Zoran

Grivel have new line of lightweight crampons. Grivel Air Tech is one which will fit your needs perfectly. Have a look: http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER<>folder_id=667991&PRODUCT<>prd_id=744025&bmUID=1088603882019

I just got this message from one of tentmakers in Canada. Could you please give your comment/opinion about minimum waterproofness for 4-season tent? Thanks so much for your time. Zoran "Dear Zoran, Thank you for your e-mail inquiry. You bring up an interesting topic, one that is being discussed in the outdoor industry quite a bit. Many manufacturers seem to be chasing each other with thicker and thicker waterproof coatings on their tents. The idea being that more is better, and will mean better sales. Keep in mind that a higher waterproof rating means less breathability for the tent, something that is already problematic because of the specs of a 4-season tent. Also, every time another layer of PU coating is applied to a fabric, it weakens the fabric somewhat. These same manufacturers who are using higher waterproof ratings were using 1500-2000mm ratings for years on their mountaineering tents and promoting them as the best available. Due to the vulnerability of a nylon floor a ground sheet should be used, and this ground sheet will make up a big part of the waterproof characteristics of the floor as a whole. More and more waterproof coatings can eventually become redundant. As far as our tents matching the quality of other tents around, I am assuming you are referring to other 4-season tents. Our specs and quality match up very well to other manufacturers. Where they are spending a lot of money on 10,000mm coatings and advertising in magazines, we are not. And this difference is reflected in the retail price. If you need 2000 – 10,000mm waterproof coatings on you tent, these tents are available at a higher price. If not, our tents are ready for winter use, and available at a reasonable price. Best regards, ..."

Tantalus mentioned Freney Pro and they look very, very good. If you coming soon to Squamish or elsewere around Van, stop by MEC on Broadway and try them. http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER<>folder_id=710271&PRODUCT<>prd_id=739911&bmUID=1088431973540 I am hunting for boots too. I am not sure yet, what will be the best for me for mountaineering. So far I had Raichle leather boots and after 4 years of heavy use they are falling apart.

I agree with Fern. There will be a lot of day hikers but hut could be yours during the night. I was there three times so far (since May) and we were alone. My friend was very upset with little mice but I don't mind. Last time he was awake all night. I saw mouse at one moment. Cute little fella! If you like to sleep and rest after hard hike, tent is very good option. Your food will be safe and your partner will sleep better. Hut is in great shape. Z

