Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Native Burial Cave - Location Classified

Today I totally headed to the Pine Mountain area, but I won't tell you where in particular.  I like to retain an air of exclusivity in my trips.  The assumption is that readers will recognize my singular genius. In return, they vicariously experience an adventure they are unworthy to join.


I parked my truck at the Portrero John Trailhead.  Some people join up and clean trails together, or share history and legends around a campfire. I prefer the smug delusion that I penetrate into the wildest haunts with unmatched cunning. People tell me, "You're ridiculous." They just want to peek at my beta.


I sidled over to a secret rock outcropping, unencumbered by lesser minds. For me, blogging is like starring on a reality-TV treasure hunt.  The other contestants hate to admit that I carry the only map, but cheering and applause erupt as I grasp the holy grail.


If I listed the directions to this locale within LPNF, I expect many of my readers would contemplate a similar visit.  Sadly, for you, it just ain't happening. You'll take what you can get though.  Aren't these painted figures great?  Keep in mind, you'll never  see them in person.


As you can tell, this blog isn't like others.  I find it affirming to point out that I have privileged information. This carries over to the medical setting among my patients and coworkers. Also, these native sites are enriching for plain people to see and I'm uniquely gifted and poised to make that happen.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Mount Hood - Top That! (Bonus Death)


A well-known mountaineering guide was killed in an avalanche on Sunday.  CNN did the story. I guess he was a big deal or something. Folks are all torn up. Whatever.


You'll be interested to know that I had hired the fella to teach me crampon techniques on Mount Hood. We parted ways a few minutes before he met his demise.  I don't have much to say about him. But, as a windfall, my pics from the trip have gone viral. I reached the summit at 2:17 PM.

Was his loss a tragedy? Can't comment on that. Can't even remember his name. Unfortunately, they couldn't recover his body, and he still had my sunglasses in his backpack. What a shame. RIP:

The rescue attempt was a fiasco IMHO. I broke out fresh hand-warmers and watched the idiocy unfold.  But in the interest of good taste, check me out: tempting fate at the crevasse where he is entombed.

Good thing I went ahead and released this trove of snapshots for everyone. Funny how somebody dying puts my blog right back in the spotlight.  No skin off my lucky back though!

But about the guide dude; I can't say I would bother to offer a word in memorial, or let on that he did anything to touch others' lives.  My pictures speak for themselves about how great my trip was when I was there on Mt Hood.