Determined to make the absolute most of Oregon, I took Steve to a dope secret hot spring spot I know of deep in the woods in the Mt. Hood National Forest.

Luscious Oregon ground cover

Over a couple of bridges

This is where the boiling hot water comes out of the rocks and flows down hollowed logs into all the various tubs and canoes

Just waiting for our tub to fill up

The next day we strapped on our skis, and hung out until the evening for a sunset shoot.

Steve shows off his fancy moves

The rest of the ski pictures are of my fancy moves, mostly getting some double grabs dialed, and demonstrating the loveliness of my new Liberty Phil Larose Pro Model skis.

As we got back to our campsite at around midnight, we noticed some gapers had set up their camp right next to ours. They had a van pulled up, lights on, music, etc.

We were not into it, so we decided to adventure to somewhere a little more rustic. We walked by the gapers without saying a word and tossed our tent (with everything still in it) onto our car and drove off. Some trusty Liberty Hazmats held it down pretty well as we off-roaded to a spot in the middle of nowhere.

The next night was our day of independence, so we 2 tracked up the tallest mountain across from Hood to check out Portland's fireworks from above. Tons of locals joined us, lighting fireworks around a huge fire while they got drunk and did god knows what kind of drugs.

Since we had been skiing for far too many days in a row, we took the next day off and went to the Oregon coast. On the way, we stopped by the Columbia/Convert World Headquarters to learn more about the great outerwear company I ski for, bringing us to this edition of CRIBS.

Our all access passes. In the background is Gertrude Boyle, Columbia's founder and chairwoman who we were able to sit down with and discuss the finer points of life.

After a tour, we sat down with Vice President of Apparel Product Innovation, Doug Prentice and Promotions Operations Manager, Susan Becker to learn more about Columbia and their many, many, great products and history.

Then it was straight to the beach. We of course did our best to find the most secluded beach around.

Exploring barnacle covered rocks would have been more comfortable with sandals on. Oh well.

I ducked into an abandoned house along the shore for this view.

Before we left the northwest, there was one last thing we had to do, climb Mt. Hood.

It has always been a desire of mine to climb to the summit in only ski boots and ski down, so we packed up a couple things and headed up to the mountain.

This is our climber registration permit. As you can see, we are more than prepared.

Nick demonstrating the sturdiness of his plastic toboggan.

We wanted to camp out in the crater. Nick thought it would be lots of fun to pull 180 lbs of firewood and supplies up the tallest mountain in the state. Sure, why not?

Carrying our lovely sled over a patch of rocks

Just under the crater

Nick and I showing off our full bellies after a great meal cooked over campfire

High fives all around for the sick view of the world as we went to bed

The next morning we woke up and began the grueling climb to the summit, but on the way I had to explore the top of the crater dome. Any doubts of this not actually being an active volcano were quickly driven away as I climbed on hot rocks and numerous volcanic vents spewing sulfur gasses and steam.

Almost at the summit. As you can see, this is a nice wide walkway we had to pass with no 5,000 ft sheer cliffs on either side.

Nick was determined to flash and moon 1/3 of Oregon and 1/2 of Washington at the same time.

I declare this arm to be the tallest thing in the state.

Then we strapped our skis on and made some turns all the way down the mountain. Hell yeah!