Fairweather

License and tax bicycles that choose to use our public streets.

Let's all hope McGinn isn't reading this...

Eliminate free tuition for WA State employees at all four year colleges/universities. They should pay their own way--just like everyone else. Eliminate the Running Start program. Eliminate the GET program--immediately.

Well, I think the extra five bucks we've all been paying on each of our vehicle registration renewals the past few years was/is a good program--as are the volunteer efforts of groups like WTA and other organizations. It does seem like this new 'Discover Pass' program is a slap in the face to those who have already demonstrated a willingness to pay or participate--or both. "Let no good deed go unpunished" seems to be the state motto in this case.

http://www.leg.wa.gov/Senate/Committees/WM/Documents/Publications/BudgetGuides/2011/2011CGTBFinal%28rev%29.pdf WA State 2009-11 All Budgeted Expenditures* (Dollars in Billions) Human Services $26.7 Public Schools $17.0 Higher Education $10.5 Transportation $8.0 Governmental Operations $5.7 Natural Resources $3.3 Debt Service/Other $3.6 2009-11 Sources of Revenue (Dollars in Billions) Taxes $30.3 Federal & Other Grants 22.6 Licenses, Permits, & Charges for Services 12.6 Borrowing 6.6 Other Sources (including Transfers) 1.9

From last summer... http://www.thenewstribune.com/2010/07/26/1278506/union-takes-aimbrat-pierce-countybrpark.html Teamsters Union takes aim at Pierce County park volunteers A union has filed a complaint with the state alleging that Pierce County edged union employees out of hours and pay by allowing non-union workers and volunteers to do park maintenance work. The 8-page complaint filed by Teamsters Local Union 117 also says the county went around the union by talking directly to workers about the potential closure of Sprinker Recreation Center and employee layoffs that might have ensued. The complaint alleges that the county broke state law that governs labor practices. The (county's) actions have had the effect of chilling union activity and undermining support for the union, the complaint says. It was sent this month to the state Public Employment Relations Commission, or PERC. The county declined to talk about specifics of the complaint, although Parks & Recreation Director Kathy Kravit-Smith said she would not intentionally violate a union contract. I would never do anything contrary to the contractual arrangement, she said. PERC issued a preliminary ruling Thursday, that there could be a fair labor practice violation. Preliminary rulings don't address the validity of claims; that comes later, said Cathleen Callahan, PERC executive director. The next step is for the county to respond, which must happen within 21 days of the preliminary ruling. Teamsters Local Union 117 represents 195 county employees, including park maintenance workers. The complaint says the county: •Scheduled non-union temporary workers for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday in January, even though union employees were willing to work overtime and in the past had right of first refusal. •Allowed non-union workers, including those doing court-ordered community service, to do maintenance work during non-holiday hours without giving the union the chance to negotiate. •Allowed non-union volunteers to do maintenance work at Gonyea and Dawson parks, which was previously done by union employees, without giving the union the chance to negotiate. * Went around the union by holding a meeting in June directly with workers to discuss the potential closure of Sprinker Recreation Center. Workers were told the closure could result in up to six layoffs, according to the complaint. Sprinker no longer faces closure because the Pierce County Council has agreed to spend $6.1 million to repair the aging recreation center in Spanaway. In recent months, budget cuts have prompted the county to reduce maintenance at several parks, including Gonyea on 10th Avenue South and Dawson on 90th Street East. Kravit-Smith said the budget to hire extra workers to help with maintenance has dropped more than $240,000 since 2008. Community members have stepped up to help through the Adopt-a-Park program. People living near Dawson Park, for example, have mowed the grass and picked up garbage. The program has been around for 16 years and is included in county code, Kravit-Smith said. The county has other programs that use volunteers, including one in which they serve as park hosts, a task that includes some maintenance work, Kravit-Smith said. That program also has been around for years, she said. The County Council recently restored $80,000 in park money, which will go toward re-opening Dawson and Gonyea parks. Paul Zilly, a spokesman for Teamsters Local Union 117, said the union doesn't oppose community programs, but does want to ensure its workers aren't pushed out of hours or jobs. Zilly said Teamsters and county officials are scheduled to meet this week.

We should expect one hell of a new outhouse at the Mount Si trailhead then, eh? 10.00 x full parking lot x number of turns per day x weekends/yr - cost of enforcing said policy = $$$$. I can almost understand this at the big state parks with programs/improvements--but Mount Si? Really?? And why not charge ped/bike users too? I don't get it.

In the case of public employee unions, yes. Absolutely. But this is off-topic. I was at a state park this afternoon and the new fee box was up. It will be interesting to see if public use of state lands/parks goes down. If not, well, then the people have spoken. Likewise if they stay away. I, for one, won't pay this new ransom if it turns out to be more than just a supplement to the existing parks budget. Does anyone really believe that the revenue generated by this fee won't be subtracted from future outlays?

