To_The_Top

I couldn't imagine climbing Rainier this weekend. Article

There were two significant streams, both easier in the morning, obviously. The first is passible with care; the second you might get by in the morning, but afternoon, you will get water in your boots. At least if the weather stays anything like this.... I was with a friend Sunday on a one day climb of the CD route and yes the second stream was running quite strong, managed to cross it in the middle of the night without getting wet. There was a crevasse just opening up at 8800' that you could circumnavigate. People were falling in part way , thinking it was just soft snow in that spot. Great conditions on the route. TTT

Yes he was lucky, Iain I saw you over there helping him find the ski, which he finally did in the avi debris further up from where you guys where looking. I was 40 yards from gates when we saw him go over and try to ski down, and fall past us. I dont know if that 70 yo guy skied down, and I talked to him on the way up. Yes that guy that fell was really lucky..... TTT

Sunday was pretty ideal conditions, seemed like way better weather than in WA. We waited out the wind a bit too, and saw a skier take a NASTY tumble down the mountain from pearly gates. Took him a long time to get all his gear, but he was ok. TTT I summited Iains mountain again .

One of these no doubt...... (click on image #20)

They were just about out of food monday around 3pm, they got cleaned out for the 3 day weekend. Good food. TTT

Alki is always crawling with cops they park their van right in front of the area by the fire pits and bust people on a regular basis, if you want to boat I would suggest Carkeek park. TTT

Camping by Mazama, We were up and playing frisbee in a field, when we heard these loud deep rumblings all around, everyone just stopped and looked around, and we went back to playing frisbee, thinking it was thunder somewhere. Later heard that St.Helens blew its top, didnt believe it until we got home. TTT

"my reputation shattered by misinformed fellow journalists and climbers. "

I think the Ice Floss short is 37 meters, not 30 m for what its worth... I have pulled someone out of a crevasse with an Ice Floss, and it stayed dry, and yes the prusiks need to be smaller diameter than the ice floss.. I would only use it on lower angle glaciers, though. edit-Rodchester post as I wrote mine.... TTT

now this is just hilarious!!!! how so? cause yuo want to put me into a categorythat i wont fit into? Careful there fence, you're sounding like Tomcat....

One thing that I have noticed with my classics is the rivets have popped out in the front holes connecting the plastic with the teeth in the past, and have required a repair. I recommend zip ties in your bag of tricks, along with duct tape or other useful gear first aid stuff. It seems that the people I have gone with the ascents use less energy on inclines than I do with my classics, but for $80 more I almost wonder if there is another way to get a heel rise for going up inclines, which seem to transfer the floatation over the shoes more efficiently. TTT

Here is a recent news article: Mailbox Similar description to JG's post: Take exit at Kens truck stop (last N. Bend eastbound), drive past the gas stations (heading north) and take rt 1/4 mile out, stay on road and park just before road turns to gravel. Hike logging road heading uphill to the east, for 1/3 mile, passing a clearcut. Look for a discrete trail on the left, going past a creek, then it starts UP, with several way trails that all go to the summit. Have fun and read the stuff in the mailbox. TTT

I can bring some charcoal.

This really has made me think.... I heard it was a 1000lb boulder. He is (or was) an engineer for Intel (quit to lead a group up Denali), and he is very smart. If there was a way out of it he would be the one to figure it out. I know Aron as a very tough and resourseful guy, and I think that if someone will make it through this it would be him. TTT

Sad news, I used to climb with Aron, and is a great guy to have as a friend. He is really into solo climbing, and climbed all the 14'ers in Colorado (56) in winter solo this year (first ever to do so). He lead a group sucessfully up Denali last year, and has climbed out of the states extesively. He is very tough and will make it through all this, it really makes me question climbing solo. TTT

I'm sure that sounds like a lot of fun to a new shotgun owner, but it's not really the best way to get rid of all that nasty shit your computer is made of. Maybe it should take the place of the "pig at Index"

So with all this talk of speed hiking, what is your best times on those training hikes? Like MT Si, Mailbox or Muir or others (like full on climbs )? I know that many dont care about going fast , but when you are trying to get into shape for whatever, some train to go fast. I always wonder how fast those runners go up Si who pass those guys in plastics and big packs with snowshoes and iceaxes. Two sides to the training issue . No timers or letters needed , but I wonder how fast some go on these hills. TTT

The American Alpine Club backs this claim.... Mountaineers teach to get the feet off the surface of the snow as the arrest is attempted (take them off on a glissade). Practice helps, from all aspects: face down, left, right, face up. This should be done to the point that it is a natural reaction, because once you are 10' into the fall there is mostly a hope of a prayer or a good runout. TTT

ALKI ALKI ALKI...... Crap, Hikerwa is in Arizona, and cant back me up...

Pagetops

Aahhh Scotty, Granite brings back memories (click here) I say Scot'SUV and Retro would be good.....

Great photo!