alienPDX

Sounds like I'll give it a shot. Thanks!

Personal opinions regarding dogs on climbs aside, can anyone tell me if it is relatively safe/do-able to bring a [behaved, controlled, and alpine-experienced] dog up Mt. Daniel (SE route from Cathredral Pass/Peggy's Pond)? It looks like a fairly straightforward glacier hike and rock/ridge scramble, but I would be interested in hearing opinions from people who have been up this time of year. Thanks!

Does anyone have info on the access status for Pole Creek Road (Sisters) right now? Any thoughts on when it usually melts out to the trail head? Thx.

Thanks for all of the suggestions. All good info.

I have a friend coming in this weekend who is interested in climbing at Broughton Bluff or Rocky Butte. In general (can't specify routes, but a range from 5.7 to 5.11a) what should be on our rack for those areas?

Trip: Mt. St. Helens - Wormflows/Monitor Ridge Date: 1/14/2007 Trip Report: Hiked up and boarded down Mt. St. Helens on Sunday. Route is well-consolidated and in good shape. Established boot pack most of the way up. Some icy wind-scoured sections of the ridge could be sketchy without crampons but people were making it work in snowboard/ski boots. Clear skies and low winds made for a beautiful day, recent sustained cold temps made for some light & fluffy powder to be had. The top 1/3 and lower 1/3 of the ride down was buttery smooth fluffy or slightly wind-packed powder. The middle 1/3 was pretty crusty but rideable. Possible to ride from the crater's edge all the way down to Marble Mtn parking lot. That new lava structure inside the crater is massive and impressive! Gear Notes: Ski poles, crampons nice for hard/icy sections of ridge but not absolutely necessary. Approach Notes: Fairly well-established skin track/boot pack from car most of the way to the summit.

There is a great recent example of a shallow slide (with photos) here http://mtnphil.com/ORock3/ORock3.html

I'll second the fact that almost any board will do for a beginner for the first 1-2 seasons. After that they will want to switch to a better (and more $$$) setup. Chin height is decent as a general rule.

If you're looking for a lightweight mix recipe, fill your bottle with vodka and get some powdered lemonade or kool-ade packets to mix with water and the booze on the trail. Just make sure it's the pre-sweetened kind-- I only made that mistake once!

I went to the last simulcast of the Coney Island show and it was as much fun as could be inside a movie theater. Glowsticks wars, dancing in the aisles, the phans made a good showing. Still weird watching a show from a theater instead of being in the crowd. Good stage views of the band, especially Trey's interactions with Page. Security was trying to keep people out of the aisles to no avail. Puffing was present but pretty minimal. I suggest the magic brownie or cookie route.

I was there last Thursday-Friday. The road is clear all the way to the Whitewater trailhead. Patchy snow on the trail until close to the Jeff Park area, mostly snow-covered from there on up. On route, I would suggest staying to the left side of the Jefferson Park glacier and skirting underneath the Mohler Tooth to the bergschrund-- we took a more direct route to the base of the tooth and my partner punched an entire leg through the snow into a hidden hole. There was a snow bridge crossing the 'schrund just to climber's right of the tooth on Friday but things were melting fast. Be cautious with the hot temps forecast later this week. We got a really late start because of bad weather Friday morning and ended up turning around at the bergschrund after watching the constant flow of rock and ice pouring down from above. The upper ridge and summit pinnacle seemed to be holding a decent amount of snow and the route looked to be in good shape from what I could tell. I'd suggest leaving camp by 4AM so that you get past the upper mountain and are back on the glacier before things get melting too much up high. Had a really fun 3000'+ ride down-- I think it's worth hauling skis or a board if you don't mind the extra weight. My digital camera ended up with a severely fogged lens due to the early weather, so the only photos we got were from my partner's disposable camera. We should have those back on Thursday so I may be able to post or send you some photos before you leave. Once we got above the clouds the scenery was breathtaking--- definintely a cool route that I will attempt again. Have fun, be safe, and good luck!

Thanks to you and iain for the info. Hoping the weather will clear towards the end fo the week and looking forward to the trip.

Looking into a climb/snowboard descent of the Jefferson Park Glacier route in a couple of weeks and was wondering if anyone has suggestions for what gear to bring as far as rock or ice pro. From what I have already gathered, staying to the climber's left side of the glacier lets you avoid most of the crevasse hazard until the 'schrund at the top of the glacier-- mostly wondering about protecting traverses and the summit pinnacle (ascending as well as descending). Thanks.

I spoke to a Mt. Shasta ranger this weekend who said that the Brewer Creek access road is snow covered about 10 miles before the trailhead, but that it was possible to get to the trailhead from where the snow starts in 5-6 miles with some decent routefinding. Anyone have experience or information about this approach? Considering a climb/descent of the Hotlum-Wintun ridge next weekend.

If you can wait, The Mountain Shop in Portland has a pajama sale every spring (maybe in February?) where their split boards will be 30% off. Saves you some decent $. Their # is 503-288-6768 if you need more info. Go with the longer size.

The ones with vents are nice for skiing/riding in the PNW. Keep 'em closed for colder winter days and open 'em up on those sunny warm spring days.

You are going to be hard pressed to find a firewire player for that price. Start checking out USB instead.

The Dri-Clime Shirt Light weight, packs small, breathes great, does a good job of blocking wind and light precip.

Anyone know if these can be extended to fit size 13 boots?

You aren't allowed to go anywhere that won't let you get out and play every weekend. I need to live vicariously through you guys while I'm stuck at work or unable to get out on the weekend for various reasons...

It would be fun to have a cc'r bring these issues to the REI CEO at this Puget Sound Business Journal event: Dennis Madsen, president and CEO of Seattle's renowned Recreational Equipment Company Inc., has guided the organization's growth to a national powerhouse in its industry. What began life as a cooperative 65 years ago has emerged into a recreation-equipment retailer with more than 2.1 million active members across the nation. Madsen will be our guest interviewee at the next Business Journal Live event Thursday July 24 at the Seattle Harbor Club (801 2nd Ave., 17th Floor). The event begins at 5:30 p.m. with registration, networking and heavy appetizers. The program with Madsen, who will be interviewed by Business Journal managing editor Rob Smith, gets under way at 6:30 p.m. To register, go online to: http://seattle.bizjournals.com/seattle/networking/events/10257, or call Jenna Higgins at 206/447-8505 (ext. 124). Or e-mail her at jhiggins@bizjournals.com. The cost is $35, including the appetizers and beverages. Deadline for registrations is Friday, July 18.

I'll second that about the route falling out of shape early. Last year it was out by mid May, and when I drove by Shasta last weekend the ridges were looking pretty melted out. Casaval is a cool, aesthetic route but is really an early season climb. Later on it becomes a loose scree slog.

Thanks for the tip, LG! I've seen her a few times in Chicago and she puts on an amazing show. Different every time, but always great. Seems we have some similar tastes in music-- I remember a D&B post from you a while back... Since I'm in Portland I don't get much info on upcoming Seattle events, so any tips are much appreciated.

Do you have the presale link or info? PM me if you want.