slogon

That's one I've always meant to do. Feel free to pm this spring or summer. I'm pretty experienced with the volcanoes and various other mountains. - Steve

Yes (as of yesterday). West Face Gully looked nice also (I went up Shastina). Way less people on that side (Hidden Valley and West Face Gully), not solitude by any means, but way less than Avalanche Gulch.

Haven't done it, but I think the real issue would be the stream/river crossings, especially the Sandy. Something to look into.

Yeah, but every year someone falls off it coming down. East exposure to sun turning it to slush I suspect.

South Sister, something in Goat Rocks of WA, or the Tatoosh range in Mt. Rainier Park might be good options for ya.

Wow. I think he did more this year than most in a career!

Seconded. :tup:

Since when did K2 become a slog? One of the 14 last I heard.

Anybody hear anything about this? We were watching the kid's crew race on Vancouver Lake through binocs and saw a big slide on the SW side of St. Helens (actually saw it moving, and could see large debris piles at the bottom). And we were thinking how great it would be to be skiing up there. Hopefully it was a natural thing and not set off by anyone.

Troll!!??

Don't think that Coooper Spur is that easy - it's exposed and people fall off almost every year it seems, especially if descending it. If you're coming from the east coast and not familiar with the mountain the south side might make more sense. You can go mid-week or do a variation (w. Crater rim, etc.) to avoid people.

Could depend on if you're planning to bivy or not. I have an OR advanced for camping in, or for maybe taking along on bigger things, and one of those "space blanket"-type things in a bag shape for taking along all the time.

I'd check with the Mountain Shop. They did some work on my plastic climbing boot shells and heat molded my Intuition liners. Don't know about Baruntse liners but I imagine they would. Edit: Actually was Oregon Mountain Community, but probably either would be good.

Was planning on going out from Portland on Friday AM to check out some easy ice (maybe Benson Lake, Mist Falls, or others) if you have any interest in that. Thin on specialized ice gear and ice experience. - Steve

Haven't been on Aconcagua, but I did replace the stock Arctis Expe liners with Intuitions for Denali and they worked well (it was mostly for fit issues, but also lighter and warmer). The intuitions don't really absorb much moisture and dried easily. I'd second what Dane and Gene said too.

We were up there just a day or two before you, may have passed on the way out. That bivy spot by Winnie's Slide has some sweet views. The chimneys do get your attention though, esp. with a full pack. This was one of my more satisfying climbs, maybe because of my B'ham years spent staring at Shuksan while skiing at Baker. Glad you were able to hobble out OK.

As far as snow in the bowling alley, I went up there on July 1st in 2007 and while there was snow on the traverse, there was none in the bowling alley (that may have been a low snow year). This year was actually a pretty good snow year at Hood, and I'd assumed the sisters would be similar. For South Sister, I think the green line is the easier one, but have only been part way up before bailing off (and getting to go around the South Sister on the PCT back to the south trailhead). Interested to hear what others say.

Any crevasses showing on the Reid? Seems if we get some lower freezing levels maybe whatever loose stuff is left will adhere to the mtn a little better (hoping).

If you have a mountain or hill near you, hike up with a weighted backpack (collapsable camping containers or milk jugs filled with water work well) and the heaviest hiking boots you have. Dump out the water at the top to save wear and tear on your knees for the way down. If not big hills, walk stairs with the heavy boots. Running is great, eliptical too, but once a week or more with boots and actual elevation is really helpful. And you can increase the backpack weight 5 or 10 pounds a week (don't go overboard though). Two of the keys are pacing and hydration, and the guides should take care of the first. Good luck, and good on you for not taking it lightly.

Nice map. Minor edit, I think Goode, Logan, and Jack Mtn should have pink triangles (9K+).

Then try this one on for size - the "cheater enchainment" - Take tram up to Mt. Howard. Walk ridge to East Pk, continue walking ridge to Hidden Pk, continue walking ridge to Aeroid Mtn, head over to Pete's Point, then down and out E. Fork Wallowa River trail. No aid necessary. Seriously, you might look into the Elkhorns nearby if you haven't already, supposed to be some good granite there.

This seems like a good way to think of it (of course when I started reading this thread I would have put the pulley at point #1). Also, I've tried the little plastic pulley (liked the weight savings), but had some trouble with the rope coming off the pulley, maybe that depends on the particular biner shape.

2nd that. I particularly liked: "sustrugified/rimed mank".

"If I never climb this route again it will be too soon" - on the SW ridge of Jefferson in Oregon High

Did I miss something here??? Isn't partners supposed be a spray-free zone?