jport

I'm researching the Carbonate Range and International Basin in Canada. Can anyone tell me the road conditions and/or approach possibilities into this area?

15 hours! You guys were cruisin! Nice work!

Looks like a fun group! Glad you had a good time! Ditto on the photo props.

Also, I was wondering if you can double-rope rap from the top to the base of the north face. I'm not sure if a 60-meter rope would reach...? Looks like that would be an awesome airy free rap!

We didn't have to contend with the moat at all. There's actually a nice ledge system (of rock) that leads from the gully to the base of the first pitch.

Earlier in the season, you should have no problems. Consider hitting the south side in the winter... completely different experience!

Idahoan "Loaded" Potato flakes (sold in a pouch) and tuna (from a pouch). Serve with a few tortillas. You'll be bursting for only a few dollars.

Nice work brah!

I'll be climbing Mt. Cruiser this weekend, via the Needle Pass approach. I'm considering hitting Cruiser, then (time-permitting) climbing The Needle. I was wondering if anyone can give me info. about climbing The Needle. The guidebook has a very brief description that notes a single 130-foot lead. It grades it: 1, fourth-class. Any additional info. would be useful. Thanks!

Dan, the mosquitos in Jeff Park are ridiculous right now! Of course the scenario is beautiful, but constantly having to swat mosquitos is a hassle. Once above Jeff Park, they weren't as bothersome, but still present. The California Tortoiseshell Butterflies are migrating over the summit ridge by the tens-of-thousands... surreal experience! Billcoe, there are a some spots to place gear... few and far between, though. Psychological pro. more than anything. Best advice: Don't fall.

Route overview (photo taken 7/7/07):

Heading up there this weekend! We'll see what we can do with the moat. I'll post what we find and/or our solution next week.

Climbed to the summit yesterday (7/8/07). The snow bridge across the bergschrund is now completely gone. The entire schrund is open. We ended up climbing along the far right (west) side of the glacier and crossing the schrund below the rocky pinnacle to the west of the saddle. Not sure how much longer that crossing will be intact... with the hot weather approaching- probably no more than 1 more week.

Nice! Looking forward to hitting the Jeff Park route this weekend!

Indeed, there is an active "Explorer Post" group in the Portland-area (technically we are classified as a "Venture Crew"). We currently have about 35 teenage members and 20 adult advisors. Find out more at: www.post58.org We are always grateful to receive gear donations... there are lots of youths out there ready to climb!

It's definitely worth some kind of coverage. While travelling in New Zealand in 2005, I had $2,000 worth of gear nabbed from our rental van! I was foolish enough to hope that nothing would happen. When it did, I had to eat the loss... OUCH!

Thanks for the info. anjali! There's also lots of great cross-country scrambling throughout the Eagle Cap Wilderness. Pick a trailhead, hike a few miles and see what you can find. After seeing the west face of the Matterhorn, I'm intrigued by the possibilities... crumbly rock, though. Many of the taller mountains (such as Eagle Cap, Sacajawea, and the Matterhorn) have easy hiking alternatives to the top. If you've never been, it is a very scenic range! Definitely a "must-see"!

Better to have the gear and not use it, than to have to sacrifice the climb due to lack of proper equipment.

After some more online research, I've found out that the Killen Creek trailhead is inaccessible because of snowpack and/or flood damage. From the forest service website: http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/recreation/current-conditions/mta-climbing-report.shtml

Planning to climb on the north side of Mt. Adams this weekend. Anyone been on that side recently? How were snow conditions? Any info. on the North ridge descent would be helpful, too. Thanks!

Washburn and Bates' experience on Lucania and their epic hike to civilization are glowing examples of resourcefulness, decision-making, and fortitude. May we all be able to muster such strength in the face of adversity. RIP, O' Pioneer!

Was there any adverse affect from the mirazyme on the shoes' rubber?

Lots of blue sky in those photos... looks like the lucked out with the weather, eh? I'd love to read a TR. Congrats!

Last Saturday was an amazing day on the mountain. It's rare to be one of only two climbers to summit Hood on a day. Definitely a huge contrast from any day in May or June!

Ditto, AR Guy!... keep it simple. I think we should all go back to humping around single-compartment, canvas rucksacks.