plexus

I've had some fun days knocking off some of those minor summits in that area in the winter like Anderson Butte, Sauk Mtn, Loomis Mtn, Dock Butte, etc. They might be runts, but you definitely get your work in. C'mon Paul! Four miles of snowplow on icy death crust is so, so, so much fun. Hope you got a massage for your quads after the fact.

For what it's worth, I plan on spending most of next year following the spine of the Andes from Chile up to Central America. From talking to some people who have spent extended time there, I'm just going to take my Clip Flashlight; roomie for a single person and I've never had a problem this last year from downpours to extremely windy conditions. If you get it staked out properly, I've found it can take over 60 mph gusts without even budging.

Great guys! First off, great TR, great drive on getting it done, and great pics. The clarity made me feel like I was there. Extremely jealous.

That actually looked really fun. Glad you two had a great day out.

I second this. I was in the same boat as you Dan in lots of years of skiing but not a lot of skiing per season to get good at it. Also if you don't want to shell the $$ for lessons, go skiing with some really good skiers. Seriously. The biggest jump I made skiing was two seasons ago doing a full day at Copper Mtn with some friends who are phenominal skiers. Keeping up with them and also the tips they handed out made me progress light years.

Definitely too clipped. Let's jettison the dreamy photo of Colin and get more meat. But the biggest surprise was I had an issue of Outside waiting for me in my mailbox. I never signed up for a subscription to Outside!

Hopefully we're making up for a slightly belated start here in Colorado. People forget, we don't really start getting good stuff until late January - February usually.

I love it when you talk technical. Seriously though, if you're talking about just plain resort skiing, my R2 Patagucci zip is plenty even when it drops into the single digits here in Colorado. The only time I could ever think about using a heavy fleece is overnight camping or belaying in some pretty frigid conditions. But truth is I don't find my nice $400 softshell any warmer than my 10-year-old NF shell, it's just more streamline and less bulky.

Wait a minute! A blue sky day in the North Cascades in late November?! Why the hell couldn't I get a few of those when I lived there?! Nice pics. Looks like just enough snow to make it interesting but not enough to make it relaxing.

Glad you're still with us to be making this post. Two days ago, almost peeled twice during a "scramble route". Wound up taking the hardest line each time I came to some technical climbing. The first time I was about 20 feet up and my one foot, in approach shoes, blew and I could feel gravity trying to peel me off of the slightly overhanging section while on bad hands. The next cliff section, had a foot hold crumble and nearly came off. It hasn't spooked me yet. But I remember years back a friend pulling gear and taking a screaming fall and stopping head down only a few feet off the deck after taking easily a 60-foot drop. That spooked me for a few months. Sometimes different things trigger that fear or prudence. Next spring you might charge right back into it. Or climbing might lose its luster to you. Either way, you have to accept whichever road you go down.

Great lighting and I love the colors. Thanks for the enjoying read.

Oh Gawd! I had a flashback to a drunken night I'd wish I hadn't remembered. Sehome rocks if completely drunk and/or stoned. Otherwise, well, there at least is Boundary Bay!

I bought a pair of Acopa slippers when I was living in Oaxaca in '02. Still have them, they still have the same soles -though they are in need of a resole, and have held up better than my Mad Rock slippers. I use them as my non-summer slipper, meaning in summertime my feet swell up too big to get the damn meat pies in there without cramping badly. I would recommend them if you find some that fit well.

Hey guys, Heading out to Joe's Valley next week for a few days. Just trying to collect a checklist of problems I "must try". I've got the topo downloaded and pretty much boulder up to V5 (on a good day). Any recommendations to those who have been humbled there? Any campsite better than others?

Damn you and your "Where's Waldo?" game!! I finally spotted the damn bear. =)

Absolutely gorgeous Darin, I'm utterly jealous!!

Always bring moleskin. Touching what eldiente wrote, I find I always bring my Mountain Hardware shell and my Cloudveil rain pants when in the alpine. The wind-breaking power of the two saves me from bringing heavier and bulkier layers when needed for unplanned nights and/or when weather changes. After almost getting fried by lightning a couple weeks ago, I highly suggest always keep checking the sky. And while you feel like a pussy turning back because the skies are ominous, I don't think I'd have an issue the next time that happens. Be optimistic and be a good partner. Nobody wants to be with a nay-sayer or a complainer for a very long day.

...and then there are the times that Ivan makes you say, "Right on!"

Funny how plans change. Still recovering from DNC coverage here. Saturday, chores, trail ran with climbing slippers in hand, run for a mile, climb something, run again, climb something. Good day. Sat night: partying. Sunday felt lethargic and scraped my backpacking plans. Thirty mile bike ride instead. Sunday night: drinks with the guys. Monday: Got up early and saw too much cloud cover to make me feel comfy doing a technical ridge route - especially after nearly getting zapped by lightning last weekend. So coffee and mtn bike ride. BBQ later this evening.

Thanks for the memories. Kindy Ridge was one of my favorite nights camping.

Nice size blackie you came across. And thanks for the feet picture, I'm glad to know the yellowing nastiness of my own toenails isn't unique. Years and years of bashing into the end of boots and climbing shoes takes its toll. As always the flora shots were sublime.

Awesome! Hell of an accomplishment given the taxing nature of the area.

Tits up Craig. I mean all of us have been scared shitless in the mountains one time or another, but you took it to a new level. I'm impressed you kept your composure and finished the climb. I have a friend who has colitis and it is not something you can truly get a grasp on. And Mr DPS, whenever I'm on the trail and somebody doesn't acknowledge the greeting or good will behind it, I decide that person just isn't worth getting upset about. Some people just possess grumpy dispositions and if being out in beautiful areas or recreating can't shake them free of that, then well, they're always going to be grumpy.

My deepest condolences to the man. The worst scenario any spouse could face.

Tvash, I don't know whether to hate you, envy you or just buy you a beer. Your TRs are the best I have seen as far as inspiring fellow climbers with their simplicity and the wonderful photography. I'll remember that the next time I'm waking up before dawn with a hangover trying to get myself killed on yet another mountain. =)