snafflehound

Don't forget your 11th essential-your wallet. If you go to the Olympics make sure it's fat.

Matt, I totally agree about letters, I'll be writing as well. They are very effective if enough people write, so lets write lots of them. Intimidation is just another tool in an enforcement officers quiver to be used when needed, but bullying is not. It's unprofessional and personally I have little tolerance for it. I guess I was saying that we have more tools besides letters to be used when needed. It's worked for me when nothing else would. It sounds like this mans boss needs to reel him in and remind him who he works for - us. I think that if enough of us write it will get the job done. If not, he'll probably know by tomorrow that the next person he cites may have a recorder in his pocket. And if nothing else that's a good motivator. I stand by what I said but I also know you get more bees with honey. Thanks for your feedback Matt.

As I understand it, audio recording in Washington State - both people have to consent. Federal government - one person consent [you]. Thank the F.B.I. Again, consult a copywrite attorney. S Time spent climbing mountains will not be deducted from your life.

I like the mass "trespass" idea. It worked on Rainier and Denali in the 70s, no reason it can't work here. I'm willing to risk $100 and a trip to the Yakima court with a bunch of like minded people. I would suggest doing it at many trailheads within the Leavenworth district and not restricting it to one day. Also, although I'm a layman I "think" that if you feel Larry the Tool is doing something wrong you can audio or video record him with or without his consent and not have it confiscated as he is a federal employee. He is recording you for evidence, you may want to do the same. Call a copywrite attorney to find out for sure. The sooner this fee bullshit disappears the better. I'm willing to volunteer my time to maintain the health of our wild places. I don't want or need any "services" beyond those that negate any potential damage from heavy use. S Time spent climbing mountains will not be deducted from your life. [ 04-30-2002, 02:39 PM: Message edited by: snafflehound ]

Ha Ha that was great. F.Z. would be proud!

I think it's got something to do with the area. On a climb or Broken Top my friends dog ran up behind me and was catching it before it hit the ground. Great for minimum impact, but I thought I was going to lose my nuts! S

Fairweather and Allison. I agree 100% about the Olympus XA. Light, simple, great pictures and very tough. A friend and I both have them. They're both over 10 years old. Almost all thier use has been in the mountains in all conditions. Mine even took a long swim in the Snoqualmie river and still works fine. Unfortunately no parts are available for them anymore accept what a repair shop may have kicking around. If either of your cameras dies, contact me. I'd like to keep mine going as long as possible. S

Friends and I did it in the mid 80's. We entered from the NW. I don't remember the name of the trail but its the one that crosses the obsidian flow. We came out by the normal S approach to the S Sister. I'm aquainted with 1 person who did it several times before we did it. It's not as long as it looks. It took us 14.5 hours without skiis in June. If you know any PCOBS instructors they may be helpful as they've been doing marathons in that area for 30 years. Bring lots of water:} Good luck, have fun! S

http://www.barrabes.com

What a great topic. There's so many good books in this post! I'll just add; "Summering in the sierra" by Muir "Sacred Summuts" by Boardman "The Games Climbers Play" a compilation of articles and a couple of polar books; "Alone" by Richard Byrd and "The Last Place on Earth" by Roland Huntford

Fred You're the only person I know who goes for a day hike up Mt. Ruth and soloes Rainier as an afterthought! Hey J glad all went well for you on Gib and thanks for the TR. Were those my bindings on the ski you lost;-{ ? As for that other thing...suck it up and DO IT DO IT DO IT! Bring 2 pickets and rope up only as a last resort.

sorry for the delay in getting back to ypu curtis. call me at 206-675 2974 nd we'll see if they'll fit my big feet. thanks S

quote: even on very cold days, about 2 hours after the sun hits Gib's west face and 2 hours after it leaves it, it can just rain rocks and boulders. oops...thats Gib's SOUTH face

Pencil Pusher All of Mattp and Mikes points were right on the money. Real good advice. I'd only add 2 things. If deciding which side of Gib rock to decend concider that a large cornice and wind slab develope on the north side of camp comfort so you want it to be stable there as well as cadaver gap. The other is that even on very cold days, about 2 hours after the sun hits Gib's west face and 2 hours after it leaves it, it can just rain rocks and boulders. IMHO it's suicide to be there at those times:-{ and just dangerous the rest of the time :-}. Don's got good reason to be wary there. When descending the route one winter we got to the ledges just as the sun left. We were so freaked by the sheer size and amount of the bombing that we couldn't bring ourselves to cross when it subsided. We hurried down the chute instead. Mike, I would really like to have seen you ride that, must have been fun ! Don said the snow was perfect at the top of the chute on friday. The last time I was there it was bullet proof ice. If you pick the conditions right the ice cliff is the only thing to worry about. Whichever way you go Pencil, Good luck and be safe. oh ya.... when visiting rainier in the winter, always carry tire chains...

quote: since so many climbers on rainier are new to glaciers, should all climbers be checked for crampons before they are allowed to continue onto a glacier? and to prevent the tricksters that grab their wife's crampons instead of buying their own, should we require everyone to put the crampons on to ensure a proper fit? my answer to your first question is definitely NO. as for the second, it implies the first is not a question but a statement of fact. The last time a I remember a park service employee asking a 1-2 question like this was when your bosses were fishing for opinions on user fees in '93. Gator, PLEASE say it aint so.

quote: But if your gonna climb on a single and a double and use them as a double rope system your taking unneeded risk smoker, what's the downside? S

Oops---sz 12---

curtis will the supergaiters fit my sz 11 boots? S

PC PM me. I have one thats hardly used. $200 2.5 lbs.

There's a Shit Creek in Alaska. Anybody here been up it?

what's the square root of 69?

Thats actually MORA. according to the park service.:}

back in 86 a friend climbed 14 volcanoes in 14 days for charity. i think he did it twice. this included the 5 in WA and also the 3 sisters in OR.in a day. most were done solo as only a few of his friends could keep up with him. he drove himself, didnt use skis and was accompanied by his dog Varmint on all climbs. before Varmint went to that great fire hydrant in the sky, he climbed rainier around 30 times. you pass people like him on trails all the time and would never guess the things they've accomplished. while preparing for a 70s himalayan climb John Roskelly was camped on the summit of rainier. he came down by himself one evening to call his wife and made it from paradise to the summit via Fuhrers finger in 5&1/2 hrs the same evening. amazing stuff! SH [This message has been edited by snafflehound (edited 06-11-2001).] [This message has been edited by snafflehound (edited 06-12-2001).]

collin If you're not homophobic 2 in 1 bag works great. I use a 2 lb. down/g-tex bag with a zip in bottom. I've cut a small pad the same shape as the open bag. In poor weather I use a light tarp. This system has had me toasty down around 20dg. Besides being light, after spending the night that close to my partner we have nooo problem getting moving in the morning. Of course if your climbing partner is female, you may find yourself making fewer summits.:} As far as comfort, you can't do much about someone who rolls around in their sleep but after bivying on enough rocks you learn to sleep in just about any position. LIGHT IS RIGHT Good Climbing S H [This message has been edited by snafflehound (edited 05-04-2001).]