Hello! Apologies for the broadcast e-mail. If the news in this message is useful or interesting, please forward to friends and associates, and post it. It contains news about: The Access Society's new website. Some current closures in the Squamish area, some on June 19th & 20th (this weekend). Highlights of other current news. New Website The Climbers' Access Society of B.C. is pleased to announce that it's new website is now operational. A. The new website is now visible at our old address - http://casbc.bivouac.com - and at www.casbc.ca. B. The new website - www.access-society.ca - is visible now, or should be in the next day or two (the usual technical glitches). This is the Access Society's new permanent web address. If you formerly went to our old website, it may take your server a day or two to learn that it should now look for www.access-society.ca instead - use http://casbc.bivouac.com or www.casbc.ca in the interim. The latter two addresses will eventually be discontinued, but for now all three will lead to www.access-society.ca. The website contains a great deal of information on public access to the cliffs and mountains of B.C., as well as about the Access Society. Please have a look at it. (Not all at once, perhaps!) We welcome: Corrections, additions, and new information. Suggestions on organization and content. Ideas on improving the site. We hope to eventually add a listserve for distributing information, a map-based system for finding information, on-line memberships and donations, gradual improvements to design and content, more photos, and other useful things. However, just maintaining the site and keeping it current may be a challenge - please remember that the site is designed and looked after by volunteers! The Access Society would particularly like to thank Mike Hengeveld, Conor Reynolds and Brock Wilson for their work in creating the new website, Phil Hollman for logo help, and Adrian Burke for his work on maintaining the old site. It may be a few days before the new e-mail addresses are functioning - info(at)access-society.ca, etc. Vertical Challenge – Grand Wall – June 19th & 20th This weekend Brad Zdanivsky, the first quadriplegic ever to return to climbing after a spinal cord injury, will attempt to climb the entire Grand Wall. He will be accompanied by volunteers from the Vertical Challenge Team. The line of ascent will largely be to the right of Grand Wall, but will cross over and use the last anchors on the Grand Wall before Bellygood Ledge, and the anchors where the Grand Wall reaches Bellygood. There will also be fixed ropes across Bellygood before and during the climb. This is necessary because a lot of equipment and volunteers are required, and a weekend is the only workable window. Brad’s ascent may affect other climbers on Grand Wall. If you plan to climb it this weekend, the Vertical Challenge Team apologizes for any inconvenience. They ask that climbers plan their ascents appropriately, and respect any gear that is fixed for Brad’s climb. They also recommend that climbers avoid the final two pitches of Grand Wall (before Bellygood) on both Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Brad plans to begin climbing at 9:00 AM on Saturday, bivouac on Bellygood Ledge that evening, and on Sunday climb the wall above Bellygood to the top, before rappelling. More information on the climb is at www.verticalchallenge.org/news.htm, or (604) 730-2723. Fit, energetic volunteers are needed to help with the ascent, both during the week before, as well as Saturday morning and Sunday afternoon. If you can help, contact Brad at vertical(at)intergate.ca, or the number above. Volunteers need not be climbers or have climbing equipment. There will be a barbeque on Sunday afternoon for volunteers. Smoke Bluffs (Squamish) & Test of Metal (June 19th) The annual Test of Metal mountain bike race will be on Saturday June 19th. The route will include Loggers’ Lane and at least part of the Smoke Bluffs parking lot. Both Loggers’ Lane and the parking lot may be closed to all use that day, until the race is over. Climbers would have to park a short distance away and walk. There are continuing discussions as to how usage, safety and other issues can best be balanced - if you're climbing at the Bluffs this weekend, there may be parking restrictions. There will also be a climbing-related fundraiser at Squamish this weekend. The Edge Climbing Centre has loaned it’s mobile climbing wall to Valhalla Pure Outfitters. The wall will be open to anyone who wants to try climbing, for $2.00/person, all proceeds to Squamish Search & Rescue. Saturday (19th) at the Loggers’ Sports Grounds, Sunday (20th) at Squamish Station mall. Volunteer belayers are needed both days. Call Murray Sovereign at (604) 892-9092, or squamish(at)vpo.ca if you can help. Sea-to-Sky Highway – Culliton-Cheakamus Work on the Culliton-Cheakamus section of the highway continues, and should be finished in autumn 2004. Climbers using the Conroy Creek forest service road should comply with all posted restrictions on use of the road and the parking area. They may be closed during the week (including evenings), due to blasting, storage, and use by heavy machinery. If so, please park where permitted off the highway, and walk from there. Make sure workers know you’re there, do what you’re asked, be polite, and don’t get in the way. The road may be open on weekends, though it may be rough, and there are restrictions at the parking area. If you climb anywhere in the Culliton-Cheakamus project area, there are significant public safety concerns, at all times. The risks include blasting and heavy equipment use, as well as crews having to manage climbers while work is underway. If you are climbing anywhere in the work section, or nearby, please obey all posted restrictions, and heed what workers ask. Those big, freshly blasted rocks didn’t land on and near the Gorge, the Gym, Rehab Project, and Sport Temple by chance. There are frequent short daytime/weekday closures in the Culliton-Cheakamus section, and many evening and night time closures – check for updates at 1-877-472-3399, or at www.seaktoskyimprovements.ca. Much but not all of the blasting occurs at night – evening climbing at Chek this summer may not be the best idea, especially in the Gorge/StarChek area - workers may not know you're there when blasting, or be able to find and warn you. The Access Society is quite concerned about possible damage to cliffs, and deposition of blasted (loose) rock on or near cliffs. We are discussing these issues, and management of climbers' access to the area, with the project managers. Access Society Address Access News #38, our newsletter, was recently mailed, together in many cases with membership application or renewal forms. The Access Society's address was omitted from some. It is: Box 72013 - 4479 West 10th Vancouver, B.C. Canada V6R 4P2 In the Shadow of the Chief - Television Premiere The television premiere of the award-winning documentary, "In the Shadow of the Chief", will be on Thursday July 8th at 7:00 PM on CBC British Columbia. The film is about the first ascent of the Grand Wall on the Stawamus Chief in 1961. More information at www.fringefilmworks.com. Thank you! Anders Ourom (president) (604) 228-1798 ps It's not access-related, but Arc'Teryx's annual sale of seconds and discontinued products will be this Saturday and Sunday, June 19th & 20th, 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM, at it's outlet store at 2770 Bentall Street in Vancouver.

Last weekend I said I will go to Mt. Hozomeen, North Peak but weather was not cooperating. I even promissed to write report for board. Big mouth! Anyway, we pushed through bad weather on Sunday to Black Tusk and turned back by thick fog, snowstorm and high winds at 2100m (we were not enough keen to go for summit ...) This weekend, I will be more careful and say that three of us maybe will enjoy driving to Paradise Valley, maybe sleep there in the camp, maybe hike to Camp Muir, rest, cook and camp there all day. Maybe we will see summit of Rainier on the Sunday morning. If everything is OK you will MAYBE see report on Monday. Regards, Zoran

I ski on Denali's for two seasons now. I found them very, very stiff and hard for walk (approach on Mt. Adams this spring was tough!) I am ready to replace them with something lighter and more comfortable for approach and climbing. I was looking for new Dynafit TLT4's but I am happy to see Adrenalin. Do you have price tag now? Cheers.

