Self_propelled

In defense of the 'bilers, the ranger said they were pretty decent guys who were actually quite contrite about the whole thing. The ranger said that they couldn't really see where people were sitting as they crested the ridge and felt real bad about coming so close but that by the time they actually crested the ridge, it was too late to change direction... That's like saying "you know I'm sorry I almost hit that group of school children in the cross walk... I was swerving around someone who was stopped in front of me and couldn't see what was in the other lane!" There is a place for snowmobilers...its somewhere in North Eastern Montana!

The green rock could also be Serpentine.

Anyone know when they intend to open Chinook Pass this year?

I have also been hobbled by ITB. One knee scope and lots of strengthening and stretching laterand I'm starting to round the corner. Here's my 2 cents worth. 1. Posture 2. Mid section strength: Front (crunches) and back (lunges), squats also help tremendously. 3. weight loss 4. Rolfing or some other form of deep soft tissue/miofacia release works very well. Any massage therapist should be able to "release" the IT Band.

This may be the most telling quote of the story. "All I heard was Gore-Tex on ice," Griber said Friday. "He was sliding on his right hip. I can't tell you why he was so calm." The fact that he was calm could suggest many things. I'd like to think that it meant he had reached the summit, something that the article in today's PI suggested had been his goal since viewing the summit from Logan at the age of 16. And further that he knew self arrest on high angle bulletproof ice and therefore saving his life was impossible. This story is tragic for those left behind, but maybe not for those lost.

Thanks for the info all!Tamara, I will definitely get in touch with John at HEC as I'm really looking for the right volunteer opportunity. I'm well aware that the guide services would rather hire the cheaper local labor. Heck, I'd rather see a local get a few extra rupees too, they need it far more than I right now! They don't even have potable water in 60% of the homes in the Kathmandu Valley. I asked about Guide Companies because, dog gone it, we may have to come back to the states someday and it might be nice to have some leads. There are also several mountain clean up expeditions just getting started this year and I'd like to get involved with one of those for next season. I'll still be a part of CC.com while over there so if yer headed that way you can always send me a message through this site.

My wife and I will be moving to Nepal in July. She'll be the bread winner, teaching. Does anyone out there know of a guide service/rafting company or volunteer organization looking for help in Kathmandu Valley or Nepal in general? I have no interest in 8K meter climbs, we'll be trekking around base camps mainly, but would certainly enjoy helping out at base camp or doing logistics for arrival/departures in K'du. Send me a PM if you have a lead.

Dr. Larson,Thank you for your comments and your willingness to participate in a decidedly weighted discussion. There is very little room to argue with any of your findings because you did exactly what you said, you "nailed" the research. Your comment about the climber chopping the 1200 year old Juniper was very sad. I would doubt that the climber had any idea it was that old. That is not an excuse but rather an indication that even more education and dissemination of info is needed. You can go a long way in helping the climbing community be more responsible by continuing to stay involved with issue that are important to you and the climbers in your region. The more you know, the more you know!

The L&M study had a incredibly small sample size, namely one small area of southern Ontario. However, the broad generalization that climbing hurts the ecosytem everywhere will be assumed. Unfortunately, scientific tests such as L&M's can usually be counted on to prove whatever the tester wants to prove. It's how the information is distributed that really counts. It's now up to the climbing community to show that climbing is far less harmful to the ecosystem than other uses of the resource.

It sounds like his Subaru bandit has taken quite a haul. They must be unloading it somewhere and my guess would be at Second hand Sporting goods stores. I'd suggest enlisting the help of places like Second Ascent, Second Base, Play it Again and more likely Portland/Bend area stores.If they were given an inventory of stolen goods they could look for specific items and also when they purchase gear the clerks could be looking for some trends like the same guy selling nice pro every couple weeks. my 2 cents

Would that be the DAN Larsen Ice Sheet?

People go to Muir in the Winter? Dang, I've only skied the sweet corn after Memorial Day! With this years snow pack Muir should have 5K' of good corn snow into late July or August. mmmhmmmhhmm Sweet Corn!

I'm gettin' $100 worth of those Toblerone bars they have by the check out line! mmm good!

Where is the road plowed to? Do they plow it right to Marblemount snopark? I've only been there in April.

