jlag

Did you get on anything or just tooling around? I hiked for turns up near Broken Top. Weather was variable, beautiful when the sun could penetrate the low fog. Caught some rides with crazy 'bilers but still to slow/weak to get into the bowl with snowshoes in one day. Weird snow up high, avy conditions a little sketchy. Beer tonight?

Fejas has got a really good point. True it's not advertised but anyone can skin or hike up Mt Batchy as long as they don't interfere with patrol operations. How do they know who the track going OB's belongs to? I've heard stories of people getting in trouble hiking up to summit and skiing off the back to get to Kwol Butte. It's public land how can they charge you if your not a passholder/ticket buyer? Very interesting point. And yes the kid was a total idiot and was on his way to need a rescue. Hosmer Lk is super flat, the powder is way deep and he might have found the road if he had a compass or GPS, but.....he was probably spending the night. He should be fined, but 4K? That's a little excessive. Just my 2 cents.

Sunday at Bachey was amazing, 2ft of fresh in some spots and still coming down. LIght and fluffy and now an 80" base. Looks like the summit is gonna open today. Work? I don't think so.

So you could drive all the way to the trailhead no problems? Your burly for pushing through to Chamber Lakes with that much new snow. Did you skin or snowshoe? I was thinking about ya Sat/Sun when Mt. Bachelor was getting a couple feet of fresh. I figured you'd get out, just thought it might take a day or two. Could you stay with the marked trail the whole way? Let's watch the weather and next blizzard break lets bust out something. Glad your back safe.

Are you staying in the campground? I'm thinking of heading that way during the same time frame. It's nice to have no students, eh? I would probably drive down from Bend for like 5-7 days depending on weather. What routes do you have in mind? I can lead 5.8 gear and follow 5.10 comfortably.

I work with and right next to the legendary John Buchard every Mon-friday. Not many know that he resides in Bend, OR. We go bouldering but he hates sport climbing.Dude's over 50 and still pulls down HARD! And like Dru I've smoked pounds with Chongo down at Todd Gordon's ranch in J-tree

you can't even walk off designated trails at the Painted Hills. The environment is extremely fragile and would suck to ride on. No snow on em yet but they usually get a couple of dustings over the winter.

Was a pleasure climbing with you and Timmy. You've got amazing balance and graze when climbing. Sorry 9-gallon buckets wasn't your thing. Hope we can bust out some routes next time your around. Say hello to the midwest for me.

I as well was born and raised in the Great Lake state. 3 Michiganders on one site, what's the world coming to. Do you still use your left hand when showing others where you live in MI? Born in Bay City, MI, grew up in Traverse City MI, moved as far away as possible as soon as possible. Detroit is much better now than back in the day. Much harder to score good crack though.

Had an excellent time with ya'll. Nice job on the keg, only a gallon or two left in the morning. I passed out(too much Afgani) and missed wirlwind's puking. But I do remember the ring of fire jumping, Layton's crazy. Plenty of good routes and great entertainment. Big up to SkyClimb for being my partner all day on the Westside.

Gaper Timmy is my crag buddy and soon to be chosscades alpine freshiez buddy.

I agree, unless you enjoy bottomless scree slogging and sketchy loose rocks just to get to the upper mountain waiting until Spring is more enjoyable. I did the West Rib in early June and never touched rock until the pinnacle. Depending on your climbing level the pinnacle is really easy. If you did rope up long slings are essential.

I can meet anyone in the parking lot Sat morning for a day of fun-filled tip-ripping. I live in Bend and don't plan on staying out at the Grasslands Fri evening. JJa lets burn that rope I sold ya. Fill me in on when/where to meet.

I betcha I can get another Deschutes keg! One a month for free. I'm down to climb with anyone off this site this weekend. Clear and sunny at Smith right now. There's like only 10 cars in the parking lot.

Thanks all for the 1st annual Plabfest at Smithrock. I truly had a great time and partied way too hard on Friday night. Thanks G-RAY for the keg, he works for the Deschutes and gets a free keg A MONTH! Before friday he had barely even heard of cascadeclimbers. Good to meet you all and feel free to pm me if your in the area and need partners, beta or place to stay.

Must say your a lucky man to have landed that one. I'm lucky to have met you both. What are you gonna do when she starts climbing harder than You? It won't be long if she keeps going out. Maybe she can be our ropegun? Congrats, and next time your leading S.Slab

Luckily the new lodge has a great deal of defensible space due to the parking lot and little trees down low near the edge of the lot. I imagine most of the small building on the edge are toast, I do know that there's an engine stationed in the lot at Hoodoo to keep an eye on things. I really hope that mountain maintains, killer little place with no crowds on powder days.

I was up on the fire last night with F.S. and the fires have not joined. The Booth fire is MILES away from the Bear Butte fire. The Bear Butte fire is pretty mellow, already crossed into the reservation, I saw their cats cutting line near the wilderness boundary. The booth did double in size overnight, over 20,000 acres now and 0% contained. I saw flames over 150' high ripping towards 3FJ. The reason they evacuated Camp Sherman is because of the shape of the fire, it's 7 miles(over that now) long from S to N. When winds come out of the west the fire will grow very large very fast, right towards Camp Sherman with limited escape routes. Yes I believe the fires are arson, number of reasons why: to back up George W's Healthy Forest Initiative, job security for firefighters and mainly because that area needs to burn. If the fire jumps the highway near the 11 Road you can kiss Camp Sherman goodbye.

Anyone going this year? I wouldn't miss it for the world. I noticed GaperTimmy's photo and recognized the playa. I'm greeting on Fri and Sat morning, tell me if your a CC'er and I won't spank you too hard. Black Rock City is home for me

I haven't seen the photo but I'm betting it's the secret area that's red from fire retardant being baked on the rock from a fire long ago. No way I'd give up the info, the locals around here would find me and beat me down. It's closer than you think.

I remember all those classic lines you mentioned. I went to school in Missoula and started out doing most of my leading in Kootenai and Lolo Domes. Pleasant Suprise was my first trad lead. (even though it has a bolt or two lower)Do you have a chance to do 10th Commandment? Yes Raf put up excellent routes all around there. He's got a couple of sweet 1st's in Blodgett. Thanks for bringing back great memories.

City of Lost Children is one of the best films I've ever seen. Thanks for bringing it up. When I 1st watched it I held my pee the whole time, I was too engrossed to pause it and go to the bathroom. Second favorite would be The Princess and the Warrior, same guy that did Run Lola Run.

I'm up for some climbing after work. I work out of Redmond and I'm usually done around noon. Probably a bit warm around then but if you want to hunt for shade or climb once it cools down let me know. Dealing with a recovering finger so I'm no ropegun, looking for non-crimper stuff.

Hey Wazzu, did you do the traverse from the N. side? How is it, usual sketchy choss or still enough snow to kick steps? Just curious, thankful for any info you can offer.

what's your plan of attack? I mean what day do you plan to leave, how many days on the route? I have this weekend off and could possibly take either Friday or Monday(18th or 21st) off. I'm pretty much into light and fast. I live in Bend and could meet you in P-town. PM me if your interested. JL