I love when you include the local wildflowers in your videos! Hiking the Hidden Lake trail above Logan Pass in Glacier National Park people are astounded that the Alpine meadows are flush with wildflowers of all sorts in late July. You don't realize that at that altitude winter doesn't thaw until May and June, the "Spring" is just a few short weeks in late July- August in which the plants must emerge, flower, set seed and disperse before winter-kill takes them away.🍁🌼🌲
So glad you are covering this area! 30-years ago I used to do a LOT of backpacking in the Alpine Lakes and was always awestruck by the obvious geological difference between the Mt. Stuart granitic and the Ingalls Peak rock. One was dark, one was a lighter cream-color. It is a magical place. Along with 35-mm photos, I always brought rocks home with me from my hikes.I hope this area continues to be protected!
I hear ya, I’m 65 and I’m feeling the same issues. “ the grass withers, the flower fades but the word of the Lord endures forever”. The word from professionals is DON’T STOP MOVING!
I saw those rocks and at first I thought they were covered in grey-green lichen. But then you picked one up and the light flashed across and I saw that IT IS REALLY THAT COLOR. Very pretty rocks!
Make the Pop Up Geology work best for you. If all can be with you, parking, love stream … great! For many I am sure that we will Be happy to see you sharing your heart and mind about geology!!!
Very enjoyable hike, thank you! Like, so many who have discovered your videos, I have become so fascinated with geology and am enjoying your lectures and adventures. Ever since my dad would take us camping in both Washington and Oregon and to see the lava flows and petrified forests, I have been so interested in how everything was formed. Now, with your help and my new geology books, I am starting to understand more about the land I grew up loving. I am in my mid 70’s now and am a caregiver to both my husband and son and not able to be out camping and hiking like I used to, so finding your exciting lectures has helped my heart to soar again! Thank you, thank you! I am so grateful for you! ⛰🏕🌋🗻💚🤗
"...What do we do with a room seating 120 and we have 250 show up?" ... Simple, Coach. Ya get a bigger room. 😊 We REALLY enjoy whatever you've done and decide to do in the future. Thank you, sir.
Nick, I am 74 and even with new bionic knees I am not able any longer able to make it to areas such as this one. Until now! so THANK YOU so much for sharing you adventure with all of us. I was also interested to hear of your balance issues. I have also experienced balance issues in the last few years and think I have to look into this. Again, thanks for your film and commentary. During Covid year one I found immense enjoyment in RU-vid videos produced by the “Prehistory Guys” from the UK. And this year I consider you another real find. Michael (Gilroy, CA)
Great vid! As one who grew up in Washington but now i live in Mississippi I sure enjoy your short trips! What will help on your balance issue is cut back on sugar and carbs! I'm 69 and have lost 50 pounds over the last two years! and yes I still creek and groan in the joints, but going the right direction. thanks again for your dedication!
I love these pop up geology bits. Very good way to “put it all together.” “Ophiolite sequence” never came up in conversation before watching your classes! Now I feel compelled to squeeze it in whenever I can!Thanks Nick! Keep on trucking! I’m 68 years on this globe, and I’ve noticed balance issues as well. My strategy is to keep moving so that my muscles can’t forget how to move through space. Good luck with your yoga and strengthening program.
Recent rockfall spreads a talus apron of fresh scree situated beneath outcrops. Reddish areas are where the fresh scree has not been replenished, resulting in a longer period of oxidation.
Never seen your videos before. This one really did give a sense of walking along the trail just as you were, hearing your trekking poles touch the rock, and becoming fascinated with what you were commenting about. Thanks for making the effort to create videos like this. Serpentinite Is a name I was not familiar with, tho I did know serpentine from seeing rocks in mid-northern California. The tale of such a sizeable piece of real estate moving 500 mi north of where similar rocks reside made me wonder whether the North American plate is/was rotating clockwise carrying all that serpentinite northward. Or just what accounted for what you mentioned as the BC Baja connection. On a completely different note I was impressed by how dry it looked excepting those faint moist spots on the trail. Such a dry year. Made me wonder about the elevation where you were walking; the trees looked as if they have had to endure very heavy snowfall every winter. Very heavy at least until recently. That poor lake looked decrepit, muddy. I suppose its size is much less than seen in other years. And I wondered also what those delicate blue purple flowers are. Lastly I am curious about your camera rig, how do you carry it and what sort of gimbal arrangement you have to negate gait bounce. The close-ups of the rocks and the flowers were really nice. Made me curious about the mineral makeup -- what elements, crystalline forms, conditions of formation, stuff like that -- of serpentinite. Thanks again for putting this video on the internet so that people like me can stumble upon it.
