Snow time is coming

We're about to have our first real snowy storm starting tomorrow, and I can't be more excited. I think on saturday Michelle and I are going to drive to Stevens pass and take a little hike into the forest and enjoy the storm, maybe venture to Leavenworth. Then Sunday I plan to head out for some touring, and see what the storm dropped.

Last night I met the leader of my ski trip, in February, through the Bonnington Range in British Columbia.
View Larger Map This will be my first multi-day touring trip where we'll be out for seven days and stay in four different huts. I'll be joined on the trip with Matt and Claire, friends of mine. We managed to pick up all the available slots for the trip so that should make it fun. The leader, Craig, is really cool and seems to do adventuresome stuff for a living. I don't know how he manages, but I'm impressed. The trip will be some work, but not as tiresome as something like a Rainier climb. It's all very dependent on weather and avalanche conditions, but for the the sake of discussion, we'll wish the best.

In talking to Craig about the trip he pulled out a book, that instantly became my holy grail, Summits & Icefields: Columbia Mountains by Chic Scott
It is amazing and has terrain, and trips that I'd never dreamed of. I plan on asking for it for Xmas, would make a good stocking stuffer based on it's small size and reasonable price of 14.95.

Oh, also, I picked up my pictures from Alaska, and a hike at Mt. Baker with Michelle and Rubie, and while I haven't uploaded all of them to Picasa yet, there's some to look at. I think you can click on the slideshow to make it full screen.