buldozer

Actually, the backside (aka the regular scrambling route) is not the only and not the easiest (IMO) way to the summit. Several years ago (when I was interested in this mountain) I ascended the main SW face direct (as visible from the North Bend) in a straight line from the col with Little Si to the top of the Haystack summit. I did this hike in both summer and winter conditions, and both times I felt safer on this path rather than I would on "regular scramble" because there were no crowds to throw rocks on me, etc. While I don't recommend doing the entire route from Little Si (I don't even know if it's legal to walk there under the restrictions of current Mt Si Conservation program) it is possible to do just the top part from the end of regular hiking trail (by the rest bench) by walking around the haystack to the left. About ice climbing conditions on haystack itself: there are years when considerable ice forms there, to the point that ice bouldering is a possibility but certainly is not really worth comparing to places like Lilouet, needless to say nothing has formed there this year

Thanks, Caveman. The fact that I happen to be born in the same country (and even the same city - Krakow) as Crazy Polish Bob is just an incident but helps to understand his jokes. The other flip of the coin is: in polish Tatra Mountains (where both Bob and myself started our careers) there are lots of more crazy polish climbers who love winter cragging. Last sunday Bob, while hiting the first tool placement, said: "finally it feel like in Tatras!" and I agree. Pyramid in winter is an awesome place that reminds me those Tatra spires, where those crazy polish guys hone. The difference, though, is that Cascades are much more wild (means no crowds above the trails). Feels good to be part of it.

Yes that's me. Hey, Coley thanks for your part in breaking the trail in front of "Bob's ass". But the fact is: Bob in turn was "dragging our asses" on the climb proper, means he's lead every roped pitch. Enough, no comments. About the descent: Bob was inclined to take shorter NW gully but I was concerned about the snow resting there at perfect 40-45 angle, while www.nwac.noaa.gov was reporting the danger generally higher on SW & NW slopes (I've once survived the 700ft fall in avalanche and I'm very cautious now). So the long way we came down (as in Beckey's book, all the way back to Colonial Glacier), and I remember Bob pronouncing the route's name the first time on this seemingly endless traverse under the Pinnacle. I would suggest this descend to the others although (or mayme because) they will end up walking in the dark just like us "motherfuckers". Chris.