It's mostly biking stuff but if you passing through Vancouver at this time you can check it out. This is message from Cate: Hi, We’re having a sample sale! June 30th 12-7pm – lots of great stuff at wholesale prices and below. Tell your friends! 1535 W 3rd Avenue Vancouver BC Cate Rodrigue Andrea Dillon & Associates T.604-738-4949 F.604-738-4993 Sample Sale June 30th 12-7pm Sample sizes are medium – men’s and women’s: we have shoes, shorts, jerseys, shells, gloves…. Tifosi Sports Sunglasses ($15-$25) Vasque Shoes, Jansport Bags, MSR Tents, Therm-a-rests and other goodies! Bring a friend! 1535 West 3rd Avenue Vancouver (Fir & 3rd, next to Culinary Capers, across from OK Tires) Cash Only ATM in Market on corner of 2nd and alley adjacent to building

Hozomeen North Peak ... I'll write report on Monday. Z

You asking where sale is? It's in Vancouver, BC in Arc'teryx Outlet store. Contact is here: ARC'TERYX Equipment Inc. 2770 Bentall St. Vancouver, British Columbia Canada V5M 4H4 Ph: 604.451.7755 Fx: 604.451.7705 Tf: 1.800.985.6681 bird@arcteryx.com

I hope I am posting this in right forum? Gear sale! At the outlet store in Burnaby on June 18-20, 2004. P.S. Even tough is 50% off for all stuff, most of us just have quick look and chat with nice and polite Americans who usually make 90% of line to the cashier. But, that is OK! I have Alpha jacket and Khamsin 62 and those two things are the best gear I ever had in my mountaineering life. Enjoy shopping and see you there. Zoran

Interesting slide show in Vancouver: "Hello, We would like to invite you for another of our popular evenings of slides and stories on June 16th! Dave Sarkany will be presenting images and stories from a variety of his past wilderness trekking adventures into the South Coast Mountains and Chilcotin Mountains. Please join us at 6:30 pm at 1367 W. Broadway in Vancouver. The show is free and you are welcome to bring along your friends and family! Dave has been exploring BC’s mountains for the past 2 decades, and has collected some stunning images as well as some great stories from trips into the Randy Stoltmann Wilderness, a traverse of the Niut Range in the Western Chilcotin, Chilko Lake and Ts’ylos Park and the Griswold Pass region from the South Chilcotin mountains. You can also find out more info about these trips at www.themountainschool.com/trek.html. Please email or call to let us know if you will be attending. Thanks, and we hope to see you there!" Canada West Mountain School www.themountainschool.com Vancouver number 604-878-7007 Toll free in Canada 1-888-892-2266

I see ... I am new Canadian. Originally I am from Europe. I have to admit that whenever I see hut, my heart start beating faster. Here in the mountains, so many times I see 5-6 tents around empty hut!? Back home that hut will have permanent custodian, beautiful kitchen with muffins, beer and hot soup. If you didn't finish your climb for any reason you will leave your gear there and come next weekend. Everybody will know you by your name, were are you from and your climbing abilities. So, I learned my lesson here. I carry my bivy sack or tent most of the time, but periodically I go in just to see old fashioned way of mountaineering. I better stop or I will start crying. Z

I climbed in Squamish late Friday afternoon with my friend Raphael. We did few top roping climbs in Burgers and Fries and we practiced leading on one 5.7. Saturday and Sunday I spent with my friend Marjan pushing hard to climb Northeast Arete of Mt. Wedge, Whistler area. We retreated in heavy snow storm just above 7000 ft. We had great time anyway. Hut was deserted because weekend forecast was not promising. For a first time we ate all food we had and we slept more than on 5 previous overnight climbs. Regards, Zoran

I skied Adams with few friends on Canada's Victoria Day (May 22,23) and St. Helen's on 24th. We did South route, not Mazama glacier. It was cold, hot, sunny, rainy and we had snowstorm on the way back. Everything! Overall it was good trip. We met few climbers. Most of the others were on skis and snowshoes. regards, Zoran

I participated in BCMC climbing camp in 2001. To cut the cost we camped above hut near the lake. Beautiful area! We climbed a lot and the best rock-climb was on Ironman. It was one of the great 5.7-5.8 with exit above 3000m. View from the summit was stunning! When you see that you will go next season to Mt. Sir Sandford area to climb Turret or Blackfriers. Don't hesitate tu much, just go! Regards, Zoran