Boneshakerbike

Category: Blog Posts

  • Lolo Peak again

    Lolo Peak again

    Howdy, adventure seekers! Bill here, and I’ve got a little tale from our recent outdoor escapades. Last week, Marcy and I set out to conquer Carleton Ridge from Mormon Peak, but after a solid 6 miles and a “snow too deep” roadblock, we had to make the tough call to turn around. That adventure turned into a 12-mile marathon, and it ate up a whopping 9.5 hours of our day. The kicker? I didn’t even make it to the ridge!

    Now, today’s a different story – no grand expectations, just a quest for the summit of Lolo Peak. This time, I’ve decided to go solo, leaving Marcy behind. Last weekend, she might’ve overindulged in something she ate, and I don’t want to push her too hard. She’ll join me for this hike again next weekend, and fingers crossed that the last climb won’t be too much for her. If it is, I won’t hesitate to call it quits.

    As always, you can check out the link to the map online. Today, my sights are set on the Mill Creek to Lantern Ridge Route. However, there’s a twist in the weather forecast – rain! After over a week of clear skies, it looks like this trip might be a bit dampened, quite literally.

    But you know the drill, folks. When it comes to adventures, we roll with the punches, rain or shine. Stay tuned for updates, and let’s see if Lolo Peak is ready to welcome us today. Until next time, keep exploring, keep hiking, and keep that adventurous spirit alive!

    On this day in history, ‘Hey Zeph! Want an Action Wipe?‘ I asked, after cleaning the blood from my shin.

    — Saved by a Package, 2013

  • Lolo Peak Area Again Today

    Lolo Peak Area Again Today

    Last night was rough; I was sick, but Excedrin helped this morning. Today’s plan? A hike up Mormon Peak and North Ridge of Lolo Peak with Marcy. We’re starting at 9 AM. Check out the map for more details: See map for details.

    The Week in Review: Caught up with family last week. Had lunch with Aunt Paula, Wanda, and my uncles at a place called 3Ds or 4Ds. Enjoyed a massive mushroom burger and received a gigantic care package from Aunt Wanda. It’s so much food, I’m thinking of saving up for a haircut, car wash, or gas. The possibilities are endless!

    This Friday, my photos caught some attention, especially after sharing with The Friends of Lolo, who then spread the word to the media. This led to a frenzy of requests for photos and my take on the events.

    Official Statement: Alden and I were snowshoeing when stopped by Tom Mclain’s crew, who advised us to seek permission next time. We noticed a snow grooming machine and logging activity on National Forest Service lands. Captured it all in photos. That’s all there is to it!

    “she is running … holy shit”

    — Spectator at Togwotee Classic 2018

  • Back From Lolo Peak Ridge

    Back From Lolo Peak Ridge

    Last Saturday my friend Alden and I took a snow shoe up the East Ridge of Lolo Peak. We drove up the access road from the East until the snow was to deep. Apparently we hiked across Tom McClay’s property because a mile or so from the State Forest Boundary his thugs drove up on snow machines to give us a little intimidation talk.

    Apparently ol Tom might have taken his snow cat up into the national forest when there was a lot of snow and now they are having trouble getting it out. Well, that is my take on it and I have taken a couple pictures to prove it.

    Alden and I did not reach any real heights but we did go to a pretty high spot on the ridge before turning back. It was pretty exhausting given the distance of the approach to the real climbing.

    BIKELOG 2005

    Total Miles This Month: 80.24 miles
    Total Miles This Year: 127.44 miles
    Total Climb This Month: 1,011.5 feet
    Total Climb This Year: 1,121.5 feet

    On This Day In History

    2004: New Pictures From Mom – Heads up, readers! Mom’s latest photos are up in the “Buckey’s” section, found under “Life in Yuma.”

    2004: New Batteries – My mom just got a new charger and I checked into it. It appears to be a great new technology.

    2002: MTB at Brookfield Park Awesome – Hey there, long time no see – or, you know, long time no post! I’m still kickin’, just been swamped with bouncing back from pushing my limits a tad too much and gearing up for a big move.

