dkemp

Go Punchie, its your birthday, you can do it, go crazy...

Congrats on your summit - thats a big hill. -Dox

Well, I guess its a tentpole. Its a collapsible tent pole with a regular end on it that would go into a grommet but the other end has a rubber, uh, bulb-end. Two sections of the pole are orange, other sections are yellow. Found in Eldorado Basin on July 18. -Dox

Okay, here's a better effort: Log crossing is comfortable, better than I imagined. Hiked up to Eldorado Basin, passed a party of nine Mounties on their way down. Eldorado Basin is still snow filled – we made a fine snowcamp but its melting fast. Had it to ourselves Thursday night. Took a rest day, slept about fifteen hours, and then dayhiked to Point 7252 – a very nice scramble summit with big views of the Eldo route and the surrounding neighborhood – recommended! Ran into only two other parties on the climb, both friendly – a party of two and a party of three - all made the true summit. A few cracks on the route but no puzzles to work. Set a few pickets on the summit ridge, otherwise a piece o’ cake. Indeed a fine summit - 360 views, not a cloud, we were the last on the route so we had the place to ourselves. As expected, lots of folks showed up on Saturday afternoon. BTW, rangers Dan and Dan were checking for permits and bluebags in Eldorado Basin. On the way home don’t miss the milkshakes at Cascadian Farms near Rockport – yay! -Dox

wow, impressive Dale. On same morning we were atop Eldo looking at Buckner - we were thinking about you. Good to run into you at the M'mount RS. Congrats on your summit. -Dox

We clumb it. -Dox

Dude, found yer camera! still works - hope you dont mind we've been havin' a bit of fun with the last photos on that roll. Spent a few minutes looking - didnt see it at first. Teammate Mike had binoculars so we scanned the snow below the gulley - "hey, that rock sure is square. Hmmm..." Just sittin' there a hundred yards downslope on the snow. I'll shoot you an email. -Dox

yer breakin' my heart here. -Dox

I'm going in there tomorrow. On Friday we should be doing the climb - we'll have a look-see. -Dox

Was stopped a few years ago by a big ol' crack that went clear all the way across the ice. Last year I hiked up Frostbite Ridge and looked down on KG all day and boy it looked good. I'm going in a couple weeks - perhaps I'll see you there. -Dox

Boy, Alaska opened up a can of whupass on us! Got a good look at Mt Brooks and we're all inspired to give it another go, had a good ol' time and all. Didn't climb a damn thing. Crashed and burned in the McK River crossing. Superficial wounds to knees and egos. Tried to go around by hiking up the Muldrow - that scree and talus is an effective barrier - no wonder the Sourdoughs kept looking until they found McGonagall Pass. Saw some beautiful ice mountains and covered some tough ground. We had a great team - kept our humor and enjoyed the outing no matter what. And "no matter what" is exactly what happened! Alaska kicks more ass by breakfast than most states kick all day! -Dox

My team and I leave for Mt Brooks in the morning! It will take a few days to get into position, including fording the McK River and hiking to McGonagall Pass. Our summit bid should be next weekend. We also hope to camp atop Pt 9240. For a view of the hill and the obvious ridge route, click here: http://www.dongettyphoto.com/alaska/mtbrooks.html Mt Brooks! -Dox

Hmmm, I think the catwalk would go with snow but I wouldn't take a newbie - too hairball. I also went in September a few years ago. The catwalk is exposed but not that bad - and I'm a real chicken. However, with snow? I'd do it with snow but I'm not a newbie. If you have a newbie on board then I suggest you do the seven lakes basin loop with a summit of Bogachiel Peak. That would be top of the world stuff. Its no gimme, though. It will be quite a strenuous hike this time of year. But boy, it would be beautiful and quite an accomplishment. Anyway, my two cents. -Dox

Hey UT, if you float the Tlikakila pick up my ice axe for me, would ya? -Dox

We clambered up icy last august. at that time, of course, the glacier was hard but not icy - accepted crampons nicely. The final summit was scary to me - fourth class rocky gully thing - you'd get hurt real bad if you took a spill. Two of my pals scampered up it without using rope. I balked so they tossed me a line and hauled my sorry ass up it.

Hey Lis! Nice TR. Hope to visit the mtns with you and Shasta again. -Dox

Take yer Chicago buddy - great place. Hmmm, forgot about road access. I've been to that trailhead as early as April. I'd bet dollars to doughnuts its open already. But yeah, call Sedro Wooley R.S. first - 360.856.5700 or Glacier R.S. - 360.599.2714. I just called cause I was curious. Sedro Wooley said that the last road report said tree blocks road 2 miles from trailhead. I bet they clear it out soon though.

Perfect destination for beginner - not much hazard, not terribly strenuous, and wow - stupendous views in good weather. The approach hike is a south facing slope the whole way so its hot - you've been warned. Plus, note the avalanche gullies - we're probably past the season for hazard there but don't tarry in crossing. I say take the rope. Lots of people do this unroped and I cant criticize them for it, in fact you'll see people tele-skiing and boarding it when you go. Its a small glacier and not terribly active. However, last autumn I was there and was impressed by the cracks - more and bigger than I remembered in the past. If you go on a weekend warn her that there will be other people in there, 'cause there will be. One last tip - dont miss dinner at Milano's in Glacier on the drive out - no matter what else happens she'll enjoy that portion of the outing. -Dox

Yep, Crosson is the popular approach to Sultana Ridge. Fee required, perhaps not enforced, for Foraker but not for Crosson or Kahiltna Dome.

Well, technically it wouldn't compare to anything on Hunter... but I've often wanted to hump it up Crosson, then travel the ridge to Kahiltna Dome, come down the upper Kahiltna from there to make a loop. I think that it would be some mighty fine hill-walkin'.

Good point - thanky kindly. -Dox

bobbyperu, did you perceive avalanche danger in gulley going up to Asgaard Pass? I'm heading up there soon but plan to skip the traverse due to ava worries. I kind of figured its windloaded all winter and might be ready to go in May. What do you think?

Thats a mighty fine backyard you got there, Mike. Thanks for the info. See you on the hill. -Dox

rock ice,I've heard a lot of people say three days, or four. Okay, but thats not my style. Since you asked for opinions about the outing then my two cents worth is this: six freakin' days. Thats right. I love every mile of that hike and wouldnt have it any other way. Two days up to Glacier Meadows, one day to climb Mt O, one day to hang out (I'm not kiddin') and two days back out again. I've led the outing twice with this schedule and everyone in both teams agreed it was a blast. The only thing I'll do differently next time is a loop on climb day. Consider going up the Blue to Glacier Pass, I think its called, then travel up the Hoh Gl to the summit, then down via the Snowdome/Blue Gl. That would be quite a tour. Its Mount Olympus, fer cryin' out loud. Invest six days of your life to savor it.-Dox

Damn, sorry to be the bearer of sad news. From my pal in Eagle River:"Today I drove by an avalanche recovery operation on Eagle River Road. The mountain is less than five miles away from my house. The simple fact is there was a near miss two days ago across the valley on Harp Mountain where one man was buried for thirty minutes. His partner dug an air hole after using a beacon and probe to find him. Today it was a different story. I plan on climbing the same Mountain soon using a safe route. The day was spectacular and Eagle River Valley is in glory that is nothing short of awesome. People are attracted by the beauty and the clean perfectly clear crisp air and magically blue skies.A sad day for the community. Stay safe and Remember the increased snowfall down there!" http://www.adn.com/front/story/868920p-954624c.html