Up Up Up

If you're keeping score, the end of Summer 2006 went like this:

Hangover 2
Hike 0

Well, third time was the charm. And following is the proof.

You can read along with us in your browser.


And so it begins.




This is the easy part.




Our heroes:




Robo-Kotti & Gweinz...




Robs & Trevs...




...and the conspicuous 5th wheel.




Onward!




Trevs, unaware what he's signed up for...




...but admirably game.




I like this photo.




Robs, first to crest Bear...




...and her wake.




Gweinz, hold still.
There's something in your pack.




Mini Nerd wuz 'ere.




Boom, lookin' lonely.




Top of Boom, lookin' naked.




Not sure what these are...




... but these are alpine flowers.




First leg complete!




And the motley crew still spoilin' for it.




Bring it on!




'Cuz we gots da goods...




...and Mini gots a woody.




Second leg underway.




It's all uphill from here.




You know I wanted to go in there.




But smarter heads prevailed.




So up Snake Ridge we went.




Here's a mountain woman in her natural habitat.




And here's a mountain insect.
(Note the prominent proboscis.)




Now we gotta climb this.




Gweinz: See y'all later.

Robs: Er--




Kotti/Trevs: We'll stay right here, thanks.




Mini: Guys, check this view!




Here's where it gets interesting.




Gweinz: See y'all later.




Mini: Slow down and pose, dammit!




Kotti: You coming?

Mini: Sec, I need a shot of this
loose shale I can't keep a grip on.




Photo showdown!!!
Trevs: of Robs.




Robs: of Trevs.




Trevs: of Mini.




Robs: of Trevs.




Trevs: of two random hikists.




He even pulled this one off.
Don't ask me how.




Robs: I win!




Trevs: Let's take this outside.




Random hikists make their escape.




Trevs pursues, eager for more photos.




As intense as it looks.




Ditto.




Robo-Kotti struts the scree like a catwalk,
showing off her elegant modified gams.




Yeah, it's pretty frickin' cool up here.




The final leg.




Another leg.




Gweinz: See y'all later.
(Spot the red backpack.)




Lofty ideals.




The top!

And here's who we did it for:

John Latt, rest in peace.




My Oma and Opa's ashes are here too.




The other crew, who went the easy way.




See, my photos were better.




The ladies love the foot.




Top right is where we are.




But it's time to go.




Trevs attends to business.




Not to be outdone, Robs throws
her, um...hat...into the ring.




Let's call it a draw!




And onward to the finale.




Now, this may look pretty tame.




But really, it's not.




Hence, my pose.




'Cuz I am here.




This photo could have been better.




This sure looks like ammonite to me.




And this, like a UFO crash site.




And this, a father and daughter
arguing about how much to offer
for the prime alpine real estate.




But I'm funny that way.




And for the record...




We took the easy way down.



EPILOGUE

Every time I biked this summer, I wanted to go for a swim.

I finally got my wish, but no bikes were involved.


So here's the spot.




It's pretty nice.




The gang's all here.




Including conspicuous 5th wheel.




Trevs considers a plunge.




Gweinz considers a shove.




Wyle E. leads the way.




Mini stops to smell the roses.




Trevs and Chibi pull up the rear.




Gweinz opts to stay dry.




Mini does not.




Neither do Robs or Trevs.




But Robs found the water too warm.




Though Trevs enjoyed another dip.




And 5th wheel made manifest his isolation.




Walter.




The diving board.




The way back.




Kotti's friend.




Some hooligans.



THE END