Alpinfox

Thanks for all the info folks. David Whitelaw, Fred Beckey, and Britta and I made it as far as Reflection Lakes before bad weather and a sour stomach turned us around. It snowed about two inches while we were out and it looked like there was quite a bit more on the way, so the skiing might be good. There was a breakable crust with about 6-8 inches of unconsolidated sugar underneath, so it wasn't the best hiking conditions. If we had gotten off the packed trail, I think snowshoes would have been desirable. It was nice to get out in the mountains for a day, even if it was only for a 3 mile flat walk.

According to some guy I talked to on the phone (360-569-2211) the road is closed at paradise. Is paradise the best place to approach from then or would Narada Falls lot (or somewhere else along the road) be better? Which routes are fun (with relatively short approaches and difficulties <5.4)?

I'm considering a day trip to the Tatoosh area on Sunday. I've never been in that area and so I'd like some advice. It seems like Lane Peak, Castle, and Pinnacle might be good objectives. Is the Paradise lot the best place to park for those? Any route recommendations or advice? A shorter approach would be preferred and technical difficulties up to a short section of very low 5th will be fine for my partners. Anybody been in the area recently? Conditions?

Awesome!

It's a long shot, but has anyone here used the new Petzl Reverso? I saw it at the FF gear rep shindig on wednesday and it looks good. According the the rep, it will be in stores in the spring. [gvideo]-244587966990674964[/gvideo]

Looks promising. Give us a report when you've used it a bit. Smoother than Guide XP for belaying a leader? This should be in Gear Critic forum I think. info from Kong

You would have to fuck up in a pretty big way to generate even half that much force in a crevasse rescue situation.

First roped climb: Something at Garden of the Gods, CO. Might be this one: First roped alpine climb: Vestal Peak, CO. Wham Ridge, 5.4ish It's the peak on the left in this picture:

Hello peoples.

Who is this guy?

Tanks fer all l deh possts!!!1 You guusy are teh beest ilove yoll

Beautiful pics Fern. That looks like a gem!

I've only been climbing in the Tetons in the summer, so I have no advice there. However, I would consider using your miles to fly someplace warm and sunny for a midwinter break (Red Rocks, Joshua Tree, Arizona) and just drive to the alpine destinations (Canmore, Bozeman, Jackson, Mazama, etc). Just an idea.

Dad? Is that you dad? ╔╗╔═╦╗ ║╚╣║║╚╗ ╚═╩═╩═╝

Dave, dave, dave.... very disappointed in you for not having your Arc'teryx model names memorized. The pants you (and I) have are the GAMMA LT, and I agree, they are the best climbing pants I've ever owned. I mostly wear them for alpine stuff. For cragging I pretty much wear whatever, but something with a gussetted crotch and tough fabric is nice. I have some Arc'teryx Gamut pants that are really good and those Gramicci pants aren't bad (though they are a little dorky). I think Carhartts are too stiff and restrictive for climbing; high steps and stems tend to be a pain in the ass, well, crotch actually, in them.

BILBO! BILBO BAGGINS!

Gun freak.

I've been to 20K with no problems. I think that was about 1 year out from my surgery. LINK

The best

giant

They are supposed to go on your feet perv.

HA! Me too.

Yes. My recent good reads: Botany of desire - Michael Pollan Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini A Thousand Splendid Suns - Khaled Hosseini Bad Dirt - Anne Proulx Currently reading: Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed - Jared Diamond