JRCO

I say big deal. Some one out here climbed (hiked) all 54 in something like 10 days. Another guy skied every day for 365 days. If this guy skied all 54 in 10 days I would be impressed. Keep in mind that you can not compare a Colorado fourteener to Rainier. You start from a lot higher elevation - 9000 to 10000 feet usually - and walk up a trail.

I dare anyone to say that they never climbed the South face of the Tooth.

I can't believe no one has mentioned "Humptullips, WA"

Not a serious question but the excuse I usually hear. I guess the question is "how much are you willing to spend to increase your chances?" Education - yes; Avalanche beacon - yes; Avalung - maybe

Why can I get a digital cell phone for $69 but a digital avalanche beacon costs $300+.

I took the avalanche 1 course last year. They spent more time on not getting caught in an avalanche than how to rescue some one buried in one. I think the course instructor pretty much had the same statistics on survival if buried. More than likely you will be dead before someone finds you even if you have a beacon.

http://news.theolympian.com/stories/20020115/HomePageStories/168732.shtml. Interesting article. Sounds like people in his group tried to tell him it was not safe.

While at the UofW I had a friend who was a mountaineer. He had planned a hiking trip in the Olympics one weekend with his other mountaineer friends. I asked if I could go and was told no because I had not taken the mountaineers basic course. Keep in mind this was not a climb but only a hiking trip. I never talked to him after that.

My opinion is mountianers have no business being in the mountains. The are a safety hazard to us all.

http://www.climbingboulder.com/rock/db/south_platte___pine_area/sphinx_rock/sphinx_crack.html

Thanks for the info Dru. I would immagine R&I has the accurate info since it is a Colorado crack.

I am not really a local yet. Just move hear from Olympia about a year ago. I was only stating what my Rock Climbing Colorado guide says. Of course I have heard other variations and stories but does it really matter.

I believe Sphinx Crack was created by some drunk locals who did not like the look of the big rock from the town of Pine, so they tried to dynamite it in the early 1900's. Over the years frost wedging has created the crack you see today. As far as Suzuki's ascent, I believe it was on-sight and he placed his own gear and I don't think any one else has freed the crack while placing gear. I live ten minutes from the crack and most people I see on it use it for aid climbing.

There is an area along Lake Cushman that has about 10 routes. Lookout though, the Mountainers use it for practice and so do all the local search and rescue organizations.

There is a nice finger crack at the NW corner of the pedestrian bridge crossing Montlake Blvd from the UofW campus to Hec Ed.

Check out Clear Creek Canyon. It is 15 minutes from Downtown Denver. If there is no ice there is rock climbing. Also check out www.climbingboulder.com for more info.