Weekly Pano: Bell Lake Yurt

I'll post a short TR on this trip later.  But here's the one sentence summary, "Montana was fun."

Our first encounter with Bell Lake

Tucker, one of our guides (former Squaw patroller), getting ready to drop into the "white room."

Toro, Funk, and owner of Bell Lake Yurt, Drew Pogge.  Looking back at the basin with the "green room" in the middle.  

Metres & Funk skinning around Bell Lake.

Double Funk.  

Nick, after a fresh dump, looking back at Bell Lake.  

Metres

Resolutions for 2015 & reviewing 2014

edited from my 2014 list...

at Vincent Arroyo, Nikko loving his crib.

On Going Annual Goals (note, these aren't "resolutions"... rather goals... as I know I won't be able to do all/most of them....)

I did an acceptable job in this category, getting out quite a bit.  Being injury free and having a flexible schedule helped.  

• Do a 1 min handstand
• tag a new 14er (10 of 15 done...)
• 2014: Didn't make it up a new one... but I did make it up Sill again with Nick... but I guess I did go up 2 new ones the year before, so I'll give myself a pass.  
• 2013: Williamson and Tyndall with Scott
• climb Shasta
• This is my first real mountain summit.  And one I've summitted over 20 times.  I still have a lot to learn and gain from this mountain, so I hope to keep on spending time with her.  
• go for 3 summits in a day from Horse camp... when conditions are perfect.
• 2014: Up Hotlum-Wintun with Barrett
• 2013: did it along with Brokeoff in the same day.
• participate in a new (to me) event.
• 2014: La Ruta Loca 200k, Tahoe Sierra 100, and did the davis night brevet for my second time, And the diamond peak uphill/downhill race. 
• 2013: Pt Reyes 200k, 24 hours of Cool, Hopland 400k, Tour of SF uni ride, Del Puerto 200k
• go to Yosemite a few times
• my favorite place... and it's only 3 hours away.  I need to go more.  
• 2014: A quick day trip up the East Butt of El Cap, family trip with Mortons, and Weavers, north peak with Stefan.
• 2013: went a bunch last year...
• go climbing in the Sierras for a weekend
• 2014: E. Butt of El Cap with Nick, Temple to Sill, and Lover's Leap.  
• 2013: Cathedral peak with Scott, Cal Dome with Metres
• do a S24O bike camping trip during the weekday... once a month.  
• get out on the canoe/kayak/surfski... just get out on the water more..
• 2014: manzanita lake, loon lake, red rocks with durbs, commuted via SUP, 
• 2013: russian river, clear lake, manzanita lake
• go travel somewhere...
• 2014: Japan for a month!, Canada for 2 weeks!
• 2013: Thailand
• go on a hut trip
• 2014: perhaps the most striking was the lack of a hut trip... my first time in 10+ years... we did manage to hit up some cabins in the summer time including: Loon Lake Chalet, Sly Guard Cabin, West Point Inn, Yurts at Napa Bothe.  
• 2013: Schneider Hut, Ostrander, Pear Lake, Tuolumne Meadows Hut, Snow Creek Hut

on the Skyline 50k

RUN

didn't get to do a 50 miler as once I was in shape to try one, my ankle started acting up and I couldn't run for a while.  So then I focused on cycling.  But I did get to do the Skyline Trail 50k in Jasper NP, which was a real treat... other highlights include the EB-MUD a thon... which was a lot tougher than I expected.  One thing I really wanted to do was another solo peak bagging trail run like I did up Lyell in 2013.  So I'll add that to my annual goals.

• do a 50 miler
• do a long run in the Sierras.  
• do several longer runs on my list...
• East Bay Skyline, Tam, Ohlone, Skyline to the Sea, Ridge to Bridge, Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne, Tenaya Rim Loop, Big Sur

B, at the finish of the TS100.  That pic describes it all...

BIKE

I didn't get to do a 600k as we had planned, as Sigman and I focused on the Tahoe Sierra 100 mountain bike race.  Which was the toughest race imaginable.  I think the finish rate was something like 30%, and I saw 2 folks go straight to the hospital from the finish line... 

• For 2015, I'd like to go on a bikepacking trip.  I'm eyeing the Steens Mountains.  
• Gonna add do a Wheelie!
• 600k brevet?
• 2014: Nope... not even a 300k.  But the TS100 should count.  Still putting that on the list... doubtful.
• at least 6 centuries... I think I only did 4... alas... let's see if I can do 6 this year.  
• 2014:
• La ruta Loca 200k
• Davis Night Brevet (200k)
• Tahoe Sierra 100
• Mt Hamilton with Sigman 

Summit of Shastas with B

Ski

• 2014 was a meager year, but highlights include: Shasta with Barrett, North Peak with Stefan, Lassen with Metres, two powder days at Sugar Bowl, spending family time and teaching Kai how to ski!  I can't wait get Kai on the snow... 
• Goals for 2015:
• Go on a ski trip!  From now on, I'm planning one ski trip a year.  This year we are headed to Bell Lake Yurt in Montana! 
• And I'm gonna add... go pond skimming... 

photo: tom holub... looks like I have an eye patch.  Arrrrgh!

Uni

• Wasn't very successful in reaching my uni goals.  I think this will come more naturally when Kai starts unicycling.  Which is another goal I just added.  
• new 2015 goal: Teach Kai to Unicycle
• Goals from 2014:
• Wheelwalk 10 ft... yeah I need to work on this... 
• Coker ride up Tam or Hamilton... nope... but I did get on my coker this year. Logging around 200 miles.  
• Get a MUNI & ride it monthly... still working on this... 

The whole fam on Manzanita Lake on Memorial Day.

Kayak/Canoe

• from 2014:
• go on a few thurs night paddles with John B... never did manag to get out.  Did go out to Albany Shoal with Mi-Suk and met up with the folks.  
• get a bomber roll on both sides... not so bomber... need to go on a few more practice rolling sessions
• back deck roll? - nope
• commute to work 12 times.  I think I did it more like 8 times.  Oh well.  

Ski Season....

has begun! and quickly ended... but may come back this weekend... we'll see where the snow levels fall.

here's a quick vid from my first day on snow this year... back in mid-Dec.

Weekly Pano: Donner lake

We went up to Donner Lake twice over the holidays.  Once before X-mas, and once after new years.  And it was beautiful.  For Kim's 15 year anniversary at Environ, she was given a 400$ gift certificate... to anything.  So we got an inflatable SUP.  Which I decided to test out on Donner Lake, during a cold snap.

Shot from the SUP

I love taking night photos here as you have such a nice view from the deck... 

shot precariously from the SUP after taking my gloves off...

another shot... edited a bit... and oversaturated...

Another great day at Donner Lake

sunset

Morning SUP session... you have to be pretty confident that you won't fall in...