The Adventure Guys - Archives for: October 2007

The inside story on outside recreation

Tuesday, October 30th, 2007

Posted by Jeff Mayor @ 03:02:55 pm

recreational crab fishing will reopen Thursday in several parts of Puget Sound. Starting at sunrise, Marine Areas 6 (eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca), 9 (Admiralty Inlet), 10 (Seattle/Bremerton), 11 (Tacoma/Vashon) and 12 (Hood Canal) will reopen for sport crabbing seven days a week through Jan. 2.
Crab fishing also will remain open seven days a week through Jan. 2 in areas 4 (Neah Bay), 5 (Sekiu), and 13 (south Puget Sound).
Two other marine areas, 8-1 and 8-2 east of Whidbey Island, will reopen for crab fishing on a daily basis Nov. 22-25 during the Thanksgiving holiday.

For the full story:

Categories: Adventure Guys

Sunday, October 28th, 2007

Enumclaw mother and daughter work hard for their turns

Posted by Craig Hill @ 11:43:16 pm

Of the dozens of people I talked to for this year's Snow Ride Guide, I think I was most impressed with Christine Barnhart, a 44-year-old single mother from Enumclaw. She showed extraordinary initiative to get her daughter into snowboarding.

While I was able to tell you a little bit about her and her daughter in today's paper, they are worth a few more words. Here's a little passage that didn't make it into the section. (The picture is by Peter Haley)

CHRISTINE AND NATASHA BARNHART
Ski shop saleswoman and lodge cafeteria worker
Ages: 44 and 16.

As a single mom, Christine Barnhart knew she was going to have to be creative if she was going to introduce her daughter, Natasha, to snowboarding.
“I don’t know if I would be able to give her fun like this with a single income,” said Barnhart, a Federal Aviation Administration receptionist.
So the Barnharts of Enumclaw figured out how to ski for free at Crystal Mountain. Barnhart got a job as a ski shop saleswoman, while her daughter started as a bus girl in the lodge cafeteria.
“I only skied four days all season, but I met my objective of introducing her to the sport,” Barnhart said. “And now she’s hooked.”
But the Barnharts got more out of the experience than just free lift tickets.
Natasha got her first job. “That was wonderful for her,” Barnhart said. “She did well.”
Natasha worked her way up from busing tables to dishwasher to prep cook. By spring, she was making 50 cents more per hour than her mom and didn’t mind rubbing it in.
“Obviously I wasn’t doing this for the money,” Barnhart said.
Natasha saved her money and used it for spending cash on a five-week school exchange trip to Germany.
“Working at Crystal was a great first job,” said Natasha, a junior at Enumclaw High. “I can’t wait to go back this year.”
Natasha had never snowboarded before last winter, but Crystal offered her free lessons to get her started.
Another perk for Barnhart was driving to the mountain together, her daughter captive in the passenger seat for more than a hour.
“That time was nice,” she said. “Pretty rare when you have a teenager.”

Categories: Craig Hill, Adventure Guys, Skiing/Snowboarding

Wednesday, October 24th, 2007

State record pink salmon

Posted by Jeff Mayor @ 10:45:27 am

Adam Stewart, a 19-year-old angler from Arlington, now holds the state record for the largest pink salmon caught in state waters. The state Department of Fish and Wildlife made the announcement Tuesday.

Adam Stewart holds the 15.4-pound pink salmon he caught Oct. 11 on the lower Stillaguamish River. The fish is the new state record for largest pink salmon caught in freshwater.

Stewart caught the 15.4-pound salmon Oct. 11 on the lower Stillaguamish River in Snohomish County, and immediately had its weight certified at a grocery store in Arlington.
The fish was 31 inches long, with a girth of 24.75 inches, said Don Rothaus, a state fish biologist.
The previous state record was a 14.86-pound pink salmon caught in the Skykomish River in 2001. That fish currently holds the world record as determined by the International Game Fish Association.
While Stewart’s 15.4-pound fish claimed the state record for a pink salmon caught in freshwater, an 11.56-pound fish caught off Possession Point in 2001 still holds the state title for the largest pink salmon caught in saltwater.

Categories: Jeffrey P. Mayor, Fishing, Adventure Guys

Tuesday, October 23rd, 2007

Forest Road 24 to close

Posted by Jeff Mayor @ 02:59:04 pm

Olympic National Forest officials this afternoon announced that Forest Service Road 24 will be closed to all public access, including foot traffic, beginning Nov. 1. The road is the main access point for the popular Staircase area of the Olympic National Park.
The gated closure, located just beyond the Mount Rose subdivision, is necessary because of the 2006 Bear Gulch II fire. The blaze burned about 1,200 acres directly above the road. The closure is necessary to prevent accidents from rock and debris slides expected throughout the winter rainy season.
Due to the steep topography, this section of road typically experiences debris and rock fall, requiring routine cleanup and maintenance. However, the fire increased the amount of debris significantly – sometimes resulting in boulders the size of small cars tumbling down the hillside.
This winter, an assessment team will continue to evaluate conditions, monitor slope stability and track debris accumulations. This information will be used to determine if the road should be closed again next winter.
The Forest Service plans to reopen the road on April 1.