OK here's an idea,Let Texans have their Independence from The US. Heck they're usually threatening to bolt anyway. Let George Bush be their President or CEO or whatever they want to call him. Kenneth Lay and the rest of the Enron Board can be his cabinet. They can have all their oil, all their nasty coastline, and their Barbie Doll showgirls! We'll just pull our border patrol back into Oklahoma, New Mexico and Lousiana. They will need special visas to ski in the Rockies. They can drill for as much friggin oil as they want within their borders! I won't miss any one of them!

Has anyone been up to the site? I'm curious about what they did up there. Did they tear everything out and leave debris? Is it all gone and site restored to natural? Is the lobster pot really gone?

Bronco,All new Beacons sold today are compatible and operate at a frequency of 457 kHz. There was a time (5 years ago?) when there were two different frequencies. If you buy a used beacon make sure it is 457. That said, not all beacons are operated the same way. That is why practice with your beacon is so important.

You got it Beck! BC skiing sucks! There are no lodges with Sushi bars and what if I have to go the bathroom. Come on out to the lift served areas everyone, give your money away to those faceless saints at Boyne or Intrawest. They'll show you the love, they'll have all the rumpleminze and hot chocolate you want just waiting for you in their cosy warm neo-alpen lodges! Wouldn't you rather pay a days wage to have the comfort of knowing that there are boot warmers just a few turns away? Heck, you'll save money! No need for a probe or beacon when your ripping the edge deep coudoroy on Big Bad Bill's blue square run. Leave that BC stuff to those poor folks who just don't know the meaning of a sniffle station!

Beck,If you are looking for a Sea-Tac area location for future Pub Club gatherings I'd suggest Houlihans on Southcenter. It offers fairly easy access to I-5, most adult beverages including Guiness, and the bar is roomy enough that a group of 10 -20 clean or unclean climbers can swill drinks and carouse without bothering the other clientele. My 2 cents,Rob

Beck,I've got a place. May only be available until next summer though as I'm moving out of country. Greenwood, 92nd and 4th. Downstairs bedroom, bath and kitchen all for you. Oh yea we've got a hot tub. $500 a ,month. e-mail me: schmerto64@hotmail.com

Check here for latest conditions. http://www.seawfo.noaa.gov/products/OSOPVC

Telemarker,I'm a tele skier and I ski on fairly new age boards, K2 Piste Stinx, and I love them (I also still love my Tua Montes but they are definitely light weight compared to the K2s). I am not a purist though. I love telekiing more than anything but I'm not going to limit myself to how I enjoy getting down the mountain. I would still maintain that there is definitely snow that is far easier and more fun to ride on a snowboard. April slop comes to mind. You know the days when you just can't get out of bed at 4 AM and you wind up skiing down a south face at 2:30 in the afternoon sunshine. You may be a far better tele skier than and I and therefore the differences in snow may not affect you but I'd rather tele in powder and snowboard in the thick heavier snow. I also doubt I'm alone on that one. Why do you think snow boarding is so popular in the NW Backcountry? Just curious if you have tried much snowboarding. I am an occasional knuckledragger due mainly to the reasons I mention above. I've found that I enjoy riding in lots of conditions and while I prefer teleskiing I would rather not be on the teleskis in Cascade Concrete. Either way, it's really all about enjoying the ride down and my knees don't like hiking down nearly as much as skiing or riding.

Nice D! How much longer do you think the road will stay open? Rob

I know I know...Your right Mike but as Mike G. is there everyday I thought I'd get some feedback from him. Its a long drive and if the snow is still sloppy I'd rather wait... Unfortunately, I've got plenty to do besides ski, the more house painting, drainage digging, gutter installing, etc I get done now the less I have to do when the snow is really flying. When I sell the house next spring and move to Chile, then all I'll have to do is climb and ski, until then I'm going to pick my days. BTW, how's the snow up at Alpental... or do I need to head up there and find out for myself?

Mike,How is the temperature? Is the snow still at Boarding consistency or has it been cold enough to dry out a little for skis also? Also, what does the Comment "Intermittent false snowdepth readings ~ 32 inches" indicate on the NOAA Paradise Telemetry site. Matt,I'm also thinking about tomorrow but won't decide until early tomorrow morning. Also can't decide between snowboard or skis. I just tuned the skis and would rather save the fresh bases for some decent snow. Rob