Ziff

sold

These skis were skied 18 times. One ski has been drilled twice (once for G3 Ion and once for Dynafit TLT) and the other ski has been drilled once (Dynafit TLT). Topsheet is white with a few black and red accents (pre production model). They were freshly tuned at the start of last year but only used twice afterwards. Some base scratches but nothing major. If looking for a lightweight ripping ski that can take some abuse, look no further. Asking US$170. I live in Vancouver, BC but I will be in the Seattle area on weekend of Oct 24th. If interested, PM me.

wow. nice work!

awesome work on the route!

SWS20, the SPOT works fine even in the rugged cascades. I used it on a 5 day northern Picket traverse (little beaver-whatcom-challenger-fury-luna-access creek-big beaver) last summer and I was able to check in with my wife and kids at all locations, whether on the trails, while bushwacking or in the alpine. It would work equally well in 911 mode as well. If going solo, one could get away with a pretty light pack as well. what does a soloist need beside a little clothing, stove, food, bag, foam, and siltarp? a 35-40L pack would be plenty.

If you have never been there, I would think it might be difficult to find your way out gooddell creek exits, either from the Mac Spires or chopping block area - much easier going south to north as Wayne suggested. Not sure of your climbing skills, but the entrance and exit up and over Whatcom is quite nice, safe and easy. long trail hiking and potential for bears but nothing too severe. Access creek also works and goes quite easily, although it helps to finds the log jam to cross on. I would not recommend wiley/eiley.

awesome!

have you seen MEC's new version of the Genie? the Genie DSL. If you take off some of the straps and bungee, it is very similar to the genie and the top pocket is more accessible. http://bit.ly/aBsvSw

found a sleeping pad on the way up Eldorado. Please email me at sziff@stgeorges.bc.ca with description

mistermo, you are correct, if referring to the step between the taboo glacier and boston basin. but there is another step between torment basin and the taboo glacier that is slightly more challenging and exposed.

two summers ago (in august) I and two others followed the ridge you mentioned from eldo to torment, we then dropped down into torment basin and continued to boston basin. there was nothing but a few moves of class two and the rest was pleasant hiking with beautiful views. any difficulties on the ridge closer to the eldo side are avoided by climbing snow on the eldo side (north). you might find trouble crossing from torment basin to the taboo glacier basin, but it is just an issue of route finding. it can also be easily rapped or belayed depending on the direction you are going or how sketchy you find it. I was up in the eldo area this past week and noticed quite a bit of snow on the traverse. have fun

was just there a few days ago with the guys you past on temple's east ridge a few years ago (todd and andrew). I would recommend up eldo creek, across to triad col below the glacier faster than crossing up high and going along glacier, although the eldo glacier is not heavily crevassed up high (we felt no need to rope up). however, having come out via dorado col, I would think that staying at the high camp on eldo, and getting into marble creek via dorado col and then returning to the high camp on eldo after the climb would be faster and easier than camping in marble. having said that, the bivy spot in marble (there is at least one near the moraine as you get off the glacier you descend from triad col) is beautiful. all depends on your preferences. either one will be great. hope this helps.

rob, regarding the descent from the gendarme on the east ridge, don't gut pulled into good looking gullies with rap slings. just stay as far left (skier's, that is) as possible, until you are at the top of the last gulley that descends to the high camp. when the snow has receded, look to the rock on your left (skier's) and you will see some ledges that zig and zag past the usual melt out spot. usually takes anywhere from 1.5 to 3 hours from summit to high camp.

It looks like the one that comes with the MSR stove hanging kit.

a few years back, they asked for permission to put in quite a few very posh huts across the spearhead traverse, so who knows.

selkirk, I bought a pair this fall to put on my laser's but did not like them (way too stiff). If scarpa can't help, let me know as I am looking to get rid of them. I only used them one day and they are grey and Size 9. Ziff

BD crossbows (the year you are talking about) are the stiffest skis BD ever made. as a result, they were drastically changed. this comes direct from the BD rep I spoke with. great for ripping groomers but pretty crappy in the back and beyond, unless you love super stiff skis.

anybody giving Kelly a bad time should, like Josh recommended, talk with her and get to know her. she is the right person for the job. she has always been extremely helpful and friendly whenever I am down there.

Agreed, great name, great book store and it looks like a stellar route. The name of the book store in moab was lifted (probably with permission) from Ed Abbey who used it in one of his books - can't recall which one, but it may have been "Desert Solitaire".

I did the complete (ie, not the ice face approach) North Ridge of Forbidden on July 19/20 (great route by the way) and used the East Ledges descent (as I have the last three times down Forbidden) as I find it much better and faster than descending the west ridge. The best way down this descent route (east ledges) is to do four single rope raps (the 2nd rap is short), then downclimb (first left then right (facing out)), which leaves you at a red sling and at a point before it starts to get really steep - one could also do a low angle fifth rap to this point. At this point, turn right towards the east ridge (direct) gendarme. Begin by walking the ledge and then angle up to the first of two buttresses, cross this a a sharp notch. Then angle down, following the small worn ledge and cross the next buttress at a big flat rock (cairn a few days ago). Once across this, follow well worn path across face and when the gully that is described in Nelson's book is visible, start to head sharply up easy class 3 rock with good holds and you will pop out at the top of the gulley, having avoided the disgusting loose rock in it. If it is ever more than class 3, you are making it harder than you have to. Took us 45 mins to rap, and 30 minutes of exposed class 3 to gendarme notch. From hear, head to farthest gulley on descenders left and slide/hike your way down to the high camp (25 minutes).

I needed to get back for an afternoon party. clouds were threatening to rain so I had reason to move and the bike ride sure was fun on the way down.

Climb: North Twin-West Ridge Date of Climb: 6/27/2005 Trip Report: Since my partner for this trip hurt his hand badly, I decided to go alone. Last time I climbed it was back in 1986 so it was time to return. The west ridge of North Twin is in great shape with no snow on the approach or the ridge. The descent down the north side was easy (I slid on my butt on the snow), no crampons needed but that will probably change soon. Ice axe was nice to have. A mountain bike sure speeded things up - left the car park at 5:00am and was back by 10:30am. Great day trip from Vancouver.

Size large Arxteryx Borea pack with nozone hipbelt (removable gearloops) in excellent condition. CDN $150.

I had similar excellent customer service from Mr. Rackcliff when I ordered his Chernobyl pack two summers ago. I only had a few modifications (changed position of shoulder straps and added a compression strap) and he did not even charge me. Great pack!

I have heard that MEC will continue to make many of the popular Serratus products (genie included) after January 2005. But I did buy another one just in case the rumour turns out to be false.