Snow Cat

Snow Cat, originally uploaded by Wooly Biker.

We ride up in the basket on the front of this cat, unless you get lucky and yell "shotgun" soon enough.

Patrol Shack

Patrol Shack, originally uploaded by Wooly Biker.

Avalanche control at Mission Ridge usually consists of getting up at 4 a.m., riding in or on a snow cat or wind blown chairlift in the dark, and arriving at the top frozen stiff. Fortunately, we are blessed to have a new patrol shack which was built with money raised from the annual Steve Burchett Memorial golf tournament. Steve was a patroller who died in an avalanche while doing his job. I never knew Steve, but his memory lives on. I think of him every time I go out to do my job, and sometimes my route takes me next to a cross placed on a rock near where he died. It's a sobbering experience every time. The shack is warm and roomy, and has a tremendous view, except at 6 a.m in the winter. We assemble our packs and charges, discuss the weather conditions leading up to the current morning, and then go do our job. Some days the wind is blowing 30, 40, 50 miles per hour with temps in the low teens. Some mornings are clear and calm. Either way, I love it. We can see the lights of Wenatchee twinkling throught the cold clear air almost 600 feet below us, and I think of my wife and kids still sleeping soundly while I prepare my fist charge. Sometimes it seems almost surreal. The sunrise, the view, the beauty of where I am and what I am doing. It seems even wierder when I get back to my day job at the office and mix in with the rest of the normal world. I usually grin all day long. Not too many people get to start the day like this.

New Years Day Yeti Ride

Yeti Ride, originally uploaded by Wooly Biker.

Well it's almost February, and I'm just now getting around to creating this blog. So the first few posts will be catching up on some adventures I've had in January, starting with the Yeti Ride.

2008 was the First Annual of this ride, and it was quite a success, at least by my modest standards. In about 2 weeks time, myself and a couple of friends were able to create the riide concept, get Yeti t-shirts made, and convince 28 riders to show up for a snow and ice filled mini-adventure. The ride was about 20 miles through mixed terrain. One off-road section held a good amount of cold dry snow and included a fairly steep descent, at least for a winter ride. Most folks had cross bikes or mountain bikes, many sprouting carbide studs. A couple of fixies rounded out the group.

The key to the success of this ride was the promise of hot-buttered rum at he half way point, and we delivered. In fact, we even had a Yeti Girl handing out the styrofoam cups of cold busting brew. The shape of the ride was a lollipop, with the Yeti Girl stationed right at the top of the "stick", so we were actually able to indulge twice. Garlinis Ristorante Italiano hosted us after the ride for homemade chili and cornbread, along with a tasty mug of Pike Brewing Tandem Ale. Craig, the proprietor of this bicyclists haven, was also one of the ride creators and participants.

A fun time was had by all, and the Second Annual is already in the works. What a great way to kick off any Winter blues that might be sneaking up on you.