Out of Sight

Out of Sight

Trails are such an elusive thing. Far from the sights of civil society a group of people put in limitless amounts of hours and energy, molding and sculpting a large area into a work of art. The methods vary from one area to another, because you need to consider the type of soil you are digging in, the terrain, access to water and sun, seasons, and a slew of other factors. The skills and experience are developed slowly. The gains from all this are days with friends cruising the jumps; the excitement around someone  going for that next set or adding in a new trick.

The northwest has a hidden empire of trails known worldwide. Portland has had its history of trails, but within the last few years there has been a rebirth. The old Grotto jumps were brought back to life, pump tracks and back yard trails have begun popping up, and within the last few years a new spot has grown out of the forest.  Kale and Pat, two midwest transplants began the construction with Kurtis, another transplant for near by Washington.

The backbreaking labor these guys put in during all types of harsh weather to create this place shows with that first step down the hill into the trails. Everything is formed with precision, and with good reason. The steep grade and large sets get you moving fast and mistakes result in some scary scenarios.

Roman made the trip out to the trails yesterday with me. My time was mostly spent shooting some photos of the session. Here are some of those photos.

Northwest Independence

Northwest Independence

Its a tradition when the 4th comes around for me to stay put and not become a statistic in the mad rush of campers, pickups, and other cars heading somewhere for the holiday. This year I broke that tradition and against better judgement made the journey with Sherry and friends to Pacific city on the central coast of Oregon. For a couple days a tent sitting 1/4 mile from the beach was home. Only a 15 minute drive away stood the tallest waterfall on the Oregon coast with water cascading 319 ft. down. Short hike to this spot, but still incredible.

A few miles down the beach, on the opposite side of a 200 ft. tall mound of sand was Pacific City. Here cars are allowed to drive on the beach, so when the sun had many people remained parked on the beach in anticipation of the fireworks show. Fire pits dotted the landscape with personal, yet illegal, fireworks exploding from each group.Kind of woild how a state that has laws against fireworks like this tends to just turn away on the weekend of the 4th.

Freestyle 5

Freestyle 5

Filmed the first episode of Freestyle5 this weekend. Roman Tenzca and myself host the show. This episode includes a look at a few different web edits including Colin Mackay's "Chile 8mm" edit, as well as Mike Escamilla's recent "This is United" edit. The main event includes an interview with Chester Blacksmith about We the People's recent trip to Mexico. Check in on the site and stay tuned for more. The show is in the early stage so for all you companies out there get in on some advertising space for future episodes.

http://freestyle5.everydayparadise.com/

Ape Caves Scramble

Ape Caves Scramble

Another weekend means another adventure. The Ape Caves at the base of Mount Saint Helens in Washington state was on the list. We have visited this lava tube a few times before, but never have we hiked the top portion of the caves; where the difficulty rises a bit and scrambling over rocks and up cascades is in the cards. Sherry, Anthony Buglio, and myself began the trek from the bottom entrance; making our way up the tube towards the direction of Saint Helens.

The bottom portion is pretty mild compared to the constant scrambling over rocks and through narrow passage ways that lie waiting towards the top. Whenever we came to a relatively calm area we stopped to take some portraits. The 1 1/4 mile hike really changes your perspective of what lies below us. The intense heat from the lava melted the rocks in such a drastic manner. You could see the signs on the face of the rocks where a black glossy sheen drips down like hot tar.

The number of ill prepared people who we passed along the way was incredible. With such treacherous terrain such as gaps between rocks that could swallow a person, jagged low ceilings that could rip your head open with little warning, and a 8 ft. tall cascade with barely one foot hole to pull yourself up, you think people would shy away. Several times we passed children 10 years old or younger, families unaware of what constitutes hiking shoes or clothing, and even a group who wreaked of booze from 3o ft. away. At least it was a confidence booster for us. We passed one exit which would require scaling up a  35 ft. rock face so we continued on to the far entrance, where a ladder was installed to help ascend out of the caves and back to the light above.

The hike back down the trail above showed several signs of the eruption, pushing large boulders out of the ground into stacked rows. The surface looked like a gigantic snake had slithered just below the surface down the hill, pushing up the earth with brute force.  A strenuous hike, but worth it.

Tamanawas Falls

Tamanawas Falls

The days are getting warmer in the northwest and the snow melt is beginning to rage down the canyons, feeding the numerous waterfalls dotting the cascade range. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to venture out to a new hike. Tamanawas Falls have come up in some searches before, but lying on the east side of Mt Hood means it was always overlooked. Motivation got the best of us today though so we made the trek around the summit to the Sherwood  Trailhead.

