dkemp

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

I suspect you wont hear from many 'cause not many have been in there. I went to Roger Robinson's slide presentation a couple months ago - he went on and on about the Tokosha area. He said the Tokoshas will go years with no traffic at all. Lots of unclimbed peaks, if you like that sort of thing, and the pics he showed were of some stupendous terrain. His slideshow was all about getting people off the West Buttress and showing alternatives. Great show - I wonder if he does it every year. Anyway, call Roger if you havent already - he'll get you very excited.-Dox

Went to Staircase this weekend - this probably doesnt help you a lot but for what its worth - http://www.wta.org/~wta/cgi-bin/web10.pl?FreshReports+tr+df+20020324-6978193+time+trails+ BTW, I think going to flapjack lakes would be a fine conditioner. I also wish to go to Black & White Lakes and, since I enjoy having an actual destination, perhaps snowshoe climb Mt Gladys. Have fun,-Dox

Here's to Stetattle Creek!

We enjoyed Stetattle Creek so much we spent an extra night there. A girlfriend of one person in our party called the sheriff (jeez!) and the rangers were at the cars when we arrived next morning. They couldnt believe we had come out that way - asked us twice - "so, you came out Stetattle Creek?"

Torrent Creek is correct, thx. (freudian mistake?) -Dox

Comin' off Sourdough Ridge near Elephant Butte, alongside then crossing Torment Creek, and out via Stetattle Creek - strenuous and unpleasant.

Was planning on Ruby or Sourdough this weekend, glad I called first. NCNP told me yesterday the road is closed at Newhalem due to ava hazard - might or might not be open by weekend. -Dox

I've done a bit of glacier study also and have no indication that crevasses are narrower in winter - just covered over. As you know, the term we hear in early summer "crevasses are opening up" is technically misleading, but who cares - we know what it means. Surprised to hear about cracks on Silver Star Glacier - I thought it was stagnant. Was surprised at the number of significant cracks on Ruth Mtn last September too. I know its a popular teleski in early summer, probably okay, but there are cracks.

Anyone tried Copper Mtn this time of year? -Dox

Just kickin' around an idea for early July. I love loops so... I thought it might work to hike in to Rainbow Lake, down into upper South Fork Bridge Creek, up north slopes of McGregor to Sandalee Gl, up Sandalee Gl to McGregor summit, down the trail and back to Stehekin. Camps at Rainbow Lk and Heaton. The Red Fred says nothing about the Sandalee Glacier. Any info on such a route? -Dox

Thanky kindly. North Ridge - you bet. And since we'll have 12 days of perfect weather we also plan to hike up the Muldrow to Gunsight Pass and hike the first little bump up Pioneer Ridge, Point 9240 - should provide some nice views! -Dox

(heavy sigh) Stick - check. Headnets - check. sit in the rain for a week - um, check. go home frustrated - er, check.

My pals and I are heading for Mt Brooks in June. Anybody crossed that McKinley River? I expect it to be the crux of the climb... -Dox

Yeah - Yay! Alaska's my favorite! -Dox

dude at the coffeeshop I frequent is a filmmaker. He knows I climb and so mentioned to me that his filmmaker buddies are now ramping up their effort to produce the documentary. I ran into him just this morning and he told me. Sounds like its getting started in earnest.-Dox [ 03-14-2002: Message edited by: dkemp ]

oh man, I just have to chime in here. I started eyeglasses when I was eight years old. My eyes were bad, man, including astigmatism. I could never get the hang of contacts - I beat the crap outa my eyes gettin' them in there. of course I suffered with eyeglasses/prescription glacier glasses in the outdoors of the PNW. Had the surgery three years ago. Goddam, I'd buy the company and put my name on it if I could. Its truly a liberation. Can you tell I like it? I'm 20/20 in both eyes - no complaints at all. I've been to 17k twice - no problems. Hiked out several trails in the dark - no problems. Basically no problems whatsoever. If I had it to do again - knowing what I know now - I would go running back, thrusting my cash at those people, pleading with them to rip open my eyeballs and fry 'em with their ray gun.-Dox

Re Azure Lake, a fun journey is to hike up Sourdough trail from Diablo, then venture out on the ridge above Stetattle Creek toward Elephant Butte. Amazing views - just splendid. We came down Torrent Creek and out Stetattle Creek to make a loop. It was, er, strenuous. We weren't trying for Azure Lake but it seems remotely possible from there. Hmmm... dont miss Beckeys description of Stetattle Creek before attempting it.

Acknowledged - and usually I have at least one aluminum blade in the party. I'm planning on carrying this thing on a 20 mile approach and would like to shave a little weight - thus the question. Since my earlier post I found a site that sells Lifelink products with some descriptions. Yeah, it appears the composite is stronger but weighs a little more and (usually) costs a little more.-D

So, Outdoor and More has Lifelink shovels - one has the polycarbonate blade and is $35. the other has a 'composite' blade and is on sale at $35. I've been looking for a LifeLink website to explain the difference but cannot find one. Any ideas on this? Why one or the other? Perhaps the composite is stonger but heavier?-Dox

Ah, nice site, I like it. 'Course, not to be confused with the 'other' Bushwhacker Climbing Club - http://www.bushwhackernewsletter.org/ -Dox

I did make such an arrangement. We negotiated my salary down and my time off up. I get 9 weeks a year, but dont get paid what my collegues do. Thats okay, I need the 9 weeks. I think if each of us brings it up at the job interview we can make it happen. We gotta break out of this workin' 50 weeks a year crap. Ridiculous.