cman

that is crazy. i may have to skip backcountry skiing this weekend. sounds like some really solid wind slabs are building up all over the place.

hitting jumps and messing around in the park is fun, until i overshot the landing and smacked down on a nice hardpack. once the feeling in my feet came back i remembered that pain hurt less when i was a teenager. i still love getting air but now i only do it when i am assured a super soft landing. i'll bet landing a back flip off a cliff would be an incredible rush but i don't want to injure myself missing the first 20 times. let jibbers have their fun. they too will get older and mellow out. FYI east coast skiers kick ass. skiing on ice makes you good. also there are lots of areas where people live nearby and go skiing all the time.

to me it is all about the steeps and variety of the terrain. i have never been to bachelor but have heard it is not too steep. crystal is a great mountain b/c it has some great steeps and longer runs. baker is a small moutain but has really fun terrain. lots of places to explore/get into trouble.

i have the barryvox and like it's ease of use, small size and excellent harness, with attached leash. i believe that the ortovox has a longer range.

i'll second the north cascades highway, depending on how much snow we end up with there may not be much up there though. Mt Hood - south side some classics on mt rainier - ski up to camp muir Mt shuksan cascade couloir on mt stuart just a few to get you started.

accepting reality is the first step in dealing with your climbing problem.

great video , i espcially like the voice over btw i think that was the skier who did the ass kicking

i have the G3 skins and i really like the attachment style, at the back. It stays on and can be tightened easily, good for when the snow turns to slop and your skins get all wet and stop sticking. you can cut them to size, if you get 90 and cut them you will have better skinning.

Is this place way up on the hillside? and do you have to hike up from the boat launch there or is there some other road?

go climbing while you wait, smiff was perfect last weekend.

should be good time, and in a killer venue like the showbox, it should be awesome. how much is it?

I am going along with genepires, there is no one way. i use a gear sling a lot. at index some of the climbs are long and i place a lot of gear, so the sling is handy. on harder climbs or slabs, no gear sling is best. i mostly rack up tripled up slings for draws and rack them on my harness. for alpine i add longer slings over the shoulder as necessary. you best bet is just to know your gear and get better at placing it, then a variety of systems will work.

i used to ski at stowe in college. lots of groomers and bumps, if you are into that. there are some secret stashes in the woods were good powder can be found on the right day, but i was sworn to secrecy so i cannot tell you the exact location. also there is a fun run where you hike to the top of mt mansfield and ski down toward the notch. buy some new skis and start carving up the groomers, your technique will never be better.

Has the new guide book really come out? I have yet to see it anywhere.

Muir - every PNW skier has done it so that by default makes it a must ski, besides it is a fun ski during the week.

Cannon Mt Couloir - near cannon mtn. Forbidden Tour spearhead traverse arrowhead mt - good powder mt snoqualmie - slot couloir

I think it is something in the old rainier brewery. I heard about a plan to turn that place into some kind of mall/sports complex/whatever

was up at darrington on Sunday, yesterday, and saw a helicopter hovering over at the base exfoliation dome for a long time. it made a few trips back and forth and looked to be hauling something out on a line. anyone know anything about this?

i prefer the 2 jacket system. down for winter camping, high altitude and a lighter weight synthetic, MEC has some decent ones cheap, for BC skiing and warmer outings. If you have the money get a Feathered Friends down, it is pricey but you will love it for years

these UW profs are bad enough, amazing their top choice is so close to campus, but if this project goes forward they will not even be in charge. with the Dept of Defense conducting unspecified experiments in there the whole valley will be controlled, and it's access, by some goverment agency, i.e. if you want to complain to somebody forget about it.

I have the weekend open as well. i can't make it to the rope up next weekend, anyone for leavenworth this weekend? or maybe the tieton? might also be up for something alpine if the weather looks ok. send a PM

let's hope not, i don't think that kind of precedent would be beneficial for the long term survival of our wilderness

the wilderness act is pretty clear in this matter. makes me wonder how those DUSEL jokers think they can get around it, they are after all doing something similar, except that there plan is make the hole a couple miles long.

the one time i climbed there was awesome. i got on a 5.5 that had a huge roof on it. the route actually skirts around the roof but it was definitely intimidating. can't wait to go back.

what is the word? anyone paying this place a visit on opening day? the pictures look cool.