Let it Snow, then Snow some more

December 15, 2013

Looks like we will be having a white Christmas.

We got out for a hike then a puppy walk yesterday – Cold it was – single numbers. It was just starting to snow as we descended into the mitten cave for mitten naps Saturday night –

We woke up to 18″ of the fluffiest fresh powder you could imagine.

Christmass music, coffee and shoveling.

As I write, the snow has started to pick up again….

UPDATE: 13:17

Still moderate snow – Been shoveling the roof – over 24″ deep.

The rest of the day in pictures…

Snow on the roof

My view while shoveling the roof

So much snow

Sally shovels the deck – Again

Andy Helps

Pretty, but want to avoid Ice dams

Murphy – Helps also

Andy in nap mode with puppy blanket

Here it comes

December 13, 2013

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Nice start to the season so far…

We, and the weather, are inbound…

Beyond Good and Evil

December 6, 2013

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The beauty of mixed climbing –
Thanks to Dane at Cold Thistle for turning me on to this..

Beyond Good and Evil from morgan on Vimeo.

Sparrow

December 4, 2013

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So long little girl. It has been fifteen great years, though tonight it seems but a moment.

Ice Season

December 1, 2013

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For me, started today.

Thin in spots, but climb ready.

10 miles from the house, 10 minutes from the car –

What’s not to love about that.

First Ice from Michael Hassey on Vimeo.

Short Walks

November 30, 2013

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We went back to North Conway this morning with Murphy – more socialization exercises. The little guy was a champ. He walked right along a running diesel locomotive and all sorts of people around the ‘Santa Train’. We went to IME and said hello to Rick – It was while house sitting for Rick around Thirty Three years ago that I met my first golden, Skipper. At that moment I pledged that someday I would have a Golden and a house in the mountains and we would sit in front of the wood fire and survey our domain.

Well, I have a house in the mountains, I just lit the wood stove – I have two Goldens in front of it, am looking out at the last light over the mountains – guess I got what I wanted.

We did the usual hike up to the bathtub – did an ice survey on the way back out – may head back in the AM for an early romp up the practice cliff.

The Bathtub

Cocoa and – you know what (my sigg flask)

Never tire of this view

This perhaps come morning

Here comes the ice. There was NOTHING here last Thursday

The Mitten Mobile is working out great.

Woodstove, mountains with the last light of day

Black Friday

November 29, 2013

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Murphy had another big day out (for a puppy)

A short walk along the swift in the Albany town forest.

Well behaved young man

A natural on the leash

Hugs with Mom

Morning Nap

Look deep into my eyes..

The swift with South Moat

Happy Thanksgiving From MittenStock

November 28, 2013

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Sunrise, Thanksgiving Day at MittenStock

Sleepy Time Dogs,

Next up – Back to the swift at the Albany bridge for a walk with Murphy. It was early, and COLD. Steady 15kt winds and temperatures around 20. We walked up boulder loop a wee bit (to spy on the development of the ice climbing possibilities) but otherwise cut it short – Gentle introductions.
The crowds were light.

No crowds

Cold and swift was the river after all the rain yesterday

Striking a pose

The gate was still open on Dugway

Walking her little man

Mittendom from above

November 24, 2013

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This was from the top of Oak Ridge looking down on mitten hill. If I were on the deck you could see me wave from Mittenstock.

Winter has arrived.

Morning temperatures in the teens and SOLID 30+ Knot gusts – scattered mountain flurries and the feeling that there is no stopping winter now – not that there ever was, or we would ever want to.

Post Card

November 24, 2013

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Sometimes I feel like we walk around in a post-card up here.

Today was Murphy’s first big day out for a lot of things –

We walked up up the swift near the covered bridge where he saw his first stick in water – not that he did much about it more than gaze quizzically.

We drove up to North Conway and parked at the green. This provided and introduction to all manner of exciting things – Old people, tikes in strollers, noises smells, lots of coo’s and pets. He was not phased in the least.

Back at MittenStock tonight he had his first snow. What a nut he was about that.