15 days

Just finished a 15day rafting and mountaineering course with 8 16-18year old boys and my co-instructor John. One week on the river and one in the beautiful Mt Jefferson wilderness (a first for all of us) was a great way to finish my season of work here in oregon with lots of lake swimming, a summit of Goat peak and some dusty trails. I am now just waiting for a local mechanic to put my van back together so I can drive to the other side of the mountains and hang out with whitney for a bit before heading to the north cascades (washington) and some sea kayaking in the san juan islands. The busy part of my year is over and life is beginning to look more and more exciting.

Trying not to hike to close to the students as they kick up dust on the trail.
The storm that followed us for a couple of hours before finally breaking right over our heads resulting in a bit of time in "lightning drill"
Jumping onto the summit of jefferson. I went up to scout the route on Goat peak and spent some time messing around
Solo debrief at table lake. We managed to squeeze a 38hr solo into the mountain section.
John hiding a snickers bar from the students at our high bivy before the summit day
Sunset and moon rise over the cascades (front to back - three finger jack, mt washington, the sisters and broken top)
on the summit of goat peak just after sunrise. (mt jefferson in the background)

A short trip to Australia

Now at the end of my 9 days off it actually feels like quite a long time. One day relaxing in Bend with Whitney and some friends and then I was on the plane to WA. It was great to be back in Australia noticing the differences, meat pies instead of corndogs, the size of a large coffee etc. The main purpose of the visit was to see Anna and Nick who recently got married and who I had not seen in 3 years with the added bonus of seeing my mum for a couple of days. Anna and Nick soon whisked me out of Perth and down to their house in Cowaramup near Margeret River. It was a great few days relaxing, walking on the beach, catching up, swimming (briefly) and a little fishing. I then jumped back on the plane and managed a day and half climbing before starting work in an hours time. Next up I am heading out to instruct a 15day rafting and mountaineering course................

Me being allowed to drive the boat while Anna pretends not to be sea sick
Another beautiful beach at margeret river (I think this is called Leftenders??)
Some foam at Canal Rocks
Nick, Anna and Cooper (looking a little down that all the attention is not directed at him)
Mum and Anna on the beach
Anna and Cooper in the back of the Defender (Cooper has a special platform in the back so he can see out!)
Anna posing with our mighty catch of whiting that then took Nick and I some time to fillet as they were so small but they did taste good.