Blakej

I was told frying pan glacier on Tahoma was a good safe beginner ski tour for a solo skier anyone want to contradict this before I go kill myself. I hear glacier and think crevasse but was told not to worry about them.

I didn't summit stone because I was expecting snow and treked up with AT boots and skis and when I realized there wasn't going to be anything in the slightest I turned around in bitter disappointment. However I seriously doubt there will be much more than the patches I saw heading up toward the summit. If you want snow and your hitting the hamma hamma area try either Skykomish or pershings which looked to still have a decent base. Talk about disappointment looking for snow and it being on peaks all around except for on your route.

Its for a gift. Actually any women use mens boots. Seems there are more options for deals.

Looking for a good deal anyone have an opinion on these boots? Link to boots.

Sorry man didn't mean to put you on the spot there. Just saying if your looking for someone to go out and play well I'm always game. If you'd be willing to take out a few of us newbies your drinks are on me.

Hey Bug does that go for me too. Been dying to get some glacier experience and experience with crevasses but Dragging people over from my side of the water is impossible. If you need a rope handler I'm your man.

oly I have some freinds doing constance sat sunday. I will see if I can get good info for you when they get back.

nothing on the brothers but I was on Mt stone today only a couple miles away and the snow is melting fast the SSW side was no problem to boot up with sporatic snow and rock/trail. I didn't get to an area to view the brothers though so depending on the route who knows I'm no snow expert.

Heres a couple more suggestions that are relatively cheaper or a little less formal in some cases if thats what you go for like me. For one option check your local college. Olympic college in Bremerton offers what I have been told is a first class course that covers all the basics of mountaineering over the course of a quarter and is significatly cheeper than one of the traditional alpine schools. Another is a membership at your local climbing gym. Get in there and climb. Be polite and bum belays or meet other climbers without a partner to team up with. I have met several very experienced climbers at my local gym who are more than willing to offer advice and pass their experience on. check at your local mountain shop for local outdoor groups and attend their meetings. Without a doubt you will meet climbers and most of them hold regular trips for you to join in on and begin devoloping your skills. lastly post your prospective trips on the partners board there are lots of other beginners out there for you to go out with and share your different level and areas of experience. Or pm me if your interested in climbing in the olympics and more than likely if I'm off I'll be game to do some light scrambling.

Forgot to ask can you give a brief description of access to worm flows and route. All I have right now is the old becky guide which doesn't offer much on helens. I'm sure with the right idea I can manage my way up safely. Oh yea I'm I right in the assumption that it is best for spring sking to take place just after the sun breaks for best snow condition and avy condition or at late evening when its cooling down?

Thanks, I actually fell for the idea of AT as I snowshoed down from the ridge just east of pinnical and castle (as per mattp). Please feed me more. I have too much time off and new skis that need a salty look before next winter.

What are some good first time/first season AT tours. I was thinking of making St Helens my first any route recommendation or other options you to suggest.

Just got a great deal on titanal 3 bindings but the minimum boot length they accept for XL(the only size left) is the exact size of my boots 330mm. Can anyone see where this may be a problem in the future. Should I return them and dish out the extra cash for the more accomodating smaller binding?

alex what glaciers would you suggest as relatively safe and easily accessed for practicing on?

love your trip reports and photos man keep them coming.

I'm considering doing ellinor sunday if you have it off. I am also trying to get a group to come along so we can practice some in the chute but if that falls through I'm game to just climb. Neither requires any rope work but both make nice short climbs to get out and enjoy the view.

Just got back from an excellent day up on ellinor practicing my axe arrest and doing a little glissading. The only thing that sucked is the glissade chute has been worn to a three foot deep rut in places making it feel much like like a bob sled course which was fun but hindered me pracitcing face first arrests. It was a blast though with snow roostertailing over me as I flew over several little "jumps". At the bottom I finally got around to building my first snow cave which really built my confidence in its durability. When I tried to wreck it jumping up and down just wouldn't do it. I ended up having to break it up with my shovel. I nice thought when you think of the random hiker not paying attention and walking over you. I am considering returning this weekend and testing different forms of snow anchors(flukes, pickets, bollards etc.) on the steep slopes to build confidence in their ability to hold me if I can manage to bum the equipment and find someone to join me. Any suggestions on safe methods to persue this. Would it be best to set up some form of belay or considering its a safe runout depend on axe arrest if the anchor fails. I'd hate to have a picket pop out and plant itself in my face. Anyone want to join me? I'll play crash test dummy number one.

My bad I missed the excellent progressing page posted earlier but the glacier question still stands and any other advice you can give.

I'm looking to get lots of alpine experinece this coming year but being a southern boy for the most part I have no glacier experience and I pretty much refuse to take a class being old school and figuring everyone should have a climbing mentor. The question is are there any safe glaciers or areas to go out solo and walk around to gain confidence on crampons or ice axe arrest. I'm assuming arresting on ice is much different than snow. And what about alpine "climbs" that are safe enough to build confidence and provide a progressing, build my confidence reading snow and avalanch hazzards.

Another nice thing is a temporary filling you can get from most dentist. Anyone who has lost a filling far from medical help can attest to the misery.

Not to knock you mrdoolittle but I hate when people bring up the over hydrating thing. I'm not a physician but a medic so if a doc wants to give me a contrary please do. It is extreemly hard to over hydrate. The only cases I've seen are people trying to "clean their system" for a piss test. If your exercising and drinking a constant flow of water to keep your urine clear and replacing all those vital minerals you should be without question ok. Just a pet peeve.

I agree with TBay. I wont bring anything I can improvise from stuff I already have. ie frame stays from your pack to make splints. Also consider this. Why do you need a thermometer. If the person has a fever you'll be able to feel it and treat with an antipyretic. If the fever is really high you'll notice somthing is not right and be concerned enough to get them the hell out of there. Just some things though expand your thought process for you kit.

I apologize for being late to this post but being a subject near and dear to me I cant resist. To say the least some of these posts disgust me. I completely respect and even sometimes agree with many of the anti war and critical posts but I cannot believe that there are people here who can make such ignorant and hateful comments about the loss of life that has happened in Iraq. Please debate even argue, come up with something productive and do what you can to make it work but dont attack the people who stand on the point of the spear and carry out a dirty job that they truly believe is protecting you and your right to "spray". I doubt more than a handful here have experienced the horror of war and what it can do to you. How it can haunt you and at times destroy you. All I ask is that you recognize and respect their sacrifice. Stay safe tele nut pm me and address and I'll smuggle you a pint.

if you read some cooking instructions on meals they define high altitude as over 6000 ft. never been at what I'd call high altitude but i'm sure pistachios and moom pies are just as tasty

Thanks for the bad-ass thread of replies. so many opinions to sort throught I think I just pick the toughest looking pair. As my climbing mentor used to say "Remember grasshopper its not the first one up its the one that looks the coolest doing it."