Self_propelled

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

I failed to mention my favorite site www.nwac.noaa.gov which as most of you probably know has great Northwest Avalanche and weather info. Those guys do a great job and deserve every penny of the funding they've had to fight so hard for. I recently noted the NWAC now has all kinds of additional links to resort and DOT webcams as well as other useful resources. While another cc.com thread discussed reading climbing guides for enjoyment, I find following the winter weather equally fascinating.

They keep a road to the rim open all year round. They do not plow the road which goes "around" the rim. You can then tour on the unplowed road all the way around, 3 days. CHeck this site: http://www.nps.gov/crla/brochures/wintback.htm It's a really neat spot with views in all directions. I'd also receommend Shasta as EHMIC suggested. Check in with these guys before you go: http://www.thefifthseason.com/ I had a great spring roadtrip where we skied St.Helens, Crater Lake, Mammoth, the climbed at Red Rocks. Thought we might hit Shasta on the way back but decided to take the scenic route and stay east of the Sierras/Cascades until Bend. Again, enjoy

If you are passing thru check out Crater Lake! Great line from the rim down to the Park Service cabins. Get a drop at the rim or leave a car at the park service cabins. Traverse southeast up and out from the Lodge on the rim. Approx. 2,500 feet of vertical. Get detailed beta from park service ski patrol. Enjoy!Rob

The Surgeon General and Select economists have cited a link between Internet webcams and a seasonal drop in office worker productivity! As a regular working stiff and occasional backcountry denizen I know that when the snow starts flying I've got one eye on the NWAC weather/avi forecast and one eye on the myriad webcams to try and pinpoint the best options. Being able to check the web at 6:00 AM and see 10" of fresh has led to many "wellness" days off. I'm just curious if anyone else out there suffers from this condition. What are your favorite snowcams and weather/avi forecasts?

Sexual, In G,G & S the author's objective is to explain some of the profound historical occurences in clear detail without the bias of the conquering nations or religions. Just the facts. Yes, he believes many diseases started in the fertile crescent with the domestication of animals. He does not go into much detail about any disease in the Americas. He does show quiet clearly that not much of anything travelled very far in the Americas because of the extreme climate differences along the North/South axis and the constriction of Central America. Conversely lots of stuff travelled on the Euro/Asian land mass because of the fairly common climate and the relative lack of geographic barriers. Definitely read Sherman Alexie! quote: Originally posted by sexual chocolate: Is the invalidation of the cultural stereotypes his objective in writing this book? Just curious.... And why does he think smallpox and such developed in Eurasia, not here? Something to do with the domestication of animals? And what diseases did Native Americans suffer from, pre-european influence? Any way to know? Speaking of Native Americans, I'd really like to read some Sherman Alexie, the poetry and prose writer. (And now, screen-writer.)

Matt, How are those books on Afhanistan? I feel the same as you. The region has become more intriguing if for no other reason than there aren't volumes available on it. "Lie down with Lions", Ken Follett is a fairly good page turner novel set in Afghanistan. If anyone wants a hilarious read try "Lord of the Barnyard", Tristan Egolf. One man's struggle with bureaucracy. Another is "The Thought Gang", Tibor Fischer.

My apologies if I over stepped the bounds of decency. I was hoping to get some background about the country from a mountaineer's perspective. The area must have been explored by the European mountaineering community at some point. Are there any suggestions on places to look for info. I know it will be a long time before it is safe enough to travel there but I can't help thinking there would be a lot of challenges for any muscle powered recreationalist. Anyone done any guiding or travelled in Afghanistan?

Here's an idea. After the dust settles let's get Intrawest, Boyne, Booth Creek, Black Diamond, Outside Mag. REI, EMS, K2, and all the other outdoor big shots to go into Afghanistan and create a new economy based on Mountain oriented recreation. Start with a blank slate and create a kick ass playground. Thrill seekers welcome!! No liability lawyers allowed! Mtn Bike through mine fields, snowboard over bomb craters, climb around terrorist's caves!

Anyone new to Backcountry Skiing, Snowboarding, dog walking, etc. take a class, read a book or just learn from your friends, but please know when NOT to be in Avalanche terrain. The life you save may be yours or someone 2,000 feet below you!

I'm a relative rookie on sheer numbers of Cascade Peaks but I'd have to say that the view from Sahale was pretty impressive, maybe not as hard or dirty a climb as Boston or Forbidden but every bit as well situated for panoramic splendor! Being able to see all the way to Rainier south, into Canada North Olympics west and pretty much to Idaho East. I think Boston is a better Peak to see than to see from. The view from the top of Baker on a clear day is pretty spectacular too!

Snow at Stevens this AM!!

We were at Boston Basin and Sahale all day Saturay and Sunday. It looked like the sideways hook shaped glacier about midway up J'burg is what was active. There was a lot of newly exposed blue glacier ice. We heard and saw calving all weekend long.

How about next concert season organizing a clean up on the morning after a big concert. Kick some passed out/hungover late night vandalizers out of their tents or backseats at 6AM and "persuade" them to lend a hand. You could also tip Fish and Wildlife off and have them onhand to issue warnings, tickets, or whatever it is they do to ding folks without the proper car stickers.

You guys crack me up! Reading these posts is better than any Reality TV show.