The trail follows on the west side of the river until rounding the bend and heading up Cold Spring river towards the falls. Along the way are several smaller falls that create deep pools of water, that can be useful on the hot days of summer.

In most cases the landscape stays consistent, but the further up the trail you go the more diverse it gets. At one point you could be walking through old growth, the next spiraling tree roots, and then a rocky field of bus size boulders; all leading to the finish line, Tamanawas Falls...

Simple Edit: Tony Tuominen

Welcome to Simple

Recently Community rider Tony Tuominen joined the ranks of the new Simple Bike Co. USA Pro team. Tony is an unknown talent who you will be hearing more of soon. To kick things off right we put together this edit for you to enjoy. Believe me when I say, the last clip is hard to give justice to.

Tails of the Woods

Tails of the Woods

One of the most well known attractions in the northwest corner of Oregon is the infamous Columbia River Gorge. With over 40 waterfalls, most can be accessed from about 25 miles of highway and scenic routes. Some can be seen from the road; many others take a little work to get to. With the weather skipping over late spring and jumping right into summer, the day called for a good hike; and what better place than horsetail falls trail which lies just east of the well known Multnomah Falls. From the parking lot you get a good glimpse at Horsetail Falls, which empties into a pool right along side of the road. For those looking for more of an adventure one needs to make a trek onwards and upwards. About a mile or two up the steep switch backs you can begin to hear the noise of the next destination.

Walking around the bend Ponytail Falls comes into view. The trail approaches the falls from the side and wraps around underneath of it. A shelf in the floor of the rock acts as shelter to keep you dry form the water raining down from above, but on a hot day like today its helps to get a little wet. One spot along the trail on the west side of the falls creates a blowing mist, working better than any AC I have ever used. Continuing on the trail follows the ridge before winding down switchbacks again to Oneonta Falls.

We spent some time relaxing at Oneonta Falls before heading back to Horsetail. While there we had an encounter with a couple who had gotten married at Ponytail and was enjoying their honeymoon taking pictures by the waterfalls that were part of that day. Can't imagine any church standing up to that backdrop.

We did  ascend up a steep unmaintained trail in search of an old rock formation, but before long decided to turn back for another day.  We have hiked most of the trails in the gorge, but once again all expectations went out the window.

In Living Color

In Living Color:

One thing about photography is it doesn't always take the best equipment or the most skilled professional to showcase your point of view. Sometimes the image comes alive for you. And since you are standing there at just the right moment you experience it and given the chance to document it. With the innovation of cameras in smart phones and just about everything else it's not very likely that you won't have a camera on you somewhere. When these experiences come about we are able to share it with everyone with the touch of a few buttons. So during a long day on the job I came across this newly hatched nest of spiders scrambling around the web. Their bright yellow and black contrasting colors just caught my attention. To consider something so small and brilliant one of our biggest phobias seems contradictory, but many times justifiable. The point behind this babble is nothing important; just to consider your surroundings more and share it. In contrast to the first image here is the opposite depth of field showcasing plant life instead of insect. Two scenes I thought worth sharing.

Hufnagel Back in the Day

Hufnagel Back in the Day

May is here, which means birthdays every other day. One such lucky fella, Jordan Hufnagel, is celebrating the Big Three O. About ten years ago I met Jordan in Austin, Texas. Jump back to present day and we find ourselves in the same city again. Jordan has accomplished a lot since those days; including starting a successful custom bike builder, Hufnagel Cycles. Still, whenever I see Jordan this photo comes to mind. During a month and a half long roadtrip from Colorado, to Austin, to Florida, and up the east coast I kept a journal and shot some photos along the way to be published in Ride Uk (issue 68.). This shot of Jordan made it onto the pages of that article.

La Jolla Cove

La Jolla Cove

In mid April we decided to take a trip 1,000 miles south to San Diego California for a little warmth and sunshine. During our time there we made a trek out to the La Jolla Caves to visit the seals and pelicans that blanket the cliffs along the coastline. The caves were located close by  high society shops and restaurants. Mercedes were the car of choice in this area. It seemed kind of strange to see society so close to the resting ground of the seals. People were swimming in and out of the bay along side of them with not even the hint of curiosity. Here are a few images from that day.

The tide was rolling in when we arrived, which added to the images with waves spraying up over the rocks, engulfing the area the seals had been sunning on earlier.

Walking through one of the arch ways in the rocks you come out in an area of rocks and tide pools. The tide began to come in when we arrived, getting a glimpse of the crabs scrambling for the last bit of sun before being over taken by the waves again.