  • Lolo Peak Area Today

    Lolo Peak Area Today

    My friend Alden Wright and I have teamed up this weekend to snowshoe up a East ridge of Lolo Peak. Today is a sunny day and should prove to be perfect for Peak pictures. We will not attempt the entire summit because the journey is too long since we can not get to the trailhead due to snow conditions this time of year. See the map for details.

    UPDATE: Posted a gallery of the event over here.

    The week in review, well let’s get the bad news out of the way. Win-Dixie, MARS biggest customer has filed bankruptcy. What does this mean, I don’t know but there are talks at work to find other jobs. This is really distressing to me since I really like working there. I was hoping to make myself a regular employee and make a little more money to support my new life here in Missoula. I hope my higher power has me in mind.

    Love the job. I have been coding in PHP and have developed some great applications. This is the first job that i would do for free.

    Hike a day for 31 days done now a run a day for 31. Last week i completed my hike a day campaign for 31 straight days. I am rested up from a week of inactivity and now am ready for my running phase of springtime fitness. I need it too, last night I noticed that i gained some inches around my waist and have also gained weight. That is bad news for someone that loves to climb.

    On this day in history:

    2004: JOB UPDATE – As you all know the government has canceled comanche. Sikorsky aircraft along with UTC has no clue what to do with us.

    2003: Computer Funnies – At a recent computer expo (COMDEX), Bill Gates reportedly compared the computer industry with the auto industry.

    2002: Me Fat – Today is blue. I am blue because my body fat reduction and/or weight are not where I want it to be. I seem to be gaining weight with muscle mass.

    From the latest outdoor misadventures back to a time of personal reflections and career uncertainties, this list offers a chronological reverse journey through the captivating and varied experiences shared in blog form.

  • Cant Sleep

    Added later by DALL-E

    Oh boy, where do I even start? Here I am, flat on the floor, wide awake and trying to catch some z’s without a bed. And in my mind’s eye, there you are, all snug and grinning in your comfy bed, probably dreaming of me getting a front-row seat in hell. Can’t catch a wink, so might as well spill my guts, right?

    Just last night, I got this bombshell – my paycheck’s getting slimmed down even more. All because I had a moment of honesty with my ex and told her to take a hike from my online space. And wouldn’t you just know it? Barely five days later, I’m hit with this notice.

    They’re jacking up my usual $100 support payment to $200 a month. And get this – the “child” in question? She’s practically an adult, turning 19 this year. I was under the impression child support wrapped up at 18. But then, I come across this stat claiming a whopping 84% of deadbeat cases are just smoke and mirrors. It’s like the system’s rigged to work against us, doing squat for the kids it claims to protect.

    I’ve only ever heard good things from my circle – folks who actually know me (unlike my ex). They all say I’m not a deadbeat. So what, are they all living in la-la land? I was led to believe my daughter was doing just fine, happy with her family. Had I known she was at risk because I couldn’t cough up a measly hundred bucks, I’d have done something – hit up the blood bank four times over, anything.

    My ex claims she’s invited me to Wyoming. Truth is, even if she had, I’m over 2500 miles away. If scraping together child support was a stretch, how in the world was I supposed to afford a visit? Total BS.

    Back when I was at Sikorsky, visiting was within the realm of possibility. I managed to knock down some debt, even had plans to tackle more, including those student loans. But then came the layoffs, and my bright idea to head home and start fresh. Well, that “fresh start” turned sour fast, and now I’m thinking of heading back to NY.

    My take-home is $500 every two weeks. Rent alone eats up half, and the car payment’s not far behind at $400. Haven’t even factored in phone and insurance. It’s gotten to the point where my groceries are a credit card affair. So what’s the game plan? Head back to NY for a shot at redemption? Ditch the car and phone to stretch every penny? Or maybe take up extreme hiking, hoping for an accidental out?

    Decisions, decisions. Is it back to the grind in the Big Apple, a fire sale on my life’s luxuries, or seeking thrill (and maybe an end) in the embrace of Mother Nature’s most unforgiving terrains? When life gives you lemons, they say make lemonade. But man, sometimes you just want to throw those lemons right back.

