Fairweather

Better enjoy this area while you can. You'll soon be locked out at Dingford Creek by the wilderness elite. Dutch Miller Gap area will become a mini expedition instead of a family-friendly weekend place where a dad can introduce his kid to climbing on a mountain like Hinman. Who knows! Maybe if we lock up enough areas that are "too easy" for kids/families to get in to, those same kids will grow up not giving a shit about the outdoors at all! Maybe then, as adults, they will look at wilderness strictly as an exploitable resource and not consider any other value therein, their only youthful outdoor experience having been asphalt trails at Paradise or "virtual mountain climber" X-Box.

quote: Originally posted by Necronomicon: Managed to quickly stretch this out to three pages... "The Truth Revealed." We didn't actually set out to climb the Triple Colouirs route on Dragintail Peak, we set out to descend the Southeast Face of Dragontail Peak, and link that with a descent of the Asgard Pass Colouir. Thankfully, the route went. We had to fix a piton on the second pitch of the second approach gully (we soloed to that point). It rang quite brightly, but give it a few wails for old-times sake. The pendulum, for the second, from the belay at the slabs into the third approach gully was quite thrilling. We timed our approach to allow for complete and utter blackness at the beginning of our descent from the "summit". We started down at 10:30. The descent of the first part of our route, easy AI1 snow walking. I got a lot of practice holding my icetool and stepping into the snow. The USGS map mistakenly labels the start of the Asgard Pass descent Colouir as Colchuck Pass, but we trusted our instincts and headed down anyways. We were committed. We were failing downwards. I got freaked out on the way down because I thought we had somehow descended southwest from the top of the Colchuck Glacier and were headed towards Ingalls Creek. Luckily, trillions of interstellar equilateral triangles pointed the way back to Colchuck Lake. We reached our gear at the base of our descent by 1:00. Seeking the elusive "Bellingham to Bellingham" descent, we each downed some spice Melange and folded timespace for the stagger back to the truck. The hallucinations were coital. I saw an Angel, the Sasquatch, and a guy in a suit standing next to a tree. Mike saw the face of Father Callahan looking down on him, pressing down on him, on the floor of the rectory, in back, next to the piano. Five minutes into our four hour descent from the base of the descent, we reached the halfway point. Some water, then five more minutes, and we reached the trailhead where we had dumped some gear (overnight gear which would have forced us into a 2+ day affair). After more of the spice melange, we began the deafening ten minute, three mile snowshoe back to the car in an hour. Mike had left his interior light on for twenty four hours, yet his truck, clad in, and, perhaps, inspired by Brittany Spears decals, fought to life, despite the stray oil fill cap floating about amongst vital engine subsystems. I changed my socks and shoes. So did Mike. We both bought chips at the gas station. Mike drove, I think, while I nodded off like a junkie. I'd start awake, make sure Mike was still driving, and nod off again. It was impossible to stay warm. I was in bed by 9:15am, for a 28h 15m day. You weren't reading any Frank Herbert during this climb, were you?

Try "The Fox Hole" army surplus. 3 ply Gore Tex, seam sealed...good stuff. New =$99 or "surplus" (used) $49. They only come in cammo. I finally gave up spending big $$$ on "nice" pants after missing out on too many good glissades for fear of ruining them, and then eventually doing just that in one or two trips. I hear Helly-Hansen makes some reasonably priced pants as well.

quote: Originally posted by cj001f: quote:As for a firearm in a NP; I've heard that this rule (law?) is probably unconstitutional and that the Govt' lets apprehended (posession) violators off because they know this rule would be deemed so in court. I'm not sure the right to protect one's self/family ends at a NP boundary. But when I read irresponsible comments about executing snowmobilers I wonder if the ban is a good idea. Sorry to burst your Bubble Fairweather - but the no Firearms law in National Parks does stand up in court. At least once a month - read their Morning Report. It's generally applied in situations when the user has violated other federal laws - but that's because it's the only time the over worked rangers have time to notice guns. I would guess a Desert Eagle would make a nice end to a 'bile. Carl Cj I've carried a firearm openly in Wrangell/St Elias as did all others I encountered. The rangers I talked to saw it and one even told me it was "a good idea" as bear problems were likely. ( he was right...but no, I didn't use the gun. ) This was well inside the park boundary. Is the "no firearms rule" selectively enforced? AS for the snow machines allowed all the way up St Helens.....shocking! ...but I can live with it until the next round of "planning" within the monument.