The rocks were layered with life. Seals gathered on the areas closest to water with pelicans and other birds perched above. A pair of seagulls were flying over head in search of food in the water.

Tony Tuominen Pic

Tony Tuominen Image from Taxi Bike Co.

Taxi Bike Company recently posted a photo of Tony Tuominen I took on a warm sunny day last fall. This was a hard one to shoot, because the drop was so large it dwarfs Tony in the upper left corner of the pic, but I couldn't see the photo without showcasing just how sick this lucky grind really is. In true Tony fashion he banged this out first try before ejecting from the bike into a running man down the following set of stairs.

Two Weeks with Tony T

Two Weeks of Tony T

Two Weeks of Tony T from mark rainha on Vimeo.

Lots of T's in this title I know. This is a web edit from last fall I put together of Tony Tuominen; a Taxi Bikes and Community Apparel shredder. This was my first attempt at working with the T2i Full HD video capabilities. The video was set to 24 fps (frames per second) and edited with Premiere CS5. If you haven't seen this yet feel free to critique and comment. You can find more info about Tony at taxibikeco.com .

Lothlorien Woods: part 2

Lothlorien Woods: part 2

Better late than never, here are a few pics from the journey to Lothlorien Woods, located south of Mt. Adams in Washington state. The weather was consistently changing from snow, to rain, to sun; making for some interestiung shots. In part 1 I displayed the sites of the area in video format. In part 2 I offer up some images to enjoy.

Spring snow storm made a quiet entrance through the Pole Pine Forest located around the treehouse.

Shot through the branches into the field from the front porch, the second snow storm of the weekend.

Just up the road is a great view of the next ridge across the valley. We made the walk up the hill just as the rain subsided. With the fog beginning to clear an opportunity for a shot came up.

The farm across the field from the treehouse has some typical residents, including four horses. We didnt get a chance to meet any of them up close, but they have been known to visit the treehouse in search of treats.

Designs for Japan

Designs for Japan

Recently I teamed up with an OG bmx shop in Denver, Colorado, Pusher Bmx. The idea was a Pusher tshirt design that utilizes a Japanese appeal. All profits from the sale of this shirt goes towards aiding our friends from the far east in their time of need. Visit the shop site and send a message using "Pusher Japan" in the subject line.

LothLorien Woods: part 1

LothLorien Woods: part 1

This past weekend we traveled into the gorge, before climbing up into Washington, in the area of Mount Adams. Twelve miles north of the town of White Salmon stands a unique tree house, floating in between a group of Lodgepole Pine, nestled on the edge of a rolling field. On the opposite side of the field lies a peaceful farm; horses trotting up and down the farms border, grazing on the grass. Robins fishing for worms in the damp, tilled dirt. The weather was pretty unpredictable, offering up almost anything you can imagine; warm sun, mist, rain, hail, snow. Every hour brought a different landscape. Being out away from society really gives you a different perspective on the world. I recently came across a glidecam. I was excited to put it to use with my Canon T2i I packed it along for the ride beside my 40d, which I used to take some photos as well. In Part 1 is a look at the compiled edit of shots I took with the T2i, using the glidecam in many of the shots.

Lothlorien Woods from mark rainha on Vimeo.

Lothlorien Woods from mark rainha on Vimeo.

Cascades: East to West

Cascades: East to West

Over four years  in the northwest and still have only scratched the surface of places to explore. I had a good reminder of that the last couple days with a journey from Portland to Bend. One route took us over Mt. Hood and down through the Warm Springs Reservation to the high desert landscape of Bend. 

Bend is surrounded by incredible landscapes and scenery. One spot is Tumalo Creek; only twelve miles west of downtown. The drive takes you through larch tree groves blanketing the plateaus. There are a few waterfalls further up the creek, but winter is still in attendance in the area. Without snowshoes or cross country skis the hike isn't a smart choice. In my case it was even less possible since I only had a pair of canvas Etnies on. We did manage to have some fun in the snow for a few minutes.

The idea of the journey was to explore so when it was time to head back to Portland we chose the route over Santium Pass. The landscape changes with every mile, winding through desert plateaus and lodge pole pine forests; rolling around volcanic mountains, and descending into thick doug fir trees and green rivers fed by the snow melt. The east side of the summit was partially scorched by wild fires leaving remanents of charred trees. The contrast between these trees and the deep snow that covered the higher elevations.

Sherry Keith took a moment to photograph the Three Fingered Jack peak engulfed in winter snow and ice. This image speaks volumes of the potential of this area. The journey was short, but I can already say with confidence there will be more trips that way in the near future.

