Chad_A

Yup, fact of life, brother. Just because it's Smith, doesn't mean that it's totally immune of objective danger.

What's wrong with children wearing helmets, too? I see kids wearing helmets on a daily basis while riding their bikes. Good climb, Nick. That one's on my list. I think the exposure might be a bit much for the g/f to follow me on it, after rereading the original post

So, with all the climbing that I've done in the last two years here, after the grand move from flatland Michigan, my girlfriend has noticed that the tempo just seems to keep ramping up, and that there's no end in sight. "So, what big goal do you have in climbing, for this year, next year, or even ten years from now?" Mind you, she's supportive in asking this; she's always glad to have me home, but notices it when I'm climbing regularly. I'm "more like myself". It took me a second to answer her, but I guessed, off the top of my head, it would have to be something small, but difficult, in the Alaska Range, Waddington Range, or something fairly difficult in Peru. Here's where I'm looking for input; advantages, disadvantages, steps in skill to overcome, first, that are hard to experience in the PNW. I've heard people say in the past "It ain't the Cascades, Jack", so that's why I'm asking. I understand that climbing Hunter, even though is at near the same elevation as Rainier, must be much more difficult, almost by any route. The Waddington Range sounds great; I picked up Serl's book on the range, and there looks like some truly inspiring things to climb up there, but I'm guessing that it may be just as expensive to get in there, as the Alaska Range. I was wondering what the "intangibles" that the Waddington Range have, and how they stack up to the Alaska Range. Peru, on the other hand, sounds awesome. I've heard secondhand about the sheer faces, and the rotten snow that seems to almost impossibly cling to them, from close sources. Only, I don't speak anywhere near the language to feel comfortable with getting there, unless it's easier than it seems. I'm guessing flights there aren't that expensive, though. If anyone has been to any or all of the ranges above, feel free to share experiences, and what you would suggest to someone in a position like mine, and transitional climbs that might help ease someone, with greater goals in mind, into the bigger ranges. Please don't spray on this post. Other than that, speak up. If people need a list of climbs I've done to gauge a response, I can reply to that, but out of not "chest beating", I'd rather not unless asked. Most of the regulars around these parts probably have seen some of the TRs I've been involved with, anyway. "Tawk amongst yoselves"

Don't want much for them. 1/2 zip Triple Point Ceramic pants, size large. I got a crampon tear in them, so I sent them to Rainy Pass in Seattle to have them fixed, and they came back with really burly Cordura crampon patches on them, so they're really "built" now. Completely repaired, can't tell that there was ever a tear. Drawstring cinch waist. Will ship if I have to, but prefer to sell them to someone close to P-town. Just want them to go to a good home. Make an offer, and I'm likely to take it. PM or email me at anderson7149atcomcastdotnet.

Sold. Sorry, forgot to change this a while back.

Looking for someone to Lead with (or TR with, if you don't lead) at the PRG tomorrow. PM me, or email me at anderson7149@comcast.net. Thanks!

Black Diamond Shadow 55 Here's the patched areas- one on the front upper panel, where the end of an ice tool poked a small hole in it...the shoe goo is peeling off. I'll probably smear some seam grip on it today to fix it again. And, the bottom corner that got scuffed a bit when I was slipped and hit it while negotiating a talus field... Here's the Dana Design Alpine LTW. ...and the gear/tool loops that I've added to each side of the harness. Ok, now c'mon! I wanna sell these things.

I have a BD Shadow 55 that I bought last year, that I'm getting rid of. It's been on quite a few trips, but has quite a bit of life left in it. I believe it's 3360 c.i.; 3 lbs 7 oz. It has a couple of scrapes that have been bandaged up with a schmear of shoo-goo, but just small ones. The could probably be redone with seam grip, or something else. It functions well as a two day alpine pack, and carries pretty well, considering its light weight. Included are two ice clippers, installed on the waist harness. The SilNylon construction deters water well, so if you're careful, the contents of the pack stay dry when the weather craps out on you. Size is "one size fits all". Also, I have a Dana Design Alpine LTW, short torso version. Great shape, barely used, absolutely no damage. I've added a couple of gear loops/tool holsters onto the waist belt. The pack, I believe, is 4700 c.i., and weighs just over six pounds. You can make it lighter by leaving the shov-it panel at home, and removing the water bottle holsters. Carries like a Cadillac; great for an extended mountaineering trip, or backpacking trip. I'll post pics later today, as soon as the gallery (or my PC, whichever is giving me trouble) stops acting up, and lets me upload them. 70 bucks for the BD (new, 179), and 120 for the Dana (I think they're going on sale right now, or on clearance, for about 200). PM me any questions. I'll have the pics up as soon as I can. Thanks for any interest. Shipping is negiotiable, btw. I could deliver them around Portland, here, but anywhere else...well, we'll see what the shipping cost is

Oleg called the other day about the road opening. If I remember right, he said their respose was the end of May sometime.

