JoshK

Ironically I found that using a smaller pack simply makes me pack more efficiently. I have a 4000ci but I have used nothing but my Khamsin 38 (about 2500 ci I think) for the past year. That includes winter trips and that 4 day ski traverse I recently did. I guess it's just amazing what all you can fit if you try hard enough Not that I am dismissing a larger pack, sometimes you just need the space no matter what.

Pesronally I think Down is the better choice for drier colder weather. No synthetic touchs down when it comes to overall warmth. unfortunately the tradeoff is it's more work to keep dry and all that. Feathered friends obviously makes very good down jackets. I also love my western mountaineering flight jacket. It's a big too thin for cold winter days I would think, but it only weighs 10 oz and works great in pretty much any other conditions. I would say all and all it is warmer than my primaloft sweater despite weighing 6 oz less.

That's definitely a cool climb, I really enjoyed it last year. Just so you know, the rock on the ridge can get *MUCH* worse. Last year it was a giant mushroomed loose snow mess and getting any sort of rock meant tons of excavating. Time consuming and unnerving fer sure.

That's a nice looking pack. Downside is it's pretty heavy.

I generally print my own maps on an inkjet from TOPO. A while back somebody mentioned a good product to use for waterproofing them, that you could spray on I think. Anybody know what to use?

Wow! I haven't heard of them ever doing anything like that. Seems like a waste of resources, but I suppose if they just gated it and let it overgrow, it would probably be used illegally by ORV jackasses.

The Khamsin 62 is a great pack. I have come to settle on the lightweight, no frills packs with suspensions as the way to go. I went through a frameless phase but decided that the extra lb or lb and a half is worth it for the superior carry and easy of packing. I had the Khamsin 52 and I could fit in 4 winter days easily. I'd say if you can't fit in the 62 then you are bringing too much!

Stuart is such a cool mountain.

Matt, what do you mean "destroyed" the road? Did they simply let it overgrow or did they actually do something to it?

Damn! That is so sweet. Can you introduce me to this Joe fella, he seems like a good guy to know I'm guessing that will become a fairly oft-repeated route based on your pictures. Absolutely gorgeous!

I'll give her credit...at least she is bouldering on something big enough that yarding could reward her with a 30 foot deck fall

Frankly I would rather leave mature 2nd growth alone at this point. Tree farms are plenty effective and we can leave the logging where it belongs...next to roads in existing areas of logging. The fact is there is no shortage of trees. Nowhere close...It is simply a lot easier to rip down mature forest than have to cultivate and preserve existing logging areas. Seeing Wherheuser's (sp?) profits cut into troubles me very little. They've gotten a free ride for well over a century anyway.

It only is if you are a right wing conspiracy theorist. Though, in his defense, I dont think fairweather actually critisized the wilderness itself but the apparent "lies" provided by the enviro-nuts or whatever. The Wild Sky is a great idea, and I am glad to see it coming to light!

I never saw anything in their press material talking about grizzly bear habitat, but I could have missed it. It may be that they were referring to an overall effort to get grizzlies to return to the WA cascades and it is probably true if it ever happened that the wild sky would be useable habitat for them. Settle down, fairweather, I dont think the "enviro-types" are trying to pull the wool over anybody's eyes. This area needs to be protected and I'm glad it looks like it will. You and your repub buddies can find plenty more land to build roads through, don't worry...

If the shop wont be able to be alerted to your post and defend themselves, then dont bother.

Ha! Seriously. This weather, combined with my hangover, is making for a quite dissapointing morning.

Caching in wilderness areas or national parks is illegal. Don't leave crap lying around. Thanks.

In other words...it's only suicide if ya fuck up

Whoa, the pic kind of makes me dizzy... You can't tell how steep it is from the pic tho.

wankass means sucky. Like 5.9 climber and a pussy that doesn't want to scrape himself all up on a 20 foot fall down slabs

Ever heard the expression " there is a sucker born every minute"?? I've sold all sorts of dumb shit on ebay for well more than it's worth, that's the magic of ebay.

I use 6 or 7 different biners to clip in, all from different major brands. You can *never* be too safe...

What routes would you recommend for a wankass rock climber who has never been to darrington? I am getting interested after looking at all these pics.

Great, then you are both childesh for belittling other's accomplishments. i would rather see a guy who smiles his ass off while scrambling up peaks and enjoying the outdoors and calling that climbing than mr. twight who seems to be embittered at the world all the time.

Some of us like camalots, others dont. sometimes they are the way to go, other times they aren't. I'm sure most of us have some camalots and some other cams. Frankly, I think it's great cause when I do want to buy another camalot I can give my money to Jim instead of REI.