Adam__S

Cool TR and great pictures! Thanks! This is a bit off topic, but given that you were just (sort of) in the area-- does the trail marked on the usgs topo map going north the the border along the chilawack river go through to chilawack lake? Could one do an almost-loop with car shuttle starting at depot, traversing south on whatcom, then returning north on the trail?

In an effort to avoid the standard Eldorado approach and to visit Boston Basin, where I've never been, I'm considering traversing from Boston Basin to the Eldorado galciers. I have two questions about this route: 1) what is the climbing like on the steep section(s) getting over the ridge that separates boston and torment basins? I've read numerous tr's about people having trouble coming DOWN this area, but not about going up. I don't mind steepness and effort-- just trying to avoid sketchy stuff. 2) what would be involved in traversing from the top of the torment basin toward eldorado? (as opposed to the standard route dropping down to the basin draining eldorado and ascending the glacier) I camped on the ridge at the top of torment basin years ago, but don't have any decent photos or notes of whether it would be feasable to get from there to eldorado. thanks a ton for any advice!

I forgot to say, if you're interested email me at arsmith @ u . washington . edu, without all the spaces. I'm in Seattle, but willing to ship to wherever the small-footed on this list live.

Salomon boots, fits BC XA (back country X-adventure) bindings. Mens size 4.5/37 Euro. Used only a couple times, basically new. $50 obo. See attached picture.

Is the obstruction point road skiable? I'm betting that it is, but would appreciate any first hand information if you've been up there. thanks in advance.

Thanks. to answer my previous questions-- ranger at marblemount says the glacier is passable, the bivy sites at the col are legal, and they're part of boston basin xc zone ("since if you don't make it that's where you'll end up camping").

full and entertaining TR at: http://www.nwhikers.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=11523

Has anyone been up this route recently? Are the crevasses/moat passable? lastly, are there decent bivy sites at or near the top of the glacier, or does one have to camp in the basin? I'm thinking of trying to camp high, and loop back via the arm. thanks very much, adam

if you're still looking for easy climbs in the area (sort of) try thornton peak (peak between thornton lakes and mt. triumph). It's off hwy 20, in N. Cascades NP, so you'd have to backtrack from the mt. baker highway. Great views of the Pickets and close up of triumph, more of a high alpine hike and scramble than nearby dayhike trapper's peak, but still easy stuff. You can continue down the ridge rather than return to the trail, then drop down steep forest to the car to make it a loop. I did it in 10 hours of travel time last year, and I'm no speed demon.

As long as I'm asking route beta questions... What is the route from Stetattle Ridge(The ridge of Sourdough mountain and Elephant butte) that traverses below McMillan spire and above Azure lake like? Becky's guide shows it as a dotted line on one of his maps, but if he describes it, I missed it. The old Routes and Rocks guide describes it as fairly straightforward, but also puts a question mark in the middle, which doesn't inspire a lot of confidence. But surely people have done it several times since then. Any descriptions/advice would be much appreciated. Thanks.

any advice/recommendations/recent beta for attempting the ptarmigan traverse in the next few weeks? I read snafflehounder's recent TR, including the vague "impassible" report from the ranger. Anyone know what's supposedly impassible, and if it's really that bad? thanks...

check your PM box

Does anyone have any recent info on the approach or climb? The forest service website only has reports from march. Thanks in advance...

Does anyone have favorites for spring/summer snow climbing? I tried BD verglas plus, but they were soaked on the first glissade. thanks...

I have a very used, but still functional pair of xl crocs that are a bit too big. it sounds like you already have size large pair? if so, I'd be happy to trade. To clarify "very used": crampon holes patched with seam sealer, and velcro strips re-sewn to the gaiters in places.