    On this day in history, a stroll down memory lane

  • Failed McLeod, Black Tail Peak

    Hey there, folks! Bill here, and I’ve got a little update on my outdoor adventures. Change of plans, though – yesterday’s hike didn’t quite pan out as I’d hoped. I embarked on a mission to explore the Rattlesnake Wilderness, but it turns out the border was locked up tight with private land. I couldn’t even find a spot to leave my car for a potential hike, and the last thing I wanted was to abandon my trusty ride on the reservation.

    But you know me, I don’t give up that easily. Today, I’m switching gears and setting my sights on the Mission Mountain Range, aiming to conquer an 8,000-footer. The closest one on the list is Black Tail Peak, just west of North Jocko Peak.

    Here’s the plan: I’ll access the trailhead north of the road that follows the north fork of the Jock River. You know the road I’m talking about; it goes all the way to the Seeley area. Just as the road approaches the wilderness from the west, there’s a left turn that heads north for about a mile. This is where the adventure begins, with a trailhead that leads northeast up the Jock River Drainage.

    I’ll be following the trail, keeping to the left, until I reach the bottom of the ridge that heads north between the two peaks. To the east, there’s the Deep Creek Drainage, and to the right, you’ll find Jocko Peak. It’s gonna be a long, challenging route, so I’ve decided to leave Marcy behind this time. This adventure calls for a solo journey, and I’ll be packing my trusty bag just in case.

    So, here’s to embracing the unexpected, changing plans, and venturing into the unknown. Let’s hope this hike leads to some breathtaking views and unforgettable moments. Until next time, keep exploring and never stop chasing those peaks!

    ON THIS DAY FEBRUARY 13TH

  • McLeod Peak This Weekend

    McLeod Peak This Weekend

    A hike a day has continued and now I am on my 22nd day if I go today, and why wouldn’t I. Today I am planning a climb up McLeod Peak today. Once again I am getting out late but I am struggling. I am exhausted for some reason, although the excitement of a new adventure is perking me up. There are a series of roads called McClure and Gray wolf off of route 93 that I will attempt to start from. I intend to skirt the boundary of the Vision Quest territory of the Salish Tribe, being careful not to intrude upon the sacred areas. The boundary seems to follow a ridge line over to McLeod. I intend to follow that and stay north of the Finley creek drainage. I intend to drive as far as I can go and set out from there.

    As I remarked earlier I am “Wore Out”. Big Big. I guess I can attribute the fatigue to this weeks hikes, or shall I say runs. For some stupid reason I have ran all my hikes this week. I am getting out of hand. Next week I hope to slow down and relax a little. For gods sake, it is only February.

    Julie sent me a DVD movie of the Wrangle St. Elias National Park. It is a place where she lives next to and I have been wanting this movie called “Crown of the Continent” for quite some time. On Tuesday I received a package and was overwhelmed with joy to find it was the movie I wanted. Thanks Julie, I watch it all the time. Ok, it the only movie I own.

    At work I have been creating some great stuff. Not only is my interview server working out nicely but now I can use data collected and build pdf files dynamically as easy as creating a web page. How cool is that.

    Well it is off to the task, god speed all!

    ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY:

    Let’s take a stroll down memory lane and explore some remarkable moments captured in blog posts. Join me as we uncover the tales and snapshots that have shaped my digital diary:

  • Stark Mountain Successful

    On Saturday, I grabbed coffee and a scone from Starbucks, needing a snack for my late start. I drove to the trail head and ended up getting the car stuck, leading to a tough 6-mile snowshoe trek. The journey was filled with challenges like false summits and fragile crusts of snow. Nevertheless, I reached the top, greeted by stunning frost, snow, and panoramic views. The descent involved running and boot skiing, ideal for any telemark skier with miles of waist-deep powder.

    That night, I barely slept; my air mattress was missing, and the hard ground worsened my soreness. Sunday was spent doing laundry, groceries, and hunting for a bed, ending up with a feather bed from Target, thanks to my mom’s financial help.

