Wednesday, April 14, 2010

M is for Mazamas

M is for Mazamas.  
That means Mountain Goat.
And it is a group of Mountaineers.

My father was a member of this group for many years.   He was group leader on the climbs and also took part in many search and rescue parties.


 (Family photos may not be borrowed or pinned.)
 (Dad on the right.)   The group climbed Baker, Ruth and Shuksan on this expedition.   


 (Family photos may not be borrowed or pinned.)

(Daddy on the left.)   Dad and a climbing partner set off  from  Mt. Hood's Timberline Lodge  about midnight on  Friday, to climb up the western face and with plans to return by late Saturday afternoon.    Near the summit they were hit with a  blinding snow storm and had to  dig in right there on the slope and try to survive Saturday night on the mountain.  They had a few snacks, one sleeping bag (mummy bag) and the clothes on their backs.   When my Dad did not return Saturday night my grandparents alerted Mountain Rescue.   But because of the storm no one could go up. Everyone was afraid they were dead.   Sunday morning the rescue teams went up and found the two men just beginning to make their way down the mountain, cold and hungry but alive.  (Thankfully, or I wouldn't exist and wouldn't be telling this tale.)    

Mt. Hood.
(this picture is from the web)

During his Mazama years my father climbed Mt. Hood,  North, Middle and South Sisters,  Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Adams,  Mt. St. Helens,  Mt. Baker,  Mt. Shuksan ,  just about every peak, large or small in the Cascade Mountain Range except Rainier.   He also climbed in Mexico.  


Mt.  Shuksan
(this picture is from the web)


Mt. Adams
(this picture is from the web)




55 comments:

  1. Wow...this is amazing..we live very close to Mt. Baker..we ski there and my husband has climbed it several times..hugs to you today. xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  2. That is an awesome story. How cool is that? The only mountain I have climbed is in my dreams when I am singing to the Sound of Music.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for sharing this great story about your Dad. I love when people share about their loved ones :)
    Robin

    ReplyDelete
  4. What an amazing story. I'm sure that your mother was terrified when your father didn't return. Tough group of men! I think I'm freezing when it drops below 60 degrees :) Kathy

    ReplyDelete
  5. This is a wonderful family gift to share. Such stories your loved ones have to tell. Thanks so much for sharing your fathers extraordinary experiences. So cool.

    ReplyDelete
  6. wow that is am amazing post.. Have a great day..

    ReplyDelete
  7. That is really an amazing story! What a treasure of family history you have. Thank you for sharing that.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love your alphabet posts, Gayle. This one is very special. Your dad has had such an interesting life.

    The pictures are beautiful...especially the one of Mt. Hood.

    Thanks so much for sharing another part of your family.

    ReplyDelete
  9. What great adventures you father went on! Have you ever done any climbing? My next door neighbor has climed 5 of the 7 higest peaks. He climbed Mt. Everest 3 years ago. I don't think that is anything that I would want to do!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Climbing is one of those sports that boggles my mind. Thanks for sharing about your dad - it is so interesting.

    ReplyDelete
  11. What a fun post on the Mazamas! Your father must have been a very active person. When did he stop climbing? Joni

    ReplyDelete
  12. Great story and tribute to your dad's athletic ability! I never heard of the Mazama group so I learned something by visiting your informative blog.
    Glad that you shared this story.
    Loretta

    ReplyDelete
  13. I LOVVVVVVED THIS!!!!

    It's a wonderful story and a lovely tribute.

    And your dad was swoon-worthy!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Great story. I love reading about the lives of others. He was a lucky and clever fellow, your dad.I learned a new word today, Mazamas.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Sounds like you dad was a real adventurer. Wow, getting stuck on that mountain. Scary!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Awesome story! What an adventurous dad you have! I've climbed Grey's Peak here in CO, but in shorts and a t-shirt and hiking boots. Nothing like that...Great M post!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Great story and your dad is so handsome!
    Blessings,
    G

    ReplyDelete
  18. What a wonderful story! MAGNIFICENT!

    ReplyDelete
  19. oh my goodness gracious. never knew anyone who climbed anything except in and out of the cars...lol.
    wow!!! thank you for sharing.
    last year (and the year before) my honey and i watched TLC's series on climbing mt. Everest. we were addicted to that program!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. He was so brave to do all that climbing.

    ReplyDelete
  21. THat is an amazing story, it gave me goose bumbs! Thanks for sharing, you could not get a better M than that!

    ReplyDelete
  22. What a wonderful story of your father's adventures. Thanks for sharing. The mountains of our PNW Cascade range are indeed beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  23. What a wonderful post on something I have never heard of.

    Thank you for an interesting and Magnficent stop on my journey through Alphabe-Thursday's letter "M"!

    A+

    brrrr....

    ReplyDelete
  24. Girl, you always have the most interesting stories to share. What a rich heritage you rec'd. Are you writing down these stories for your children?

    ReplyDelete
  25. What a marvelous post! Mountains have always mesmerized me! Your dad must have experienced many fascinating adventures. Beautiful photos of the mountains. Thanks for sharing all of this.

