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How many miles do you have to go on the road if the avalanche prevents cars from going past mile marker 21?

A lot of you have mentioned the Beckey guides. Have you also read his 'Challenge of the North Cascades'? If you have any reservations about long approaches or bushwhacking, just read a bit from this book and you'll realize just how easy we have it now.

Slesse - NE Buttress. Exposure, commitment, moderate climbing on mostly excellent rock. Short approach, great summit views. Tips: Don't do the direct start - the pocket glacier crossing is... interesting.

SW Rib of SEWS - Lotsa fun. The 'bear hug" pitch is amusing. Saw goat and kids. Actually two types of kids. There was a party of about twenty on the S. Arete. High school girl soccer team from Mt. Vernon.

I did Sharkfin in a long day at the end of June a few years ago. It is doable if you go very light and leave the car at dark o'clock. When we did it, there was snow in Boston Basin down to the campsite, which made for very easy and fast travel up to the base of the tower. We made it back to the car around 5:30pm. I haven't been in Boston Basin this year, but I'll bet the generally lighter snowpack this year may slow you down a bit. It was a very enjoyable day, more so since we didn't have to schlep bivy gear. The fact that we didn't bivy also eliminated permit hassles. [This message has been edited by Steve Kawasaki (edited 07-18-2001).]

I'm planning a July trip to Inspiration/McMillan. I hear varying reports of the amount of bushwhacking in Goodell Creek and the Terror Basin Trail - what was it like for your party, Darren? Also, the Beckey guide mentions campsites "below the McMillan spires" - did you see any likely looking spots during your climb. If so, where? Steve