Frankly, I spend way too much of my time sitting behind my desk.  There are many hours each week devoted to client meetings, economic and securities research, reading and listening to financial, business and economic news, and portfolio design. But hey, there is more to life than work.

So, while I was in the Portland, Oregon area visiting clients in early October, I took a day to go hiking up on Mt. Hood – one of the numerous volcanoes in the Cascade Range and the highest peak in Oregon.

Early in the day, I had my doubts about the trip as it was overcast and drizzly in Portland.  In fact, it was that way for the whole drive up to Mt. Hood until I finally broke above the clouds on the road to Timberline Lodge.

Never having hiked on Mount Hood, I just threw on my pack and started up the mountain on a trail that took off from the parking area near Timberline Lodge that looked like it might work.  Well, from a technical perspective, this trail was easy, but the whole thing was one long, steady uphill grind.

I think I ended up around 8000+ feet (about 2440 meters) or so, well above all of the ski lifts but one, just below the end of the summer snow line, and way ABOVE the tree line. The terrain up high on the mountain becomes almost lunar like. Once one gets well above timberline, there is very little vegetation. You’ll see some grasses, moss, lichens, and other little plants but not much else.

Mt. Hood is considered a dormant volcano, but not extinct by any means. From the numerous volcanic boulders and the volcanic soil, the last eruption in the 1860s must have been quite a firey spectacle.

Another quality that was really interesting was that this high on the mountain, the sky is just freakishly deep blue as you look upward. There is no polarizer on in any of the photos in this post. In fact, I rarely use a polarizer while shooting.

The too many days in the office were finally beginning take their toll on my wind, and my heels – blisters. I had found some really interesting, huge volcanic boulders and decided it was time for lunch and a major break.

After some much needed altitude acclimation, food, and rest, I climbed on a bit higher. There really wasn’t much point in pushing on too much farther because I was getting closer the to point where the hike would turn into a more technical climb. And I just didn’t have the equipment for that.

This hike was up the south facing side of the mountain which gets full summer sun, so the bigger snowfields and glaciers are all of the north side of Hood.

I am fairly sure I injured my lungs by breathing in too much of this incredibly clean air. 😉 By now my heels were killing me – took off a few skin layers with some nice, deep blisters. Too much walking straight up hill can do that.

Well, I decided that it was time to head down the mountain as it was a fairly long drive back to Portland, and their afternoon traffic isn’t particularly fun. Hopefully, you have enjoyed my story about the experience on Mt. Hood. This is definitely a hike I would do again, but next time with perhaps a bit more prep work first.

So, the day that had started so tenuously had turned into an absolutely stunning experience!

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog. And remember, work is needed, but don’t forget to stop and smell the clean air.