    ReplyDelete
  26. What a great story. I am familiar with Mt. Hood as I lived near it as a child. We went there many times on picnics and to the Lodge. I still remember the St. Bernards laying in front of that huge (to me) fire place. They were a common sight back then.
    I heard stories over the years about climbs gone wrong on that mountain.
    Thank you for sharing the story about your father. He sounds like a very interesting fellow.

    I think I may have over stated my sorrow about giving up certain things over the years..but actually maybe not. I still DO feel bad about parting with some things that were dear to me or belonged so someone who was dear to me. Just a fact. :) Please don't picture me throwing myself full length on the floor and sobbing. :) No, not like that, just feelings of regret.

    About the shopping thing. LOL ..yep I do think I want something and then think how silly I was as it is NOT a need but just a want. Thus the fun at garage sales. If I find it doesn't work for me...the girls get it or it goes to Goodwill. No loss of money or thinking I should return it. Not a huge thing and it works SO much better.

    No need for help :) but I smiled at your apparent concern. I'm fine. :)
    Thanks so much for stopping by. I enjoyed your comment!! We bloggers are such caring people it seems. Thank you sweet friend.
    Hugs,
    Mona

    ReplyDelete
  27. Oh My Goodness, what an adventurous man! I know his parents were worried sick. Loved reading about his adventures, and I'm so glad he survived to bring you into this world! laurie

    ReplyDelete
  28. Magnificent, aMazing! I really enjoyed reading your post! Your dad was a daring adventurer! adn I agree with PJ, he is very handsome. :o) I'm so glad to read that they were found safe and sound!

    I am with Mbkatc230 when she says she's freezing when it's below 60 degrees!

    Blessings & Aloha!
    (Thank you for stopping by! I'm happy you enjoyed the artwork that I do :o)

    ReplyDelete
  29. What an amazing story! ...and the newspaper clippings are just wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Wow what a feat it must have been to climb all those mountains! What an accomplishment!

    I can hardly get up a hill without huffing and puffing..lol

    Happy M Day!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Gayle, thank you for your sincere note you left for me. This pain was brought on because I was having so much fun that I forgot to pace myself. I know that once I get through the flower beds the first time it will be so much easier. I will be able to handle the maintaining part.

    Mustn't forget to tell you how much I am enjoying that bar of oatmeal soap you sent me! Oh my goodness...makes me more determined than ever to make my goal happen of learning to make soap this year!

    Love and hugs to you, dear friend!

    ReplyDelete
  32. What a wonderful story and what a totally interesting M post! Thanks so much for visiting my blog ... it's always fun to visit yours!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Oh my goodness. It is so good to be back and visiting all my bloggy sisters tonight. This is an amazing post for your M. I'm wondering if you have any interest in climbing????
    Thanks for visiting and good for your nephew for having a sunny disposition. He will definitely be encouragement and a great Army buddy to those around him who need to be lifted up on bad days.
    The one entering the Marines I hope has a positive outlook too. It will carry him well through boot camp!
    Hope you have a wonderful Friday!!!
    Enjoyed my visit as always.
    HUGS
    Julie

    ReplyDelete
  34. What a great story! I enjoyed reading it. Thanks for stopping by my place. :) Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  35. very cute post! Your dad seems like such an adventurous guy!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Great M post, what marvellous stories your Dad must have told. The pix & the press clippings are wonderful.
    Thanks for dropping in at NL, you are in the giveaway!
    ~Maggie~

    ReplyDelete
  37. Amazing story and totally cool Dad. The mountain images are gorgeous. Do you ever have the hankering to climb?

    ReplyDelete
  38. Hi, I just wanted to pop by and say thank you for your kind words and encouragement.
    Thats a beautiful picture of your daughter and her friend at the bridal shower.

    ReplyDelete
  39. I would love to be able to climb a mountain. I have hiked some in the NC mountains, if you call hiking . . . walking on a trail. God bless you my friend for sharing this post about your dad. Also wanted to mention that your daughter is beautiful. I read the post below too. It is so much fun to have daughters; my daughter and I are very close too!!!
    God bless you.
    Bren

    ReplyDelete
  40. I feel like I know your Dad just from reading this post.

    Thanks for sharing this great story.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Amazing post and enjoyed every word. I enjoy hiking but not mountain climbing, too frightened to try mountain climbing but love reading about it.

    ReplyDelete
  42. What a very interesting post. I became a follower of your blog. I only climbed mountains in France.....sitting in the car.

    ReplyDelete
  43. All those Mountains to climb - a very informative M post!

    ReplyDelete
  44. Marvelous M post! Great memories :) .

    ReplyDelete
  45. I learn so much on Alphabe-Thursdays! I had no idea about mazamas. You must be very proud of your dad!

    ReplyDelete
  46. What an incredible story!! Isn't it neat to think that our parents had all sorts of adventures that had nothing to do with us?

    ReplyDelete
  47. How interesting. Now I'm wondering if you've ever climbed?

    ReplyDelete
  48. To all the people who have asked if I have climbed... too... No, hiked, but not climbed.

    ReplyDelete
  49. Dad was entertained by your MAZAMA blog post.

    ReplyDelete

THANK YOU for your thoughtful comments. Replies to your questions will be posted here, so be sure to check back soon. Have a wonderful day! - Gayle, Garden Of Daisies