Freeman

I agree. Bandit X was a good resort ski in its day, but is dated. XX was a good all around resort/bc ski in its day (my wife uses them for AT and I use them for tele), The XXX (Megabang/T4) is a great back country ski. I paid $400 for my wife's XX with Fritchi's, skins, and boots (used, but great shape) - I would say new skis ought to sell for a hundred or so. I've heard of folks buying the newer (and phatter) Rossi T4 for around $300.

Dawson's Dynafit page The debate between Dynafit, Fritchi, etc has been raging each year - you'll find a lot of information if you launch the search engine. Dynafit - light weight, limited boot selection, figity entry, limited adjustability, elegent, seems very reliable (many bc guides uses them). Fritchi - heavier, maybe better release, fits almost any boot (I have one pair of loaner skis that friends use with their alpine boots), easier entry.... This will restart the old arguements....

Maple Pass loop from Rainey Pass PCT to Cutthroat Pass from Rainey Pass Cutthroat Pass from Cutthroat Lake trail head (with a stop at the Lake) Blue Lake from Washington Pass Blue Pk Col (SEWS SE buttress) from Washington Pass (Blue Lk trail) Kangaroo Pass from switchback (not at or near Wa Pass) Nice hikes at Harts Pass Nice short hikes at Sun Mountain Many hikes up the Twisp River Many of these require parking passes

MountaingirlBC, a couple more thoughts. The route described by Shafflehunter is a great way to access Cannon Mtn and Coney Lake. Stay to the right of the Cannon Mtn Couloir and it's pretty reasonable. A cool option from Coney Lake is to cross the Rat Lakes between Earl and Mesa, go up a little valley which will drop you into Temple Canyon, Nada Lk and a nice traverse of the Rat Lakes. We do this in the fall as a day hike (to avoid the permit hassle). You could camp in the Rat Lakes for a couple of days (be sure to wander up to Edward's Mesa). Another possible way to exit the Rat Lakes is via Toketie Lake and Creek which dumps you out on the Snow Lake trail. After the fires this route is dusty and ugly, and probably not the best. You can also go down either Hook or Rat Creek (whick is cliffy and brushy), or of course, go over Prusik Pass and back thru the upper Enchantments. So many wonderful possibilities.... Cannon Mtn Couloir is one of the great ski runs - usually done as soon as the road is open to the Stuart Lk trailhead and avy conditions are stable.

fwiw - my AT boots (and for that matter, my tele boots) are considerably more comfortable for hiking and climbing than my plastic mountaineering boots (old Kolfax). The AT boots are Dynafits with g-fit liners, the teles are Crispis with intuitions. I can use lampoons on either of the ski boots (even climbed a little easy water ice in the Dynafits), don't mind hiking a ways up a trail, and can use the liners for hut boots. of course YMMV What is the point of slogging up a volcano if you can't ski down?

Beware the boot and pack eating snaffles

Maybe the Leavenworth city pool? I think the city park at Cashmere, the County park at Monitor and the State Confluence Park at Wenatchee all have showers.

A gear sling (Metolious) with various slings and carabineers was left at the top of Burgundy Spire. They were forgotten while setting up for the rap. The gear sling is attached to the top rap anchor. The carabineers have orange paint on them. If you find them please call Adam at 509-669-0409. There will be a reward. Thanks.

All that advice is good and there are many great skis today. Most people feel that shorter and fatter is where its at - particularly for the b.c. I'm a Rossi guy (6'0, 165, kinda old with bad knees <g>) and I like 185 Hellgates (tele) in the area, 177 Bandit XX (tele) in the b.c and for volcanos, and 177 MegaBangs (AT) for my back country touring. If you are buying new skis I would seriously look at the T4 Rossi in something around 180 cm. I also mounted an old pair of 180 BD Resolutions with Fritchis for loaner skis - that way my buddies can join me on a tour using their alpine boots. The TM:EX has been highly rated and I happen to know where there is a pair of 185's in very good condition in Seattle with Fritchi's and skins to fit - PM me and I'll give you the beta (I think he's got some size 11 Lowas too).

When Clinton lied, no one died

Climbed at Sam Hill / UnderHill / OverHill on sunday and had the crags to ourselves. Many nice little half pitch climbs from 5.7 to 10d. As you walk up to the cliffs you can see where the developer wanted to build residence(s) and why. Lets save this crag! btw - the poison ivy is starting to come out at the base of the cliffs

Kristin Newman of the Trust for Public Lands sent me this update on their fund raising to purchase Sam Hill/Underhill: "As of April 15 the total raised for Sam Hill is $4,060 - almost half of the $8,500 goal for the April 28 deadline. We need help with the last push." For more information and to make your donation go to Washington Climbers Coalition and click on Lets Buy a Crag

good catch, I hadn't heard of these folks. It is hard enough for legit search and rescue groups to fund themselves without this kind of sillyness

There was something called the "Alternate University" which allowed people to teach all sorts of things at the U - including a rock climbing class. These were in no way associated or approved by UW and went away after a few years, but were fun while they lasted. I also recall a U of W climbing club from my days there in the 70's. And there were the bolt ladders at Husky Stadium and the guide book to UW routes in the Library, and .... I think I'm dating myself too

From the Ranger Park will open March 19th. Free parking that day to celebrate state parks 92 birthday. Also a notice about a trail work party The trails have held up well, and what > still needs work will be addressed soon. The Washington Trails Association > will be holding a "volunteer vacation" at Pinnacles. They will be doing > trail work March 26th to April 2nd to take care of much of the switchback > work. Anyone wishing to volunteer can sign up at the WTA web site at > www.wta.org <www.wta.org> .

