About 20 ONC members from SONC, CONC, Columbia Gorge, and who knows where else, gathered in Sisters for an end-of-season, John Craig substitute ski to McKenzie Pass. The skies were blue and the wind non-existant, exceedingly strange after the blizzard conditions the previous day. We skiied on 4-8" of new snow in ski tracks laid by generous others on snowmobile tracks.

That is one long climb up the road to Windy Ridge where everyone stopped for the gorgeous view and several turned back, nursing various accumulated boo-boos. Most continued on in smaller groups for an even longer uphill slog that was amply rewarded by the sights in the lava fields and the view from the top. The newbies were expecting telescopes and the wonders of astronomy at the Dee Wright Memorial Observatory, but no one was disappointed by the truth.

After ample oohs and aahs each group began the slog back down and then on to Sisters for brews and eats at Three Creeks Brewhouse and Restaurant. We all have to give Cassie Giddings a well deserved thanks for organizing this great outing, and especially for intervening with the weather gods for such a beautiful day and great fresh snow.