Thank you Nick, for sharing another interesting hike. What beautiful terrain you have in Washington and such a vast amount of serpentinite. I am fascinated by this rock and it is one of my favourites.
Thank you so much for having these online videos. At 75 my knees are not up to mountain hikes anymore, and I m fascinated by geology. You are helping me keep my brain cells alive! I love the zoom classes also. I have followed you since you started the 101 on zoom in 2020.
Love the geology bullet points/storyline! ❤️🏞️ Lake Ann and the backside of Ingalls are favorite places to admire serpentine and the tree species diversity. Hope Liz had a peaceful night, that Tuesday was the stormy one that sparked a lot of fires.
Hi i just came across your videos the other night and must say I'm loving watching them.iv been a resident of washington for over 40 years and didn't really realize just how much there is in Washington.keep up the good videos
The "guy who babbles" line made me give you an instant like. Thank you for your video. Very informative and relaxing to listen to while writing about serpentine soils.
Like your Popup Geology concept, but these impromptu hikes are also very enjoyable. Love the geology, biology, scenery.......beautiful. I'd like to see more of Randy Lewis. I think he would make a wonderful Popup session.
Thanks for sharing the hike, the babbling and the occasional geology. Good on you for being out there, with the balance issues and all. I’m a believer in the “use it or lose it” concept especially as we get older. Good on you for “using it” and bringing us with you!
Hi Nick, I think you would love hiking the Illinois River area in southern Oregon where you might find awaruite, pyroxene rodingites, nephrite, grossular garnets and vesuvianite. Of course course tons of lizardite, antigorite and chrysotile serpentine like in this video is there too. Also check around the Eel river in northern California near Mina where you can find jadeite.
Nick if those to serpentine sites are from a single source that is now miles apart,1) is there any sign of serpentiniete in between these two sites? 2) why are they now so far apart? 3) when did they get over so far apart?4) what was the process involved in this massive split and shift of these two halves of the same source
I just ate when the video came out and was half way awake but listening, when you started talking about Serpentinite, I pictured a British guy being knighted. :)
I also hear you, I'm 74 and since turning 70 have had more stability issues too. But mostly when having sat for sometime. I have started walking more and eating fewer donuts! Ha Itchy has been adding regional history to her rides, and since she's in areas most of us will never see, its super interesting. Compared to this walk, she's in a desert. Namibia has not had rain for 7 years, unreal! Thanks for the walk!
Thank you so much for this hike. I love this area but am now way too far away and as you said, not getting any younger. If you're willing, I'd love to see more videos like this. I've always been interested in the geology of the places I've hiked but never had a geologist along to answer my questions. I've been told by older relatives that aging isn't for the faint of heart. They weren't wrong. 😉
This is the second video in which you show specifically sensitive attention to your wife by a lake. This is especially endearing trait you have . the other video was at a lake on the fourth of july. I missed on the first viewing that you mentioned that your wife was using her paddle board. Just as I was wondering where she was, she came paddling into view and you you followed her movements across the water with your finger across the picture in such a tender way. I wonder if she knows how much you still love her after all these years. I hope she does and appreciates you as much as you do her. If I had one of you, I would not camp alone. This is the second watching of this hike, too. These rocks here are what keeps me coming back to see it again. Keep up the love for her and for your viewers cause we love you 💖 both, too.
I collected some serpentinite near the Feather River in northern California that looked almost identical to the rock at the beginning of the video. Beautiful, and each piece is unique.
Nick I am 77 and cannot hike trails like this, so I am loving that your taking us with you, and I enjoy your chatter, I see a lot of J shaped trees, does that mean this is unstable slopes? I know what you mean about balance issues.
Yes, most likely snow creep, which is very common in the Cascades Mountains whether the slope is stable or not. The snow load can be 5 to 10 ft. (1.5-3 meters) and that will result in J trees.
That's a good hike. My wife and I took the trail up Esmeralda Basin last summer and found the side trail up to Lake Ann and took it. Good thing because the view from the top of that ridge above Lake Ann is a great one. The drop from the ridge down to Lake Ann is much steeper in real life than it appears in the video. Watching your video has given me an added appreciation of what we saw there.
The rocks you are showing are beautiful. The "rocks" are to me so much more . If a rock speaks to me? I have brought those back home. I'm no expert by any means . I had a collection of raw feild stones from my collecting of 60 years I'm 68 now. Still love the hunt. Thank you for sharing your expertise .
Nick always find your presentations interesting, engaging and informative. I can't stand lectures from a boring monotone educator who puts a class to sleep. With no fire in their ramblings. Had I met you years ago I would have a degree in Geology!
