Elevation

We did the full, so no idea how the glacier is at the moment, except that it looks like a pretty reasonable crossing. Honestly, I did it once with a whippet-head instead of an ice axe, and it was pretty stupid. This was September, so late season with pretty firm snow and occasional bare ice. We made it across okay with crampons over approach shoes, but it was one of the less-bright things I've done in the mountains. Snow in the late afternoon on the south side was quite soft on our trip, so it might be okay on the north late in the day, but I wouldn't be surprised if it firms up quite a bit with the clear nights. Personally, I'd take an axe if I were to do the upper ridge right now.

No problem! Enjoy the gendarme pitches for us, we didn't have enough time and had to do the bypass.

Did the complete NR Thursday/Friday/early Saturday. The only snow remaining at the notch is down near the bottom, by the glacier. There's a small hanging snowpatch just below the "slab with crack", a few hundred feet short of the gendarme. That'll be melted out with another week of hot weather, but it was easy enough to rappel to for a quick fillup. Still a couple of small snowpatches and drips in the bypass gully and around the corner on the bypass route, but they're going fast. Big snowfield right below the summit still (100+ vertical feet) with lots of running water at the bottom, easily accessed as you're heading over to the Cascadian. 2-300 foot snowfield in upper Cascadian that'll stick around for a while.

Hey Pete, Summer time is the busiest and SPART (and KCSARA) work year 'round. There aren't always that many callouts each month, but if you're available and flexible you can go out on a lot of missions. If you're more interested in pure "volume" of callouts, there are other units in KCSARA that go out on just about every mission, but SPART has, historically, been the largest medical component of KCSARA and is more often used on the injury related missions. Hope that helps. Feel free to post more ?s or get in touch via the site. Marcus

Hi Ron, CBSP is a volunteer organization that works for the National Forest Service. We are not a law enforcement entity in any fashion, nor do we "patrol" the hills looking to keep skiers or climbers out of any particular area. We primarily bring search and rescue, medical and avalanche rescue experience to the party. A typical patrol day is a lot like a typical backcountry day for anyone on this forum, I'd imagine. With respect to the "recognized leader" part of our mission -- that refers to our role in the National Ski Patrol as the primary source for training in avalanche and mountain travel & rescue skills for the NSP members and local government employees. CBSP isn't a SAR outfit, though it's closely affiliated with SPART (Ski PAtrol Rescue Team), which is a unit of the King County Search And Rescue Association. Many of our members (myself included) work with SPART and KCSARA in responding to SAR callouts year-round for skiers, climbers, hikers -- anyone who gets in trouble and needs help. The work certainly includes recoveries and sprained ankles, as well as everything in between. There are often up to 20 callouts a month and SPART members choose which ones they can help out with, along with members of the other units in KCSARA. It's worth noting that SPART membership isn't required, of course -- just another perk to being a patroller, if you're interested in that kind of work. As mentioned before, we aren't a policing entity. We ski the backcountry, have fun and help those in need. Unlike inbound patrollers, we take friends and family out skiing with us. Other perks: * Many opportunities for dirt-cheap, high quality education in mountain travel, rescue techniques and avalanche study (including National Avalanche School courses and ISSW attendance) * Pro-deal prices on a wide range of gear and equipment * Use of the National Forest Service bunkhouse when patrolling * Skiing with and getting to know a great group of like-minded folks and their friends/family The patrol is looking for all sorts of folks, be it AT, Tele, snowboard or nordic/skate skiers. If you're interested don't hesitate to ask questions or get in touch via the website, linked above. Marcus

Worth a call, surely, but she definitely does most of her work with the non-dog/cat pet... If nothing else, the could certainly recommend a good vet for you.

For what kind of critter? Dr. Tracy Bennett or Dr. Kamaka at the Bird & Exotic Clinic is great -- I'm not sure if they work a lot with dogs/cats, but it's worth a call. 783-4538

Excellent, thanks enem. I've heard that there's about 3 miles of road to walk before the parking, but our friends won't mind the company...

Greetings all... I'm taking some friends up to start the Ptarmigan on the weekend of the 4th -- anyone been up in the Cascade Pass area recently? Any info on snowpack and good day trips up there would be much appreciated. Never been before. Thanks!

They're Bent Metal 2 strap highback bindings.

Fair enough Heavy -- you'll still have a blast, to be sure. m

Resurrecting here. I'm moving in two weeks -- why would I move crap I don't want anymore! $120 for the board -- Libtech EmmaP in great shape with bindings $50 for the boots -- women's 9, probably mens 8 Also have a Sierra Designs Joan of Arc sleeping bag, size long. $60. Dalbello downhill boots in great shape used 3-4 times, women's size 9 again. $60. Bueller?

Heavy, You'll be postholing, I imagine, at some point on the route, but don't worry about the approach or the road to the trailhead at all -- I think FF might be the thinking of the Sitkum Glacier road, which is completely hosed at the moment. It's been about a month since I was up there, at which time there was continuous snow at about mile 2 or 3, around the point that the log road ends and you begin to hump up the hill to gain the ridge. Snowpack deepened pretty quick, so I expect you'll have plenty up there even if it's melted up the ridge a bit. The glacier was crackless and beautiful. We skied it and stopped at the pyramid, so no beta there, but given the reports I've heard and the look of the summit from a month ago, the gully may be close to melted out by now. The snow was reportedly pretty unstable and getting ready to let go of the rock. Of course, there's been considerable snowfall in that area/elevation in the last few weeks, so who knows. Have a blast. Take snowshoes if you've got them, or better, skis. Any way you do it though, it's a beautiful route. m

Same as above, dkemp. I've got at least one, possibly as many as 3 or 4. Give a shout...

FF, We didn't envy the weather you guys were getting on Saturday -- were you the BoeAlps crew? I think we skied by you around 2, just after the steep traverse, around 5800. That crust you had to contend with was evil -- we had to boot it across a couple of flat sections on the way down. Miserable. Glad your class had fun -- sorry about the loud crew on Sunday...