pope

You're not fooling me! That's no glacier and that ain't St.Helens. That's some kind of artsy photograph of cracked mud and hoar frost. I like the way you photo-shopped "USGS" on there for added authenticity.

I'll give it one star....one BROWN STARFISH, comin' right up!

Well it ain't helping much around here: I'll bet Petey P. ain't never been in this part of the hills, so what does he care? Or any part of the mountains, for that matter. Hey Puget, did you ever climb Raindawg? Didn't think so.

First of all, when you suggest that "this is a good beginner's route", I assume you mean that with all of the bolts, it offers easy and well-protected climbing to beginners. I'm not sure it's a good idea to point beginners to such climbs. From the beginning, the aspiring leader should know that while some climbs offer the security of a bolt or great gear for every difficult move, many climbs will require making moves nearly as difficult as the crux but with marginal gear. Because of this, it is a good idea to climb with great control, to work in gear on difficult terrain, to know how to down climb and find rests in the middle of trouble. These are the skills beginning leaders should acquire...from the beginning. I don't know what did more harm to spirit of Leavenworth climbing. Was it the fire of '94 or the rash of indiscriminate bolts that litters every slab of granite within a 20-minute hike?

Here's a link that may help you get in touch with people who knew him: link

Oh boy, who could forget this one (I think it went platinum):

Found out more. From what I can tell the fire is above road 7810 near Baldy Mountain. As of this morning the access to the Carbon River entrance to the park and road 7810 (which can be followed to Coplay Lake and Bearhead Mountain area) are closed while Mowich Lake appears to be open. Map

I see that Gary's "Blackberries at Index" continues to make the first page of topics in Peter Puget's special corner. Isn't this a sign? Hasn't everything been said more than 25 times about rock climbing in this mossy, bolt-infested corner of the country?

Thanks. Enjoyed the report. Often the local critters point the way better than the bipedal pilgrims.

Just outside the Carbon River entrance....near road 7810 which is now closed. I can't seem to find specific information about what areas have burned. Anybody know more about it?

Next time, try inviting this guy. He won't chicken out! Check him out in action: Big Huckin' Chicken

Dwayner introduced me to Alley Oop Chimney....probably 1989. I got frustrated and bailed. Then I climbed Bomb Shelter (with one enormous flight out into space when I peeled off the lay back section) which seemed less chalenging. I can't remember the grade on Alley Oop but I do remember feeling humbled. Maybe a big lunge is the secret. Carlstad/Brooks is still a great guide. Most Leavenworth routes not found in that guide aren't worth doing.

Save your travel money and be patient. A reasonably accurate replica is coming to the Cheeks.

Too bad. It's a good one! But not quite as inspiring as your personal favorite:

Excellent points, Peter! Good question! Are we talking fixed rope... Or something that would encourage even more traffic, maybe one of these.... But to really get people up onto the Cheeks, you should probably do it right....

Thanks for asking first. That's mighty bif of you. But since you asked, I think that a bunch of bolts and a fixed line, for the purpose of increasing traffic, are a bad idea. If the climbing up there is that great, people will make the effort. Keep it wild.

Anybody who can top-rope Caboose can probably lead Pressure Drop.

And as a bonus, you can tell your buddies you climbed a 5.11 crack (although it's Squamish 10b).

Thanks for the TR and skilled photography. Liked this one in particular: pix

Right now? I'm returning some lingerie that your sister left at my pad. BTW, tell her to stop calling me.

Does somebody believe otherwise?

Why should one appeal to the idea of respecting the style of the first ascent party when defending rap-placed bolts? Correct me if I'm wrong, but rapelling and ascending are entirely different activities. When you do the math, one must deduce that rap-placed bolts aren't protected by the convention of respecting the first ascent party's fixed gear. If they're offensive, and if they weren't placed during an ascent, I say remove them. (There's no shortage of clip-n-go climbs).