we reserved our climb
permits, so we would greatly appreciate it
if you would climb St. Helens with us!
Prices: 1 person - $300, 2 persons - $250
each, 3-4 persons - $200 each, 5-10 persons
- $150 each.
You can observe St. Helens at the
VolcanoCam.
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FEATURED HIKE - SADDLE MOUNTAIN
OPA makes it exceptionally
convenient to go on a hike. We pick you up,
feed you, and can tailor a hike specifically
to your comfort level and interests. We
usually include some general sightseeing
stops as well. Check out the
hiking pages on the OPA Website and let
us know what you would like to do.
SADDLE MOUNTAIN
Saddle Mountain is in the Coast range and is
a good workout as well as being
exceptionally scenic with spectacular views
of the Pacific Ocean and the Cascade
volcanoes. The
fall colors additionally enhance the
aesthete beauty of this always enjoyable
hike.
Price: 1 person - $130, 2-4 persons - $100
each, additional persons (Up to 10 total) -
$90 each. Includes guide, door-to-door
transportation, trekking poles, and lunch.
Scheduled hikes with folks booked to go
on them are posted on the OPA Website.
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MT. ADAMS CLIMBING
At 12,276 feet, Mt. Adams is the
second highest mountain in the Pacific
Northwest (after Rainier [14, 410']) and the
third highest in the Cascade Range (after
Shasta [14,162']) and a very fun place to
climb and hike.
South Spur
We have one remaining climb
 scheduled
for the South Spur: a women only climb
September 20-22. Since we have no women
signed-up at the moment, we'll make it coed
if any men types want to go as well. This is
a non-technical three-day climb with two
nights at the Lunch Counter (9,000'). This
is suitable for the novice climber. The
2,500' glissade back to the Lunch Counter is
outrageous!
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MT. ST. HELENS ROUND-THE-MOUNTAIN
When the the climbing route was opened, all
the previously closed trails were opened
also. We have scheduled a four-day backpack
trip around
Mt. St. Helens for September 22-25, 2006
(6 spots are available).
This trip is appropriate for backpackers in
reasonable shape. We hike 30 miles in four
days starting at June Lake on the relatively
unaffected area on the south side of St.
Helens and travel counter clockwise to the
north through the blast zone and back to our
starting point.
There is no other backpacking experience
like this.
PRICE: 1 person - $750, 2 persons - $600
each, 3-6 persons - $500 each.
MT. MARGARET BACKCOUNTRY
Join us on a unique adventure to one of the
most special places in the Pacific
Northwest-the Mt. Margaret Backcounty. We
have one four-day, 30 mile Mt. Margaret
Backcountry scheduled trip left for this
year: October 20-23 (three spots available).
 The
backcountry is just north of Mt. St. Helens
and was in the direct path of the blast when
St. Helens erupted May 18, 1980. The effects
are still evident in blown down trees and
still standing ghost forests killed by the
intense heat. But also present is lush green
regrowth, pristine lakes, elk herds,
startling scenery, huge huckleberries, fish,
and - no people.
 After
being closed to camping for 19 years, access
is strictly controlled with a maximum group
size of four. We stay at reserved campsites,
each of which has a solar toilet! October is
an extra special time in the Backcountry.
Besides the Fall ambiance, it is the rutting
season for the elk and you are guaranteed
memorable close encounters and bugle
serenades.
Oregon Peak Adventures is the only guide
service permitted to operate in the
Backcountry. For complete information
click here.
The price is $450 each for three
backpackers. Don't miss this unique
opportunity - it's a very cool trip and one
of my very favorite places.
An alternative Mt. Margaret Backcountry
experience is the
Three day trip. We backpack in six miles
to Panhandle Lake and camp for two nights.
This is a very relaxing and scenic trip!
PRICE: 1 person - $500, 2 Persons - $400
each, 3 Persons - $350 each.
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ROCK CLIMBING TRIPS
For past students of our
Introduction to Traditional Rock Climbing
course and for folks with basic rock
climbing skills, we are offering two rock
climbing outings.
ROOSTER ROCK
Rooster Rock is a 125 foot spire in the
Columbia River Gorge. It is an easy low
fifth class climb and features spectacular
views of the Gorge and a double rope rappel.
 It's
a perfect first climb, besides being totally
cool.
Our climb day is Saturday, September 16.
Price is $225 for 1 person, $125 for 2, and
$100 for 3 -4, and $80 for 5-6. Includes two
guides, climbing equipment, and summit
snacks. Rock shoes are recommended.
HORSETHIEF BUTTE
We train at Horsethief Butte and usually
leave wishing we could just spend a day
climbing. Saturday, September 30 will be
that day.
 We'll
wander around the Butte and set-up top ropes
where ever there is a pitch that looks like
fun.
Price is $450 for 1 person, $250 each for 2,
and $200 each for 3 to 6. Includes two
guides, climbing equipment, and lunch. Rock
shoes are recommended.
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SNOW ACTIVITIES
Although it did snow on Mt. Hood
last week, we're not in the snow season yet.
But it's not too early to start thinking
about it.
Check out the
Snow Outings Schedule for trips we have
planned so far. Moonlight and day snowshoe
trips, cross-country skiing, winter camping
and survival, and a full a range of Alpine
Mountaineering training courses will all be
offered
Guide Matt Bedrin is working on Backcountry
Ski Mountaineering Classes and outings.
When we go downhill skiing, we will offer
week-day rides to Timberline Lodge.
Stay tuned and we'll have more information
in the next months.