Categories: Adventure Guys

Monday, October 22nd, 2007

Razor clam dig gets OK

Posted by Jeff Mayor @ 03:11:01 pm

Clam diggers this afternoon got the go-ahead to proceed with the first razor clam dig of the fall season that kicks off Thursday.
Four evening digs are scheduled at Twin Harbors Thursday through Sunday, while Long Beach, Copalis and Mocrocks are scheduled for two evening digs Friday and Saturday.
The state Department of Fish and Wildlife approved the digs at the four beaches after a series of marine toxin tests confirmed the clams were safe to eat.
Kalaloch Beach in Olympic National Park will remain closed throughout the 2007-08 season because of low clam population on that beach.

Categories: Jeffrey P. Mayor, Fishing, Adventure Guys

Thursday, October 18th, 2007

Historic cabin in storage

Posted by Craig Hill @ 06:01:35 pm

The historic Ipsut Creek Cabin is currently in storage in Ashford.

Mount Rainier National Park Superintendent Dave Uberuaga says the cabin was dismantled log by log after flooding devasted the ground the cabin stands on.

Uberuaga says the park is still trying to decide what to do with the cabin. It could return to the campground at a higher location or it could be reassembled at the Carbon River entrance.

(Photo courtesy of Mount Rainier National Park)

Categories: Craig Hill, Mount Rainier, Adventure Guys

Spanish parks Web site

Posted by Jeff Mayor @ 04:41:41 pm

The National Park Service has launched a new Spanish language Web site.
The site contains suggested activities, maps, information, videos and interviews. It was developed in partnership with the Arthur Carhart National Wilderness Training Center and the University of Montana’s Wilderness Institute.
The site provides details about the country’s 702 designated wilderness areas and their significance. Part of the “Views of National Parks” program, it allows visitors to take virtual tours of magnificent public lands including rain forests, swamps, glaciers, caves, deserts and tundra.
The website was commissioned by the Interagency Wilderness Policy Council, consisting of representatives from the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and U.S. Geological Survey.
You can find the site at: http://www.nature.nps.gov/views/index_wilderness_sp.htm#

Categories: Mount Rainier, Adventure Guys

Wednesday, October 17th, 2007

Grove of the Patriarchs bridge

Posted by Jeff Mayor @ 04:31:00 pm

The suspension bridge leading to the Grove of the Patriarchs in Mount Rainier National Park has been repaired. The bridge was washed out in the floods that devastated the park nearly a year ago. The grove is a popular destination in the park's southeast corner.

The Grove of the Patriarchs trail bridge over the Ohanapecosh River has been repaired.

If you're coming from the South Sound, you'll need to go through Packwood to reach this corner of the park. Crews continue to work on Stevens Canyon Road, and it is unlikely the road will reopen until next spring.

Categories: Jeffrey P. Mayor, Mount Rainier, Adventure Guys

Tuesday, October 16th, 2007

2008 federal duck stamp

Posted by Jeff Mayor @ 03:37:40 pm

Joe Hautman of Plymouth, Minn., was named over the weekend the winner of the 75th annual Federal Duck Stamp competition. His painting of a pintail pair nestled in a grassy marsh earned him is third winning entry.

Joe Hautman of Plymouth, Minn., won the 75th annual Federal Duck Stamp competition with this painting of a pintail pair nestled in a grassy marsh.

Second place went to Harold Roe, of Sylvania, Ohio, and third place went to Scot Storm of Freeport, Minn.
Hautman’s winning painting will be featured on the 2008-2009 federal duck stamp, which will go on sale in late June 2008. Federal Duck Stamp sales raise about $25 million each year to fund wetland habitat acquisition for the National Wildlife Refuge system.
To learn more go to: www.ducks.org

Categories: Jeffrey P. Mayor, Hunting, Adventure Guys

Razor clams and domoic acid

Posted by Jeff Mayor @ 03:04:42 pm

Preliminary tests show the four beaches set to open for the first razor clam dig of the season, beginning Oct. 25, have low levels of domoic acid.
All four beaches, Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks, had acid levels less than 1 part per million when test Oct. 8. The state closes beaches to digging when levels reach 20 ppm.
This was the first of two rounds of testing required by the state Department of Health for each razor clam opener.
Results from the final round of razor clam samples to be tested should be available by Monday.
Four nights of digging are scheduled at Twin Harbors Oct. 25-28, while Long Beach, Copalis and Mocrocks are scheduled for two evening digs Oct. 26 and 27.
Updated domoic acid information is available at
wdfw.wa.gov/fish/shelfish/razorclm/levels/levels.htm.

