genepires

if memory serves right, the arctis is the yellow shelled model? That liner is fairly non-permiable and takes a bit to dry out. Being silver doesn't help either. Luckily the dry acon-choss-ua air could dry it out ok. If you have fairly sweaty feet, this is something to consider. I don't know about the intuitions ability to dry. I used a old pair of invernos back when and they were fine for the temperatures. I don't think sweet expensive ituitions are needed unless you have "cold" feet. Trash the originals, then buy the intuitions for denali if that is your goal. like Dane says...

probability wise, it is a super rare occurance to have a fatal size branch get close to you. If it was a common occurance that big branches fall when people are around, then there wouldn't be trees at all. That applies to strong forests. Now trees that grow out of soggy ground or at the edge of new clearcuts are more likely to fall in heavy winds. The forest behind my house was logged a couple years ago and every wind storm would bring down another couple of trees. Also trees that grow really fast would be suspect in high windy days. LIke Alders or whatever grows in floodplains areas. probably best to stay out of the forest in super high wind days though. Every spring, the trails have new debris across the trail. Did the fall winds or winter snow bring them down?

ditto to the canada thing and the waterton parks area is very close to spokane. (canada side of glacier national park) I remember at leat one area there that you could walk around to set up TR's on that were right next to the road. What about montana climbing? I have never gone there but worth checking out with someone who knows the area well. Baker seracs should be covered in snow in 3 weeks also, if not already.

what the heck is going on at the 6.5 minute spot in the gritstone video? 2 belayers, one guy is way off to the side? Keep the falling guy from hitting something besides teh ground? I like the anchored bouldering spotters. Good spotters!

that sounds really awesome! Make us more jealous with photos when you get back.

Just got an email from vertical world that had a short video attached and it is quite good. enjoy the 2 parts. part 1 part2

if you bring the exped or a OR therma whatever, you will still want to bring a closed cell foam pad also. 2 reasons. 1- as mentioned above, as a backup if you develope a leak in the expensive pad. Sleaping without a pad in AK is a recipe for disaster and the foams don't weight enough to use as an arguement against bringing one 2- If you are on denali, chances are you will be using a cook shelter too, or hanging out in someone else's cook shelter. You will need to sit on a foam pad inside and it is not a safe place for inflatables in there. As mentioned above by fromage, the z rest has big holes for storing and melting snow getting your bag all wet, even worse than the ridgerest. I would avoid the z rest on denali. Foam pad should be full length and the inflatable can be either 3/4 or full depending on your needs. I used my pack as insulation under the feet so I didn't use a full length thermarest. But if you get a sweet exped downpad, getting a full length one would be nice as the weight difference is small. The build up to denali is a great time! Enjoy yourself up there.

kinda funny that it was taken from a place called "free lunch". hope you get your stuff back.

John, "I get continued lame comments ", this is the spray forum. What were you expecting? You are getting off easy.

Mark, I thought you were done with alpine ventures?

damn, that is one bad ass climbing day. Amazing.

I didn't mean to be scathing in my post and for that I apologize. My point that I didn't get across is that this post is a great service to us, especially for the west side people. Keeping us informed of the pass conditions so we don't waste our time driving over to find it closed. NOt just this time of year, but we got reports from road closures in the summer time. Sure this info is available in other places, but it is offerd freely to us as a act of goodwill. And these guys bust his chops over things he has no control over. If they have issues, they should take it up with someone who can change it and not risk this resource. Of all the waste of data on this website, this info is valuable. Lets not lose it is all I am asking. I would imagine the Methow is usually empty this time if year. I would also think that their economic model would allow for this cyclical environment. They may very well be hurting economically but people are hurting everywhere. Maybe the methow should have gotten some lobbyists to scoop up some of the stimulus money to pay for year round pass clearing. Yes, the methow is a very amazing place. Maybe it stays so nice because the pass closes. This keeps development down and from becoming a fast food and outlet mall economy. Ya gotta be careful what you wish for. Man, I wish I could get a job over there.

you guys who think crack climbing is better than hot, half naked baristas are gay. I don't even drink coffe and I want a drink now.

now I know where to go to get some lewd "Adult" coffee.

If you don't like that the pass closes, move. The methow will prolly be better for it. Would be an interesting study to see how much money in tourism taxes is generated by Mazama, winthrop and other nearby locations and see if it is enough to justify clearing the pass as all this time of year. Don't get me wrong. I love the washington pass area and would like it to be open year round. But if we keep passing these tax limiting and reducing measures, how can we expect to pay for these things? Ohh Tim Eyman or however you spell it.

mark twite?

what are the notches on top of the pick for? Is that a drytool pick arrangement?

it is november, unfortunately..

there is not going to be too many opportunities to go out anywhere soon as it is november now. Last weekend was cold but still nice. I hope your trip next weekend works out but I would keep the erie option open if it is not at least partly sunny over there. AN extra hour drive one way is too far for a day trip? Use the windshield time to have good conversation or talk about stuff to learn for your beginner. Leavenworth has much better options for beginers than index or erie. BTW...bravo for teaching him or her how to climb. Very selfless act that we all should do more of.

dry tooling

from monroe it is 1.5 hours to leavenworth. from monroe it is 1.5 hours to erie. Are you sure that leavenworth is too far of a drive for a day trip?

the real trick would be to find a sitting service so you can go climb.

the riverside is a nice place that has rooms. About as kid friendly as a motel goes. very climber friendly. Will need a car to get to the ice park as it is some 5 miles or so away, hence the cheapest lodging factor. They offer a discount for the hot springs, but i think everyone does in that town.

or keep driving to leavenworth. MOstly sunny with a high of 42F which is actually better than last weekend which was very good also. probably a better place for beginners anyway. try roto wall or mad meadows or (heaven forbid it is empty) mountaineers dome among other fine places too.

surely he stashed his ice tools at the base and another pair midway up. The long axe is for bar fight and ruffians on the road.