Bill_Simpkins

This doesn't seem to be on Oyster Dome proper. They are not between Lily and Lizard Lakes. There is however some small cliffs at the northish end of Lily Lake. This is probably where is happened. There are steep spots and one could probably tumble to the bottom. It can be really slick up there if the rock is even a little damp. I hope he is doing ok.

"i get all those religions confused sometimes."

The Klipchuck campground is my favorite. Went late April last year and we were the only ones there with piles of chopped wood. I think it's free before May 28th.

I have a Repeed. It's really nice and swanky, just a bit big and bulky in the pack. It's kind of overkill. For summer hiking I'll sometimes use that without the Fly and vestibule. My climbing partner has a Bibler and we usually use that or bivy sacks.

"Daddy! (gobble gobble)Daaaaaddddyyyy!"

We need more people like you. That's pretty burly. I've never been to Glacier Peak. i was thinking of going this year. Maybe a chopper would be the best weekend warrior approach as the trails and roads are out? Can any of these alternative approaches easily be done on a 2-day time budget? Thanks.

I've lost about half the weight I need to lose. Looking at about how much I have left on me and how much I lost, it seems about right. I think I'll be in a pretty healthy place then. My doctor also said my blood pressure has dropped back down to normal. Additionally, my knee and foot problems are dissapearring and I think more clearly. My goal is a bit higher than my optimal BMI. The healthiest I ever was, like when I would jog up mountains with no breaks, was 190-195. I just want to get back in that zone and maybe a bit better My biggest fear is to get fat and get bad joints like my parents when I get older. I will do anything to prevent that if I can.

I had a friend that used to gamble for a living and he was very smart, like genious smart. One day, he was gone. Everyone thought he disappeared off the face of the Earth. Two years laters, he called back like he was never gone. We found out my friend was schizophrenic(sp?). He took off and hid in a van for two years because he thought the government was following him. We had no clue prior to his dissappearance. He just up and left his friends and family, all the things he loved and stayed hidden. Point is, maybe this is a simular situation. However, it never hurts to find out. We should keep an eye out at the crags. Good luck.

World of Warcraft my friend. It's like crack. Update: Went to doctor and I've lost 13 pounds since the start of the thread. 15 more to go.

Definatly see a doctor. Even if it's not the ear drum, you will want to minimize infection, scarring and scabbing in the ear canal.

Liberty Bell Becky Route is not worth the grovel up that gully and the crowds. There are many better routes for the same amount of effort. In fact, I don't really like the granite that much at WA pass anyways. Yeah, it's fun a few times, but I don't think I'll go back there too often again.

The mining trucks start up around 2:45 am on weekdays. There are two trucks and each one departs the mine every 15 minutes so they don't have to pass each other. if you are crafty and a lawbreaker, one could drive up follow one of the trucks about a minute or two behind and make the turnoff saving 3 miles of logging road slogging. They close the gates in the late afternoon, so you'll need to make that or you will have a long walk home or a long nights wait. Or you could just ride your bike. The Blue Mountain Road is a fun alternative. I usually switch betwen that and the Middle Fork every other time to avoid boredom. It is a little longer, but a little mellower. A bit more bike friendly. Sometimes you can hitch a ride on the BMR with someone that is working back there.

We climbed a bit, then got poured on. Climbed in the pouring rain. I think my gear is still drying out. We got totally soaked, but had fun. There was a few periods of sunny happyness, but not much.

I agree. They have always been nice and helpful there, even when I was a noob.

I decided to go with the Mickey Mouse vest this time.

Again, the weather forcast for today in Bellingham said yukky and rainy. It's very nice out! I think their philosophy is that they would rather be blamed the weather was good when forcasted bad, than the weather was bad when forcasted good. Or they try to keep people from making plans so people stay inside and watch more advertisements.

Funny, I think that is exactly what she has.... Oops, did I miss the sarcasm? Yes, I think that they are enough. Would a full shank boot be more comfortable/warmer etc? Probably. Will these work? Yes, assuming you are using the right crampons. What kind of support is needed when wearing crampons? BTW-I don't carry big packs. Since she learned from me, she doesn't either. Rainier and Baker aren't exactly Denali. So this is the boot we are talking about?, Welll.... I have rescued climbers on Mt Rainier with frostbit feet, and they had much better leather boots that those. Under the best of conditions, you might make them work, but these should not be used on rainier or baker. I dont' think this model is waterproof either. There is a Gortex Version of it that has a little Gortex logo on the side.

Make sure you get Wirlwind on lots of slabs. He needs the suffering.

I have the same boots, male version and they have gortex liners. I am doing a 4 day alpine trip in them next week, including low 5th class rock and snow to 45-55 degrees. My friend is wearing gortex tennis shoes. Make sure the gaiters fit snug down low.

Petzl Zipka Plus. I have beefier ones, never use them anymore. Selected Zipka Plus and Tikka Climbs: Rainier Shasta Whitehorse Eldorado Ruth North Twin Sister Shuksan Baker Sahale Plus a couple dozen more and lots of cragging. I don't carry spare batteries. I would if I was gone more than a week. I find I don't use the headlamps much, even at night. Most of the above mentioned is pretty easy ground and only involves a few hours of moving in the dark. If I was exclusively climbing in the dark alot, I would bring my Black Diamond LED (I hate the straps on that thing!)

You know what? Even in Bellingham, the forcast said rain rain rain all this week. It's nice today, was nice yesterday. They show today on the forcast as nice and tommorrow as rain and the next day as rain. Its been like that all week, current day nice, rest of week rain. Conclusion: just go there, if its raining, go see a movie or get drunk.

If the Alpine weather looks unfavorable on the west side, we are going to go to Prussik Peak. If the Alpine weather on the east side is unfavorable, we are going cragging in Leavenworth. We are leaving on the 15th and staying until the 19th, depending on the weather.

You can use crampons with tennis shoes. Lowa makes good boots for narrow feet. Also Technica. I would look at their mountaineering boots and their waterproof hiking boots. What really sucks about some hiking boots is that the traction blows on the snow and you can't climb rock worth a damn in them. But if you are really selective, you can find one with quality traction and stiff enough edges to get around pretty good. Some of the hiking boots are just trimmed down version of another mountaineering boot. Also some tractions(even some vibrams) are too hard and slip on rock. I would look for tractions with smaller sized teeth and good edges all round, good uphill traction in front and good heel traction. Some hiking boots have crap tread but still look cool, so watch out. You may notice that with tennies or hikers that you have to put on thr crampons when a stiff mountaineer boot might handle the terrain without them. It has to get pretty icy before you need to put on crampons on a stiff mountaineering boot. In the class, she may have to put on her spikes before everyone else and wear them longer without stiff boots.

What? The place used to be a ski area. You just fall down the hill and land on the road. You can fall any direction. Is it even possible to get lost up there? Did they even TRY to retraice their steps a little or did they jsut get away from the trail a bit a called in a rescue. At least these HIKERS are ok.

Nice TR. You may want to edit your dates.