Duchess

Snowskates are popular with people who are skaters first, snowboarders second. I've got some buddies that are designing and building a snowbike. Whatever, it's all just for fun anyways.

Umm... has anyone else noticed how Crystal's web cam has mysteriously changed from a view of the base to a close-up of the King? Is that, perhaps, because there is NO FREAKIN' SNOW AT ALL AT THE BASE, and yet they still are claiming 31" at the base?!? Corporate America

Inspirational?? Especially the part about the single girl surrounded incessantly by a harem of Yosemite dirtbag climbers... I might be alone on this, but that sounds more horrific than inspirational. Another observation. How often are articles written about male climbers, where the majority of the article is about their love lives, girlfriends, and ex-girlfriends? BORING.

This is too easy. Years ago, working at an information desk at one of our nation's crowned jewels, I was asked at what time the glaciers go by. ??? "Oh, here they come!! Look out!!"

Retracing your steps isn't necessary , and would require a lot of extra time and energy. Some people bike up the road, but an uphill bike ride with a huge pack is seriously unpleasant. Most people hike - then you can descend a different, shorter route (like the DC). Check out a map and a guidebook - some of your orientation seems a little bit off. Last year Sunset Ridge was basically melted out after the fourth of july weekend - with a lot of rockfall at that point. Less snowfall this year, but who knows what the next few weeks will bring. I don't think that anyone really knows what the current condition of this route is because no one's been on it yet this year. Post a TR if you go!

I've heard them called Depth Charges, Eye-Openers, Red Eyes, and a Shot in the Dark. Since you never know what the barista calls it, I usually go with "cup of coffee with a shot of espresso." Either way, these are the staple of my existence!

No other information is needed other than these two words: Mt Tallac. You could have a whole winter of fun on this one peak. Huge elevation, and so much terrain that even if you head up on a weekend you won't feel crowded.

Every global climate change prediction that I have read is calling for warmer, wetter conditions in the Pacific Northwest than were historically observed. That means less of a snowpack, melting out earlier in the spring. I don't think you can fairly say that, "A warm winter (or week) in the cascades is NOT EVEN REMOTELY CLOSE TO REAL EVIDENCE OF GLOBAL WARMING." Maybe it isn't. Maybe it is.

I must second Jerry Jeff. He's right up there with Hank, Willie, and Johnny if not a little underappreciated.

Naw, there's already too many brats up at Muir.

I was up at source lake yesterday... snow conditions still seemed quite thin for skiing above the lake (although visibility was limited).

Not to belittle your achievement, but *AHEM* The waterskiing squirrel was just on David Letterman.

There is a small bivy area at about 11,000 - this appeared to me to be the highest reasonable high camp. Lots of potential places to camp from 8,200-10,000. Success cleaver is a loooong route. I personally think 8,200 is too low for a high camp in the winter.

I was down there in December 2000. First couple of days were nice but chilly. Then it snowed 8 inches; all the locals from town were driving up to build snowmen, pile snow up on their cars, etc. Needless to say, we probably got in more bowling than climbing on that trip!

.TONIGHT...SHOWERS. SNOW ACCUMULATION 3 TO 6 INCHES. SNOW LEVEL 3000 FEET. .THURSDAY...OCCASIONAL RAIN AND SNOW. SNOW ACCUMULATION UP TO 2 INCHES. SNOW LEVEL 4000 FEET. .THURSDAY NIGHT...RAIN. SNOW LEVEL 8000 FEET. .FRIDAY...BREEZY. RAIN. SNOW LEVEL 7500 FEET. Is this for real??? I stand by my original statement, Why aren't we in California???

Sugar bowl snow report: Wow. Woah. Yeah. This is the biggest storm of the season so far. It continues to hammer outside with a fresh 18 inches of powder from last night bringing the storm total to 36-40 inches. Today we have 4 lifts spinning and loads of the fresh stuff. Currently Mt. Judah is on wind-hold. Disney Express and White Pine are not scheduled to run today. The National Weather Service Forecast is calling for snow and heavy wind with accumulations for the day, once again, topping 12 inches. A southwest wind will continue throughout the day at 20-30 mph and highs for the day range between 34-42 degrees. Thanks for checking in on the the snow report and please drive safely. They've got 6.5 feet at the base, as opposed to Crystal Mountain's 9 inches???

Hmmm... I question your first point. I have spent quite a bit of time breaking trail on my split for skier friends... never once heard one of them complain. I will indeed give you the second point, and add that if things are even remotely icy/slick, the splitboarder is likely to be struggling more. But I again question #3. Sure, it takes awhile to set the board together. But not that long!! (Skiers have to deal with the skins, too...) And any decent snowboarder will make up that time on the downhill ride!

I also deeply resent such slander...

My parrot deeply resents such cheap slander...

I brought a -40 degree down bag to Denali. Granted, it was April into early May, but there were a couple of nights where I was still sleeping in my down pants and several layers.

Check yo'PMs

I know a a few climbers off hand who have only made it up because of the cattle paths and/or following RMI up in bad weather. My main climbing buddy is an RMI guide. These things are true. There ARE some indepentent climbers that only make it to the top from RMI traffic. I don't think it is being disrespectful at all. Those indepentent climbers that I know said first hand they only made it up because of RMI. I think "climbers" is too generous a name for those that only make it up because they follow RMI?????

These "Endangered Species" will be held accountable!!

Reminds me of this one... http://www.salon.com/politics/comics/2002/04/13/caribou/index.html