Whoa! Take it outside boys...the infamous "that's it, meet me at the bike rack" quote.

Very nice; I was wondering what John and Dan were up to these days! I might go up there and check things out myself; it's been a year, and I miss the area. As for the Cruisers, well, just remember, they're people that couldn't build a *real* custom rod; they had to buy some piece of shite wannabe that underneath, is nothing more than a Dodge Neon Anyway, congrats on the climb, glad you all had a good time, and thanks for the beta. ---Chad---

Your welcome. By the way, I edited it; obviously, the TH comment would've been in the recent PAST, not the recent FUTURE. Duh...too much caffiene this morning.

http://www.cascadeclimbers.com/threadz/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB2&Number=443883 Our TR is about a month and a half old, but may give you some insight. When we were there, the route, and the approach were easily manageable; the slots were just starting to show themselves, but either easily walked across, or avoided. With the freezing level being consistently below the typically broken up/tricky approach to the base of the Headwall, and the precipitation that the area has received since we've been there, I can only imagine that the snowbridges are in even better shape. I'd also imagine that the route is a pretty moderate snow climb right now, with steep areas; except for the icefall area that we climbed through, we saw very little blue ice, and only swung our tools over our heads in a couple of areas. I'd heard that, in the recent past, the road was closed to wheeled vehicles a couple of miles from the Heliotrope Ridge TH, but that should be open, and melting out soon, if it hasn't already. Sorry if this isn't the most recent information, but no one else has piped up, and thought I might try to help. Have fun up there, and post a TR when you get back.

Thanks for posting; I'm sure that many will benefit

Damn...wish I would've known sooner. Too late now, but I'll be checking back for something later this week. Wednesday?

Oh, man, that's terrible. Sorry to hear about that. I'm sure everyone here will keep their eye out for it, but I don't know what you've lost; I suppose you could notify Next Adventure about what happened, in case someone goes in there to try to sell it all. Probably a long shot, though. I think I'm going to strip all the stickers off my truck, and keep a dark blanket in it to hide my stuff when I have it parked at THs and such, from now on...seems like break-ins are on the rise everywhere. Then again, maybe they're just getting posted here more.

When's the next session? Might want to come out.

And one more...

Oh, yeah, that's really important. It depends, though; it can be genetic, or induced by being obese. At 215, you're not obese (unless you have a really thin "frame" underneath); if your father doesn't mind, and has a blood sugar monitor, you might want to check yourself out next time you get a chance. Your result should be somewhere between 65-110. And, try it after you've been sleeping overnight, or gone a good eight hours since eating. That's when the most accurate result is...your "fasting blood sugar level." I'm 32 now, and I've kept off 55 pounds that I managed to lose 10 years ago. Takes work, and I get tired of having a semi-strict diet to do it, but I'm glad I do it.

Haha...oh, yeah...and walked away hungry, still! Chris- I took that pick from Sam Jackson Rd. up by OHSU where I work. With some good binoculars, it's an okay place to scout out the west side routes

I sometimes get burnt out on Hood, since it's so close, and if I only have a day or two off before I have to get back to work, it's where I'm heading. But, it's a great training ground. And, it really is nice to have such a nice looking peak to stare at on the way to work...not to mention, I can be at 11,235 at 7 in the morning, and in my living room by early afternoon (after a mandatory stop at the Huckleberry Inn, of course.)

Hmm...maybe the Mowich road won't open on May 22nd?

I'd sent you a PM regarding pics, and what the exchange rate would be for US vs. Can dollars. I'd still consider purchasing your pack; if I may request a response, then we can talk. Thanks! ---Chad---

Footbeds would probably help, for sure. Might want to visit a podiatrist if the pain persists. Orthotics really helped me out. Also, might help to just start over with a new set of shoes. (I think that, on average, a set of running shoes are only good for 300 miles.) Like someone else mentioned, check out a store with trained personnel who can put you in a pair of shoes, have you run in them, and be able to tell if they fit your stride (pronation vs. supination, and the like).

D'oh!