miller

Exactly. Have you done this? Care to fill us in on how this went? My question about these courses is how much you can get out of a class in such a short period of time, and whether it is worth the cost. Whether or not these courses are worth the cost is wide open to debate - there seem to be quite a few satisfied clients out there. I think spending 6 days with an experienced guide can be very rewarding. Nothing against the folks at the Mountaineers, but I believe you will find an entirely different caliber of climber as your guide/instructor with Mountain Madness or the AAI's. However, a lot of what people take away from such courses depends on the level of fitness/experience they show up with. For example, I think if someone shows up in pretty poor shape they could be too tired to really focus on and absorb a lot of the technical information that is presented. Someone who is reasonably fit and eager to learn could learn quite a bit in those 6 days, and through hanging out with an experienced guide/climber for a week, learn tricks and tips that could take years to learn on their own.

Exactly.

I'm heading down either May 11 or May 12 and I'm looking for someone who needs a ride down there. There is room for a bike in the back of my truck and I'll drop you off right in Camp 4. I head back up this way around May 30 and I'd be happy to give you a ride back then. Respond here because I don't often check PM's. -Todd

Great job to the folks involved, and glad to hear that everyone is still kickin'. Scary stuff. Does anyone have any information about the accident(s) themselves? What happened?

Anyone been back there lately (Circus)? Still snowy?

You down? Respond here - me no check PM's. -todd

With all of the bad press CCH has gotten recently, I thought I'd mention that I ordered some cams a few weeks ago, they came a few days after I ordered them, and they're are already tried and true and bomber. Still my favorite small cams out there.

Got Monday off?

The guy I was going to climb with - he calls himself "Figger Eight" around here - is a total chump and bailed on me. If you know him and see him around, feel free to remind him of that. So anyone wanna climb Monday? Forecast is going back and forth, but Leavenworth might be good...

I've heard good things about climbing with Utilikilts. Has anyone tried one? Should I spend the extra money, or can I just go to JCPenney and get a cheap skirt to wear? I like how much venting my nether regions would get. Should I get some matching nylons to wear, too? Thanks for your feedback.

bump

My vote is early to mid July for conditions/weather. And I think you'll get a lot out of your experience going with guides, and Mountain Madness (like most of the major guide services around here) is a great outfit. Have fun!

Blues Riff!

What was dry? Thinking about heading out tomorrow... Thanks!

yeah, but jim donini is the 9th. and jim donini no love you long time.

It looks like I'll be making the drive back to Seattle alone on May 30th or so. Would love to have someone along for company and to share gas expense! If you're going to be in the Valley and need a ride back, drop me a line.

mike layton love you long time.

Live the dream Mike - be a mowntin guyd.

I think "Montanapup" had something like that done...she has always seemed a bit "off" to me.

Go with the British Alpine Club books (Vol. 1 and 2). They are kinda hard to come by - one of the only places I've seen them in the States that I can remember was Neptune Mountaineering in Boulder, CO. Of course, you asked about the Alps and these books are pretty much Chamonix specific. The British Alpine Club also has similar books (same size, style, and format) for many other areas in the Alps as well - I've seen a few of these at Neptune as well. Maybe give them a call and see what they have. Good luck! -Todd

Sick bro-bra!!! So I had a hard time putting together the details of your story - is Jay a stripper now?

bump

I only moved because Jay's feet smell and I felt that moving would provide an excellent excuse to not have them polluting the air that I breathe. And because you're a dirty mullet. I told you I'd give you my homeboy's number is Estes - hope the CMS bunkhouse is treating you well...sucka.

Word. You da man. -Todd

Wazzumountaineer, Well, if you're still bored, you should go get 'em! The reward won't exceed the original value of the ropes (they ain't worth much now) but I promise you'll be psyched, and you'll win a friend. Of course you could do it with one 60m rope if you make Abalakovs, but I'm not sure if one 60m would work if using trees, etc. If I were to go up and get them I would bring two 60's. Suerte amigo. -Todd