When state/county/metro taxpayers get tired of the AFSCME/SEIU/WEA extortion racket and balk at the ballot box, Olympia (D) always seems ready to retaliate with its two favorite bludgeons: public parks, and EMS. Kind of funny how these are the very things the taxpayers always overwhelmingly support via levies, props, etc. Kind of a hostage situation, IMO.

No doubt about it. We've even used raw log exports in the past to try and balance out our lust for imported foreign goods. That said, I think outdoor recreation remains a valid reason to keep many of these roads open and maintained. I guess the question is this: will we demand that our brand of utility (climbing, hiking, mountain biking, etc.) be likewise subsidized?

I was at Muir with my daughter on Saturday. Fuhrer Finger route still looks good--as does the Kautz. The Nisqually crossing is all neve w/o crevasses and the Fan is still 100% snow. Here's a picture of the south side a/o Saturday, 7/02. Also one of the big slide...

Trip: Mount Washington - Route 1 Date: 6/25/2011 Trip Report: Wow, still an amazing amount of snow on Mount Washington--and it's almost July. You can drive to the normal Mt. Washington trail head now, but the road is blocked by debris beyond here. (Note that the spur road to the upper Mt Ellinor trail head and parking lot is still completely blocked by snow.) The Olympics were totally socked in today despite the nice weather in town--rarely had more than 100 feet of visibility. The first meadow is still covered by about five to eight feet of snow, but good step-kicking is to be had from here all the way to the second meadow and on up the big gully/headwall of the standard route. A big moat has opened up at the base of the gully--don't slip. The summit block ledge is free of snow but the final gully is still snow filled. Amazing year for snow in the Olympic Mountains. Gear Notes: Ice axe - no crampons needed in gully Approach Notes: Snow--lots of it--starts about ten minutes up the trail.

By your own account, you did a bit more than just "ask" this complete stranger about his sans helmet status. It seems to me that you were a bit high on a horse of your own, hence, my commentary. Normally I wouldn't shit on someone's trip report, but you clearly need to take it down a notch--or two. Climb your heart out, have good times, and don't worry about what you believe other climbers on a well-traveled route are doing or not doing correctly. This good advice might just help to keep you from ending up as fumarole food.

This is why it's usually best to mind one's own fucking business. Just a suggestion. Helmets and running protection have never been standard fare on the South climb. Not sure why you feel the need spoil your otherwise good TR with a sermon. Hey FW - next time could you do me a favor and tie some knots in the ends of your rope? Mmmkay? Thanks. Exactly. I'm not sure two years of experience gives our young padawan license to lecture anyone. I just want to know if guys like RJ carry a badge so I can identify them and whip out my helmet real quick-like and put it on before I get lectured 'n shit. http://cascadeclimbers.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=862264

This is why it's usually best to mind one's own fucking business. Just a suggestion. Helmets and running protection have never been standard fare on the South climb. Not sure why you feel the need spoil your otherwise good TR with a sermon.

Best video ever posted on this site.

The horizon as a metaphor? Best I could do. Here ya go.

Hammer and Adze pair w/one extra pick. In good shape. One Android leash included. $150.

I recently bought the new Nikon P7000 and it takes outstanding pictures. I chose it over the G12 for two reasons: it has a 7x zoom, and 60 second shutter (the Canon only does 15sec) for starry-sky shots. The problem is that it doesn't fit in my pocket so I still take my shitty little Fuji on climbs. My little brother's Canon S95 takes sharp pics with perfect color rendition and exposure and is small enough to take anywhere. Also, has the same larger-than-average 1.7 CCD as the P7000 and the G12. My vote for the Canon S95.

If you're going in May or June, consider Furher Finger too. I don't think it's any harder than Emmons or DC if it's in good condition--and if the upper Nisqually is smooth--and there's a good chance you'll have a track to follow. If you feel more comfortable with several other parties around, then this may or may not be a good choice. My 2 cents. Good luck.

As an historian myself, I can certainly appreciate what's at stake. Not being familiar with your organization, I can only speculate vis-a-vis your stewardship and/or control over this public space, but I can appreciate the concerns you've expressed about winter damage. Heinrich & Co seem to represent the epitome of responsible stewardship and respect, and it seems to me that a more reasoned post--one that attempted to educate rather than antagonize--would have been appropriate on your part.

Great video! Looks like you guys know how to have fun in the mountains. Sorry we missed you up there. Great report.

Thanks. Credit where credit is due: Photo #2 and #3 go to my brother and his slick little Canon S95. I think I'm gonna have to get one!