Dan_Harris

I played organized sports all through school including college soccer. I continued to play some competative and rec soccer until my late 30's when an injury ended that. I have always enjoyed hiking and the outdoors and decided to head up Shasta for my 40th birthday. Now peak bagging is what I love to do. As several people have mentioned, the competition is with myself and the mountain. I've done the gym thing and think I'm ready to learn some rock.

Here is a route report link. http://www.shastaavalanche.org/reports.htm I have done Avy gulch twice before. I'm sure is is mushy now and some scree slopes up Misery Hill. The North Side Routes sound like they are in good shape.

Nice TR. Sounds like you had a great time. I have done the North Ridge, except I approached from Hayden Glacier. Did it as a two day, camping at the base of the moraine by the creek.

get the one with the ziplock top. Thanks. I'll check it out.

Royal Robbins lives down here. He has come to talk at the school where I teach and I see him around occasionally. Has sold controlling interest in his clothing line

I use the Platypus bag. The opening is too small for most filters, but I just take the bite valve off and stick the tube from the bladder onto the discharge side of my filter. I do not even need to take the bladder out of my pack.

I went last week with RMI on the Climb for Clean Air. BTW raised over $4000 for the American Lung Association of WA. I found the guides to be very courteous and knowledgable. Granted most of the people on the climb were there to be led up the mountain, yet the guides were very willing to answer questions and in my mind were in a teaching mode the entire time. The guide I was roped with realized my friend and I were strong enough to take us off the boot track and head off away from the crowds. We gained the crater rim on the north rather than the usual east side. I think, like most things in life, you'll get out of an experience what you are willing to put into it. My $0.02.

I just want to cool down. I got home Thursday from an awesome trip to OR and WA and now it is freakin hot. 6 a.m. and 80 friggin degrees and my A/C is on the fritz. Supposed to get over 100 for about the 5th day in a row. That wind and cold on the top of Rainier sure would feel good right about now. Enjoy your climbs and be safe out there. I'm getting something cold to

Here in the Sierra's a lady heading south on the PCT (carrying only a small water bottle) stopped and asked if this was the right way to Sonora Peak. I turned her around and pointed north to the peak a few miles from us and set her straight. At least I didn't hear about a SAR. It doesn't even have to be questions either. Some of the comments parents give to their kids as you pass are priceless. I was also amazed last week at the number of people headed up, slipping and sliding on, the Muir snowfield in tennis shoes saying they are heading for Camp Muir.

Muffy, you're right about the crowds. Hopefully I can convince my wife to stop at Moe's as we head up the coast. Miss Normandy, what you posted is the exact reason I stay as far from campgrounds as I can on any holiday. I am outta here. Up the CA and OR coast and then over to Rainier next weekend!!!!

The food at Moe's they are always too damn crowded though. Watched a good fireworks show near home.

Two places I avoid like the plague, malls and Walmart. Haven't been to either in a couple of years. Some of my students tell me that hangin' at the mall is their main pastime. How sad.

Don't let the man get ya - CCR Hope you get your work done Dru and enjoy the rest of the 4th

What a terrrible waste of hams, ribs, pork roast, and pork chops. Mmmmm . . . now I'm humgry.

This doesn't make sense. California State Route 120 is the main east/west route through Yosemite Nat'l Park, CA State Route 41 also passes through and it still costs $20 just to drive through the park.

Whatever you feel comfortable with. Last week on Shasta the freezing level was low so the snow was nice and hard and there was a Russian guy with no crampons of any sort and trekking poles. He summited. Up Avy Gulch he was able to walk in others footsteps but he was slow going up Misery Hill. Below the Red Banks on the descent the snow was still hard enough no one was glissading. He looked a bit tentative. If he slipped, I do not know how he was going to stop. Once we hit the soft stuff, he blew past everyone.

Does anyone know this guy? Saw on the news Scott Jurek of Seattle won the 100 mile Squaw Valley to Auburn run for the 9th time. He had a time of 16 hours 1 minute. No Dan - here, this is a sanctioned run.

Thanks for the reminder, time to go get my morning coffee.

A bunch of honey do jobs the next couple of days. Raymond Peak near Ebbetts Pass here in CA Wednesday and then next Sunday we leave for Oregon & Washington. Visit family & friends and climb Rainier.

Do we need to bring the time machine? Or do you mean July 1, 2, 3?

105 for the second day in a row. Thank god for A/C and cold ones.

Chris, There are nut case fast drivers too, zipping in and out of traffic, probably causing people to slam on brakes and causing slow downs. They can be just as bad as the slow ones. Yes I teach and I am on vacation. Lots of plans, we'll see if I can get them all done. Rainier July 11-12!! Snoboy, I understand what you're saying. It is just that the slowdown happens in the same spot most of the time and I have seen one accident there ever, even though I travel it quite a bit. I have witnessed the examples I cited. Unfortunately there are no other routes through this area except surface streets through town. I just needed to blow off steam. I feel better now.

Blazing! 105 yesterday. Supposed to only be 102 today Gotta get back to the hills. Did Shasta Mon.-Tues. temp at the summit was in the uper 20's that was nice.

Last night as I was coming home the traffic slowed to 15 mph in a 70 zone for no apparent reason. Seems to be getting to be regular occurance. Some moron either had to slam on his brakes because he was in the left lane when his exit arrived or someone who entered the freeway at 30 mph. To all the stupid people who don't know how to drive on the freeway, if you are afraid to drive at the speed limit, can't plan ahead for your exit, do not know how to use the on ramp to accelerate to freeway speeds, the stay the hell off of them so don't you screw up traffic. Before you flame me for this being a California thing, last time I was up in the beautiful state of WA, except for traffic, I drove from Bellevue to Centralia and never got over 40 mph. Rant over! Time to go work in the yard.

Watched Eiger Sanction on AMC Thursday. Very good movie. Clint Eastwood movies are great. Stallone movies suck. #1 Eastwood flick is definitely Josey Wale. High Plains Drifter, also great, was shot at Mono Lake on the east side of the Sierras, one of favorite places to go.