My summer, the wrap-up

[Chris Kouba]

I didn't exactly post a lot more pictures along the way (though some people got some through emails) but I thought I'd share a few on the web.

The summary:
Left Phoenix 6/6, returned 9/3
Distance: over 8,950 miles driven through 6 states and 1 province
Mountains: attempted 13, summited 8, 2 ski descents
Rock-star band gigs: 3
Miles kayaked: 36
Distance mountain biked: 140 miles
Nights “outdoors”: 23 (plus 3 more in the Suburban)
Reece’s Peanut Butter Cups consumed: 124
Sleeves of Chips Ahoy (cookies) eaten: 34
Hottest summer on record in AZ: 2007
# of times I wished I was back in Phoenix: ZERO!!!

Most of all there are three people I would like to say a hearty "THANKS!" to for their hospitality throughout the summer, one of whom I reconnected with a year or two ago through the forum. They are my buddy Pete in Portland and Tim Dutton (T.), who posts as crossle43, and his wife Donna who gave me a place to crash at the gateway to the North Cascade. I cannot thank them enough for the gracious gift of their hospitality. I even had home-cooked meals on an incredibly regular basis (basically whenever I wasn't in the hills) when staying with Tim and Donna. A huge thanks for making my summer fantastic and memorable!

On with the pics if you're interested. Mostly from the North Cascades and several from the BC coast range (Mt Waddington specifically). I hope you enjoy. It's a fantastic world!!

Chris

PS - Just realized I attached a LOAD of pics. Admins - please feel free to delete some if it's too much bandwidth.

 

[David Morton]

Chris.
Just absolutely blown away!
How fabulous that was and how lucky you are.
Envy here,
Dave M

 

[Bill D]

Awesome!! I'm truly envious!

 

[frank beuker]

WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[David Marx]

As I sit at my desk looking at your fabulous pictures I am in awe. I think I am an adventurer doing snowboard, scuba or mountain biking trips, now I realize I am just a tourist, not an adventurer. Well done!

 

[Ian Anderson]

Fantastic pictures and obviously a brilliant place to be outdoors.

What a holiday and I bet you never found that in a brochure!

Ian

 

[Neal]

Great stuff Chris. Definitely the Northwest at it's best. Sorry I didn't get you out in the 40. Let me know if you are in the area and we'll hit the single track!

 

[Chris Kouba]

Hey guys,

Phenominal people and fantastic places. I feel incredibly lucky to be able to get out and enjoy them and post the pics to share the experience. They are magical moments.

A rough list of where the pics are taken:
1-3 Ice Cliff Glacier on Mt Stuart, Leavenworth, WA
4,5 Frenchmen's Coulee, Vantage, WA
6-10 Columbia River, from Portland, OR to Longview, WA
11-16 Eldorado Peak, N Cascades Nat'l Park, Marblemount, WA
17-19 Mt Triumph, N Cascades again
20-24 Black Peak, N Cascades
25-37 Mt Waddington, Claw Peak, Dragonback Peak, Serra One; Waddington Range, British Columbia

And the last pic (below), the incredibly generous Tim and Donna with me just before I left to head back to Phoenix. Another heartfelt thanks guys!

It was a magical summer and I got to go many cool places, which only made me realize I have many MORE cool places to go now. Also, some routes I got onto I didn't get up, and some that I wanted to get on I never got in to, so there's always something to come back for in the NW!

Neal- Yeah, too bad we didn't connect but as you can see I was a little busy. I am looking to get back up there permanently in the next year or two though, so I'd imagine our paths will cross.

David (Marx)- Everyone finds their own thrills. Sounds like you've found yours. Enjoy the crap out of it!

 

[Rob]

WOW.... AWESOME man totally AWESOME...!!!! Not much more I can say....

 

[Dalton Veitch]

You bastard! Just when I was feeling reasonably happy sitting at my desk working, you have to post incredible adventure photos and make me feel my life is wasted. If I ever get up a mountain I'll throw myself off.

Dalton

 

[Dutton]

Chris,

Thanks for another look at a few great pics from those memorable trips… remember those ‘fast’ downloads after you returned from the hills? It’s a shame that the entire collection can’t be posted here, because you brought home so many great shots from each successive trip. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if a few of those shots, which were simply incredible, are found in a climbing magazine or on the cover of REI’s next catalog. By the way, what was the final picture count?

The summer was a lot more fun for us with your between-climb visits (not to mention the eating was better when Donna knew you’d be ‘home for dinner’). Next visit we’ll have a finished 40 at our disposal to make those just-before-dinner trips into town much… quicker!

It was a bit sad watching you and Bethany head out the driveway for the last time as you pointed the big black beast towards Arizona. How you got all that gear into the rig still amazes me. Speaking of which, the garage is really big now.

It was great having you around this summer, Chris. There’s always room when you’re in town.

Best,

T.

 

[Gary Kadrmas]

Chris,

Thank you so much for sharing your adventures and photographs on the forum. It is an uplifting experience to view your efforts. I could not imagine trying to rock climb.

It is also a refreshing break to see someone with talent and skill, to be able to take on such a challenge and come back with something that can be shared with others.

Hopefully, on your next extended summer vacation, my health will allow me to take in a gig or two. I really wanted to listen to your band play. But I am glad we were able to meet each other at Hooters for lunch that day. I enjoyed it.

By all means, please keep us informed on future travels, and thanks again for sharing you pictures and stories of your summer vacation!!!