Dr_Crash

The R&I (and climbing) sucks thread made me wonder if you guys have some feedback about subscribing to Alpinist magazine. Who has, and is happy or unhappy with it, and why? drC

Thanks guys. drC

I'm planning to go (w/o kids or guns). It'll be my first time at Leavenworth, can any of you guys help me understand where the things are happening? The RockFest Web page mentions for example: "Meet at the Barney's rubble climbing area on Icicle Road (Mile 5.5 up Icicle Road from Icicle Junction)." I have no idea where that'd be. Is camping free both Friday night and Saturday night? Might be easier to drive Friday pm than early Saturday. drC

So I am trying to get a list of good quality watches that will do altimeter plus heart rate monitor (I'd like to avoid having two watches). Prices are from Froogle. Suunto X3HR $169 Suunto X6HR $330 (and the X6HRM) Suunto Advizor $265 Polar s720 $253 What else? Any feedback on the different models? TIA, drC

I'd be interested if the price is decent. drC

Very nice line! If you need company in another trip there, please please please consider me... drC - Ski often!

Would Mountain Sole do a job such as putting Vibram on the sole of an alpine ski boot so that the boot would still be within the DIN binding norm? A bit of rocker would be nice too but just a sole would already be great. drC

That really sucks. Mountains are tough. I totally understand his aunt's quote. My uncle couldn't stop climbing either, until a mountain claimed his life and his guide's. Have a good thought for the survivors, guys. drC

Dude, get a map of Mt Adams (if USGS quads, it's two maps), that will help with the above two questions as well as be useful for the climb... (And yes I'd answer if I had my maps right around here, but I don't, and I haven't made a trip there yet, sorry...) drC

Climb: Mt Rainier-Nisqually Chutes Date of Climb: 5/16/2004 Trip Report: Sunday, we decided to head to Mt Rainier to ski Paradise Glacier. However, the visibility was not really with us, as this magnificent shot of Rainier from the road shows: So instead we decided to forego the glacier and go ski the Nisqually Chutes instead. The chutes are about 3,000 feet above Paradise, and I was told were really fun to ski. We were a party of 6 and found 4 friends on the parking lot, and decided to combine our trips to make one. So here we go, slogging along towards Panorama Point... After a while, we decide to boot up to gain the upper ridge. I am not a big fan of booting up with G4s and Trekkers on my back... ... but some people apparently love the boot up: Anyway, we resume the slogging, and slog, and slog, and slog... We finally reach the entrance to the chute we were to ski. Kim checked the snow conditions on that aspect. And we went for a few nice turns. Different people have different styles (Damn, can't make this one work: http://tinyurl.com/2lhba is a link to Webshots; maybe try this link instead). After all that fun and these precious minutes of skiing, time to get on the skins again... And reach the parking lot. The day was spent in light rain and fog, with a bit of snow thrown in at higher elevations... drC Gear Notes: G4s + Trekkers. Ugh.

Bump. I learned about the OEC when I was considering volunteer ski patrol last year (went with teaching skiing instead), and since then have thought of either doing that or an EMT. Pros and cons of both? I can't find much info about the OEC on the Web either, any pointers? Finally, if I went the EMT route, would you recommend a college on the east side (live in Redmond), it could be more convenient for me. Thanks! drC

Nice. Note that all your homepage pics still link to your old site. drC

Are you saying a carabiner on a rappel sling is free for the taking, but not a rap ring? Sounds weird to me. I'd leave the biner on for the next guys. RE: the replacement question. I don't know if you were attacking the Mountaineers org or anybody who claims to be a mountaineer (no capital) and doesn't enhance places (s)he uses heavily... In any case, sounds like people who spend a lot of time at an established spot could try to see if Climbing's anchor replacement initiative program would work with them. I'm new to that whole thing but I'll gladly contribute some time if needed. So will you to justify your existence, right? drC

At the very bottom of the second page, it says: That would be a way to get the answers you want. drC

NOLSe, I guess my re-ply was slightly off topic as this will be my basic hiking/skiing/camping kit. As you pointed out, I should then customize it depending on what I do. And there's an Accidents in Mountaineering book on my way somewhere in a USPS truck. drC

As of last week-end, the choice is between a 3/4 mile walk before snow if starting from Marble Mountain Sno Park, or having to leave the car on the road 3-4 miles before Climber's Bivouac because of snow and go from there. My trip that week-end got cancelled, so I'll wait for Climber's Bivouac to open and see whether one can ski from there or not when they open. drC

For 1-2 days trip for 1 person, has anybody used that 3.5 oz kit? There is also a 6.5 oz 1-4 days / 1-2 person kit. Throw maybe a SAM splint somewhere else in the pack (one per party, only if going far) and you'd be set. The splint may not even be necessary if wood is easy to find. I'm thinking of getting the small one for myself. drC

Very nice. I'd be up for a tour if some of you guys want to go. My small tours partner blew his knee heliskiing drC

Maybe because we have more English majors here? Here's to education drC

Is that an invitation to go climbing with you? drC

Climb: Naches Peak, Chinook Pass- Date of Climb: 5/9/2004 Trip Report: Gear Notes: Just your regular heavyweight backcountry setup (G4s + Trekkers). Approach Notes: We left a car a few switchbacks down from the pass, and took the other one to the pass itself. Went up to Naches Peak, then skied down to the car we left at the bottom. Weather was changing a lot (covered; sunny; misting; slightly graupeling; you name it). Snow looked yummy on the southern exposures next to the false summit, but the descent we made was in very very very wet mashed potatoes. But hey, skiing is always great. drC

I did climb climb climb!!! Not for too long because you wouldn't think I'm efficient right off the bat, would you? But I spent a couple of hours at Vertical World with a friend after fleeing Marymoor which we reached just when the downpour started today... I tried plenty of shoes, and the findingsd are: I need a 1/2 bigger size with Mad Rock and then they're okay; 5.10 fit me likely the best at my street size or 1/2 size less (large toebox, narrow heel, and sturdy arch support) but the model I tried (Spire) felt a bit weird somehow: too boxy maybe; and I am okay in a pair of Mythos one full size down my street size instead of the 1 1/2 I tried initially. That's what I got (size 40), and they better not stretch too much on my right foot, okay, or that guy will not be snug enough. I think after stretching them a bit I'll be fine with them for long periods of time. For now I have to remove them after a while. Back to the TR. I loved it! Really nice, and I'll try to climb once a week or more from now on with my friend, outdoors whenever possible, and soon on real rock rather than a wall. Tried stuff ranging from 5.6 to 5.8, had a lot of stuff, and finally gave up when my arms got too tired (that lack of efficiency again) to get my fat butt closer to the wall on that slightly overhanging route. Thanks guys for your patience with me. You ! drC

Hmm. I tore my arch on my right foot a few years ago and it still gives me burning sensations on some days. I may need some support. I am also hoping that actually climbing will strengthen that arch and make it stop hurting but have no idea, really. (Just like I hope that continuing to ski like a maniac will help my knees stop hurting .) drC

Thanks gripped. Are velcros about the same as lace up re: all day wear? drC

Oh yes we're getting ripped here, that's for sure. Same for skis, and most of the recreational equipment. For many brands we're even getting ripped compared to Canada, let alone Europe! The $120 (just reduced from $137) Mythos can be ordered from TP and Cham3S for a whopping $83 plus overseas shipping and these are the obvious places, not the cheapest ones probably. Sometimes I think I should have accepted that job in Paris but then, I like the immediacy of accessing the outdoors here much better (even with 4 less weeks of vacations). Where is Dryad picking up shoes, and when? I'm going to France in June. drC