Early Bird

Early Bird

Recently the Toyota made its way over the border to get a first hand glimpse of a Canadian gem.  When we think about British Columbia different images come to mind; old growth forests, bears and cougars, Molson beer, snow and mountains, and pristine coastlines are a few of them. Cruising along the I-5 interstate, passing Seattle, the mountains begin to take a much more dramatic shape. The clouds over the horizon begin to blend with the jagged mountain range. Eventually the car rolls slowly towards the border, just in time for the sun to set with a backdrop of Vancouver looming in the distance. The mountain range behind the city is bordered with lights from the 3 local ski areas, snaking down the hillside.  We have arrived.

Our short journey into the north was sure to be interesting. The morning started with a delicious brunch at The Whole Veggie. Not sure if it is a Canadian thing but chinese cuisine usually comes with rice or noodles; not this time. Still it was  good enough for a return trip the following day. When you find tofu drumsticks you take advantage.

A short drive after to check out the Hastings Park, we came across a serious skate session. Proper etiquette means don't interrupt a good session. A little further down the street we found a little gem with a bowl full of iced over water, banks, and ledges. The sign in the parking lot warned people of bears, cougars, and coyotes on the trail. Not bad for an inner city park. The session was short but sweet, as we headed off to Linn Canyon. Another clash of nature and civilization, the Canyon lies just on the northeast border of the city. A few steps down from the parking lot and you find yourself swinging on an overcrowded suspension bridge over a hundred feet of the ground.

The waterfalls around you are a great distraction away from the swaying motion of the bridge. Within a twenty minute hike we found 2 bridges and 5 waterfalls. Not bad considering we never left the city.

Waking up at 8 a.m. on Sunday, I had my bike in hand and headed out the hotel door. 34 degrees out, but the early bird gets free reign of the Hastings Skatepark. The dry day before held over, keeping the bowls dry. With a quick examination of what I was about to ride it became apparent there was ice on all the coping, perfectly coating the steel pipes. No problem, just adjust the drop-in.

Not many parks get my blood flowing, but this one was enough to call for a helmet from the first minute you roll in. The lines were fast and clean. Its a spiritual moment rolling through the concrete waves with traces of snow on the ground and the mountains looking down on me.

So with another round of Whole Veggie and some snacks for the road we headed south again, back over the border towards Oregon. What was the purpose of this trip; celebrating six years with Sherry with more adventures to come. One lesson learned from this trip though, check the bag for all the battery charges. Glad to have a some what decent phone camera....

2 Days at the Oregon Coast

2 Days at the Oregon Coast

A visit by a friend or family can always lead to an adventure. Where we normally would spend time our time working around the house or sitting at home, when an out of towner comes around we feel obligated to show them the best of where we live.Lucky for us we have an enormous amount to show in Oregon. No matter what type of landscape suits you best, Oregon has some version of it. The desert plains and arid mountain ranges in Eastern Oregon, the high amount of volcanoes dotting the Cascade Mountain range, and the intense clash between ocean and land at the Oregon Coast are only a few of those landscapes.

Paul Keith had an opportunity to work in Seattle for a week, so he left Plymouth, Massachusetts along the eastern coastline and headed to the Northwest. When the work was over he took some time to come down and relax in Portland. Being an avid ocean lover, we felt it was only right to show him what the coastline looks like on the other side of the country. These photos were taken on two different journeys we took out to the North side of Oregon Coast. All of it is within 2 hours from downtown Portland.

The town of Neskowin is small, but has a lot of value. The beach is long, but in one area lies Proposal Rock and signs of an ancient old growth forest swallowed by sand and waves. The beach at Neskowin is divided by a river that empties into the ocean and a large rock that stands high at the waters edge with a thick forest growing on top. Sherry and her dad Paul enjoy the view as the sun slowly creeps behind the rock, creating a great opportunity for a silhouette.

In between Astoria and Seaside, on the north side of the Oregon Coast, lies an old Fort which was dedicated a state park. The coastline stretches far from the mouth of the Columbia down to the edge of Seaside. One spot that we always find interesting is an old shipwreck; an old steel ship sailing from Mexico that met its demise in 1906 off the Oregon coast. Over the years the skeleton of the ship has faded, but the bow remains pretty well intact considering.

A quick stop just south of Cannon Beach at Hug Point shows a small beach closed in by rock cliffs. Depending on the tides you can hike around the cliffs to find yourself enclosed in a scene from a pirate movie. Caves that have been hollowed out by incoming waves, living tide pools, and a waterfall that crashes down on the beach from the snow melt in the mountains above.