Surain and I - together with close friends Steve and Colleen McClure - hiked up Aasgard pass to the Enchantments in September 1992. It had been a long time dream to get up there, but the permit system had stopped us before. We were certainly not disappointed, finding an incredible, stark landscape in the upper area, and a magic larch-turned-fall-color scenery just below.

This is also the place where Surain had her stroke. All four of us crowded into our 3-person tent to try to keep her warm during a stormy -7°C (19°F) degree night (and snow on the groound the next morning). Steve and Colleen ran down the mountain the next morning to get help. We are greatly thankful to them, the rangers, and the helicopter pilot for their attention and care.

It would take almost eight years before we did our next significant hike (to the source of the Ganga river in India, 2000), instead resorting to ever more exciting kayaking adventures. The stroke did not stop or deter Surain - this is one of her fondest memories. In fact, having pronounced Lake Virihaure in Lappland the most beautiful place she had seen, she decided to share that distinction with the Enchantments.

It was an easy decision for us to choose this place to scatter her ashes, symbolizing our love for the Cascades.

We followed almost exactly the same route as ten years ago. With me were Steve and Colleen and Jackie Marr, another close friend. Again I was impressed by the stark landscape. The larch had not turned colors yet, otherwise it was very much the same. We scattered her ashes on top of Aasgard pass as planned, and also at the site of her stoke (just a minute below the pass). We had two very moving ceremonies, thinking of and remembering this wonderful human being.

It was cold and windy, especially the last night. We registered about -3°C and 22 meter/s wind (26°F and 50 miles/h). But it had been even colder after Surain's stroke with -7°C (19°F) and extremely windy. Very befitting for a woman who loved stormy weather.