    I skipped the usual Super Bowl party but dropped by the Board Room to greet Mike and catch the kickoff. I ended up watching the game at the Dent’s, who had Tivo, alongside dinner and a growler of Bayern Heiphenfieser, making for a pretty good game.

  • Stark Mountain This Weekend

    Stark Mountain This Weekend

    Today I am planning a hike up Stark Mountain. I plan to start by an access road off of Nine Mile Road. The access road seems to be #5515, but if that isn’t accessible, I will go to where the ridge cuts down to Nine Mile Road at Cedar Creek. According to the map it will be about a 4 mile climb.

    Last week things went pretty well and I have finished up my first phase of my interview server for MARS Stout. There is still no sign that they want to hire me, so I still work for Work Force. Still a temp. Oh well, that isn’t as nearly as depressing as missing First Friday Gallery Night.

    Last night as I was coming back from the hike at Water Works Hill, I noticed a lot of people downtown walking around. Then it hit me, I forgot about First Friday Gallery Night. Damn! I couldn’t join in because I was in my hiking grunge and had to go to Big Lots for today’s hike snacks.

    This Sunday is Super Bowl Sunday and I plan to hit the Board Room with Mike from work. It sounds like fun, I cant believe no one here hosts Super Bowl Parties at their homes. Out East I was always at a Super Bowl Party. If it is not the Griz, they are just not interested.

    I better hit the trails, have a good weekend. Signing out form Missoula Montana.

    BIKELOG 2005

    Total Miles: 47.2 miles
    Total Climb: 110 feet
    Bilinkg is goin ok, new cyclo-cross tires should make things better.

  • Back From Squaw, Week in Review

    Mom’s computer hummed back to life last week, a testament to the power of a screwdriver and a prayer. The culprit? A dust-choked symphony conductor masquerading as a CPU fan. New fan, new heat sink, a sprinkle of thermal paste, and presto! Burning CDs in under an hour, proving you don’t need fancy gadgets to outsmart tech gremlins.

    My town bike, on the other hand, adopted the spirit of a balky mule. Cross tires ordered, delivered, promptly refused to fit the rims. Back they went, a UPS receipt mirroring the weight of defeat. Talk about sticker shock! Did you know the US Postal Service, bless their snail-paced souls, can ship a four-pound tire package for the same price as UPS charges for a 20-pound, $500-insured computer? Take note, tech-heads! Brown is fancy, but blue delivers (pun intended).

    Eight days, eight hikes, and counting. From Blue Mountain’s granite whispers to Sentinel Ridge’s sky-high tightrope, my boots have become prayer flags on the altar of Montana wilderness. Waterworks, aptly renamed the “Quick and Dirty,” has earned its double ascent badge. Yesterday, Squaw Peak surrendered its snowy crown, and the photos, oh the photos, are coming soon.

    Next week? The bike roars back to asphalt, tires permitting. Flats, ice, and the vague menace of the “beetle” (more on that later) have kept it sidelined. But with the right rubber and a hefty dose of wrench therapy, Missoula’s streets will tremble under my two-wheeled victory lap.

    So, buckle up, friends, because the saga of grease-stained triumphs and flat-tire follies is far from over. Stay tuned for updates, breathtaking vistas, and maybe, just maybe, the taming of a very stubborn beetle.

    What an adventure you’ve been on! From reviving a computer to wrestling with bike tires and exploring the beautiful trails of Montana, you’ve certainly kept busy.

    If you need any help with your future endeavors, here are some resources that might be useful:

    Computer Fan Repair:

    Bike Tire Fitting:

    Bike Repair:

    Hiking in Montana:

  • Ch-paa-qn Peak Today

    Today, I’m setting out to climb Ch-paa-qn Peak. It’s not a massive mountain, but it’s new to me, so there’s a sense of adventure and unknown. Just posting my plans here, just in case.

