Self_propelled

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.