BreezyD

I'm partial to THRONG!

Ended up going for the Petzl Corax, climbed in it for the first time last night and loved it. Thanks for all the great tips. B

What a blast. Laura, you are my hero - thanks again for organizing. Pictures in my gallery ... sample shot of Laura in action ....

What a blast. Laura, you are my hero - thanks again for organizing. Pictures in my gallery ... sample shot of Laura in action ....

I am leaving Seattle at approx. 4:30ish, picking up Chris in Capitol Hill and Marie in Issaquah. If you live near either of those areas and want to join us, PM me to coordinate!

Agreed Dryad ... I have the alpine bod for just that purpose but I don't want to sit it for any length of time! Thanks for the feedback, everyone. Heading out at lunch today to pick one up.

I am about to buy my first rock harness and wanted to milk y'all of your harness opinions. I am looking for a women-specific model with fully adjstable leg loops. Which have you tried and loved? tried and hated? Any feedback appreciated. B

So I got back from my Intro to Rock class this afternoon even more amped to get up there and learn a few tricks of the trade from you hard women. Icegirl - you rock for pulling this together in a way that allows beginner folk (like myself) to get around those that know the sport! Snowbyrd - Thanks for the info ... I'll look into it. Looking foward to it! B

Yeaow ... Many thanks to Icegirl for assuring me that I am not a liability despite my lame lack of skills! I am going to try my hardest to make it and hopefully take a few notes from y'all. Can someone shoot me some more detailed directions and whereabouts as I will be coming more on the 5:00 ish side? Thanks! Brianna

Agreed, dmuja ... That is what Greg, Tim and I did. I think that it's the only reason I felt as good as I did. Next time I will try and get the rest of the team to join my Muir party! B

Climb: Mt. Rainier-Disappointment Cleaver Date of Climb: 7/11/2004 Trip Report: After practically being blown down the Cowlitz by 90 mph winds in 1998, my Dad and I decided to take another stab at Rainier this year. We scrapped a team together and have been climbing together since about April. This was my second attempt at Rainier. Greg, Tim, and I made it up to Camp Muir on Friday afternoon and set up camp in relatively good weather. The rest of our team would join us on Saturday so we spent most of Saturday hanging out and chatting with other teams. The rest of the team, Lisa, my Dad (Doug), and Brian, made it up to Muir Saturday afternoon. We hit the tents at 6:30 for our 1:30 summit attempt. When 1:30 rolled around, the winds had picked up and were pretty gusty but we decided to go for the summit anyway. We started out across the Cowlitz Glacier and scrambled up through Cathedral Gap. At the top of Cathedral Gap, Lisa was feeling pretty sick and decided that the summit was out of the question. We changed rope teams and my Dad took her back down to camp. The remaining four of us headed up the mountain after rearranging the rope order. We made our way up to Ingraham Flats in the moonlight and traversed across to the bottom of Disappointment Cleaver. The temperatures were cold, the route solid, and ascended the clever with little difficulty. While on the cleaver, we were treated to the most gorgeous sunrise that turned the entire mountain a vibrant pink and cast a warm glow across the clouds in the valley below. Near the top of the cleaver, Brian started to get a severe headache and was experiencing leg fatigue so at the top of the cleaver, the decision was made that the safest move was to take him back down to camp and forget about trying to summit. It was a tough decision to make because the rest of us felt really strong and we knew that given a few more hours, we would be at the summit. It was made even tougher by the amazing weather and insane views which would only get better as we got higher! As we started to head back down, Brian's headache, and his spirits, started to improve. After a short lunch in the warm sunshine back at Ingraham flats, we headed back down to Muir. I was disappointed in not making the summit ... but at the same time ... I had an amazing time in a gorgeous place with some of my great friends. Additionally, I had the opportunity to climb higher that I ever have before ... a new personal best! All in all ... the trip was a total success in my mind. Plans are underway to take another shot at it ... 3rd time's a charm? I was reminded of the following things this weekend: 1) Your team is only as strong as your weakest member. 2) Fruit leather freezes at 12,000 ft. 3) If you laugh too hard for too long while you are at altitude, sweet dizziness sets in. 4) If I could marry the mountains, I would. Gorgeous and unpredictable ... what more could a girl want? Some pictures in gallery if anyone is interested in taking a gander. Gear Notes: Standard glacier gear.

Ditto Snugtop ... I have wondered that for years. I say we start a revolution ... B

This was the scene on the 4th near the top of Pilchuck where we sat back, ate apricots, and took in the fireworks in the valley below.

You all rock! Thanks for the kick-ass ideas ... now I will be dining in style! B

Wat kind of eatin' you talking about NOLSe?

That sounds like a challenge ... what you got for me Dru? B

Perfect, thanks. B

Bored of my alpine cuisine and trying to get some new ideas. Anyone want to hit me with their favorites? Thanks! B

Robert - We were the group of three tents closest to the toilets. What a choice spot! I saw your megamid down slope ... had I only known it was a fellow cc.comer down there ... I would have popped in to say hello! B

Climb: Mt Baker-Coleman/Deming/Roman Wall Date of Climb: 6/26/2004 Trip Report: After a defeat two weekends ago due to weather and poor visibility, our group headed back up to Baker to take another stab at it. Weather was great Saturday a.m. as we made our way to our 7000' camp. Conditions were good, some crevasses opening up on the lower Coleman, but otherwise made for good walking. I was impressed to find that they had installed toilets at the 7000' camp. You would be hard pressed to find a toilet with a better view than up there on that ridge! The weather came in during the afternoon and limited visibility until after dinner when things cleared up again and we got a clear view of the summit. I woke on Sunday morning to my Dad saying "Bri, you've got to get out here and look at the city lights and the stars." Those were the sweetest words I have ever heard. Overnight, all of the weather had cleared and we had clear skies for miles. Left camp at 4:00 a.m. and made our way up the upper Coleman to the saddle. A few crevasses to jump and debris to circumnavigate en route made the journey fun and interesting. We took our time on the way up, enjoying the dawn light and scenery. The cool conditions made for great cramponing up most of the route. After a quick break at the saddle, we headed up the Roman Wall and summited around 8:30 a.m. The weather was perfect on the summit allowing us to linger, eat, photograph, and rest for well over an hour until we decided it was time to head down before things heated up too much. Descended the Roman Wall with great conditions. Below the saddle, the crampons came off when the snow turned to slush. Between the heat of the morning, and the crappy snow conditions, it made for a long slog back to camp. After a quick lunch, we packed up and headed out, blazing down the trail to the cars ... and the beer! Couldn't ask for a better trip! I posted some photos in my gallery for those interested. Side Note: On the way out, we started hearing helicopters circling the mountain. Once back into Glacier, we ran into mountain rescue who told us that there was an injured climber on the north side of the mountain that they were trying to pluck off the hill. For whatever reason, the helicopters couldn't pick him up directly so they dropped personnel at the ski area that were making their way up there. Keeps you mindful of the fact that you just never know what is in store when you head to the hills. Gear Notes: Standard Glacier Gear

It's all about the journey, man.

Obviously not given directly to me by Winston, but I think this is a stellar statement .... "Success is the ability to go from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm." -Winston Churchill

Lightweight and reliable perferred! Has anyone done research on this and ... if so ... which one came out on top? Have you had great field experiences with any specific models? Much appreciated .... Brianna

Sorry, next step up on Rainier. Should have included that I suppose.

In your opinion, what would be a good "next step up" from the Ingraham/DC route in difficulty and technical skills utilized? Thanks in advance ... B