ridgeline

I'm assuming the fabric is no longer in production for this tent but does not prevent distributors from selling available inventory. i.e. no recall on the product so I confident I should still be able to find one. but before i save up the $$$ is the question. Or just wait for the next great fabric to come along.....

According to IDs website their eVent version of the MK series is no longer available. Wonder why?? And I was going to buy one this spring. AAARRGGHH! How are those BD firstlight tents working for people in high winds? Good 4 season choice?

How do people feel bike training compares to running in relation to alpine climbing preparation? I am interested in substituting biking for running as I've long felt, with no hard evidence, that running is the best form of training but have been injured so many times -sprained ankles, knee issues, etc. - that I am rethinking this approach. Theoretically shouldn't biking get me the same cardio stress (VO2 max) as running but without the stress? And of course incorporating lots of hiking i was hoping to severly decrease my running routine with no noticable loss in fitness for alpine climbing. Your experiences and input are appreciated

With the recent accidents, I’ve been thinking about why some climbers spend years, even most of their lives, in the mountains with few serious incidents and why other’s lives are claimed rather early. I’ve tossed around the more experience, better gear, fitness, luck, theories and in reality we probably can not point to 1 reason for why people die in mountains. I used to feel that the primary skill that separated good climbers from dead ones is their ability to assess objective hazards and keep their egos in check and know when to call no joy and go home. But, I’ve thought about it so much, I’m not even sure of that any more. Any theories why people die in the hills and others do not? If it comes down to a skill or something else I can control, I want to either have that skill or get it real soon.

Never saw the rope until our decent. Tough to explain and tough to see from the ascent side. I think it's probably 300 feet below the headwall on the rock band (left hand side of course).

No one locally can seem to make it (new England). Anyone out there interested in climbing Ranier this summer – preferably late May, early june? I typically would not make a trip to meet up with someone I’ve never climbed with before, but I’m really itching to get out there. I’m an intermediate level climber I guess. Pretty good fitness, building my tech skills. Been climbing rock and ice for 2 years – lead easier routes (5.6 rock, NEI3- ice). Very flexible on specific routes, but wouldn’t mind getting at least a couple on the big hill (or any other hill for that matter). Liberty ridge is of interest. PM or email me jeffsaintg at yahoo.com

haha Griz. Great point. I completely agree with most of your thoughts on allowing for time and acclimating. I wasn't trying to imply I would not do this (allow re-reading my post, it does sound that way). Anyway - maybe I'll see some of you up there.

Mr. Random- You soloed the ribb or the butt? I'm trying to get more beta on the ribb. I have also read not to discount the butt and that it is a pretty nice route and if one goes early enough there should not be too many people. Any experiences on the ribb or opinions on the butt also appreciated.

Reading the past Climbing issue on coverage of Denali (which was quite honestly very disappointing) it puts the average up and down time of the West Butt at 22 days. The West Rib says a week of acclimating on the West Butt, plus 5-7 days of climbing the route - total of @2 weeks. Is the West Rib really (on average) a faster route than the Butt? Also, for those of you that have climbed the hill - any of you go in great shape, have great weather and complete the journey in under 2 weeks? I've gone from sea level up to 17K previously in @ 3 days and was "o-k". I'm wondering what amount of time to allow for (read: vaca time from work) for Denali - given good weather which i know can NEVER be predicted. thanks!