KaskadskyjKozak

I took my 10 year old up to Snoqualmie Pass on Monday, hoping for decent weather and a good hike. The plan was to do a loop hike: Melakwa Lake/Melakwa Pass/Snow Lake and bike back to the Denny Creek TH. We head up to Alpental around 9:30 and stashed our bikes. We then drove to Denny Creek TH, and started up at about 11. We made good time, arriving at Melakwa lake in just over 2 hours, with no rest stops. We stopped there and had lunch and a good rest before continuing on. The boulder hopping was a little tougher for my son, and we got off the climbers "trail" a few times - I've never been up there. Most of the snow was gone by now, with just a few patches remaining. We topped out at the pass at just before 3 pm - a good 1.5 hours from the lake. When we looked down we were surprised to see Chair Peak Lake was completely frozen over. Also, the terrain looked a bit sketchy, and the routefinding could have caused problems with little margin for error with sunset only 4.5 hours away. I could see Gem Lake, but wasn't sure how easy it would be to get around to the left side of it (my plan). Also, I couldn't be sure if there was a safe way to the right to drop down to Snow Lake earlier. At that point I set down my camera and it slipped from my fingers and went spinning down to the snow about 1/2 down to Chair Peak Lake. Well, I guess I'd get to see how sketchy the terrain was. For me no problem, but I'd catch hell if my son got hurt, so that sealed the deal. We turned around at 3:30 and got back to the car at 6:40, with a couple of rest stops along the way. Then it was off to Jayberry's in North Bend for pizza. Total elevation gain was around 3200 feet, and about 12+ miles round trip.

Well, this happened to me at the Tooth last May. Yes, it is a popular place - expect crowds. But we ran into a group of 10 from WAC - 2 leaders and 8 newbs. The "leaders" had topped out "pitch" one and were throwing the rope down to each of the 8 followers one by one. We chatted with the newbs to find out the situation, waited a little, and then ASKED if we could jump in between climbers and move past them. They were not thrilled about the request but acquiesced. We quickly climbed past them. I think they should have offered first, but I'm not about to sit and stew in silence if they don't. Later they hogged up the rap stations and would NOT let us go by. One of our guys gave them an earfull for that. I would agree in regards to the rap station. Thats just dumb. And I think what you did was exactly right, talk to them and find out whats going on and ask. And my experience is different because it was in leavenworth and I was soloing easy stuff albeit no one was climbing the cracks I was in, just ropes were there. I have yet to run into a group like that in the alpine. All in all, doing what you did is exactly what I was trying to get at, even if I had a round about way of doing it. Hats off to you sir - and the guy that gave them an earful. But one good thing about the mounties, is they replace old webbing with brand new stuff. I went and climbed ingalls monday evening just after a mountie group had left and a bunch of the rap stations were brand new. I hope they cut off and took some old "tat" too. I left some webbing myself this year... but it was 3-4 years old. Not exactly new.

Well, this happened to me at the Tooth last May. Yes, it is a popular place - expect crowds. But we ran into a group of 10 from WAC - 2 leaders and 8 newbs. The "leaders" had topped out "pitch" one and were throwing the rope down to each of the 8 followers one by one. We chatted with the newbs to find out the situation, waited a little, and then ASKED if we could jump in between climbers and move past them. They were not thrilled about the request but acquiesced. We quickly climbed past them. I think they should have offered first, but I'm not about to sit and stew in silence if they don't. Later they hogged up the rap stations and would NOT let us go by. One of our guys gave them an earfull for that.

It's irrelevant. If someone gets to a route first, and then tries to hog it the whole day, that's bullshit. The group monopolizing the route should politely offer any newcomers a chance to jump on the route if they want to.

umm, read what I wrote, and then dub yourself stupid. The term "peanut gallery" does not equate to "everyone", but certainly to a vocal minority here. For some reason you included yourself in that group, not me.

and there you have it

+1 The pathetic thing is that if the group "hogging" the route were Mounties, BoeAlps, or WAC, the peanut gallery would be blasting the route hogs rather than the author of this thread. CC.com consistency in action.

175, as usual

the same number have died in office of natural causes (4), and depending on how you want to look at it, many more probably died prematurely (within a few years) after leaving office, likely do to the stresses involved in the job (wilson and lbj surely qualify) Bill Clinton too. Man, that guy is aging fast. Hillary still looks pretty good for her age. I wonder what 4, or even eight years at the helm would do to her. I guess we'll never know. My (least) favorite "died in office" is Harrison. What kind of arrogant fuck gives a four-hour long inauguration speech in a downpour? Look at the "before" and "after" photo of just about any recent president and the profound effect of the office is obvious. They age way more than the 4 or 8 years in office. Carter, Clinton, and W all come to mind. Reagan looked pretty much the same but he was old to begin with and dyed his hair.

It's inevitable. The question will be asked, "what are your expectations of serving under John McCain?" Actually the guy on the left reminds me of Biden. Just sayin.

I think Palin is smarter than W. We'll see. Bring on the debates, bishes.

didn't W have like a 70% approval rating as governor of Tejas? just saying

embrace the suck

Biden is an "old man" as well folks.

There's always France for you Prole. I'll help pay for your one-way ticket.

What needs to happen before you completely blow a gasket? I anxiously await this amusement. They're all just upset that McCain's VP announcement interrupted their post-convention masturbation sessions and wilted their already-pathetic erections. They do seem to be a lot more "excited" about Obama than Palin, that is true. sickie

Credentials dont make a good leader. Obama is inspiring. Where McSame is .....well.....the same (as bush). not quite. Bush picked Cheney. Wanna bet McCain's cabinet is quite a bit different from Rumsfeld, Ashcroft, et ali?

This time I will beat you. Out of here in 20 minutes, bishes!

What needs to happen before you completely blow a gasket? I anxiously await this amusement.

Just think McCain will have finished his 2nd term, and Palin her first!

the joke's on YOU and your ILK, chump.

it's not nice to make fun of the mentally ill

keep on tokin', bro!

like smoking weed? And driving 56 in a 55 you really are convincing.