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Mt. Defiance,
Columbia River Gorge |
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"You want to do what!? I asked, when Bob, my colleague and good friend, asked me to go with him on a hike up Mt. Defiance. I knew that Mt. Defiance was the training spot for mountaineers training for a climb up Mt. Hood from Timberline Lodge. It had the same elevation gain and distance as the summit climb on Hood, with the only difference being overall elevation.
Being directly south of Dog Mountain, you climb steadily up 4800 feet in approximately 5.5 miles. Depending on how much weight you would like to bring along with you, this hike is sure to bring out some perspiration.
We decided early to tackle the mountain counter clockwise, coming down Starvation Ridge. Waterfalls graced our hike as we began the ascent.
Mid way up, we took a short break. Given the fact that we were in the deep woods, there was a lack of wind, hence the heat of the day was taking it's toll.
After breaking free from the main forest, the views opened up and the grand scale of this mountain came to light. Even from this modest elevation, you could see all the major mountains to the north.
The focus used in climbing hard makes time seem strangely warped. What appeared to be an hour climbing made the large Columbia River appear the size of a small spring.
We topped out to find the expected towers that hummed and buzzed with the summit breeze. They were there it seemed, to obstruct the majesty of this place. The views that were available were simply breath taking.
Even the 1600 foot Wind Mountain seemed like a mole hill from this vantage point as I thought it appropriate to break out some cheese and crackers with dried salami.
I lay in the sun for a while, drying off sweaty socks while working on some kind of a tan. Not especially wanting to go home, I lounged for some time while Bob was out scouting views. I always get the feeling, when alone on a mountain peak, that I want to stay there, to be there for a time longer than planned. Today was no different.
Time was wearing on and the moment of descent was here. We headed down to the Starvation Ridge trail and passed by beautiful Warren Lake. This could be quite the camp site in the winter with no one around to interrupt the solitude and peace it provided.
We dropped elevation fast, very fast actually. Somewhere along the trail, Bob's wallet fell out of the pocket of his pack. We were a little to wiped out to go look for it since we had no idea when he lost it.
On the way down, the views were just as magnificent as on the way up, the look of the gorge from the vantage points that were provided, left a lasting impression in my noggin.
Postscript: Once back at the car, a stranger approached us and asked if we had lost a wallet. Indeed the kindness of strangers was another grand experience I enjoyed today as it does not happen that often, it seems. |
