SilverGoat

Anybody know if the roads in to the Scotchman Peak trailhead are typically passable in winter with a 4x4? Current conditions? Thanks.

Jamin, Three of us are planning a similar trip 7/20-7/22. If you don't get any takers, send me a PM and maybe you'll want to join us. Ken

Looks like fun, Tim. Was that Brian H. with ya? Ken

Take a look at Trapper Peak south of Darby, MT. It's an easy 10'er with fabulous views of the Bitteroot Valley, nearby North Trapper Peak and on into Idaho's Selway wilderness. The standard south ridge route has lots of safe, moderate slopes and few people ski there. It's also nearby awesome rock climbing in Blodgett and Kootenai canyons. Before you nead home, drive for a hot dip in nearby Sleeping Child Hot Springs. Here's a link to some photos from a climb last March: http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/kwbilling/album?.dir=/684e&.src=ph&.tok=ph4MDLEB5tN3MQLm

Thanks for the info, clintoris. I did discover alaskaiceclimbing.com. Good stuff. I'll be free to do something either 11/4 or 11/5. Not sure which, just yet. If you want to get together either of those days, send me your telephone number in an email to kbilling(at)direcpc.com and I'll give you a call when I'm up there. I'm also kicking around the idea of taking a Denali flight instead since some of us down here are thinking of taking on the West Rib next year.

How soon is the ice usually suitable for climbing in the Palmer area? I will be travelling to Alaska on business during the first week of November and would like to check it out, if possible.

I was there last weekend and agree with the previous post that crampons aren't necessary there yet. The snow is only up high and what's there is pretty soft. At least on the South side. The North side routes are probably different. It took me 4 hours up the Cascadian from the base to the east summit. I consider myself a fit, 47 year old once a month climber. I'd add another half hour for the traverse to the true summit depending on the number of climbers and their skills. Descent was half the time. Ulrich's Couloir is more direct, but more scrambling's involved, so it just depends on what kind of experience you want to have.

I just went the Cascadian Couloir route since I was solo. Wanted to scope it out for a team effort on one of the other routes at a later date. Was beautiful on Sunday. I think I was the only climber on the south side. Didn't see any signs of other climbers from the North either. The masses were all over in the Esmerelda side, though. For more pics visit: http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/kwbilling/album?.dir=/5337&.src=ph&.tok=phbBUwDBXmrDblQP

Went up Stuart last weekend. There's now about 6" on the top, making for sketchy conditions. See attachment for a pic.