Captain Crunch

Looking at possibly camping at Ingram Flats in Mid-Feb. I know it is a common camp in summer, but not sure about conditions in winter (namely avi hazard) I know there is a steep slope above the camp in the Ingram Glacier between Gib rock and the Cleaver. However, I recall that there is a good section of 'levelish' terrain between the slope and the camp. Anyone have beta on whether or not the camp is far enough from the slope to be (generally) safe should something come off the slope.

1. 6/23 or 6/24 ish 2. WA Pass or really anywhere east of Concrete 3. Near Burlington (flexible) 4. 1 person + bike 5. I cannot drive. Looking for a one-way ride. Willing to buy all gas and lunch.

Looking for a one way ride for me and a bicycle on the evening of June 22 or June 23 from Burlington to Washington pass. Willing to pay for gas and lunch.

Any word on the new MH tent??? http://www.mountainhardwear.com/Direkt%E2%84%A2-2/OU9613,default,pd.html

Update: Gear has been dontated to the sale from Feathered Friends. Thanks FF!

This Sunday is the Everett Mountain Rescue Gear Grab and Open House. Stop by and say hi, see the Snohomish County Search and Rescue base, see the helicopters, buy some new and used gear. See a rescue demonstration. This is a fund raiser to help the unit get a little (or a lot) closer to buying a new truck to replace the undersized and aging Suburban. Bring your used gear to donate to the cause! Sunday, July 31 from noon – 6pm See the attached flyer Some of the stuff: 3 pairs of custom climbing pants from a new and innovative company – if you rock climb these are the hottest pants on the market right now. 2 pairs of Black Diamond skis 1 Bibler tent 1 OR tent 1 Black Diamond backpack 6 pairs of Black Diamond hiking poles One year membership to a gun range Mountain Hardwear insulated pants Other Donated New Gear. Lots of other Donated Used Gear 4480.pdf

Where do I get one of these helmet visors?

I've got to give a strong vote for the BD Absolute Mitts. http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en-us/shop/mountain/gloves/absolute-mitt I've been living and working at the South Pole for the winter (February - November). I've come to really love these mitts. I used them almost exclusivly when the temps are colder than -60F, and that has been virtually everyday for the past 8 months. When it gets really cold (ie -80F to -95F) my hands can get cold, especailly if I am holding something, or if I have them out of the mitts too much. But really...-95F with a -145F windchill what do you expect. There might be warmer mitts, but there is more to a glove system than just warmth. I love these mitts because the shell is insulated with primaloft. Most other mitts have a really thick liner that goes into an uninsulated nylon shell. What I do it remove the liner from the right mitt (I'm right handed) and I wear a modest fleece glove (OR Gripper) on my right hand. Without the liner, the right hand goes in and out of the mitt easily. This give me the dexterity to do almost anything. This does not happen if you are trying to use a fleece glove with a mitt that has a fleece liner. If you were to try this with most other mitts, you wouldn't have any additional insulation provided by the shell. Thus it wouldn't be much warmer than your fleece glove alone. In extreme cold (like we have down here) exposing skin for a few seconds = frostbite (been there - done that). For my left hand I just run the mitt stock since I don't usually need that level of dexterity in both hands. www.freezedriedengineer.wordpress.com

What's in the little box on your harness?

Hi all, I'm considering this parka. My intended uses are for -20F thru 20F. Mostly winter Cascades as a camp parka or belay jacket for ice. Thoughts? Overkill? If you have one how do you like it and what purpose does it serve for you? I've read that the jacket is cut too short so I'm leaning toward the parka. How about size, I'm 6'0" and 180. I'm thinking an XL to ensure I can throw it over anything I'm wearing. Thanks! http://www.whittakermountaineering.com/cat/92/on-sale/insulation/mountain-hardwear/sub-zero-conduit-sl-parka

Not really. The Sturgen is about 200 yards from the true pole. Even if the Sturgen was directly below the pole (and it never was), because we are essentially on a glacier we all all move 33 feet per year (including frozen Sturgen). However, the geographical pole stays in the same place. Freezedriedengineer

Hi all, Just in case anyone is interested, I am spending 10 months at the South Pole through the Antartic winter. Not really climbing related, but it might be interesting to most climbers. The sun went down about 2.5 months ago and will not return for 3.5 more months. The temperature is -70F and the windchill is around -105F... Actualy a warmish day at the South Pole. We have been isolated for 3.5 months now and the next plane is 5 months away. There are only 43 of use here. www.freezedriedengineer.wordpress.com

I typically don't leave the ground unless my belayer is tied to the rope. A stopper knot is OK too, but as this accident demonstrates the stopper knot is not foolproof. In some ways, this is not a a top rope accident.

I've been shopping for new boots for the following use. 30% approch, 30% rock, 30% glacier, 10% ice. I am struggling to decide between two sizes. A size 42 seems to be the best fit. My toes just barely kiss the end when I simulate a steep decent. However when I really kick the boot into the ground my toes solidly hit the end. I wouldn't normaly be concerned about this except for front pointing for ice climbing. Now I've never actually climbed ice so I'm using a bit of imagination here to simulate the impact. When I go up to a 42.5 I start to get a bit of heal lift. Probably not a critical amount. Is it normal to need an extra 1/2 size up in boots used for front point ice climbing? It seems wrong to me, but I certainly don't want mashed toes.

Any new reviews / opinions on MSRs. Trying to decide on Denali Evo Accents vs Lightining Accents