knelson

Basically, yes. If it's above 10k and it's not a designated camp, it's an alpine zone. See this map... http://www.nps.gov/mora/general/maps/wildzones.pdf It's not the easiest thing to read, but comparing it to a topo map, you'll get the idea. Anything that starts with an "A" is an alpine zone. If it starts with a "X" it's a cross-country zone. Don't see that your odds are any better with any of those options. It's been my observation that the longer you stay on the mountain, the greater chance you're going to get spanked all the way home. But then some are into that around here, so to each his/her own. Good luck with whatever you decide! -kurt

While not an official answer, listing Camp Muir does not include anything other than Camp Muir. Same with Ingraham Flats. When you reserve a campsite, you are either reserving for specific designated camps (Muir, Ing. Flats, Emmons Flats, Schurman, etc.) or for "alpine zones." The NPS have maximum quotas for the number of people allowed to camp in each zone, so whether or not you can snag a permit to camp somewhere outside of the established camps will totally depend on how many other folks have got there before you. Not sure how you can do exactly what you want to do. You do realize you're talking the 4th of July weekend, don't you? I'm thinking things will be filled up pretty good, so you probably won't have a lot of wiggle room anywhere you go. My suggestion is to call the park and ask to talk to a climbing ranger or someone versed with the ins and outs of alpine zone permitting. -kurt

Another vote for "don't cut it" and just tie it off to your shoelace or something. My straps are leather and I tuck the tail up under the wrap around my ankle and it stays put for most the day. Having a long tail on it makes it alot easier to tighten up with gloves/mitts on. Cut it too short and you can't get any leverage in pulling it tight through the buckle. -kurt

Hey... he stopped. Looks like Oly won!

Did you check and make sure Wayne didn't trademark his name? Or did you learn from the previous incident and offer him royalties?

http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/conditions/road_conditions_report.shtml

Funny... I was just going to post and ask Mr. Choado what helmet he ended up buying and where.

Leave it to Oregonians to bolt.

I don't have specific info about these accidents, but I believe the elevation given in that news link is wrong, and the trouble area is actually the gully at 4200+ ft... not that it really matters. Sounds like CBS can confirm.

I sure haven't found that to be the case in South King County. My 10-year old analog phone finally got retired because it could barely get a signal anymore. Found that to be the case out in the woods too - ridges that used to get great reception just returned "no service" on my display. Maybe it's better in downtown Seattle or something, but the sudden decline in analog service around my area really surprised me. And I'm talking a 5 miles swath on either side of I-5, not out in the boonies. -kurt

FEDERAL WAY REI IS PROBABLY YOUR MOST CONVENIENT STOP. SEE GOOGLE/MAPQUEST. Federal Way REI is no longer open. Actually, it's been closed for a while. (You really need to get out more Mike! ) Backpacker Supply in Tacoma would be a good shop for ya. If you need REI, then the closest one is in Southcenter (Tukwila) but they don't have &*$^, unless you're looking to stock up on Gu and Toblerone. If you're in need of an REI fix, your best bet for selection is the flagship store in Seattle. And along the lines of someone else's comment... there sure doesn't look like much snow up there for a "good snow" year. Wierd. -kurt

I think Gary's right. That's the only place I can think of where you could get in big trouble... other than collapsing a cornice on the ridge or something. At about 4200-4300 you traverse across that waterfall gully. You don't really want to slip there as you don't have a lot of room before the runout gets really bad. Other issue there when coming down is the tendency to do a descending traverse which puts you below the normal "trail" in rather steep sidehilling territory. Been guilty of that one before. -kurt

No, it's about the level of most womens studies programs - a bunch of like minded people egging each other on absent sense of decorum, tact or intellectual rigor. Sounds more like Spray to me. Yeah... but for credit!

I'm a scrawny, wiry guy. I was even more so in college umpteen years ago. I would probably still be out cold on the cold floor of whatever building that was if I woulda done that. Ever watch "Be The Creature" with the Kratt Brothers, and there's that one little Impala surrounded by the pride of lions? Yeah... it was like that. But with loogies. (I looked up the spelling this time.) And not to further stereotypes... but she WAS rather linebackerish looking if my memory serves me. Definitely not a waif looking at her shoes.

Kinda reminds me of when I was at the UW taking an Econ class that was being taught right next door to a Women's Studies class. Leaving class one morning, after a rather boisterous chanting session that we could here through the walls (you'd think it was a ROTC class if you'd heard it), I had the unfortunate pleasure of making eye contact with one of the gals leaving the other class. Eye contact - nothing else - was enough for her to hawk one up and blow it my way. I wanted to say "you spit like a girl", but alas... she did not - she could spit with the best of 'em. As I came to a stop, looking down at the luggie (sp?) smack dab in the middle of my chest, all I could manage to say was "Nice. Thank you." and wandered off. I got over it. I'm sure she did too... whatever it was. Dang... ... she got around that day she wore that outfit.

Actually, it was the EPA... not the DOE. Regarding the 22% increase in spending while laying off folks at the same time... dubya didn't say they were going to use that 22% increase for salary. It was just going to be a 22% increase in budget, correct? How much you want a bet all the extra money will be spent on grants to private companies. Any guess on who the beneficiaries of those grants will be? Hmmm....

you're both wrong and forfeit the game. it should be "I am not wearing any underwear." you should not start a sentence with the word "and". Agreed. However, one should start a sentence by pushing down that large "Shift" key found on either lower corner of your/you're keyboard. It has TWO of them even. Now enough. I have to go clean grout while doing one handed pushups.

There is a comma between the "now" and the "too"; and I have no underwear on. Shouldn't that be "and I am not wearing underwear." Ending a sentence with a preposition - 15 yards and another cinch tighter on the restraints.

I actually thought NOLSe was the one looking for a good smackdown with the obvious chestbeating about dirty grout.

Incorrect usage of "your". TWEEEEEET. 10 yards and remove an article of clothing for her/it.

Damn. You must've sprung extra for the "preferred" service. If only I'd had the extra cash.

You forgot to ask what he was wearing right now...

Someone asked a question, and I answered. ... Guess I need a refresher in reading comprehension. Looks to me like someone posted a simple request for a partner, which was then followed by you whippin' out the flamethrower.

June is probably your best bet for good conditions, but it will obviously depend on the weather - which will also dictate if rockfall will be an issue. Be aware that most approach LR from the White River Campground. The road to the CG is normally not opened until late May, sometimes early June. You can usually get to within a couple miles of the CG in the weeks prior to the official opening, but just be aware of this if you're doing it from the east side and check with the NPS as your window gets closer. It'd be a bummer to get down here and find out with no notice. Seems like when they open the road to the CG determines the season on LR... at least for the masses. You could also go in from Ipsut Creek (from the north) which is accessible all year round, assuming the Carbon River hasn't taken out the road. Problem with that is that you add a couple thousand feet gain, and it makes a loop trip a lot longer. A lot. -kurt