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Thinking of heading up Hood later this week if anyone is interested, S. side or other, maybe Leutholds if avy conditions settle down by then. Mt. Washington (Oregon) might be interesting also. - Steve

Sorry we'll miss you. I'm still going grab a pint there, maybe 4:30-5 or so. PDX lurkers unite!

General thought, lots of sources seem to advocate shorter axes these days as better for steeper stuff, true, but not as easy or useful for going down, which after all is harder.

My 2 cents, I think pickets are probably more versatile in that you can pound them in hard snow, or bury crosswise in softer snow. Kind of a pain to rack though...

Thanks all. Like the idea of the aztarex, but will need to see how they feel. Also tempted by the misc. old cheapo models on ebay. Now to obsess about what to replace my rope with...

Not to be picky but if you angled up to the left from the hogsback like the tracks in the picture that would be the the Old Chute route (the West Crater Rim goes left of Crater Rock down low and joins up to finish up the Old Chute. Not that it matters, good on you for getting out while I was sipping gin & tonics!

Any opinions (always opinions, especially interested in what you don't like) on a good second tool for alpine steep snow, getting over the bershrund, occasional ice, pounding pickets? Was thinking of Aztarex or Light Wing. I like the light weight idea, but do you give up too much in function?

My plans have changed, any interest in Sunday? Check you PMs. - Steve

Check your PMs. I've got a plan for this weekend, but Constance next weekend may work.

Anybody interested in Mt. Constance this weekend (or next), or possibly Little Tahoma or Shuksan? Coming up from Portland, could meet somewhere.

Any interest in Little Tahoma, Shuksan, others any of the last three weeks in August. I'm experienced, need to get out this month, in Portland. PM if interested (will be gone this weekend though). - Steve

Looking to climb. The Brothers, N. ridge Adams, others. Any groups need another experienced person on a glacier route - Hood Sunshine rte., Shuksan, Little Tahoma, others? - Steve

I'm interested, check your personal messages.

I'd be interested in coming along if you're still looking. Been up it a number of times by various routes. I'm in Portland, by the way. Check your personal messages.

Inspired by the new guidebook, I'm looking to climb The Brothers this next weekend as its supposed to be better early season with the brush covered. I'm pretty experienced, but not above putting in pickets on steep snow. Am in Portland, but could meet in the area.

Looking for current information on where you can park overnight for a winter trip to the South Sister (if it ever stops raining/snowing). Dutchman Flat?, somewhere at Mt. Bachelor? I've seen conflicting info. on whether you can park overnight at these areas, and would prefer not finding a piece of paper on the windshield upon returning.

Thinking of heading up to The Brothers from Portland this weekend - anybody interested? Can meet at the trailhead or elsewhere. Could be an overnighter or a long one day trip.

Time to start getting out and about - looking for partners. I've been climbing for awhile, interested in doing some climbs in the eastern Olympics, moderate routes up Hood (Sunshine), or others. - Steve

I'm trying to like up some boots for Denali, with warmth (and fit) being key (along with weight and cost, of course). Options I'm looking at: 1) Koflach Artis Expe, 2) Koflach Degre with Intuition liners, 3) the new Vasque Ice 9000. Any thoughts on how warm the Intuition liners compare to the Arctis Expe's liners, and if the Vasques (which are supposed to be very light and warm) are worth going through the extra trouble of mail order to get?