Categories: Jeffrey P. Mayor, Fishing, Adventure Guys

Search for missing hikers has happy ending

Posted by Craig Hill @ 10:57:42 am

A search for two overdue hikers ended shortly after it began Monday afternoon when the hikers emerged from the woods under their own power.
Adam Martin and Sakura Pressly of Olympia did not return Sunday from a day hike in Olympic National Park.
Rescuers from the park service and Mason County Search and Rescue launched a search on foot and by helicopter Monday afternoon. Martin and Pressly walked out to the Whitehorse Creek Trailhead at 5 p.m.
The experienced hikers in their early 20s were hiking in the Lake of the Angels-Mount Stone area on the eastern boundary of Olympic National Park.
Martin and Pressly said they were tired and hungry, but in good condition, according to a statement released by the park.

Categories: Hiking, Search and Rescue, Olympic National Park

Wednesday, October 10th, 2007

Web cam catches ghost at Paradise?

Posted by Craig Hill @ 10:49:25 pm

Check out this picture I snagged off Mount Rainier National Park's Paradise web cam last night.

At first glance, the camera seems to have captured a ghost hovering above the trees. More likely, however, this is a wormhole to another dimension.

Jeff e-mailed park superintendent Dave Uberuaga this morning to get an explanation.

Uberuaga will likely tell us it's something like light reflecting off a rain drop on the camera lens. You now, typical government cover-up stuff.

Click below to read the response Jeff got from the park's spokeswoman .

=> Read more!

Categories: Craig Hill, Mount Rainier, Adventure Guys

Sand, surf and orgasms?

Posted by Craig Hill @ 12:46:13 pm

Why do Washington surfers love Al Perlee so much?

Well, I found out during a recent visit to his Westport surf shop.

Perlee is a surfing legend and a beach philosopher incapable of giving a straight answer to the simplest of questions.

I found this out when I stepped into The Surf Shop last month to meet the former Stanford football player.

“When did you open this place,” I asked the massive man.

“I don’t remember,” he said.

No way I was buying that. “You own the state’s most famous surf shop. How can you not remember? You went to Stanford?”

“What was the date of your first orgasm?” Perlee asked.

OK, I gotta admit I didn’t see that one coming.

“I think you’ll agree that an orgasm is just about the best thing there is, right?” Perlee said. “If you can’t remember the date of your first orgasm, how can you expect me to remember the date of something as ordinary as opening a business.”

OK, next question.

I wanted to talk to Big Al’s son for a story on Westport Surfing, but when I asked for Dane’s number Big Al said, “no.”

Typically, I’d gracefully bow out at that point but I had a feeling Big Al was about to enlighten me again. So, I pressed a little bit.

“These things need to happen naturally,” Big Al said. “I didn’t ask you to come do a story on me and my business. You found me and that’s the way it should be. He might talk to you, but you have to find him on your own. That’s the way it should be.

“If he wanted to talk to you, he would have found you by now.”
Why does everybody love Big Al?

I think that question goes without asking.

Categories: Craig Hill, Surfing, Adventure Guys

Saving an owl from deep poop

Posted by Craig Hill @ 12:16:43 pm

WARNING DON'T VIEW THE PICTURE IN THIS POST WHILE EATING

My 6-year-old son, Alexander, and I just got off the trail in Umatilla National Forest when he headed to the nearest vault toilet to take care of a little business.

About 10 seconds after he entered the outhouse, I heard a scream.
"Dad," Alex hollered as he ran outside. "There's something in the toilet and it has cat eyes."

Thinking a raccoon must have gotten himself into a stinky predicament, I grabbed my camera, flung up the lid and took this picture.

As you can see, it's not a raccoon at all. It's a weary owl that certainly would have died if it wasn't discovered. Talk about a crappy way to go.

If I was cheesy, I might tell you that the owl was too tired to say "Poo." But I'm not, so I won't. (But I already did.)

We told a hunter camping near the toilet who helped Alex try to fish out the owl with a rake. The hunter sent the message along to the forest service and, the last we heard, rangers were dispatched for the rescue.

As for Alex, I told him he was a hero for discovering the owl. He spared the owl from being splattered with more indignity by taking his business outside to the nearest bush.

Categories: Craig Hill, Hiking, Adventure Guys

The Adventure Guys

We admit it. We've got great jobs. How many people get told by their bosses to go out and play? We write about those experiences each Thursday in The News Tribune’s Adventure section. But there's always more to the story. Here, Craig Hill and Jeffrey P. Mayor will share the inside stories on their adventures - including their misadventures - plus post news and answer your questions.

CRAIG HILL

Craig Hill is The News Tribune’s injury-prone Adventure writer. After eight years covering college football and basketball, he started writing about adventure sports in 2004. He writes about everything from mountaineering and cycling to skiing and camping. You can reach him at craig.hill@thenewstribune.com

JEFFREY P. MAYOR

Jeffrey P. Mayor has been The News Tribune’s Adventure editor since 2003, and oversees our weekly Adventure section. His coverage focuses on fishing, hunting, Mount Rainier and the state Department of Fish and Wildlife. You can reach him at jeff.mayor@thenewstribune.com