Billygoat

Tyrone and Chips, would you guys be as hard (mean) on a large guy climber who knew who you are behind your Avatars?! Methinks not. Your tact would be a little different I bet.

Must admit, I am enjoying the weather. I'm getting more than a few things done outside around the house and we're going climbing at our local crag tomorrow and it won't be wet!

Have faith brother Timmy. Even if we only get 500" this season we're golden. Might be a bit icey tho. Spring skiing will still be great! The only downer will be more glacial receeding. I wonder if we will see the significant loss of the North Cascades glaciers in our lifetime?! I have a feeling that we will be having a taste of Freshiezz by the end of the week.

They're a comin'

Tex, Iain well said

I don't know Mattp. Haiku David and I were up in the Blackcomb backcountry last March and David dropped into this steep narrow chute that gave these local hardcore AT skiers serious pause, on Tua megas with Garmont Garas and nailed it (of course he has 30 years of experience). I had same gear except T-3s and I had trouble down climbing it! I think tele gear can do all that AT can if the user has the mind to do it. BTW, anyone have an idea why there is such a lack of Tele-skiers around Whistler. Are Canadians super influenced by the Euros?!

No problem. They can be found at Skagit Valley Co-op and The Peoples Co-op in B'ham.

Ahhh. My favorite "less expensive" alternative is 16 oz Iron City in the NR bottle, purchased fresh only, in Pittsburgh (the downer concerning the availability of this brand). Mickeys wide mouths are a good alt (ternative).

BTW MattP, if I wanted to go up the White Salmon Creek drainage, what, do you think, is the best way to access this? From the old contouring skid road off the hairpin just below the day lodge? If yes, where do I go when I come around the point overlooking the drainage? Or, is there some better access lower down? Thanks.

Fin Du Monde after a tour! The best crown on on a good or epic adventure.

Thanks MattP I vote for: Smithbrook this fall after the next good snow settles, Pemberton in Jan/Feb and Hwy 20/Mazama April/May when the pass first opens

How Far of a drive from Mt. Vernon is that?

Hey MattP, did you traverse from the ski area, under Shuksan Arm to the ridge or another route?

Anybody else notice that Red Hook Bombers taste better than the 12 ouncers

Even tho powder skiing is the shit, spring skiing is my favorite. Especially over hwy 20. Lots of easily accessible terrain, fewer squids off the road, great dry camping, wonderful peaks and next time, I am going to try some of Dr. Ruthless's routes down the road.

For early season clean skiing, the area around the Pinnacle is superb (short yo-yos tho) and the cravasses are few and small. Have never tried the arm but would love to. Has anyone gone down to White Salmon creek and up over the ridge to the Price Glacier. I tried to last spring but the route I took was too burly with lots of tree wacking and lots of fresh bear sign.

I have skied in that basin quite a few times and enjoyed it. It is a fun and easy tour out to the permanent snofields around Coleman Pinnacle for views, variation and less concave slopes. I have always wanted to approach Komo Kulshan that way. Anyhow, Plenty of parking at Heather Meadows, lots of squid tho. I don't know about camping in a big group, supposedly no camping allowed. We usually come in late and lay low. I wonder if Lisa is refering to the lot by the Equipment sheds.

Not that I know of. From what I have experienced, you can never fully trust any slope no matter how many pits you dig.

Hey Lisa, would this be Baker ski area below Table mountain and Artist Point?