AllYouCanEat

We also have a recent (January) climb/ski report of Mount Rainier up on http://cascadeclassics.alpinelite.com/ . I would recommend the Ingraham/DC route for this time of year...

quote: willstrickland Short term solution: Try to distract yourself, and focus on the money. What if you don't make any money and you do all of the work. I am new to cubville. Wow, I don't know how people do this for their entire lives. With all week to think of distractions, by the weekend I have thought of something that I probably shouldn't be doing. Hmm.

Ascent: Dome Peak with skis in late August. Descent: I don't know if this would be considered a descent but the drive home after climbing/skiing glacier peak in a day (T-races on the entire way plus two miles of road).

I've skied from muir since I was five. I'll admit there had been a few fesheez, but not many. I go up to muir when there is nothing else to do, and that is usually because I am too lazy to think of anything else. Also, I like to ski before noon, and Rainier doesn't allow for that these days...

Brukb, you don't go to Muir for the snow. It is never good. If you want good snow, go elsewhere. Conditions anywhere on rainier change by the hour. I'm not getting on your case, this is just the facts.

I've learned that the most important thing to prepare for in a long climb/single push is to know the facts. How much altitude gain, how far, where you are going, etc. I know this sounds logical, but often when it comes to long pushes, you do them because you only have so much time, be it because your weather window is small or you are a weekend warrior. Sometimes the details are left to fate. Also, bring a lot of food. Oftentimes eating is all you have to look forward too. It helps make the pain to fun ratio more palpable.

We were up there a few weeks ago. The road is closed 5 miles back from the trailhead, and a snow park permit is required. The upper route is in good condition with most of the crevasses well covered. And we did wear a rope. I'm torn on whether or not you need it, but we carried it and felt it was better if we spread the weight out. When you are up there, make your own choice as to if you want to go on w/o a rope. Better safe than sorry. We learned the hard way. Have a good climb...

I believe it is always smart to be aware of the avi conditions in the area. On the other hand, I never understand why you must judge other people, or deam them as ignorant. The only reason would be to install some confidence in your own abilities by dashing those of others who oviously made the wrong decision. I am guilty of that. Most of you are, too. I have made many bad decisions that I warrented sane decisions at the time. Some have ended badly. Finaly, to sum up my rant, is to die in the backcounry simply a result of dull wit? Of course not. I was once told I would win the darwin award (for skiing on a glacier). I believe we just had different views of what is stupid. The skier probably did too.

BUG quote: That's stupid. If your going to attack me, at least clarify the reasoning behind the above statement. I just felt like ranting. In short, what I meant was that often I say to myself, "That climber sucked, he didn't know nothing, and that would've never happened to me." This sort of attitude bothers me. If you read more into it than that then (shrug) tell me why you disagree. I may possibly agree with your disagreements...

We did Mclellands several years ago. If you mean that big snaking couloir, that is. It is a pretty good ski. I have a job now and so I have to get back to work. Suck. [ 02-19-2002: Message edited by: AllYouCanEat ]

Dude, that looks rad to ski! How narrow does it get? Steepness? Vert? I should look it up, but I don't mind getting flammed.

I have. We climbed and skied the North route. There is a write up here http://cascadeclassics.alpinelite.com/ under the ski section. If you have any other questions, I would be glad to answer them. I loved this ski, the exposure wasn't too great, but the steepness was nice...

What altitude did you fall in the crevasse at? Two of us fell in one at 13500 on january 9. I feel your pain about not summiting. We skinned from Pan Point to the summit crater where we decided to turn around. Oh well, maybe next time...

I don't even trust my twin brother enough to rope up with him while skiing down. Stupid. If it was a flat glacier in the winter and I was skining, then I would rope up. Otherwise, anyone who recommends roping up while skiing down shouldn't be skiing at all.

Write your congressman. Seriously. Private business should be separated from the government just as religion is. Large interest groups with a lot of power agree with the demo fee. The Northwest's wilderness lands are beautiful and shouldn't be exploited by greedy texans. Hrrrrrgh... If it was up to private business to make the decisions, the world would just be one big parking lot...

In Washington, in the spring, with hard ice or corn, you can get away without using a rope. Some people think the rope will take the place of route finding and skill. Many group leaders (like the mountaineers) disagree. I think that is because they have huge inexperienced groups of climbers. I would never rope up with someone I just met that day. Also, if I had to climb back down rather than ski, I would rope up. You take your own risks in the Winter.

The rangers I've met up at high camp have always been rad. You guys have a hard job. I've always received good info from rangers (those that climb). The two rangers who climbed ptarmigan ridge last year, gave us some great beta and a ride up to the parking lot. And W, the women, by the way, we met up at Little T, was about 4 or 5 yrs ago. She wasn't a climber, that's for sure.

It wasn't steam, just snow blowing off of the summit...

A couple friends and I skinned to the summit crater on January 9th. The conditions on Ingraham were very good. You should have a great climb. I wish I was up there again, but I need to find a job. I have a finance degree. Does anyone have any ideas (I should've probably put this in Spray)? I live in Tacoma.

Where can I see the current base and years snow cummulation at Paradise on the net?...

I just wanted to hear some classic ranger stories. I've met some cool rangers and so if there are any CC'ers who are add your stupid climber/hiker stories. I don't want to gang up on you too much. To begin, here is one of mine. I was camping at Summerland, planning on climbing/skiing Little Tahoma the following day. The weather was superb! As good as the weather was, the snow was even better, with 10 feet or more on the ground. My brother and I set-up camp and were hanging out. Next thing I know, here comes this ranger and she was angry as hell. "Why are you camping there?" "What," I say. She angerly responds, "You need to be camping in a designated camping spot!" What the heck. She pointed to a presumed camping spot, beneath a snow drift, under a tree, under 10-ft of snow. I shit you not! Then she asks what we were skiing and I said little T. She then asked if we had a permit to go above 10,000-ft. "No." She then asked my name, address, and phone number. I put on my skis, my pack, and headed for the car. I wasn't going to deal with that crap. I skied almost all the way to the car...

Thanks for the info. DP, I'll give you a buzz if I head up there...

I agree with DP. I've been looking at this route for sometime. I've always skied steep corn and ice. That type of terrain during this time of year is very condition dependent. Personally, too many trips like that and you won't be making it home. Anyway, that is what I've been told. My only advice is, worry about the climb then the ski. Good luck, be safe, and tell us how it goes. Oh, do you plan on snowmobiling? Helicopter Cause if you are, then I would be interested.

I've never skied on the peninsula. Now that I live in Tacoma I want too. What is the best access right now and what are the best mountains to ski? Thanks...

The skis, bindings and lifters will work. The Acendo 8 is one of the lighter skis in the series (if you are concerned with weight). Yet I dislike the sidecut of 99-63.5-89. Too much. Too skinny. If you like the deal then go for it. If not, I would buy a fatter ski (Crude buster. This is Washington), be it downhill or tele, with a G3 binding (comes with a lifter and televates) and T1 boots or T2 if you want a boot that is less muscle (these: http://www.barrabes.com/barrabes/dept.asp ) Spend your first several days at the resort then follow the herd above paradise. Then [shrug], wherever you have the desire to go. Good luck.