    My route is to head to the Nine Mile Ranger Station, then go straight through the intersection towards the Squaw Peak trailhead. I might not make it to the trailhead itself, so it could be anywhere from a 4 to 14-mile hike. That’s the uncertain part for today.

    On this day:

    • 2002: Sick Day – A challenging night battling sickness and plans for an evening out.
    • 2001: Headache – Celebrating a morning free from headaches and a day dedicated to networking.
  • Fixing a Flat

    Fixing a Flat

    Yesterday I ordered a fender and a couple cross tires for my bike so I can leave the car at home and save money on gas. On my way to pick up my car yesterday I flatted and I had to do some bike repair last night. The bike is ready to go and so am I.

    Yesterday I ordered a fender and a couple cross tires for my bike so I can leave the car at home and save money on gas. On my way to pick up my car yesterday I flatted and I had to do some bike repair last night. The bike is ready to go and so am I.

    Tomorrow I must take the car again, but only because I have to take my mom’s computer to the post office. Today at work I installed a heat sink and fan to her computer. In addition I put in a cd burner for her. I cant wait to send it off, she sure misses it.

    Tonight I went out for a quick and dirty run up Waterworks Hill. Man, I can not believe how far a run it is when a person dosent hike it. It took me around 20 minutes. It may not seem far but to go all the way to the high point must be over a mile and a half. Maybe I am fat and lazy.

    I got a package from grandma tonight. She sent me mashed potatoes and some chocolate bars. It really helps out. I am excited to make potato soup now but I just realized that I don’t have a pot to cook it in. Hmmmmm.

    Well it is off to bed. Long days and pleasant nights all.

  • Full Moon

    Had a productive Sunday – cleaned the car and house, and even squeezed in a hike at Blue Mountain. Tonight, I’m posting pics from Saturday’s unexpected mountain climb in the Bitterroots.

    Last night’s hike at Blue Mountain got me some amazing moon shots. The full moon here is just incredible.

    Took the car to the shop before work today. Tried a new coding idea at work, but it flopped, wasting a whole day. Really wanted to impress and earn some praise.

    After work, I found my bike’s rear tire flat and front tire deflating. Managed to ride to the car shop without damaging the rim. Quite a bummer.

    Hiked South Ridge tonight. The moon was so bright I lost sight of the trail. Sat on Sentinel, star-gazing for a while. Felt like spring.

    Fixed the road bike tonight, itching for a serious ride. Planning to race this year. Off to bed now; tomorrow’s early for fixing mom’s computer and sending it to her. She’s missing it. Good night.

  • Bass Creek Today

    Marcy and I

    I have just posted new photos at my Photo Site and so I think I’ll post some thughts. I haven’t checked out my bank balance lately and that is partly because I broke down and got some food in the last couple of days and now I am afraid to look.

    Today Marcy and I went hiking at Bass Creek in the Roots. It started out just a trip to check out the trail heads. I was driving around because I did not want to hike, due to the smog.

    We arrived at the trail head of Kootenai Creek and made a note to hike there later on. We then went on to Bass creek, back towards Missoula. There I decide to take a little walk and take Marcy to let her run. The next thing I know we are hammering up this ridge.

    The ridge took us to a lookout of the beautiful Mountains of the Bitterroots. It was stunning. I think the pictures I got are of a unarmed peak across tot he South of Bass Creek Lookout.

    This last work week has been taxing. My car broke down one morning and I thought I was going to have to put a bullet in my head to end it all. Things got better to only get a very small paycheck. I have this doomed feeling that I may have to quit the job I love to get one that will pay me more. If I don’t earn more my dreams will soon fade away.

    Tomorrow morning I want to do a sunrise hike somewhere in the roots again. I must get some chores done also so I will not be able to do anything big.

    Well happy weekend everyone, must get to bed.

  • Bank Account Finally Released

    Whats new from the lodge? I am remembering when Alden and I went skiing and ate cookies at the lodge pictured here.