quote: Originally posted by crack addict: that's why i always carry a gun in the backcountry. i'd of put a cap in the motherfuckers' heads, executioner style. the forest service doesn't give a shit about these assholes running amok and if they ain't gonna do anything about it, we're gonna have to protect the wilderness ourselves, "by any means necessary". ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ "Murder is a horror, but an often necessary horror" -Marquis de Sade Hey Crackhead, now that you're a real self-appointed wilderness sherriff I think there are a few other rules (or things you think should be rules) you should enforce "by any means necessary": -- No permit? Shoot 'em. -- Dropped gum wrapper? Shoot 'em. -- No LNT card? Shoot 'em -- Party of 13? Shoot only #13, let the others go with a warning. -- No Cascade Volcano Mega Adventure Pass? Shoot 'em. -- Persons showing an obvious lack of appreciation for wilderness? Death. -- No Washington State Concealed Weapon Permit? ....oh wait, you'd have to shoot yourself. -- Firearm in a NP/NM?? ...oops. I guess you have to shoot yourself again. Sorry! As for the sledders; they're really fucking up what support exists for their cause when they don't police their own. Do snowmobiles have license plates/id numbers? (dumb question, but I don't know) I know jet skis need 'em, it only stands to reason that sleds would too. That would make it easy to make sure these bastards get their $$ fine/community service. (not a bullet to the head) As for a firearm in a NP; I've heard that this rule (law?) is probably unconstitutional and that the Govt' lets apprehended (posession) violators off because they know this rule would be deemed so in court. I'm not sure the right to protect one's self/family ends at a NP boundary. But when I read irresponsible comments about executing snowmobilers I wonder if the ban is a good idea. --

quote: Originally posted by AlpineK: Tom I'm in your camp, but the point I was trying to make to Fairweather (knee jerk Anti Environmet Nazi) is that even if they were guilty the checks and balances in scientific research would have caught their attemt to cheat long before any restrictive action happened. AK Don't call me a NAZI, and I'll refrain from calling YOU ugly names as well. ...Additionally, I am not "anti environment" but rather, "anti-ENVIRONMENTALIST". Be sure you get your tags right in the future. [ 04-16-2002, 09:43 PM: Message edited by: Fairweather ]

VIVA ALPINISTA!!! Down with the trail gnats! (I don't speak much Spanish, but it sounded kinda' revolutionary.)

"Donohoe Peak", Wrangell Mountains. 3 easy days out of Mcarthy. "Flower Mountain" 2 Days out of Haines. Also, it looked like there were some good scrambles above The Chilkoot Trail, and some more technical climbs above Laughton Glacier out of Skagway. The possibilities are almost endless...

Hey Rodchester. I see you've been posting on other threads....why no reply to queries about Mountain Stewards Program? Enforcing The Fee Domo Program? Educators, or just busybodies?

Everyone knows biologists don't ultimately lay out policy. But they know damn well what influence their studies will have. Don't try to absolve the "researchers" of responsibility here. They knew EXACTLY what they were doing, and knew the cause/effect their research would have. I think a congressman made the analogy of bankrobbers getting caught and then claiming that they were only trying to test the bank's security. They got busted. Simple as that, Dru. [ 04-14-2002, 09:51 PM: Message edited by: Fairweather ]