Also, 64 years here and the balance challenge I sometimes face is wanting to step forwards but end up every now and then stepping sideways and quickly back one step. Weee. So much fun. The idea is though to keep on walking 😂🤣
My wife and her brother whined their way along the same trail, dragged along by their parents. I appreciate the second hand hikes, having had the pandemic keep me close to home 2 years in a row.
Had to go back to Exotic “P” and look a Mappy McMapp to see where the Ingalls is, and I see that it is right at Ingalls Peak..Trekking poles are a good call. They literally DOUBLE the distance and elevation I can hike. With training I was able to hike out of the Grand Canyon this year, with a pack, and I will be 68 next month. Stay in shape, and you can keep visiting the places you love!
I just took a 54 mile hike through Yosemite national park...I needed a hiking pole/stick. I had a pack that weighed 76lbs!!! Try climbing up a 2,354 ft mountain base with 45 ft of rope and 70 lbs of gear on your back in dead middle of summer...hot....sticky...muggy....yuk!!! I hurt so bad after that hike....I felt muscles in my body that I never felt before!!!lol..lol but not without insult to injury....which I did get minor injury....I fell 24 feet fell flaton my haunches...lol all due to slipping on a very smooth piece of basalt!!!
🤗 I would love to go see you, Nick. I have learned so much. When I was in the Gorge a week ago, I rewatched your Gorge videos and being there I learned so much more. Thanks.
Hope Liz was ok during the thunderstorms Tuesday night. I was up the East Fork Foss River when they hit at 430. Seeing the glassy serpentinite at the saddle of Ingalls Peak five years ago got me back into geology. I'm sure a lot of people miss the interesting geology but there are others like me who are intrigued. Love your videos and especially the field videos to areas I know. Hope to run into you in the mountains sometime. BTW Lake Ann isn't in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness so it's ok to take a certain poundage of rocks out as far as I know.
Babble from the other guy on the trail: Thanks for the Babble, watch your step and please don't turn off the camera. The views are wonderful! Good Luck with your plans to share your Geology classes. Wish I could help ya on the "Balance" issues. I love the sound of thunder in the mountains, like a freight train or cannons in the distance. Thank you for the excursion.
My late hubby had balance issues. Around here, that is just one of many side effects of our high pollen and mold counts in our area. Caused by swollen sinuses pressing on things. With me, it is usually sore teeth and headaches. With all your fires, maybe it is a smoke thing. I get it bad when we get Mexican crop fire smoke, or Saharan dust in Austin, too.
Sinus issues sneak up on some of us if we were fortunate enough to have healthy sinus most our lives. When I feel it coming on Alka seltzer plus helps! Something else I have been living with is "loose knee" yup that is a real thing too that can sure effect balance in a slow and sneaky fashion. Knee and balance exercise really help...but eventually i needed a new ACL tendon in both knees! In fact tomorrow morning I will have surgery on my other knee and hope to catch up on all your stuff while healing.
Great to hear your voice again. I have 15 years on you but not your enjoyment of the outdoors. I only wish I could have encountered you years ago. You are a reason to stay as active as possible.
Beautiful area, and thanks for the video Nick. I love your podcast BTW, and keep that mic recording. Also last week I was reading an article by a WA State department and they referred to Baka B.C. as if there was no doubt. I will see if I can find the article.
My comment was poorly worded what made it hard was worry about you . We see things through the lenses of our own experiences and I regret making the comment inspired by my son’s breathing issues. You have inspired me to investigate the various sites along the Bay of Fundy my granddaughter and I have enjoyed exploring our provinces geological history. I have much to thank you for your programs your efforts to educate me about our marvellous world. I am sorry that I have had a negative impact on you
The Bay of Fundy is fascinating and I don't just mean the Digby scallops, which are fantastic. The geology and the unique tidal currents left us in awe when my wife and I took our grade school age kids there in the 1990s. I highly recommend the Maritime Provinces in August.
Being out in nature is always amazing. Understanding the Geology of an area adds so much to the experience and appreciation of that plot upon which we stand. Agreed the Title of "Ballerina Geologist " still awaits a contestant.
I love your video work. From around the three minute mark as your walking about it looks super 3d! Man I love me some serpentonite! I can't spell it twice the same way. But I like it.
