Skeezix

Don't use your food bag for a pillow in your tent.

Republican agenda: tax breaks for the rich...free pass for Wall Street greed hogs...balance the budget on the backs of the teachers.

Reagan was a moron, and the teabaggers that love him have their heads up their asses.

I think somebody is missing the N Cascades.

The Ptarmigan Traverse is a good recommendation for this individual from NYC. Taking a partner along is also a good recommendation. I'd add that it would be a good idea to do a shakedown probe into the Pickets before attempting a solo grand traverse, in order to get a feel for the level of commitment of a Pickets trip.

Tasker's Savage Arena belongs in the top 10 imho. Tasker was both talented climber and writer. I really liked Mt. Analogue, but recognize that it's probably not everyone's cup of tea. I would vote to add Escape from Lucania by Dave Roberts, which recounts the epic 1937 climb of Mt. Lucania in the St. Elias Range by Brad Washburn and Bob Bates ...as well as their subsequent 156 mile bushwack through Alaskan wilderness back to civilization. Someone should start a northwest regional list. Nice job Plaid on this list.

There is little to no impact from locating your tent on snow, as long as the snow pack is thick enough to protect the underlying vegetation and your camp kitchen is on the snow as well. The photo from the trip report (above) shows a tent pitched on dry ground.

You guys had to have passed signs at the trailhead that spell it out pretty clearly that no camping is allowed at Cascade Pass. For thirty plus years a lot of folks have put a lot of time and effort into restoring the vegetation ground cover at Cascade Pass. One night of your tent pitched there potentially causes significant damage and is a setback to all of that work. There is no excuse for this act. Train wreck indeed!

Ha Ha! You are not...Colin Hailey!

This thread ...three thumbs up!

Not to mention that when you do get called out, it's to the Frickin' North Cascades!!!

Once feared Republican has fallen hard.

Hmmm... word is the EB down sweater leaks a lot of down. I could not live without my Nano pullover.

This is very cool. Like the pics from Mexico and S. America!

[video:youtube]

I can't track on that dude's pinkie finger. Too dexterous!

Mend quickly.

I knew Dallas when I started my teaching career at Anacortes High School. He is one of the big names in Northwest Mountaineering, but was a humble guy --easy to be around and ever enthusiastic for climbing. Known for authoring the climbers guide to Mt. Erie.

I remember it. Also a vague memory of a restaurant in Monroe. --Was it The Holiday Inn restaurant? Known for blueberry pancakes. Can't quite remember...

Sounds like fun... Be sure to poke the nose of your boat into Lightning Creek.

I've descended that N ridge... blech! My knees hurt just recalling it.

Climb Sahale.

There's also a funky little walk-in camp right by the Cascade Pass trailhead.

Car camping is available at Newhalem or nearby Goodell Creek CG. Hike up along Newhalem Creek for fishing... or hike down river along S shore of Skagit 1/2 mi. from Newhalem Camp and cast flies or hammered spoons for large Dolly Varden trout (catch and release only). Hike in Thornton Lakes trail (nearby to Newhalem Camp) for excellent fishing in lower or upper Thornton Lakes for cutts (Golden trout in upper Thornton Lk.). From camp at Newhalem, drive Cascade River Road to Cascade Pass trailhead for excellent day hike previously described. Intrepid fisherman can hike over Cascade Pass and drop in to Doubtful Lake on the E side for excellent fishing casting flies with a bubble or small spinners or spoons. As an alternative, there used to be a couple of semi-developed campgrounds along the Cascade River Road managed by ...DNR? Likely to be dusty along Cascade R. Road late summer.

Make Sahale Arm a loop hike by entering Boston Basin trail and traverse up to Sahale Arm from BB ...exit via Cascade Pass trail.