Fairweather

I'm looking for a new pair of mountain boots. My old Lasportiva K2's have finally fallen apart, and the Nepal Extreme's I bought to replace them, while great on snow - and for summer mountaineering, are too stiff in the sole for a long approach. I remember hearing good things about the Boreal Asan, but I'm not sure if it's still imported, or even made. I can't find a USA website either. I'm also looking at Salomon Mtn Lights...I think these are the ones that replaced the 'Mountain 8,9' series. I want a solid approach boot. I don't care if it's step-in crampon compatible, but heel bail compatability is preferred. Any thoughts or advice?

Any specifics? You wouldn't be just trying to get me riled up now would you, matt? Also, I know this isn't spray, but the title of 'conservationist' does not apply to the road-closer anti-recreation crowd. Conservationist conjures up images of Teddy Roosevelt, John Muir, William O Douglas, et al. These were fair minded visionaries who didn't view man as anathema to nature. These more recent road-closers you speak of are environmentalist zealots who know how to manipulate our legal system in order to implement their anti-recreation jihad. Anyway, thanks for the updated info on the N Fork Sauk. It looks like this is the way to go.

Along the PCT SSE of Glacier Peak in the area that drains the White Chuck Glacier (or what's left of it). The entire area along Red Pass and White Pass looks incredible too. I've never been there but it would be cool to see some pics posted here by those who have.

The Milk Creek approach starts from the Suiattle, but looking at the Darrington report last night, it now appears that this approach is out of comission until 2006 at least. (trail destroyed?) Some of the eastern approaches shown on USGS and Green Trails no longer exist, I'm told, such as Gamma Ridge (?) and trail #786 above Dusty Creek. The Darrington District seems to have suffered more flooding, glacial recession, erosion, trail abandonment, road/bridge destruction, etc than any other area in the Cascade Mountains the past 30 years!

When third-world 'elected' leaders refuse to step down at the end of their term or declare, "I am a Marxist-Leninist", post-election, then they cease to be called elected leaders.

Reelected by voters like you. Is this a great country, or what? Tony Blair sailed to victory with a whopping 36 percent of the popular vote for his party. Sounds like a mandate to me. To be serious, Fairweather, are you asserting that a majority of the American voters can't be wrong? Because many of these voters probably also cast ballots in 1996 and 2000. I'm saying, Norman, the people have spoken....and that's democracy whether you like it, or not. I'm not a big fan of sub-50% victories, which is why I'm glad that Bush won almost 53% this last go-round. I would support a 50% or run-off election amendment to our constitution. This comment... Reelected by voters like you. Is this a great country, or what? ...sounded a bit smug. Guess we're not friends anymore?

John Howard, Australia: re-elected GW Bush, USA: re-elected Tony Blair, Great Britan: re-elected j_b:

How many people are killed in riots when copies of The Bible, The Tora, or even (gulp) Mao's red book are burned? Or when an American flag is burned/desecrated? Who issues a fatwah? Answer: none/no one. This seems to be a quirk particular to Islam, its preachers, and its adherents. Doesn't look like a religion of peace to me. Even if the story were true, it does not excuse the behavior of muslims regarding this issue and proportionality. BTW, ChunK; Nice cut and paste. Your ideas were bold, refreshing, and recycled.

Ahh yes! The vast Right-Wing Conspiracy. Your paranoia now requires another dose, DFA. Go crawl back to the nurse's station and ask if it's time yet.

If you see another, matt, feel free to share it with the class.

So with the White Chuck Road (23) still out for the year, and the N Fk Sauk the same, what is the most 'convenient' approach to Glacier Peak this summer? From Lake Wenatchee via White River or Indian Creek to White Pass and then up White Chuck Glacier (remnant), Dissapointment Peak Ridge/Gerdine Glacier? I hear Glacier Peak Meadows is one of the most beautiful spots in the North Cascades and wouldn't mind a family outing along this route. Or how about up Milk Creek to the PCT junction then the Dusty Glacier? Ford the White Chuck bridge washout and bike the road? Then climb the Sitkum? (I've heard the trail to Kennedy Hotsprings was almost totally decimated, though.) Any thoughts?

To lend some context to your assertion: Newsweek and Isikoff were the team that sat on the Monica Lewinski story for over a week while they waited for 'corroboration'. Drudge stole the scoop out from under their then-puritan noses. Why was 'getting it right' so important in one instance and not another? I see only one variable.

Fucking Newsweek. The reporters who wrote the Guantanomo Koran-in-the-toilet story....which now appears to be a lie...should face trial and be held accountable for the lives lost. Dan Rather, Jayson Blair, now Newsweek/Isikoff....these guys can't just keep making this shit up with impunity. Someone's gotta pay for this. No anti-military, anti America bias in the print press? C'mon. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7864705/

Divide Camp trail is a better approach to AG anyway.

I assume your Nikon uses the EN EL-1 Nikon lithium rechargable. You can BUY one-time use lithium batteries for back up! Duracell makes the "245" and I've used it in my Nikon Coolpix5400. It lasts a long time; much longer, in fact, than the rechargable. Costs about $9 each, and I would think 4 or 5 of them would last an entire West Buttress trip.

The Kautz has usually been a good all-season route, but the chute might be getting icy by August. Don't camp at Hazard...the climb is still a reasonable day from 9600 feet at the base of The Turtle. The NP climbing rangers often fix a rope in the chute if it gets too icy, but I wouldn't count on this in your plans. Also, I wouldn't get too bogged down with hardware. Maybe an extra tool for the leader (which you most likely won't use), a couple screws and a picket for the team. Also, move fast in the debris gully below Hazard on the way back. Honestly, I've never been inspired by the Kautz climb. I think the Emmons route is much more scenic/spectacular and the crowds aren't all that bad midweek. What can you tell me about climbing Tupungato?

Read the original post. Then the 44 replies. I think Cj is the only one who stayed on topic! The rest of you were distracted by that transvestite over there. Right there! I shit-you-not! I'm totally serious!...

We're talking cliches here, sultana. I posted the definition. Use that great scientific mind you're always bragging about...and try to stay focused.

Gotta give you this one! I recently visited one of my brothers in Wenatchee. The valley was a pall of smoke and my brother was lamenting the fact that this was a result of apple orchards being bull-dozed and burned to make way for new housing. He and his wife were truly heart-broken.... ...he moved to Wenatchee last year...and lives in a new sub-division.

"We're loving nature to death." "That road stabs into the heart of The _______ range." "let nature take over" "death of a thousand cuts" "Take only memories, leave only footprints." "wilderness management plan"....isn't that one an oxymoron?

Hmmmm. Can a cliche assume the form of a question? BTW: The answer is now you. Main Entry: cli·ché Variant(s): also cli·che /klE-'shA, 'klE-", kli-'/ Function: noun Etymology: French, literally, printer's stereotype, from past participle of clicher to stereotype, of imitative origin 1 : a trite phrase or expression; also : the idea expressed by it 2 : a hackneyed theme, characterization, or situation 3 : something (as a menu item) that has become overly familiar or commonplace - cliché adjective

...and the tired'est of em all.... "No one died when Clinton lied."

"I gotta go, dude. I'm crowning."

I am convinced that these two brought about Kerry's defeat last year.... "Would that it were, Dave. Would that it were." "Tonight we will break bread together..."

"I'm very concerned about the direction this administration is taking our nation....."