Jim

I've used these guys several times - scanned my entire Kodachrome library. They use equipment far superior to anything you can afford. https://www.digmypics.com/slide-scanning

That was an older manual Nikon with a great lens, somewhere in that 17-35 range. I sold that setup. Osorno, northern Patagonia. With the RX100......

My light setup is an RX100, picked because it shoots well RAW. I have a compact case that I strap to my pack shoulder pad and have a webbing loop over my head clipped to the camera. Thus easy access and secure. My main kit is the Nikon D7100 with a 17-35, 2.8 lens. Heavy, but really, there is no substitute for good glass.

Sigh. While usually in the the camp of "whatever" - this one seems quite unnecessary. It's not like it's Bachar-Yerian up there, it's quite casual. Not every climb needs to be pedestrian. Agreed - retro-bolter should admit mistake and take it out as cleanly as possible.

Pics of Laura please

Oh, that looks like a nice trip. Yea, surprised at the number of folks considering the effort required for entry, but it was a holiday weekend. You gotta retire for more flexibility!

F*&^! You guys are damn lucky. Could have been A VERY poor outcome

Katherine Hepburn was giving an interview when the journalist asked: "I hear you go swimming in the pond on your property in CT all year - is that true?" "Why yes" Hepburn replied. "Do you like that" asked the journalist "Heavens no" replied Hepburn "Then why do you do it" asked the journalist "To make my neighbors feel weak" she replied. Bravo on your ascent.

I did purchase a coaching package a couple years ago when returning from a layoff after an injury. I followed up with one of their standard plans. I was not impressed by the coaching advice - they did not appear too interested in a pedestrian, older climber. The off-the-shelf plan was good - I would pick up a copy of Training for the New Alpinism if you get or plan or not - you could figure things out on your own from there or use the book as a supplement to the off-the-shelf plan. Good luck

Nice KK - despite the smoke - any port in a storm

Funny, I was there the other day as well, looking over my shoulder. About 10 years ago I was there and a couple old(er) guys came by and told me they were ex-Mountaineers. When they were youngin's they used to go into the tower and throw a rope out the window and top rope - eventually the windows were covered with mesh. Was good to hear the rebel tendencies go way back.

Really? Maybe I've just been blissfully blind - seriously, I don't think I could have missed them (?). God, I sound like an old guy.

Well, maybe there has been a bunch of climbers flocking to the park without climbing gyms open? I've been going there for 30+ years to boulder a few laps around the base, but now there are "Historic Structure - No Climbing" signs up. What's the world coming to?

Boy, that is melting out pretty fast. Didn't get to ski it this year. Looks fun though

Ha! Quintessential Cascades. Very good to see you getting out with the kid. My daughter hung with me for a while but reverted to, sigh, just snowboarding.

Thanks. On the list before I get too creaky. Looks fun.

Score! Congratulations - looks awesome and grim at the same time.

Well, that was quick - thanks. The original summit route ascended, finally, in 1943 after Pablo Fisher and Gustavo Kammerer overcame the final 40-foot slab guarding the summit. They initially spent an hour-and-a-half trying to throw an iron hook over the top, but eventually resorted to drilling seven one-inch metal rods- the holes of which are still visible as you climb past and clip the modern bolts protecting the steep, thin face.

I'm conducting some research for a book. I climbed the normal (10a) route back in 1995. At that time on the final headwall there was an aid system - about 1 foot-long pieces of rebar stuck out, glued into holes, so that if you could not manage the 10a you could yard up on the very widely spaced rebar. If I remember correctly, there were limited bolts so you also could sling the rebar. This section may be harder than the 10a part of the final pitch, my memory is getting fuzzy. I've searched around and have not found any information about this. Recent trip reports make no mention of the rebar so I assume these have been cut and it appears additional bolts were added for safety. Does anyone know if there were put up on the first ascent?

Can you drag me up the first route and call it a day?

Same - if I don't want to lug around the Nikkon DSLR I go to the RX100 after trying other options. It also is able to shoot RAW images if you are into post-processing.

Sad, sad, sad. Met him a couple times at CC pub things. Seemed a very nice guy. Best wishes to the family and friends.

A few years ago I spent a month in Italy, 3 weeks in the Dolomites hiking, VFing and climbing. Cicerone publishes great guides by specific region of the Dolomites. You don't need to hire a guide - but having a car helps a lot as the trailheads and the public transport don't always match up well and you can get to the base early and beat the crowds on the popular ones. We stayed in Arabba at a lodge owned by Brits - Collette's Mountain Lodge or something like that. We also stayed in a couple small towns and just found lodging when we showed up. We worked in an 8 day hut-to-hut hike that was great. My advice would be just plan an itenerary around the VF guide where you will be planning to stay. And spring for a VF kit, you don't want a static setup as your safety backup.