quote: Originally posted by erik: quote:Originally posted by Country Jake: What I want to know is why is there always something wrong.... I never here about the scientific studys where they say every thing looks great here... doin' a good job, way to go mother earth... why is it, there always has to be a change in the enviornment... And who say it needs to be changed... do we get to vote on a closer or what... or do enivormentalists who have a polotition in their pocket just get to decide because they think it should be so... I mean just because I think something is in a bad state, does not mean you do, or vice versa.... And if we do get to vote on closers, why isn't it more publicly campaned.... do the rest of you think that we should just sit back and let some tree hugers close down all our favorite spots, even though the majority of us do our best to keep it clean and nice for others (respectful climber and woodsmen)... Ok I'm a little excentric, but I'm serious too... JAKE, the problem you state is called christianity or probably orgainized religion for that matter.....it tells us that there is always something wrong and that we need to tell others what we see wrong with them too.....it is a brilliant way to control billions of people...even make them kill each other, over principals that if were looked at with any type of skepticism would be so laughable, that you would wonder how people could even get so deep into the bullshit.... but i really dunno Erik, I think the 20th century demonstrates that idealism (ie:communism, facism) kills more people than religion. The secular USSR heaped a fairly ugly mess on large portions of Europe and Asia. Additionally, they pretty much dried up the Aral Sea. Can't blame these enivronmental crimes on religion! I think you're scapegoating religion, Christianity in particular. You're right about the "end is near" tactics used by religion though. I think todays environmentalists took a page right out of their playbook! [ 04-14-2002, 10:12 PM: Message edited by: Fairweather ]

You got to know when to hold 'emKnow when to fold 'emKnow when to walk awayAnd know when to run ---Kenny Rogers

quote: Originally posted by Terminal Gravity: For what it's worth...I purchased a thermarest (3/4 ultralight) from Second Wind Sports in Hood River. I paid just $1.50 less than full MSRP and it turned out to be an "irregular" after I unpacked it on a climb. They had not represented it as such. Cascade designs says that it is only cosmetic and is still covered by warranty; so it really is no big thang. But I thought I would atleast report the sleazy practice of this particular retailer. cheers - TG [ 04-10-2002: Message edited by: Terminal Gravity ] You went into battle with an untested Themarest!?

Homeostasis on a planetary scale?

NPR= taxpayer funded left wing garbage. I only listen to NPR when I'm having difficulty getting to sleep. I see some of their correspondents have gone over to FOX. (Juan Williams, Maura Liasson) I guess they saw the error of their ways. Their reporting is usually accurate, but never tells both sides of a story....just the side they think you should hear. [ 04-10-2002: Message edited by: Fairweather ] [ 04-10-2002: Message edited by: Fairweather ]

Nikon N-80 is 18oz plus 8.5oz for a 50mm 1.4 lens.The metering is flawless. I dont even bother bracketing anymore. The built in flash is WEAK. Ricoh GR1. Point & Shoot. I take it everywhere! 7oz. Exposure comp. Viewfinder tells you where it is focusing. Lens is as sharp as an SLR. Kind of $$$. Olympus XA. The best used camera you can get for under 200 bucks. +1.5 exp comp and a paralax screen in the viewfinder to tell you if you have the focus right. 8oz. ....My two cents.

quote: Originally posted by klenke: AlpineK: There is no proof that Global Warming is actually taking place. The divide between scientists on this one is split right down the middle. Some things mentioned by my Mechanical Engineering Reference Manual (Lindeburg, 2001, page 66-11):"Other researchers can detect no discernible upward trend, and some offer a counter argument. Based on the retreat of the northern-most lines capable of growing oranges since 1850, some believe that the weather is generally getting colder, not hotter. The 4 to 12 inch rise in the level of the oceans over the last century is disputed." "Arguments against the hypothesis center around that fact that manufactured carbon dioxide is a small fraction of what is naturally released (e.g., by wetlands, rain forest fires, and during volcanic eruptions). It is argued that, in the face of such massive contributors, [manufacturing contributions are negligible]." I have no opinion either way on this one. Nice to see some common sense on this issue. However I believe the science does indicate global warming is taking place. Whether or not it is human caused is another matter. The jury is still out. Recent data indicates that both of Mars' icecaps are in retreat. Is this human caused too? Maybe a solar issue? Given our planets varied climate history, it is likey the current warming is a natural cycle. (In my non-scientific opinion.) This thread is in BIG danger of taking on a new direction that I'm not sure is within the realm of a "climbing" issue.

