skykilo

But the skiing was great! We enjoyed the boot pack from the top of Cascadian Couloir yesterday. Thank you very much.

My bad, you're probably right about the lottery, but would it ever matter on a weekday? Yeah, that guy behind the counter WAS big. He was nice, though. That change must have been very recent.

By The Man, I meant the bureaucratic structure in place to ticket people who neglect permits, and whatever enforcement might ensue with further negligence to pay. In that sense, I believe The Man is the concern.

There is ample snow to ski to and from Climber's Bivouac. They save half the permits for sale upon the day, just show up at Jack's Restaurant in Cougar early in the morning (if you want to cooperate with The Man).

I think Liberty Ridge was first skied by Chris Landry in 1980. There's still some shick that ain't seen an edge though, methinks.

The TR's done, I'm just waiting for the photos... OK, time to do some work!

Oh yeah, and you never have to front point. You might have to take a line that's not as directly oriented up the gradient to use 'pied plat', if you can't flex your boot enough. But front-pointing is easy anyway in a rando boot.

Really though, I've unintentionally hiked many miles in my G Rides, 'schwack to the max and making low 5th class moves down waterfalls (don't ask). I came out without my feet killing me, boots still intact and skiing like champs.

Yo Paul, Stay away from that guy Amar. He's a bad influence, and he worships the devil. I've seen him hike in those Denalis. Get some Garmont G Rides. Yeah, G Rides with chrome spoke 15-inch knock-offs, double-tuck diamond velure, and a big kicking amp with some subs in the trunk. Word. Peace, Sky

Seems like everyone gave good beta. Next time, take skis and skin that shizz. Then you can ski that sucka and make the climb worthwhile.

I have Grivel G-14's, and I love 'em. I have some 2F's and one of the stinking front halves came detached while I had it on my pack skiing. Can you get me a new from half of a 2F? (You're not the first person I've asked.) Yeah, I like this stuff, but it sucks having 3/4 of a pair of crampons.

I think the icefall has plenty of alpine ice right now, but it's probably more of a hazard to spit a lot of stuff down at you. Both of these last two trips we saw some big releases from the icefalls. Thus the higher route minimizes that danger, but is not without its own. (Did you SEE those cornices?) Yeah, I was thinking it might be fun to go back without the skis late in the summer, it will definitely be more of a climbing objective then; just be ready to make some moves (on chossy rock?) to get around a bergschrund.

Did Price Glacier last Friday. Conditions are probably pretty similar. Here's a trip report http://staff.washington.edu/skykilo/PriceIsRight/PriceIsRight.html

Holy shit, that must have been me. I spent two days in Whatcom County Jail. If they say that to you, get out of the car and start running for the border.

It's after Hidden Lake Peaks. It seems like there might have been another road, too, but I'm not sure. It was at mile 15.

Climbed and skied Leuthold's Couloir yesterday. It's in sweet condition for skiing. There was some postholing on the way up, we didn't even need crampons or axes. Sandy Headwall looked good, too. We got down before it warmed up, don't know the immediate effects of the heat wave...

I'd like to ski Leuthold's Couloir, the Wy'East route, the Old Crater variation left of the pearly gates, the sunshine route, and Cooper Spur. The weather did not cooperate with my ambitions Saturday. I'll be back.

I was up there Saturday. We went up the Palmer in the whiteout a couple of times, and then gave a buddy his first skiing lesson in the whiteout. The snow woulda been nice if I coulda seen the terrain at all...

I think I'll stay right here. Nothing like talking a little smack to get me off my ass, though. I'm skiing freshiez this weekend, goddammit! Sure, it's never what Utahans would call 'pow,' but it's good enough for me.

There actually is a trail that makes it a little better all the way up to the false summit, but it is almost impossible to keep track of it.

Those forecasters don't know a damn thing. They said el nino last winter, and it was freshiez galore.

well said, mattp. I like the way you think.

A couple weeks of this weather and it could definitely be skiable, though. That would be worth it.

I was up there last Saturday. The south side route is a scree slog from hell. Anything that's frozen is huge suncups with water ice on top. Of course, that's changing as I type, but your guess is as good as mine as to how much snow is falling and at what elevation.

I skied six times in October. I ain't been waitin' for nuttin'.