TimL

Thanks Erik - Give Mike a pat on the back for leading Cunning Stunt on gear. That is an awesome accomplishment.

Pretty bad shaker. I work in Pioneer Square and just casually noticed as I was strolling outside the 10 story building were I work that the sidewalk had dropped away from the foundation about 4 inches. Hmmm.... I wonder if Thin Fingers will turn to Phat Hands. Erik - When you and Mike were at Index on Monday, did you happen to come across a yellow Metoulis TCU. I think I forget mine there on Sunday underneath Godzilla. Thanks.

Another great topic on bolting wars. I've climbed Cunning Stunt (on bolts) many times and think the route is awesome. Would I climb it without bolts? We'll see this summer. I have much respect for the first ascentionist. It was by far a very bold lead. Although I am not a bolt fan by no means, I think it is OK for that climb to be bolted. Especially since the first ascentionist gave permission. Without the bolts, I don't think the climb would see much traffic and go to waste. Many people would not be able experience and enjoy the climb.

Several friends and I attempted Big Four in the middle of December via the Dry Creek route. Big Four is by far a spectacular mountain that offers a great climbing experience. The Becky guide gives a good description for the Dry Creek route. We parked at the Mount Dickerman trailhead and crossed the road and entered the forest directly across from the parking lot. There is a sporadically flagged trail leading to the log crossing over a small creek. We crossed the river and headed SW till we hit Dry Creek. Hiked up Dry creek and started climbing through the rock band by mainly pulling through steep trees which placed us at the far right side of the upper basin. Make a leftward traverse across the large avalanche basin till you get to the base of a long snow gully. Be careful at the base of the snow gully, there seemed to be a small glacier with several open crevasses. Ascend up the snow gully till you top out then traverse to the summit. There is some steep snow in the gully. We encountered sections of 45 to 50 degree snow. If you attempt this mountain, please pay attention to avy danger. Half way up the gully we were diagonally traversing up a 45-degree slope when the whole thing shifted that made me have to change my shorts once I got back to the car. Needless to say we head down quickly. When we attempted Big Four the avy conditions were very low and we still had problems. Since then, two friends went back and attempted it again and got higher but couldn't find a way around avy prone slopes in the upper gully. They also mentioned something about a huge nasty cornice at the top of the gully. Have fun and be careful!

I agree with Rafael. Go to Pro Mountain Sports if you are looking for a good summit pack. I purchased a light, well constructed La Fuma (red& black) pack this fall. It has worked great for quick one day and over night alpine climbs and serves as a good crag pack. The La Fuma has stood up to several serious thrashings and the fit is perfect. Check it out if you get a chance.

Pet A, I was in the Leavenworth area Sunday 2/4 looking for ice myself. The spring across the street from the Snow Creek parking lot was a cascading waterfall. There was a little formation to the left, but it looked really thin. There was another small thin formation in the Air Roof area that we checked out that looked like you could tope rope if it were "in". While the upper section of Hubba Hubba looked fat, from the road the lower part looked barely formed. If it gets cold these might be "in". Cross your fingers and good luck!