Blakej

Dru I'm not the most experienced in bear country so please contradit. In general don't bears stay where there is easy traveling and plentiful food not craggy peaks?

you guys suck. I've worked 60 hours this weeks I need to get a life outside these monotinous (sp) hours.

If your going to be above the tree line I dont think you would need to worry about anything but rodents and in that case you could put in under some heavy rocks and some dirt to cover the majority of the scent I think. Other than that the only thing I can think of is some type of large pvc you might pick up at lowe's or the like. You can get caps for the 5-6 inch wide tubes and if you use staples such as rice and oat meal they should conform well to the tube. The only disadvantage I can see is packing out the weight.

bill are you the one that got to that sale before me. Shame one you taking advantage of a poor kid trying to scrounge for a new toy. Any idea who made it or how to get another?

Anyone for doing some climbing next thursday. Light alpine or moderate rock. I dont do trad yet but I'd be up for some sport or just to work on some good top ropes. I need to get on some good rock.

I was told the road should be open far enough to skin in but like you said beginner, solo, glacier. I wanted to be sure and as you've raised the question I think I'll avoid it without a partner. As for this weekend I have to make a trip to portland unfortunately no climbing involved.

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.

can you use paypal separate from e-bay. Thought they were joined at the hip but then again I've never tried.

Amazing almost the exact same deal but the guy sold it a little better in the beginning not playing the you give me the difference bit till a little later. I've still got this asshole stringing along as I'm hoping the FBI can nail him. I get just a little pissed when someone tries to screw me over.

Just a heads up to you guys selling I recently had an offer on my boat which I was selling through several sites so I cannot identify which site it originated from but I was told by the FBI (after some conditions of the deal began to get fishy I was refered to them) that it was most definately a fraud or money laundering situation. Basically watch out for buyer out of country, offering suspiciously more than your item is worth used and the big hit asking you to accept a larger amount than agreed and then forwarding the difference to them for whatever reason they give. This last one the "money maker" for them sounds obvious but my guy actually had a very believably story given how obvious it seems in retrospect so beware.

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?

No problems here either he hooked it up with a great deal to start my rack. Thanks Jon

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.