waterboy

Hi Anthony. I might be interested for this May. I've summitted Rainier about a dozen times, including liberty ridge. I was also on an Ama Dablam expedition this past November. Do you have permits?

Well said Tvash

Strong work Guys. I've done that route but couldn't imagine skiing it. Why is the gate locked in the first place? The Federal Government needs to protect us from ourselves? I respect your act of conscientious objection. I think if more Americans had the courage to push back against the constant encroachment on our freedoms it would slow it down considerably. The NPS has zero credibility after holding us all hostage last October for political purposes.

Well said Jason. And money and ideology are powerful motivators.

Good Question FW. I don't mean to sound cynical but it is all about the money - follow the money and you will have your answer. Federal agents, when deployed right, can be effective revenue generators for the government. Maintaining roads, on the other hand, will not generate revenue. I moved to Socal from the PNW a couple of years ago and I have seen the future. Agents everywhere collecting money in any way possible. It is difficult to hike or even drive without being accosted by an armed agent. My wife was recently issued a citation for "stand up paddling without a permit".

I did it in July 2010 with two great friends. My only advice would be go as light as possible. Spend the money to get the lightest possible gear and go without anything you don't absolutely need. You should be able to get under 30 lbs - it is a carry over after all. My setup was one venom, one aztarex, and spinner leashes - and I wouldn't have done it any other way. Good for you on hiring a guide. I always learn something new when I go with a guide.

Nice Effort KKK, Keep in mind that Reggie Jackson had the most strikeouts of all time.

I bought a zero degree bag from David at feathered friends on Monday and found him to be very helpful and a great retail professional. Now, if La Nina would just cooperate so that I can get a chance to use it........

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Hi , My Aztarex ice tool fell off of my pack between 11,000' and 12'000' on the Emmons glacier on Sunday July 25. $$ for your trouble if you carried it down. Thanks!

Nice work guys. Oyvind and I and a couple of others were attempting Colfax peak via Thunder glacier on Saturday and we were watching your efforts the whole day. Very good job.

Nice Job Shannon and team! Richard

RoklzGud....In my opinion no. I cragged a few days last year on the lower nisqually (only becuase the road to the coleman was closed all summer). The nisqually is abysmal now - 7-8 years ago it was ok. Also, I would not recommend a 4 hour hike up to the Lower Ingraham to be lowered into a crevasse. If you want to be lowered into a crevasse, the Easton can be reached in half the hike. I've spent many days cragging on the Coleman and it is the best place I know in the summer for ease of access. But shhhh....keep it quiet, ok?

Interesting. Can you tell me where you think there is some good Seracing on Mt Rainier that is accesible for a day trip? That would be great. Thanks!

Good Job and thanks for getting the word out. Zee and I climbed Silverton Sickle on Saturday. Zee is an ice-climbing animal! Zee, I propose naming that new climb that you led D. Zaster! I went back up there again on Sunday with another partner and got another one of the lines in the cirque higher up from SS. It's all WI3. We saw your tracks in the fresh snow on the way out. How did you like the trail on the way out?

Nice Job. I attempted that route 3 years ago with my partner who has since passed on. We also enjoyed our trip out there Memorial day weekend doing the Forbidden tour. Good to see you guys then and good to see you on GNS a couple of weeks ago. Have a great season.

Hi Chimbo, Yes, We were one of the groups that was bailing on Saturday afternoon due to T-storms. I think we talked to you on your way up. We had a great day in the range. Thanks for the photos.

I did the SW chutes on Adams yesterday. The snow blocks the road with about 3.5 miles of walking, or about 0.5 miles from Morrison Creek Campground. If you're skiing, the direct route down the SW chutes, then down to Morrison Creek CG is excellent and highly advised over walking the road down.

That's cool, We'll be in the Green Tacoma at the TH Saturday night. Might be a zoo but it also might be cool to hang out with anyone who wants to and have a few beers. We just did the forbidden tour last weekend - it was spectacular.

My wife and I are going to crash at the TH Saturday night and do the SW Chutes on Sunday. Perhaps we'll see you up there. Richard Conner

Sorry Goatboy, this is the only other photo of Sharkfin Col that I have, it is looking down the south side from the top. I can tell you that it is super cruiser. We all soloed it. There was a little but of rockfall, but we just moved through it pretty quick. Sincerely, Waterboy

Hayley, Glad you like the Hilleberg. I also have after-market carbon fiber poles which shave another 8 ounces off the weight. And then the real fun begins when you have great weather forecasts and can leave the rain fly behind and are left with a 2-person tent that's a little over a pound!

Trip: The Forbidden Tour plus Primus peak - Date: 5/22/2009 Trip Report: On Friday, May 22 Oyvind, Joe, Tobae and I (Richard) did the Forbidden Tour. We arrived Thursday night at the gate on the Cascade River Road at the Eldorado TH. We woke up the next morning, departing at 4:30 am to hike the 2.7 miles up to the Midas Creek Trailhead. Here is why the road was gated: After Joe and Oyvind kicking great steps, we soon found ourselves on the Quien Sabe Glacier: Views of Johanneserg with Tobae skinning: We soon arrived at the Sharkin col, which Oyvind led (AI2): Then we rapped down to the Boston Glacier. Joe rapping: Skiing down the Boston Glacier was fun: Oyvind working on the canvas of the great Boston Glacier: We traversed the Boston up to the Col on the North Ridge of Forbidden. At the top of the col, Joe and Oyvind put in the route again: Once on the Forbidden Glacier, the corn was outstanding: We skiied 3300' down to Moraine Lake: Once at Moraine Lake, we took a little break, then crossed the lake, and worked our way up past the inspiration icefall and onto the Inspiration Glacier. This made for a first day of almost 16hrs and almost 9,000' vertical gain: Camp was great: The next morning we slept in. When we awoke, Joe and Oyvind decided to go tag Primus peak, while Tobae and I went for Eldorado Peak. Richard at camp with Eldorado peak in the background: Skinning up to Eldorado peak was quick. We stashed our camping gear at the base of the east ridge, where we were to meet Oyvind and Joe on their return from Primus. We stashed our skis at the knife ridge, and tagged the summit. Richard on the Summit: Richard descending: Joe and Oyvind are animals. They not only tagged Primus, but Tepeh towers as well. We monitored their progress from the summit of Eldorado. They arrived back at the base of the West Ridge of Eldorado about 2pm: We skiied down the Eldorado Glacier, the snow was getting softer, with many wet slides. (We cut the slides on the ridge above Roush basin that Hayley shows in her TR). There were countless people coming up Roush basin on Saturday. We were able to ski down to about 4,500', then not-so-fun ambling down the Boulder field with ski boots, and then 2,000' of thigh-burning goodness down to the Eldorado TH. We were back at the cars at 5pm. It was a great tour with great snow on a perfect weekend with perfect partners. Joe and Oyvind are animals - they hit 8 glaciers in 2 days. Gear Notes: Skis, Rope for rappell, Crampons for climb up Sharkfin Col, Axe. Approach Notes: Road is gated at Eldorado TH.

Good Job Hayley. I was with that group of skiers you talked to on the way down. (The others in the group were Oyvind and Joe). We were just coming down from the Forbidden tour on Friday/Saturday. I hope to file a TR soon. How do you like your Hilleberg? I had mine with me on the trip, too. Anyway, good job.

I did that tour today. It was in good condition. Should be better tomorrow. Photos here: http://www.new.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/album.php?aid=23583&id=1070081668&ref=nf