Thank you for showing these locations. I live in probably one of the flatter places, even compared to Wisconsin, so seeing any hill that has any form of point is pretty much impossible where I am, save for the escarpment, so mountains are quite interesting
I agree with Bob. All conversations need to return to the Ingalls serpentinite. All years need to return to the Teanaway to bathe in the beauty of the open vistas created by the high nickel content soils that make the trees struggle to fill in a forest. Be it Lake Ann, Iron Peak, Beverly Peak, Navaho Pass or County Line trail. Come to see the endemic plants and wide views and green slick serpentines. I’m also glad to hear that a missing piece of rock will not be a problem. A few some how snuck in to my pack. Only to be discovered when arriving home.
I can't get enough of you're videos Nick. I'm from London in the UK. I am saving up to one day come to you're beautiful state and county. I have showed my partner the scablands etc on the internet she thinks it's boring but she said she will come haha. I can't wait to physically be there to get a true life size feel of how big the floods truly were. Keep up the great work Nick. You're babbling videos are the best.
What about a trip to the Straits of Juan de Fuca? Much to cover and view there and btw it is truly beautiful. Contact the Bremerton Navy Commander. He/she might be able to facilitate a tour by water?
Re: your comments in video: Proprioceptors report back to the brain re position and balance, body adjusts position/maintains balance. Joint replacement damages or destroys some. Had severe balance and function issues post hip replacement, physical therapy (they're amazing) helped body to use remaining proprioceptors and coordinate movement and balance. Maybe u need this too, Nick? Have to continue to do assigned exercises😉
Love your videos. It is hard to keep up with all of them. We just returned from camping in the Unity, Oregon area. We explored the Greenhorn Mts, Vinegar Hill, and Table Rock areas. Smoke from wildfires was not bad until Friday when we returned to Bend. So much to see and so little time. Keep up the good work.
Hey Nick. If you ever have the chance, please watch a video or two of mine. I have identified the mountain my mineral claim on as a tuff cone volcano. I would love to say extinct. But I have found collapsed lava tubes free of even zeolites, with intact charcoal mixed in. If a Geologist ever found what I found they would do their masters on this place. Your expert eye would be much appreciated. Thank you for your talks and your knowledge sir! I am just up in BC, so many of your lectures relate very well to my terranes.
Oh thank you so much for doing these hikes, Nick! The Teanaway area is near and dear to our hearts, and it's wonderful that people around the world are able to see and appreciate it now, too. The rocks here are so incredible that the whole area feels magical. You did a terrific job capturing that feel in this video. Nicely done! Also yoga is great for balancing in many ways. 😉
I love the pop up geology video. Forgive me please But I'm disturbed that your wife is alone at the lake 😕...willingly!!! She is very brave🤩 and I hope she is safe with a weapon of some kind 🤔. The Sepentanite rock's are beautiful and I would love to go visit this place too. Lake Ann looks very secluded and the views are stunning. Thank you
I think yoga is a great way to help with the balance issues. Some slow standing meditations can help as well. Thanks for the hike Nick. Just hiked a volcano in Guatemala a couple weeks ago that erupts every 15 minutes, Volcán de Fuego. It was incredible and also very difficult.
The impact of Serpentine soil on the plants is very interesting. The high concentration of Mg and low Ca reduces the drought tolerance of the plants. They cannot use their Ca ion exchange pumps to scavenge precious water. Some plants have evolved new pathways to scavenge water. The proof is surviving plants from serpentine soils can grow on on normal soils but the reverse is not the case. This evolution to cope with serpentine is labeled ecotypes. Roger Del Moral is the primary investigator.
Splendid video ! Thank you for this, I love your explanation of the geology of the Pacific North West, that has some similarities of my local geology, the Late Ordovician/Early Silrian horst with structures linked to a strike/slip fault system to the West, of the Lickey Hills of South Birmingham, UK
Nick yes been I ER 3 ax’s in 26 months. Do track work not jogging just walk. 4 miles work up too it will bring back your balance. I’m held together by titanium that cost me my balance but I’m up to 10 miles. You have lots of time left if you walk and keep your wight. Living. I life 2 to 3 times a week. I appreciate you sharing your knowledge. Now your not dying you only took your body for granted. You will have it back in 3 yrs. if you walk miles. Miles, miles. You can go back to age 35.🤗🇺🇸
Magnificent views. Nick, did you get a new camera? No complaints about previous videos but this one is truly superior. My goodness it was just like I could reach into my computer and feel the rocks, it was so crisp. Thanks for a great experience in the field #36.
Jeez, you guys are pretty into it, to be hiking up steep hills in this hot smoky weather we've been having lately. I haven't even been outside for longer than 10 minutes. Which is unfortunate, because I do all my stone work outside. Have a lot of work to do, and just can't bring myself to sit outside for the hours the work would require.
