mtn_mouse

Yah, and it is just as tricked out inside as it is outside!

Hi Rich. You still there? What size/types of ropes were you guys using in Yosemite in the 50's and 60's? You'd probably get a kick out of the new stuff these days!

Thanks for the advice guys. I am guess I am a bit 'old guard', and we've used 150' ropes, 11 mm for years. I need to update my gear so I can show off for the climber babes.

I thought the motto here was "Welcome to cascadeclimbers, now prepare to get flammed!"

Yah, fat rope for sure. Mainly I like a big rope when I do lots of rappels and then jumaring. I guess I could go to a 10 something, but the long length sounds great for rappels, especially if the anchor is farther away. Thanks.

Clarification: I am whining about snow conditions in the NW, especially what I found at the ski areas. I mostly ski bc, and the Wallowas are all bc, no lift areas. I love it there, and am lucky to live that close. I have taken several trips in the past to the Olympics mainly, and am amazed that skis are not even needed at times. Even at Rainier this winter, we booted all the way into the tatoosh range. Probably different now from what I heard. Give me that NE Oregon powder.

I need a new 11mm rope. I like the idea of the longer 60 meter rope (almost 200'). Any comments out there, do you like the longer ropes, or should I stick with the 50m standard.

You summed it up well... I can put on my T2's and short skis, and tackle more difficult snow conditions, and also ski with a heavy pack, but am left with a lousy climbing boot. Crampons just don't work as well on a tele boot. Something about the duck bill........hmmm if they could ever fix that!

Why not learn to telemark? balance, art, grace, atheletic, what more can you ask for. Plus comfortable leather boots you can even hike it, and a simple cable to a basic binding.

OK, I am back from a week off, skiing OR and WA. I was able to ski Snoqualmie pass area--unfortunately mostly the downhill areas.. What was with the snow? I couldn't even get my poles to stick into the hard packed ice. Unbelievable. I hope these storms bring a little skiable snow. I then skied a couple of days in the Wallowas- up the wing ridge area. Got to be the best skiing consistently in the NW. Snow is not deep by Wallowa standards, but there is always a nice covering of powder. Heading out tomorrow for 5 days of BC skiing at whitewater in the Selkirks. Enjoy your cascade cement!

Thats what I thought too BS, having visited polite, politically correct sites (like the infamous tele tips.com). But after a while those sites get a bit boring, like a company staff party. No one is willing to express any strong opinions there. Picture this site as if you were sitting around a wood stove in a winter ski hut bsing with your friends and newcombers, as our wool socks and polypew underwear fumes waift through the smokey air. Only it smells better.

You guys are just making my point! Those ttips folks say "dem cc boys be nasty!' Sorry I can't stay around and follow this thread, but I have a week of tele skiing ahead of me. Best of freshiez to all of you too!

Relax!!!!! You guys are too tense! Too tense of my brain.

They post here all the time, you just don't know it. Does it really matter? No, of course that doesn't matter. I am just saying that there are other good climbers that don't post here because of all the spray. This site is not for the 'thin skinned'. I'm glad you thought it was funny, and I never get lost!

Sure there is some good info here, why else would I be checking the site. But compared to ttips.com, this site seems to be filled with strong opinions, politics, and spray. And while I enjoy trasks off the wall comments, they really have little to do with climbing, mountaineering and back country skiing. And why does it seem like there is only a small couple of dozen posters ever seen? Are they afraid to post here because of all the spray they might receive? Really, how often do the likes of Fred Beckey post here. Don't be too offended though, there is some great info here at times, and it is a good diversion from reality other times. The mouse that roared. And I have a pair of Asnes 220s that I can turn with my snowpines!

Hi wrecker, My friend Ted and I climbed most of Olympus in February 1995. We went up the Hoh trail, and hit snow about OGS. We camped a couple of miles further up. The next day we went to glacier meadows and camped there. The trail above elk lake has some exposed avalance chutes, and the trail was filled in at a steep angle by heavy snow. We were a little intimidated, and roped up and used crampons and ice axes for some parts of the trail just before glacier meadows. It would be a long ride down into the deep drainage below. There did not seem to be a high chance of avalanche being triggered by us, so that was ok. We went up during one of those 2 week high pressure arctic fronts. It was quite cold at glacier meadows, about 4200 ft. We did not need skis at that time because the snow was so consolidated. We camped two nights at the glacier meadows to scout the route. The next day we went up the moraine, and dropped down it and crossed the blue glacier. The crossing was easy, no crevasses showing, and no rocks on the climb to snow dome. We ascended to the top of snow dome and ate lunch on the top of the hut over by panic point. Should have gone on to west peak since it was not that far away, but the days are short, and we had done enough. I feel sure that it has been climbed in winter, but know of no one who has done it. It just is a long climb, 18 miles into glacier meadows, and a bit of time on the mountain. We had a great time though, and you should give it a try if the snow conditions look good. Try a climb during a high pressure window. On the way down, when we hit the bad part of the trail, where the snow concealed it in the avalance slopes, we just walked across without ropes, I guess we were more complacent and it didnt seem so bad.

You can always ride into the park on your bicycle and use it for free!