Actually Jim its 36 and cloudy right now and forcast to be 35-41 tomorrow with PM showers. I'm heading out skiing, what are you going to do?

I guess on their web site they call the Fish Hatchery the Icicle River Trail. It is at the entrance to the Sleeping Lady conference center. About 8 K pretty flat. The Ski Hill is 5 or 7 K and is hilly - good training and a great workout but a lot harder for an intermediate skier, and the Golf Course is about 10 K and rolly. The Waterfront trail connects the Golf Course to town (Blackbird Island). One of my buddies who was skiing last night said it was like skating down hill the entire lap. They skied with their lights off so the cougars couldn't see them. With the present forcast I think it is going to remain good thru the weekend. Come get it while you can.

I skated last night at 11'worth (Fish Hatchery). Conditions were very good - tilled and groomed, 32-33 F, fast spring conditions. Absolutely terrible off the track, but great in the skate lane (classic would probably be ok too). Surreal moonlight night with ground fog, could ski without headlight, then barely see the snow with it. The valley has been in an inversion all week so while temps were 50 on the pass they have been 24 to 32 in Wenatchee (my driveway was WI5). If it stays this way skiing should be good throught the weekend - they will work the snow to keep it skiable. Don't know about the Ski Hill or Golf Course, the coverage was a little less to start with and they close the golf course as soon as it threatens the greens. But, SKATE SKIING IS STILL OK!

Right now it is anyone's guess, but if the temps drop again this could be really good. Most of the Basin drips are fed from ground water seeps and there hasn't been much water so this could be ok. Most of this formed up in a pretty short time of temps in the teens and might reform again. Stream fed things (Fugs, Cowgirls, etc) will probably wash out. I'd sure avoid the Punchbowl for a while tho.

I don't want to start a pissing match but when I sent this link to Mark Shipman (who was involved in many of the early climbs in the basin with Bruce White and helped name a lot of them) and he sent me this e-mail. I include it for information - maybe Paul can comment on the correct names (paste from e-mail) I've climbed at the Basin the last 2 days. The photo they labeled Scotch on the Rocks is Clockwork Orange. The photo they labeled Zenith is something else. Zenith isn't quite down yet, but there is 1000% more ice on Zenith than what they photographed. I'd let the people @ cascadeclimbers.com know, but they never let me log on.... We (Bruce and I) T.R.ed at Cowgirls yesterday; there are several great lines. We (Curt and I) climbed a couple of really fun lines (harder than Fug's but climbable) at Peawee's Playground today. We took a good look at Champagne. I would try it tomorrow if I had the time. It never got above 23 degrees F where we were climbing today

It would be worth it. We drive up from Wenatchee, ski 30k or so, have a brewski at Twisp and can be home at a reasonable hour. Probably will do so tomorrow. Also consider the Steven Nordic Center. I haven't skied there yet this year but I think its been pretty good. Skating up the Main Line to the ski area is a good workout and great technique training, and the trip back down is mega glide! Conditions have been remarkably good at 11'worth considering the lack of snow. Last weekend was moderately crowded because they ony had the Hatchery open, now the Ski Hill and Golf Course are also open. Ski Hill is rolly polly and good training, as I said there is a race at the Golf Course. Last night was cold, clear, fast and Orion looked down at us. There were no cougars out, but many fireflies in the forest.

Law, after futzing around with ski skating for about 10 years now, averaging once or twice a week most weeks (we skate each thursday night) I learned more in a one hour lesson from Portman than in 10 years screwing around by myself. Of course the first thing he had to do was break all my bad habits. Of course you don't need a lesson. The Methow is an easy 2 hour drive from Wenatchee. Wenatchee is a 2-1/2 hour drive from the U. Your milage may vary. Check it out http://www.mvsta.com/

Leavenworth last night at the Hatchery by headlight was great, followed by dinner and bluegrass at O'Gradys. This weekend should be really good too (there is a race at the golf course so I would pick the Fish Hatchery). Last week they had demo skis and free lessons - you missed out. The best skating in WA right now is in the Methow - 200 k of groom. If you can get a lesson from Sally or Don Portman at Sun Mtn do so - they are simply the best.

When the Pinnacles were rebolted all climbing anchors were 3/8 by 3 or 4 inch, rap anchors are 5/8 by 6. They were set in an industrial epoxy grout that is used by the DOT. Every old bolt that was pulled required at most a crow bar or ball joint separator - most were pulled with a claw hammer. A few by hand.

or at least keep your alpine boots. True, I cram my alpine boots into my Fritchis for area days and use the Dynafits for the b.c. However, since the Dynafits are so much more comfortable I where then a lot in the area. Besides, we might just want to tour out of bounds for a run or two...