Stefan

You know, it really looks like Sam Gamgee. Probably on his way up those steps in Mordor.

That's how government works. Right down to the city level. Seriously. But the Forest Service in this particular instance believe's that having maxed out their budget on two big suv's is MORE important than maximizing their budget on projects to improve trails.

thanks Klenke! I realize now I should ask you first every time. Forget Roper!

I am curious about this hunter's trail along Thunder Creek. Is this hunter's trail on the east or west side of the creek? What elevation did you come across it? About how far is this trail from the creek? Any info is appreciated. Thanks!

for the 2004 presidential vote: 2004 Vote: Re-Unelect George Bush

That's interesting the blackhawk came out of Oregon. When I was rescued on The Temple (8000ft), the blackhawk came out of the Yakima training area. The blackhawks in Yakima must be in Iraq?

I do not know anybody who has climbed Bears Breast from the Shovel Lake side. I only know of two parties in the past 2 years who have climbed it from Dutch Miller Gap. here's another angle of Bears Breast as you would approach for Shovel Lake. I can't remember where I got this photo from, but it is not mine. http://www.cascadeclimbers.com/plab/showphoto.php?photo=6193

I like the idea, however I do not think the idea will sell. Call me the devil's advocate. I think strapping on mini crampons onto running shoes is the best idea. I don't think people will go out and buy spiked running shoes an then buy soles to go on the bottom of them. It allows for low versatility--unless you are a track runner. Not all shoes fit the same type of person. High versatility = regular running shoes with buying mini crampons points similar to spiked running shoes and strapped to the feet in the same manner you do. It might work well for you, but I do not see it working for the market.

Great report. Glad Doug likes your whiskey. CJ direct may not be attractive, but I highly recommend it if you want success. I have heard many parties failing by use of Gunsight notch--but not many parties failing by use of CJ direct to col. My partner and I did Johannesburg (East ridge) and Cascade in one day from the car in mid June 2000. We used bikes.

Here's a minor peak that I think should be in the book, but it is not. Peak 4686. It has 1,326 feet of prominence. http://test.topozone.com/map.asp?z=10&n=5258868&e=470578&s=50&size=l&datum=nad83&layer=DRG25 It is an impressive looking little mass of spires looking SW from Mount Lincoln. It has been suggested the name be Olympicket Fence. When I was there in 2001, there was a register on top with about 12 parties dating back I think to mid 1984. Route description: Ascend east side of Lebar Creek from road. At 2800 feet ascend forest heading NE towards summit gullies. At 3900 feet ascend second or third gully from the summit that trends SW. Traverse to summit block which requires 25 feet of class 3 and 4. Stefan Feller

Piss poor idea? Just making a suggestion. I think Mark and Heidi can decide for themselves what they do for their own time. More than likely Mark will probably suggest Texplorer to another person. No harm, no foul in asking Mark.

I know this is a wild shot, but why not try contacting Mark Gunlogson at Mountain Madness in Seattle (I think he is still there.) markg@mountainmadness.com If he doesn't go, maybe he knows somebody who would like to go with you. Maybe somebody like Charlie Fowler.

Sorry. My bad on your route write up. Great pictures. Private roads suck.

I have never been in there. Does the road to the lake require high clearance vehicles or can a small Honda Civic make it?

My partner fell into a crevasse hole one time on the way out. While the rope was taught I didn't have to self arrest due to the friction of the crevasse lip on the rope. About 20 seconds later while I was holding him taught (he said he could extract himself from his yells) I fell into a different crevasse (up to armpits). The only thing holding us was the rope taughtness on the snow between the two crevasses.

What really needs to happen is the Mt. Rainier Timber Company needs to add a road going to the West Side Road. Then the company could charge people using the road. The only problem is getting across the Puyallup River.

I split my weekends. I go when weather is bad. I change destinations. If you only climb in good weather, then I would have to consider you a weather wimp! Besides, it all evens out in the end.

Here's what you do with an SO problem who does not climb. Get out a calendar. Split your weekends evenly. You get this weekend, your SO gets that weekend...etc. On your weekends you do what you want to do--mostly climbing. Tell your S.O. that you want him/her to go with you climbing on your weekends BUT if they decide to not go with you climbing, then that is their decision. You do what they want to do on their weekends. You must give and take in a relationship. Your S.O. might enjoy just going to the mall on the weekends -- as ugly as that sounds, that may be important to them. It does not make it wrong, just different. If your S.O. does not want to go with you on your weekends, but you do stuff with your S.O. on their weekends, then at least you are doing the giving.

Weird. I was just by Old Baldy this morning looking up at Freedom (formerly Liberty) Ridge becuase this vantage is right in your face and noticed how cool it looked and trying to figure out where the last accident occurred.....

When I went to the Karakorum I had people with me who had been through the Khumbu, Annapurna circuit, Patagonia, and parts of India. (I have not been to those areas.) Each one of them said the Karakorum was by far the most spectacular of the mountain scenery becuase there were so many mountains that were so steep and they looked so much more intimidating than anything they have seen. However, they each said the trek was the toughest they had experienced though. It is definitely not like trekking from tea hut to tea hut in Nepal.

I would like more detail than you speak about. Specifically, elevations that you noticed. However, most people access the southern pickets from the well travelled climbers path from Goodell Creek.

Is this true? A two mile rope used in a rescue? Or....just a common journalistic mistake that happens all too frequently? Korean rescue on Denali

That is correct. We thought about looking at slung rock several months after the accident, but I have no desire to return to location. Nor does my partner.

When I fell, the rope was everywhere. In a rush, my partner had to use the rope to do another rappel further down. No one was focusing on how the accident happened or looking for slings, just on what to do next. Did he coil the rope or just drag it to the next anchor? I can't remember as well as my partner, we were too focused on a rescue. Another probable answer at the time was the rope breaking.....but since my partner had used the rope and brought the rope back home we knew the rope did not break. If the sling was broken at the anchor, or if the sling was down 30 feet around where I was (becuase of an anchor shift) then either way it still would have blown away becuase of the downdraft of the helicopter.

I went on two or three old slings.