Climbing Through Cascades Geology

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Climbing Through Cascades Geology

GSOC Past President Bo Nonn delivered the 82nd Annual GSOC banquet speech on March 12 to a fascinated crowd at Ernesto’s Italian Restaurant in Beaverton. He has a unique perspective on the geology of the Cascade Mountains: he has witnessed it in person by climbing all 16 Cascade peaks more than once, and has received several certificates of achievement from the Mazamas, as well as being a climbing instructor with that organization.

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Mt. Hood field trip

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Mt. Hood field trip

Larry Purchase writes about our recent amazing GSOC Mt. Hood field trip "My thanks to all who contributed, especially..."

  • Janet for her firm Presidential direction: "No Matter What! Don't Cancel!"
  • Ellen for naming the flowers and appreciating the hydrology of the White River stream flow.
  • The Smoody Family for reconnoitering the area for years.
  • Julia for taking such great photos. Wrecking yard junk at the bottom of the Parkdale Lave Flow?
  • The park rangers for warmly welcoming us and giving us a wonderful tour of the Cloud Cap Inn.
  • Eric & Paul for organizing a last minute car load of participants.
  • Most of all to Bo! — for devoting so much time and energy in researching the geology and preparing such a concise, to the point, field trip guide.
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Mt. Lassen – a Geological Must-See

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Mt. Lassen – a Geological Must-See

About 100 of us gathered in Cramer Hall 53 to hear the very knowledgeable geologist Dr. Scott Burns talk about his newest adventure – first trip to Mt. Lassen National Park. This active volcano, the southernmost in the Cascade Mountains, last erupted in 1916. The mode of eruptions seems to be bi-modal – either quiet or violent. The volcano was named after Danish immigrant Peter Lassen who was a local blacksmith. The LA Times recently wrote that Mt. Lassen was California’s “most overlooked volcanic park” with only 400,000 visitors per year, as compared with Yosemite’s 4-million visitors per year.

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