cman

most of the routes that have been cleaned are just above the clearcut in the woods. there are also a bunch of problems about 15 min hike above the cut, but those are not too easy to find. a lot of the people who have been putting up routes are hardmen. if you want some more routes to your liking bring a brush and have at it.

I was up at gold bar bouldering on saturday. the bouldering is good, kind of tricky to find a lot of the stuff if you don't know where you are going. a friend who boulders up there a lot has run into those guys a couple of times. I want to check it out, but it would be nice to have some info.

word is that a couple of guys have been developing routes on Zeke's Wall. The only somewhat firm route report i have heard is a long bolted 12a. second hand info is that they have put up 8-9 routes. anyone have any more info, how hard, exactly where they all, that kind of stuff. i want to go up there and appreciate all their hard work.

let me know what dates you had in mind and maybe we can work something out.

i have a partner as well, i am meeting him there, what i am looking for is a ride/ driving partners from seattle.

I am going to meet a friend in indian creek, last week in oct. about the 25th - nov 3. Anyone driving that direction? want more people/$'s? we can climb together or not if u already have a partner. CH

if hard core means freezing your ass off and being wet a miserable i don't want to be it. I am sure there are tons of examples of people doing stuff back in the day that most people could not deal with now. I'll take high tech warm and dry rather than being hard core.

The Wild Sky Wilderness Act had been proposed to turn areas near Index and Gold Bar into wilderness areas. Also Mt Baring would be included in the wilderness. http://www.wawild.org/wilderness/sky_country_proposal.htm I am interested in the developing climbing areas near gold bar, the bouldering and Zeke's wall. from the map i cannot tell wether these areas would be included in the wilderness proposal. Also if they are what impact would it have on the development of these climbing and bouldering areas, including Mt Baring. Thanks

i have not been there but i hear that mowich lake is good in the summertime. you can ski up to obervation rock ~ 9k. it is on the north side of the mountain so it probably won't be too cupped. i want to go up there but my enthusiasm for skiing has been lacking.

Hey Dru Why don't you and your girlfriend myushba come down and check the place out. there are some great romantic places nearby where you could camp out and enjoy the solitude

if you get a topper it is hard to keep it secure. my buddy replaced the turn handles with flat locks to keep people from yarding on then. also he replaced the handle on the truck with a flat locking piece. also make sure the side windows lock up tight.

If the weather turns bad try Leavenworth. Otherwise squamish has plenty to keep you happy for two weeks. just watch out for drunken teenage mobs If you want to do some alpine stuff go to the north cascades, washington pass. also index is seattle's best local trad, and hard sport, area. if you want some sport climbing try exit 32 or exit 38, although i would hardly think it worth coming all from NC to climb at those places. give us some specifics and you'll get more info.

St Vitus slabs in the rain anyways it is good fun to talk about after the fact. nice to meet some cc.comers as well. the drunken teenagers got off easy this time, but we'll be back

how many threads are you planning on starting. i understand the need to climb but face it, it is monday morning and it was raining when i drove into work. good luck with all that.

I might try to head up to the russell glacier. great summer skiing from what i hear. sunrise will be a zoo. anyone interested in some sweet turns and a little solitude? lake mowich this weekend.

Partner found. thanks

I have been in that area and it is not ideal for skiing. from sunrise you would have to cruise out a flat ridge to get to the skiing. A better place, i think would be lake mowich up to the russel glacier. you can get a lot of vert. unfortunately i just called and the road is closed 5 miles short of the lake and will open next weekend. i think i will try to do some climbing instead.

my offer is still open. got a rope? follow me or lead some yourself?

where are you meeting? mind a third?

what exactly you plannin' on skiing? I was hoping to go climbing tomorrow but i could be persuaded to do some skiing. also i can drive.

I too need a pardner for index on sunday. PM or email me christianmh@earthlink.net

climbing gyms are a good place to start. you can learn to belay, practice your skills and meet other climbing folks pretty quick . also you could try the mountaineers/WAC for longer term outdoor instruction.

I have the 52, i think, and i like it. the waistbelt could be a little bit beefier, more padded, in my opinion. Overall i like it the side zip is killer

thanks for letting us know that mountian tools is lame but i have to second what cj said. i have ordered mail order/internet stuff and you can pretty much count on the fact that the cheaper it is the more you are going to get jerker around. you get what you pay for. pay retail and get real service. the exception i have found is the euro sites, fast and cheap.

Like what? and how much?