knelson

Not a good beer, but at least a beer.

Dogs. Peanut butter. Good stuff... But seriously, glad to see after almost a decade folks still realize that having fun is what's important. Challenges and speed are cool, but it's a personal challenge, rignt?

Funny I should see this post after not being around for probably 10 years! I think it's a lot of things, but the young folks are going to gravitate toward social media. I was just talking out loud trying to remember my login here, mentioned it to the wife, and my 11-year old overhead and asked "What's a forum?" That probably sums it up pretty well. That, and many of us that *do* know what a forum is have drifted away due to family, work, etc. It's nice to log in after all this time, and still see familiar names. It really surprised me. Really *really* surprised me to still see the same folks running it that ran it last time I was here. Hats off guys! I've been on a lot of other hobby-centric forums, and I have to say that looking around here after all this time... there's a TON of life left in this place! Long live CascadeClimbers! -Kurt

Actually, both. Jimbo summed it up pretty good. If you come up the ridge from Camp Curtis, you just keep going up the ridge. If you come up the Interglacier, then you'll peel off right and head up the ridge instead of dropping over onto the Emmons.

Regarding that route Feck mentioned... approach the top of Steamboat Prow on climber's left. Just several hundred yards below the top of the Prow, you'll find a pummicy/ballbearing scree slope that you traverse across. You'll probably see a trail across it. For me, this was the most uncomfortable part as it seems like the whole slope is constantly moving under your feet. But then again, it was a few years ago for me too. At the end of that traverse, it will dump you out at the top of a gully. You can then just downclimb that gully and just before you hit the bottom, traverse left out of it on an obvious path. The gully runs a little north of the hut at Schurman. Regarding Interglacier, I saw it last weekend but wasn't on it. Looked icy, with a couple cracks about half way up, and a couple more at the top.

Our little corner of the world is a better place because of Mr. Kloke. My prayers of peace go out to his family, and all who have been involved in this terrible accident.

If you really want a "long" day hike, then Grand Park from Sunrise would work. Great views from Grand Park that people normally don't see. Of course... there's the short way to Grand Park from the Forest Service Road there by Lake Eleanor - but that wouldn't be a long hike then! A not so long hike (and definitely not off the beaten path), but the best in my opinion out of Sunrise would be 3rd Burroughs Mountain. Hike out to the "end" of the trail at 2nd Burroughs, then take the path out to the 3rd bump. Can't beat the non-stop views. Never done Mystic from Sunrise, but from the Carbon would be a long day - don't forget the road is closed at the Ranger Station.

http://mountrainierconditions.blogspot.com/2008/05/emmons-winthrop-glacier-w-inter-glacier.html

I did notice that it seemed like the same color of a certain Volvo.

Damn. Very red. Very nice. Wife must've gotten another animal, eh? -Kurt

Beargrass it is. Congrats Kurt! Helluva first hike you picked there. Welcome back to the addiction! -Kurt (the other one.)

From the NPS via Gator's blog: State Route 410 will open as usual in mid-May. The road to White River Campground will open May 25, providing trailhead access to hikers and climbers. The Sunrise Road and Visitor Center will open two weeks earlier this year than in years past, on June 15, to offset the loss of access to other areas of the park. I believe the normal opening time to the White River Campground is Memorial Day weekend and it sounds like it's the same this year too. Ack... that trail damage report sounds nasty. That'll turn that normal quick hike in to Glacier Basin into a trek in itself!

Did I miss it, or is there a speculation thread somewhere? I think we need a speculation thread. And before y'all jump all over my ass, I'm JUST KIDDING.

Porter, From one daddy to another daddy... focus and kick this thing in the ass. If you're not out in a couple weeks, we're gonna have to send in the heavy guns to get you. Yup... Chaps. Prayers to you and your family, Kurt

Yeah... but what's behind it? Thought there was another H20 bottle back there.