robert

I really like my North Face Summit 45 for this type of trip. It would work for a light overnight, and can swallow a good deal of gear. The best feature for me is that it just feels so good when I wear it. Carries like a dream as someone said.

The MSHNVM site has a report from 1/28/03 which says that there is no snow at Marble Mountain Snopark, and that the snow doesn't start until 1 1/2 miles up the trail. They say that there is no snow on the Lahar. I don't know if they mean just the bottom or what. I sure hope that conditions are better than they make it sound. I am planning a trip on the 15th.

Actually, you can take your Avocet to most jewlers and they will replace the battery. I only sent mine in once. The jewler can't do the deep adjust, but they will change the battery in about 5 minutes. If you are on the Eastside Lake Street Diamond Company in Kirkland charges $8 for a new battery.

If you were on Mt. Pilchuck on Sunday and picked up my snowshoes, one hiking pole, and the rubber point protectors for my crampons would you be so kind as to give them back?