Stefan

Here is what somebody wrote to me about Governor's Ridge (the highest gendarme) "The route is cross country from Owyhigh Lakes to the notch north of Barrier Peak. Lose elevation on the other side of the notch, then traverse a bit rounding around the first few gendarmes to a fun steep section that leads straight up to the summit."

I got this description for Cowlitz Chimneys from somebody. But I can't remember who. "The original Beckey's guide description (which we relied on) was pretty vague; the second edition description (which I just read) I find kind of incomprehensible. My own recollection is that when you get to the base of the chimneys (after heading east 1.5 or so miles from Panhandle Gap), there are two possible gullies. The one on the right seems more obvious but goes nowhere. The one farther left, which at first looks pretty nondescript, is the one you want. You have to climb up around a large chockstone and perhaps a couple trees, and at that point I remember it as a relatively easy scramble to the top. Coming back down over the chockstone is most easily accomplished by a short rappel."

I had no idea you could strech plastics. I will definitely look into this. Keep these ideas coming!

Where do you pick up barge cement?

Which manufacturers make WIDE healed boots? Due to my accident and operation, I have an abnormaly large ankle with a knob on the instep. I need wide healed boots to accomodate this. Who makes wide healed boots for plastics? Who makes wide healed boots for leathers?

Mr. Tackle said this: 1. The boots will take Super Gaiters no problem. The rand attachments will be very secure, although I always end up gluing mine on so they don't come off. I also glue my supergaiters to the boots. I use hot glue. Is there a different preference for glue that works better than hot glue for supergaiters?

Impressive. Really. That trip is up there with all the other hardcore stuff that has ever been done in the Cascades. Especially with all the weather conditions we had recently. Just thinking of what you did scares me.

Awesome. Great to hear it!

This is the James Hamaker party. I just climbed with him in October. This worries me now.

What would be even better would be for them to reopen the former road up Goodell Creek--or allow motorcycles to go up. Access to the Pickets would be highly improved then.

I don't think anyone will notice any difference. In fact I would appreciate it if the road that are there now, be improved and be left for public access. For example the Mid Fork Snoqualmie (in the future) and the road to Monte Cristo.

Opening up the backareas to vehicles will not be a problem in the short term--there is a little thing called "money". Which government has the money to rebuild some of these areas? Besides, Wilderness will always remain off limits to motorized access.

Follow the instincts of your dick. Wherever you can get more action, then go in that direction, wether it is with this girl or not.

Road conditions up the Middle Fork are updated weekly by the Goldmeyer Hot Springs at this phone number. 206-789-5631. As you know, a vehicle with high clearance is REQUIRED to access this road. A good summer estimate to reach the glacier below Chimney Rock is probably about 7-8 hours from the trailhead.

You will think they are awesome when you get rescued. They are awesome.

What about lunchtime at work? Riding your bike to work? Running with your children while they are on bikes to make it a family outing instead of watching tv or playing video games?

I actually see a buttress on each peak for a total of two trending in the same direction. Has one of them been climbed and the other not climbed?

For all that I have seen I don't think running helps in the mountains. Really. The best people I have seen perform in the mountains are people who use bicycles are their main source of cardio. Runners just don't seem to have the "power" that is needed. And becuase climbing takes a beating on your knees why make it worse with running???? Go bicycling. Or better yet, do mountain biking, and replace it with all your running.

No. Both of them climbed. The hard Mox you speak of is on the Bulger list. About 20-30 people have climbed that thing. Oops. I reread your post. I have no idea if the spire has been climbed......

This is not a troll. That is what they said. Annual Fee is proposed at $60.

The reason for the increase is basically for a higher level of service. For example, they said people complained about the rangers not being at their stations for taking permits--due to limited funds. MRNP would like to increase the time for rangers at the service desks. BUT my point is this: If MRNP NEVER required a fee, then people wouldn't complain about the rangers not being there, and service would NOT be required. But I have a bigger problem. MRNP is only asking for in the range of $250K to operate the whole damned thing. Fine. Why couldn't the park service just get $1MM from the defense budget?????? I am sure the defense budget will not miss $1MM out of $550Billion!!!!!

I was at the meeting last night in Tacoma. About 20 people attended the meeting. The park service went into more detail and discussion of their proposed plan (they have 4-5 options) to increase the fee and level of service. I encourage you to show up at the next one December 17th at the Mountaineers at 6:30.

If you have been on Liberty Ridge during the summer months you will understand why people don't climb Willis Wall--you constantly hear rockfall and icefall on the wall.

Climbing is a hobby. That is it.

They gate Chinook Pass at the Cayuse Pass turnoff.