Dan's Outside

I go, I see, I do, I walk, I think, I like…

Aspen Grove and Bird Feeders

AspensBirdFeeders2006|07|03: Aspen Grove and Bird Houses. Lee Vining Canyon, California. July 3, 2006. © "copyright g dan mitchell". ("sales") keywords: lee vining canyon california aspen grove bird houses grass sierra nevada black and white photograph

Aspen Grove and Bird Houses. Lee Vining Canyon, California. July 3, 2006. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell. (Sales)

The story: Lee Vining Canyon is, not surprisingly, in the canyon above the eastern Sierra town of Lee Vining. The canyon contains extensive groves of aspen trees including this small stand near the Aspen campground. I had driven past it more than once without noticing that it is filled with many unique and colorful bird houses. There is no indication of who put them there or why.
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December 9, 2006 Posted by | Sierra Nevada | Comments Off on Aspen Grove and Bird Feeders

Dusk, Fletcher Meadow

VogelsangDuskBW2006|09|11: Dusk, Fletcher Meadow. Yosemite National Park. September 11, 2006. © "copyright g dan mitchell". ("sales") keywords: fletcher lake meadow vogelsang high sierra camp dusk sunset mount conness tuolumne meadows yosemite national park california black and white photograph

Dusk, Fletcher Meadow. Yosemite National Park. September 11, 2006. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell. (Sales)

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December 8, 2006 Posted by | Yosemite | Comments Off on Dusk, Fletcher Meadow

John Muir

“After listening to it in all kinds of winds night and day, season after season, I think I could approximate to my position on the mountain by this pine-music alone.”
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December 7, 2006 Posted by | Commentary | Comments Off on John Muir

Outlet Pond, Fletcher Lake

FletcherLakePond2006|09|11: Outlet Pond, Fletcher Lake. Yosemite National Park, California. September 11, 2006. © "copyright g dan mitchell". ("sales") keywords: fletcher lake outlet pond sunset grass water trees rocks yosemite national park backcountry california color photograph

Outlet Pond, Fletcher Lake. Yosemite National Park, California. September 11, 2006. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell. (Sales)

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December 7, 2006 Posted by | Yosemite | Comments Off on Outlet Pond, Fletcher Lake

Google Directions: Grants Pass to Gold Beach, OR

The directions…
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December 6, 2006 Posted by | Commentary | Comments Off on Google Directions: Grants Pass to Gold Beach, OR

Mission Peak and Mount Diablo

MissionAndDiablo2006|09|02: Mission Peak and Mount Diablo. September 2, 2006. © "copyright g dan mitchell". ("sales") keywords: mission peak mount diablo ridge brown golden grass rocks blue sky clouds california san francisco bay area color photograph

Mission Peak and Mount Diablo. September 2, 2006. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell. (Sales)

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December 4, 2006 Posted by | Mission Peak | Comments Off on Mission Peak and Mount Diablo

A Second Non-Trip Report

Earlier I mentioned that I decided not to hike to the top of Mission Peak for the sunrise on Saturday after getting up at 4:15 a.m., checking the Bay Area weather forecast discussion, and reading about 40-50 mph winds along this ridge.

It turns out there was a repeat performance of these conditions on Sunday. Once again, I woke up and 4:15, checked the weather report, and decided that being on the summit at sunrise in 50 mph winds and near freezing temperatures might not be such a great idea… especially since my primary reason was to capture more summit sunrise photographs. In late November I photographed the summit at sunrise in a freezing gale that was blowing so hard that I had to hang my pack from the tripod to keep my camera from blowing away. I hear that even some Mission Peak veterans hiked to the ridge and decided to forego the summit this past weekend.

UPDATE: And now I see that Tom Mangan (of Two-Heel Drive fame) did hike to the summit this weekend. Go, Tom!
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December 4, 2006 Posted by | Commentary | Comments Off on A Second Non-Trip Report

For Weather Geeks Only

The Mammoth Dweeb Report posts a link to a technical discussion of factors that may affect upcoming winter conditions in the Sierra and elsewhere.
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December 2, 2006 Posted by | Commentary | Comments Off on For Weather Geeks Only

From the Discretion is the Better Part of Valor Department

I was planning on another pre-dawn climb of Mission Peak this morning, but when I got up at 4:00 a.m. it was windy… and my place down in the sheltered confines of Silicon Valley. Judging from the weather discussion I just saw, I think I made the right choice:

GUSTY WINDS HAVE DEVELOPED OVER THE EAST BAY
HILLS WITH SEVERAL LOCATIONS IN THE OAKLAND HILLS GUSTING FROM 40
TO 50 MPH THIS MORNING.

50mph winds on December 2 at dawn on Mission Peak create pretty nasty conditions, to say the least. Perhaps I’ll work up the courage to try again tomorrow morning!
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December 2, 2006 Posted by | Commentary | Comments Off on From the Discretion is the Better Part of Valor Department

Morning, Mission Ridge

MorningMissionRidgeBW2006|10|28: Morning, Mission Peak Ridge. October 28, 2006. © "copyright g dan mitchell". ("sales") keywords: mission peak park ridge rocks oak trees sunlight grass california san francisco bay area black and white photograph

Morning, Mission Peak Ridge. October 28, 2006. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell. (Sales)

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December 1, 2006 Posted by | Mission Peak | Comments Off on Morning, Mission Ridge

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