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TRIP SCHEDULE
Most of our
scheduled trips are posted on our
website. You can view the schedule by date or by
trip. The
Schedule of climbs, backpacking trips, and
training activities is updated through August of
2007 on the Website. Training, climbs, backpacks,
snow activites, and exotic international trips, it's
all there - start making your plans for the coming
year now!
And if something still needs to be updated or
corrected please
let me know.
Please contact us if you are interested in a private
trip or would like for us to post a trip for another
date that works better for you.
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INTERNATIONAL TRIPS
Gal�pagos/Machu Picchu - April-May 2007
The dates for the trip to the Gal�pagos and Machu
Picchu are 20 April - 8 May 2006.
 A
pre-trip to the Amazon Rain Forest is also available
The Rain Forest people will arrive in Lima on April
15 and join up with the main group on April 21.
Specific details are on the
OPA Website. This is a 19 day (24 days with
Amazon rain Forest) trip with stays in Lima, Cuzco,
Machu Picchu, the Gal�pagos and Quito. The inclusive
price is $4,815 (Add $745 for the Amazon Rain Forest
trip) which includes all taxes and all fees and
round-trip airfare from Miami. This is an
extraordinarily reasonable price for an interesting
and inclusive trip. Joe Whittington, owner of Oregon
Peak Adventures (and author of this newsletter) is
the trip leader and OPA Guide Tracy Winslow will
assist. Overseas Adventure Travel will be handling
the local arrangements and reservations. They are a
highly regarded and experienced company who have the
connections and volume to provide this trip at an
amazing price.
We have four openings left. To reserve your spot:
Call OAT at 1-800 597-2452, press option #2
Tell the representative you want to book with the
Oregon Peak Adventures trip, Group number G7-20835.
A $500 deposit is required to hold your reservation
OAT can also make flight reservations from your
departure city to Miami if you so wish.
NEPAL
Don Messerschmidt and I are in the early planning
stage for the rescheduled Nepal trip for
September-October 2007. Likely itinerary is a
Nar-Phu trek in the Annapurna area and an optional
climb of Pisang Peak (6,091m/19,978ft.) Then we
would return to Kathmandu where we would be joined
by the rest of our group, who want to see Nepal, but
aren't so hot for the trekking part. After touring
Kathmandu area we plan to go to the
Royal Chitwan National Park for a multi-day
safari. We would then fly back to Kathmandu and
depart Nepal.
Since seeing a book about Angkor Watt in Cambodia
when I was a child, I have wanted to go there. My
plan is to make a side trip to there from Bangkok on
the return trip from Nepal.
Stay tuned for a detailed itinerary and pricing.
Want to Plan a Trip?
If you have a group of folks who would like to go on
a trip, we would be pleased to work with you to put
it together. Most trips end up consisting of a core
of friends and family, with some additional
compatible people.
Often we consider going somewhere cool, but, when
confronted with planning and making the
arrangements, the idea dies and we end-up not ever
going anywhere. So where do you want to go? Send us
an
e-mail or give us a call at 877 965-5100 and we
can discuss it. |
TIPS
THOUGHTS ON SUMMITTING MT. ST. HELENS
This actually applies to most of the somewhat
strenuous outings, but since we're climbing Mt. St.
Helens lately, we'll focus on it.
Conditioning
The Monitor Ridge Route is almost 10 miles round
trip and over 4,000 feet of elevation gain. People
ask what level of conditioning they need to be to
make the climb, and our respose is that of an active
hiker. However, several factors have an effect.
One that is painfully apparent to me is age. While
the ages of our successful summit climbers ranges
from 12 to 72, younger folks do have a deeper level
of strength that they can tap, even if they haven't
been participating in a vigorous conditioning
program. They may not enjoy it, but they will get
away with it. The more senior you are, the more
important it is to maintain your conditioning and
ensure that you do not injure yourself by training
too hard, too soon. We just don't heal as fast as
those youngsters.
Young or not, the most appropriate conditioning
program is the one that most closely matches your
planned activity. For climbing St. Helens, this
means actually climbing and descending. Jogging,
biking, and hiking up and down with a pack are all
good, but the hiking up and down is the best. The
St. Helens climb takes several hours and our one
hour gym workouts, while helpful, will not
completely prepare us for sustained endurance.
People who train on StairMasters, for example, may
do well going up, but their "go-down" muscles have a
rude awakening on the descent. So including a weekly
full day outing with a pack will really help.
We can usually push through tiredness, but muscle
cramps can be a show stopper. Prior conditioning
will help as will making sure you are properly
hydrated and consuming sufficient salt and other
electrolites as you climb. Most of the sport drinks
are good sources. I am partial to the Cyctomax
powder mix.
We believe that a steady pace with hourly breaks to
eat and hydrate is the best way to complete and
enjoy the climb. With the warm weather, we're
finding that three liters is the minimum amount of
fluids required for the St. Helens climb.
Cool Website
I've been looking for an outlet that sells
individual serving packets of jam and other such
items. I was quite excited when I discovered the
Minimus website. Not only do they offer food
items, but travel size toiletries, first aid
supplies, and even those tiny Tabasco bottles. Very
cool. Prices are reasonable and you get no charge
shipping for orders over $20.
Freeze-Dried Food Deal
While we primarily cook fresh food on most of our
trips, when we're going as light as possible, we
will just throw in packages of freeze-dried food for
our meals. A very good deal on these is available
through The Sierra Trading Post for bags of selected
Backpacker's Pantry meals. These are priced at
$45.00 and $59.50. Since these have a long shelf
life, they are also handy to have on hand as
emergency food in disaster situations. Of course,
having a back-up water supply in storage containers
and a heat source will enable you to rehydrate them. |
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