    This morning I woke up at 4Am and could not get back to sleep. Whats up with that. I am so hungary that I could not keep sleeping. I just lay here wondering what I am going to do for breakfast this morning. And … if miracoulsly, I do find something, there is no hope for lunch. There is no way I will make it through today at work. I have to eat. I am consumed by the thought. I have plans and I want to do so many things. I want to work, take photos, and stay in shape. All these things can not happen while starving to death.

    I have come up with a plan for today. So now I sit here typing this out, and why? Well I got on-line this morning to see if my bank account has been released. It had been frozen as you probably read prior to this post. With it unfroze I can access a little cash to eat with. I need to get back my wits, so as to make decent decisions on how to get out of this financial mess.

    I am going grocery shopping this morning, I can no longer sit here and think about it. I am so hungary.

    … Fast forward to 5:30 p.m. I am just getting off work. I was working late on some javascript and am glad to announce that it is working well. Tonight is a quickie hike with crampons (due to the rain), and then a trek to the store to get food. Screw all those who I owe money. I am getting food!

  • Monday Ski Escapade at The Rat

    Monday Ski Escapade at The Rat

    Ever had one of those Mondays where everything just seems to drag on, especially at work? Well, that was me today. To top it off, every conversation I overheard revolved around food, making my hunger pangs all the more pronounced. You know it’s a tough day when finding a quarter and getting a handful of peanuts from a candy machine feels like a small victory.

    But, as they say, after the rain comes the rainbow. My rainbow today was a skiing trip to The Rat after work. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. The snowmobile groomer had just cleared the tracks, making it ideal for skate skiing. It felt liberating, skiing without any qualms, just me and the open snow.

    Skiing is not just a sport for me; it’s therapy. It revved up my happiness juices, helping me shake off the day’s lethargy. Returning home, I found myself in a more relaxed state, ready to tackle my backlog of unfinished photos. As I upload them, I can feel my passion for photography reigniting. Perhaps, this could be a way to earn some much-needed cash.

    But for now, all I can think about is hitting the bed and dreaming of waking up to some food. Hunger still gnaws at me, but today’s ski adventure was a much-needed reprieve from the mundanity and hunger of the day. Here’s to finding small joys in unexpected places!

    Resources to Enhance Your Day

    If you want to learn more about skiing, photography, or finding joy, here are some helpful resources that I recommend:

  • Shoveling Snow Adventures: A Tale of Frustration

    Shoveling Snow Adventures: A Tale of Frustration

    Today, I decided to break the cycle of laziness and tackle that city ordinance that demands snow shoveling as exercise. Plus, I needed to mark Super Bowl Sunday on my calendar.

    Fast forward to 1 PM. Armed with determination, I scoured my place for something to shovel with. All I could lay my hands on was my trusty lacrosse stick. With optimism, I attempted to make it work, but my efforts were in vain. Frustration got the best of me, and I lost it. I vented my frustration by banging the stick against the fence, which, unfortunately, led to the stick’s demise.

    But that wasn’t the end of it. I continued to unleash my pent-up frustration on the fence and even broke the gate in the process. Marcy, my faithful companion, witnessed this epic meltdown and promptly ran off in shock.

    Now, it’s safe to say my neighbors might have a few questions. They probably think I’ve gone full-blown lunatic. But before you judge, have you ever experienced hunger to the point where it drives you a bit crazy? It can happen, and it’s not a fun state of mind. So, fellow humans, let’s not be too quick to cast stones at one another. Life’s unpredictable, and sometimes, we all have our breaking points.

  • I Went Todash

    Rediscovering the Journey: A Walk Down Blog Memory Lane

    It’s been quite a while since I kicked off this blog journey. Today, as I found myself reading my early posts, it was like flipping through the pages of a book. What’s even more surprising is that I didn’t notice I was still online. Mornings are my sacred adventure time, but today, the allure of my own adventures in writing pulled me in.

    As I delved into post after post, I couldn’t help but reflect on the incredible experiences I’ve been through. It’s remarkable how life unfolds, and yet, in some ways, things remain wonderfully the same.

    Here’s to a fantastic Sunday, folks! May your day be filled with adventures, big or small. 📖☕🚵‍♂️