mattp

Well in that case, Minx, I bet he'd enjoy playing in the highway, or maybe throwing rocks at cars. Bring a can of spray paint and let him have at all the cc.com 4x4 pickups with canopies. This could be better than the Mike's Van thread! (Or maybe just find that babysitter.)

I haven't seen very many small children who like back country skiing, but take him to just about any parking spot on the pass and you can find a snowbank he could slide down, there's some easy top-rope climbing right next to the road at Fun Rock, and right out behind the cabin where we'll be staying are a lot of cool poonds and streams to play in.

Minx, you just don't know how to have fun. I bet your son would think the yard sale was pretty funny and the rocketing downslope part was cool! Bring him to the Ski-In and we'll probably be abel to show him a good time .... though you may have to do some explaining about how there are certain things that are a good idea for the big kids but not the little ones.

Yes, its feasible. If you want to hit the corn snow just right, this priority may conflict with taking the time to do your climb. But you can ski up and down in any snow conditions, it's just a matter of how much time you'll spend upright as opposed to prone, in the middle of a yardsale or maybe rocketting down the slope out of control.

Good point, Mr. Rurp. Aurora is labelled on your highway map as "US 99," I think, and you could drive about a half mile north of N. 50th street on said highway 99 and look for the exit I've described. However, I can and should provide more better directions for those who don't want to blunder their way around the mysterious north end of Seattle. Also, I've noted already that the "exit" off highway 99 can be hard to spot. If you miss it you end up going to W. Greenlake Way N., and circling back. (If this happens to you, exit FAST and turn right, then look for the "service drive" I describe below.) --- If I were you, and if traffic on I-5 is not too bad, I'd head for the N. 50th Street exit on I-5. That is Exit 169. Head west on NE 50th Street, and it will quickly become N. 50th Street. About .7 miles from the highway,you will reach a stoplight at Greenlake Way Way N. (the sign may say Stonelake Way N.), and here I would turn right. Head north on Greenlake Way N., 1/4 mile, and turn left just past the ballfields (it may say W. Greenlake Way N.). If you miss the turn and go straight, you will end up cirling around Greenlake. Drive a short way on W. Greenlake Way N., and look for a sign listing several things, including "picnic area" or "picnic shelters" on the left.* It is no more than 1/4 mile. A service road winds up the hill and you will find yourself in a parking area alongside Aurora Avenue (highway 99). If you miss this turn onto the service road, you will end up going under or onto Aurora. After driving up this service drive, you should head right and look for a picnic shelter that resemble's what I've put on the "announcement." You should see your friends, but maybe I'll sweet talk some artist into drawing a big snaffle on a piece of posterboard or something. --- *Sorry, I can't remember exactly what that sign says when you turn left off W. Greenlake Way N. I'll see if I can check it out on the way to work tomorrow. --- P.S. Seattle City Parks are weird sometimes, and the place is a little hard to find, though not for Mr. Rurp--I'm sure. And it'll be worth it. Bring horse shoes, if you have them.

I rarely carry a transceiver this time of year. For the chute above the Hairpin or the slopes opposite, you probably won't need any b/c setup -- it'll most likely be good step-kicking up and a quick ride down. Do what you think best.

This year:

Last year:

I've been up that way three times at this time of the year and never found post-holing a problem. More likely is that you might have to claw your way up that upper gully if you don't have cramppons, but even this will probably no present a major problem.

I'd descend Liberty Ridge if you had come from Ipsut--especially on an early season climb.

Minx, there will be a lot of us acting childish over there. Does that count?

You need new glasses, Marylou.

I don't think you'll find any ice there at this time of year but it might be a good ski tour.

WA Pass is great but don't be discouraged if its storming up there or something. The Methow Valley is pretty good for a weekend of grins. I think this shot is more or less in the same location as the one above: pitch 5 of the Methow Inspiration Route (there are harder and easier climbs, some longer some only 80 feet long, nearby).

For anybody who doesn't want to ski, there is plenty of rock climbing over there, too.

It's not necessary, but double ropes helps on that pitch. Greg here is about to plug in again, before moving right to the start of the "blue Crack."

Let's hope next tuesday turns out as sunny as today. Anybody up for some lawn bowling at the Climber's Picnic? Anybody know how to play?

Are you talking about that flake, hanging out above the "Visor" at the top of the NW Face? That's one cool spot. The biggest thrill is to hook your feet over the top of it a lay on your stomach, then you have to unhook your feet and shimmy out (slightly downward) to stick your face over the edge and look straight down the face. By the way, the feature that John Muir called the "Diving Board" is down on the shoulder of the half dome, near the start of Snake Dike. He took this photo from his "diving board:" Everybody calls that flake jutting out above the Visor the "Diving Board," though, because it looks like one.

The last two times we went to the SLOOOP it was toooooo crowded and noisy for my taste. I know, you guys like it that way, but I think it is cool if we can actually find a place to sit and there's a chance to talk and stuff. The Sloop has those huge beers, but the Alehouse is a little more comfortable, in my opinion.

Unless you want to sew it up, you can get by with one each of camelots #1, #2 and #3 on that "blue crack," but it wouldn't hurt to have the #3.5. Most people use at least one of their larger pieces lower down on that pitch, where smaller pieces can be used instead.

The most important tool of all is "common sense." Lots of climbers cause trouble for us when they develop climbing or bouldering areas too close to trails or roads or in obviously environmentally sensitive areas like a marshy lakeshore or something. Others practice their trade in a crowded climbing area on the weekends. If you are going to go get a klein bucket and fill it up with tools, think about what you are doing and where.

Sorry to rain on your parade of patriotism here, but the actual fact is that I don't think we actually know whether patriotism was his reason for signing up. It would seem "obvious," perhaps, but people have lots of reasons for doing what they do and the "obvious" one is not always the correct one. I believe he did not give interviews or release writings or anywhere else explain what his reasons were. It is a compelling story, though. His death is sad, and the fact that he gave up a potentially lucrative career to join the military is quite remarkable.