quote: Originally posted by AlpineK: posted 04-10-2002 01:35 PM --------------------------------------------------------------------------------While you may be right in your study Doug, what you are going to achieve by pushing this line of thinking is alienating a constituency that is more likely to be pro eco than the rest of the population.I suggest that you guys rethink your priorities. As far as I'm concerned global warming is head and shoulders above cliff habitat when it comes to problems we need to deal with. What we need is for people to work together on the really big problem before we start fighting over little things. In short your helping George W and his buddies divide and conquer. All I can say is I'm going to be pissed if I can't ski. I'll probably turn to crime, and the first house I'm going to rob will be Fairweathers. I didn't get a rise out of Doug or Fairweather on the other thread, so I thought I post it here too. Sorry K. I ain't gonna' bite.

"Greenies with guns!" ?? Doesn't sound plausable. What if an "unauthorized" climber ( one who hasn't paid their $30 volcano country club membership) told them to F-off and walked away? Would they get a bullet in the back? By the way; I carry no ID and am a bit hard-of-hearing when I climb Mt Baker. [ 04-10-2002: Message edited by: Fairweather ]

quote: Originally posted by Bug: The avalanche danger for Hood on http://www.seawfo.noaa.gov/products/SABSEA is looking bad. Anyone been up there? I want to go do the Cooper Spur Saturday. See you in the afterlife!

Still no reply? I can only assume fee enforcement is one of the objectives of the "mountain stewards". Can you clearify?

I went to a public meeting on this proposal over 3 years ago in North Bend. There were over 30 people present and there was overwhelming support for keeping the road OPEN. Since then the USFS has tried to let the issue fall off the radar. I have received no mailings from USFS re this issue since I submitted my comments against closing the road. I can't help but wonder if my "official public comments" (yes, they were civil and informed) weren't torn up and thrown in the trash. Just goes to show the futility of negotiating with the "let wilderness take over" crowd. "Compromise" with these folks = lost access for YOU. Opening up the Middle Fork Trail to mountain bikers and horses is just a bone they're throwing to placate those who might dare question the wisdom of this decision. This "bone" will be retracted in short order ("No Bicycles/Horses" signs to be posted three of four years from now) [ 04-09-2002: Message edited by: Fairweather ]

Hopefully, these stewards will be for education purposes only and not charged with enforcing the "Volcano Pass" or "Adventure Pass" or any other variant of the Fee-Demo Program. (??)

quote: Originally posted by glen: Ever notice how much page space Mounties guidebooks spend trashing on everyone who doesn't exactly conform to their textbook ideals? ie, mountainbikers, ski areas, etc... Granted some of the soapboxing may be warranted, but keep it outta the guidebooks. The darker side of the Mountaineers touchy-feely syndrome... I agree, Glen! Much of this "soapboxing" comes from Mr. Harvey Manning (author) and is the big reason I look for alternatives to Mountaineer books. (ie: Falcon Pub) Mr Manning comes across as an extremist who would ban motor-drives on cameras in wilderness areas if he could. Reading his rantings in Mountaineer Books is just too much to bear. Their 100 Hikes series should be re written by a more moderate voice. I know slamming 'ol Harvey is blasphemy of the highest order within the club, so my flamesuit is now on.

quote: Originally posted by kevin page: Yeah, that'd be a great trip. We went in for nine days and climbed Christie, Seattle, Noyes, Meany, Barnes, Queets and then Olympus. We did Queets from DR Pass so I don't know what the glacier route is like. When we were in the upper Queets basin I was too busy watching a massive herd of Roosevelt elk below us and taking in the scenery to consider climbing Queets from that side. I'd say take route descriptions for everything you'll be hiking by and climb whatever time and energy allows. Guidebook author Robert L Wood describes the Martin Lakes area below Christie as "one of the most beautiful alpine meadows in all the Olympics". That little glacier on Christie is beautiful. How was your climb? I've thought it would be neat to climb over Christie and Dellabarre into Muncaster Basin, and then down to Pyrites creek, finishing at the Enchanted Valley trail.