bobinc

You're a bollixless bollix.

It's typically $100/state. Right now, I've seen it online for $70/state but if you are worried about GPS compatibility, make sure it's the right version. DK about special paper; we just use contact sheets over regular paper.

If your time is worth nothing, you can drive it. It's a long way (ca 1400 miles) but if your car gets good mileage, it's abt $100 in gas one way; less, obviously, if you share. Flying is probably better; you can sometimes find RTs via Ontario for under $200 and it only takes a couple of hrs. But then you are renting a car for perhaps $25-30/day... It's 2+ hrs from Ontario airport to HV Campground.

Steve House wrote something on this in R&I about a year ago. However, I think it was for a 2 person sleeping bag; can't recall for sure if it was also a shelter. I believe it was Jan 04 issue.

Tua Cirque's 190 w/3pins + Asolo Snowfields -- such a classic rig!!

It's a car wash; I delayed going down until Thurs because of it. A group of us will be at Indian Cove, Site 12 through Sun then I'll probably be over at Ryan for a few days. I'm the grumpy guy with the stupid rental car.

Bollard

Nothing that a few thousand throws won't change...

Pretty sure I'm headin' down there and in position from Dec 12-17. Will have all needed gear and car. I've been there twice in last 4 yrs and interested in a wide range of routes; PM if interested.

Ginger Cracks is fun; the 5.9 crux really isn't 5.9, in part because a bolt has been added. All belay stations are now bolted. It's easy to get ropes stuck so be prepared. The Pope is a good, fun 3p to the right of Solar Slab if you have to deal with crowds. Johnny Vegas is also good but, again, watch for ropes getting snagged on the rappel.

1) Unicorn Peak (Tatoosh) -- zillions of dinner plates on upper "slopes"; amazing no one was maimed or killed 2) Johannesburg, NW Buttress (or was it NE? luckily memory is fading). Plenty of near-vertical brush and heather topped off by unprotectable slushy swimming near the top. Only 13 hrs up (and only 13 hrs down via a different route). Truly a test of patience. 3 - ...) Any volcano before I learned to tele.

They are working on getting some aerobic equipment in there, which will be a plus now that the rains seem to be upon us.

I propose allocating Fee Demo funds to the chopping projects.

Right. More like unbelievably dense andesite (at least in some spots).

Does anyone happen to know if the IB FA party is the same entity responsible for the brushing, flagging and installation of unneeded sport-type anchors on the approach and main gullies of the standard Garfield route (which is inside the Wilderness boundary, in case anyone cares). Also would be interested in knowing the party or parties responsible for the flagging of the alternate approach route which ends up at the waterfall area to the west of the main approach. It is annoying to find so much pink tape placed so unnecesarily, not to mention sport anchors (complete with chains) drilled right next to perfectly usable existing anchors.

I have a number of these now. I suppose I believe the hype (box specs) but I try to fall less since they look like they will just snap.

If you like something run out with awful rope drag, near-vertical moss, and plenty of highway noise, you could try the east face. I did it 25 years ago when I was a clueless high school student and really enjoyed it.

Sounds about right. You forgot to mention it's also a popular Mountie destination ("intermediate" climb).

I have a 10 YO Highlander which is in excellent shape that I'd give you a screamin' deal on. I like the layout of the pack and have used it on several trips. Problem is, that's the "old" Osprey, as in loaded with straps and kinda heavy. But it will last forever. I assume you want something newer with lighter fabric but if not, let me know.

It is behind the times but "that's the rules." Seem to recall the guys out in front had found some old-school, slim-line alpine boots from way, way back, thus giving an advantage in terms of lighter weight. But that part of the relay is kinda weird in general: just a straight climb up the hill inside the ski area and then a run down the cat track. Not the "status" leg of the race at all.

If you use them every day, they need to be replaced about every 6 months to be effective. As others have stated, they don't provide cushioning, but the support almost seems more valuable than cushioning. But once you have chronic foot pain like plantar fascitis, you have to go for either the Birkenstock blue insert or the full-on orthotics from the podiatrist (I have both).

I didn't have the turgid sausage problem on a 4 day trip to the Winds last summer, but I didn't use the pack as much more than a hauling device (that is, not technical use where I desperately needed a 2nd tool, etc.). I think it's nominally bigger than 4k cubes when fully extended but this may not matter much. The stripped-down design I find quite refreshing and it's collapsibility is also a big plus.

That IS very good advice to go on your own; this tends to cause more independent exploration and discovery. It's been many years since I went, but we carried our own stuff and went at our own pace. Having a loose schedule makes it easy to take side trips and stay over at noteworthy places. Non-scripted days also helped, as dryad says, with avoiding AMR, as I topped out at nearly 18k despite having a history of altitude problems.

I'll bet you also don't tie in with the lemming knot (aka 2x figure 8)!

My guess is the E Butt of El Cap still has meltwater running on it, for what that's worth. Another good moderate is Commitment, over by Yos Falls area. Interesting and challenging, especially early in the season.