cliff

Great thread on cameras. A year ago I started searching for a good camera to take backpacking and started with the old Rollei 35, just because it's so fucking cool. Instead, a camera guy told me about the older Olympus XA'a that have been covered here. Supposed to be better than the new Olympus P&S's. Based on this thread, I'm now taking a very close look at the Yashica T4. My understanding is that the Carl Zeiss Tessar lens is really really good. But I have a question for you SLR guys. While I still want a small pocket camera for the boonies, I also want to play with an SLR. I have in my possession a mint 1992-vintage Nikon N6006, with two lens, that a friend has loaned me. He never uses the damn thing and I have to admit that I am not experienced with it, but I know it takes pretty good pics. It's an auto focus motor drive camera, and although auto, it's nowhere near as intuitive (user friendly?) as the modern Canon EOS cameras. I don't have the instruction booklet for it and the dials, settings, etc., are confusing to me. My question: This guy will probably sell this camera to me for a song, but I'm wondering if I should think more about one of the more modern, non-metal framed SLRs. Or perhaps, just find a used K1000 Pentax and actually learn photography. A lot of this is personal preferences on my part, but I would appreciate hearing others opinions.Thanks,Cliff

Thanks again for the advice on the Raichle & Scarpa boots. I had thought Montrail & Vasque were the only ones that came in widths. I'll check them out, too. Cliff

Thanks guys. I appreciate your comments. Because of my wide feet (and getting wider) I have to stick with boots that run large or come in widths. This means Vasque or Montrail Moraines (which run pretty large in the toe box). As far as these Vasque Apex boots I was asking about, I went and tried them on last night and they are just too small in the toe box for me. I've spoken with the folks at Dave Page and they told me they can stretch them a bit, but not another complete size. So these boot are out for me. Other than the toes, they were really nice. If any of you in Seattle are interested in brand new Vasque Apex boots for $100.00 (closeout cost) they are available at the Red Wing Shoe Store on 65th & Roosevelt Way. That's a great price. These boots are 8.5 Wide. Now, I'll take a second look at the Montrail Moraines and Mazamas. Thanks. Cliff

I'm a veteran backpacker, but I'm still pretty new to mountaineering, so I was hoping I could get some advice on a good mountaineering boot. I'm looking for leather uppers - not a plastic boot. I'm looking really close at the Vasque Apex boots. I have a pair of Sundowners that I've been using for hiking for a couple of years now and I like them. I went for the Vasque boots because they come in widths, but even then I had to have Dave Page stretch them a little in the toebox. ANyway, what do you folks think of the Vasque Apex boot for general mountaineering? These are pretty stout looking boots and are crampon compatible. Thanks in advance. Cliff

MNEAGLE - I am an enrolled member of an Indian tribe, so could I legitimately say I am in the woods doing sweat lodge ceremonies -which really are legitimate "spiritual events" among native people - and not have to pay these things? Or does one even need to do this? It sounds like anyone can simply say they are there for spiritual reasons - even with a pack on your back, and get away with it? quote: Originally posted by mneagle: The "Fee Demo Program" is supposed to charge for "recreational use of land". If you are there for spiritual, work, educational etc uses then the fee doesn't apply. This is why writing a ticket and leaving it on a car without seeing the occupants is an easy set up to fight in court. You can claim you weren't recreating but were praying in the woods. The cops know this. The time I got a ticket, it was in the Icicle Creek parking lot, where a cop walked up to me, commented on the beautiful weather and had we been enjoying it. I told him in a friendly way we had indeed enjoyed it, climbing Outer Space. At which point he promptly wrote a ticket. At that point, having admitted to recreating, I couldn't fight the ticket in court. In the cases of tickets left on cars without seeing the occupants in which the people attempted to fight it in court, the charges were dropped. This is because they are afraid if they lose the case that the whole program will dissolve. As it is, enough people are paying the fines without fighting them that it's in their interest not to fight the few dangerous cases and just drop their fines. The recommendation I've read is that you should leave a note on your car, saying you are in the forest for some purpose other than recreating.

Thanks Rodchester & Greg. The guys at Pro Mountain Sports here in Seattle recommend that you do not sharpen these Stubai aluminum crampons at all, and perhaps that's one of the reasons why (less weardown). Pro Mountain also has (or had, as of two months ago) the anti-snowballing plates for the Stubai ultralite amuminum crampons. You're probably right (Rodchester) about my use of them being extremely light. I think I will go for a pair. Thanks guys. Cliff

Thanks to all of you for your very informative replies. And yes I did mean Columbia Glacier - sorry about that. It sounds as though the idea of crossing directly into Glacier Basin (as much as is possible) might be a little beyond my skills. The Twin Lakes - Poodle Dog Pass idea might be a better option. This would nullify the trip anyway, because our idea was to descend straight down the Glacier Basin snowfields to meet out friends who will be camped in the Basin (Ray's knoll?). Anyway, it was worth exploring. I really do appreciate the help and hard-won knowledge you guys are sharing here. Thanks. Cliff

Guys - I'm new on this site so I hope you don't mind me horning in on this thread. I'm reading it with great interest as I'm in the market for the ultralite Stubai's with the universal binding, myself. However, I've been told by some other hikers that these aluminum crampons really lose their appeal when used in areas where you may have to cross rocky sections between snowfields. I've heard they get beat up pretty badly in a quick way if you make the mistake of walking on rock with them - unlike steel crampons. Which means you have to go through the hassle of removing them when you get off snow and then putting them back on when you hit snow again, even if it's a short distance. Is there any truth to this? For the record, I'm just a backpacker who occasionally gets into snowfields and ice a few times a year - not a climber. Thanks. Cliff

Hello, I'm new here so I hope I'm posting this message in the appropriate area. A hiking buddy of mine has suggested we hike from Blanca Lake to Glacier Basin this September, by finding a way over or around Coleman Glacier. His idea is to meet up with several other friends who will be hiking up into Monte Cristo and Glacier Basin. We would then hike out with them to their parked cars near Monte Cristo. Does anyone know if there is a route bewteen Lanca and the Basin? Most importantly, our mountaineering skills are minimial, although out orienteering skills are good. Thanks in advance. Cliff