sprocket

Not totally wishful thinking, saw a Frontline special about Oregon making pseudoephedrine prescription only, apparently reduced the meth problem (and prison population) very significantly. Of course the pharmaceutical companies are fighting to get the law over turned locally and nationally.

Well said.

Ditto, glad you are on the road to recovery. Hoepfully it goes smoothly and you fully recover. Thanks for letting us know.

Hit 49 Degrees North last weekend and Pindude your description (along with everyone else’s) was spot on. Terrain may be the best for our group’s ability of any “small” hill I've been on. Lots of moderate terrain. The runs were surprisingly long considering there were no high-speed quads. The black runs were very mellow and as mentioned were more like some of the steeper blues you see elsewhere. Our bad luck was to arrive with a warm front after a week of really cold temps. It sounds like Friday was pretty nice. Saturday was good in the morning and then turned to glue after lunch. The unfortunate thing for us is it is too far to drive on short notice for a powder day. Even though there seemed to be a fair number of people we never felt crowed on the hill and except for the initial load up lift lines were mostly non-existent. We got a little antsy when Chair #2 started loading before Chair #1 on Saturday so we jumped on that and then rode down to Chair #4. This turned out to be lucky for us since we got a few runs in on un-tracked snow. It wasn’t the powder we were looking for but fun plus there were very few people on this side of the mountain. The only thing that made us leave that lift was the fact that there were 3 of us and we wanted to ride together on the lifts if possible so it was off to Chair #5. It would be nice if Chair #1 was a quad, not sure if this is in the plans. After lunch we managed a few runs before it became more work than fun. If we ever went back I would probably avoid Saturday if possible, the Boomtown Bar was a zoo and service was really slow. The Bar could use a couple of waiters on the weekend instead of ordering at the bar. It would make the service faster and I think they would sell more food and drinks. We would have had another round at lunch and probably one after we were done but standing in line trying to order deterred us. Sunday was bluebird with fast conditions, a lot less people and a more relaxed vibe on the hill. Ran the groomers until a little after noon, ate lunch at the Boomtown (which was less crowded and much more pleasant) then drove home. A few things I wish were different. I understand they probably can’t groom everything with limited time but they should have groomed more runs on the weekend. We thought we were being a little picky but there were several locals complaining very loudly about this. Also running the groomer twice up a football wide run doesn’t constitute a groomed run IMO. One thing that really should be changed is the trail map for the East Bowl. We got suckered into running Huckleberry Ridge all the way because the TM shows a Blue run past Big Bear. It was a long walk on snowboards for us with one short ride-able section. Overall it was a fun weekend and the drive went fast enough. I might consider taking a combination of Highways 21, 28, 2 & 231 to avoid the stop and go traffic in Spokane on 395 but it probably wouldn’t save any time but it could be scenic. We stayed at the Nordlig Motel which was clean, quiet and reasonably priced. Chewelah had at least two good places to eat. We ate at the Sportsman’s Grill on Friday and it was packed with a lively crowd. Saturday we ate at the Chalet across the street. It was really good and the prices were very moderate for the quality.

We have rooms for this weekend, looking forward to it. Hope we get a little fresh snow for the weekend. Right now there are like 4 skiers on both webcams!

I think Schweitzer has to be on the agenda for next year. Would love to spend an extended period of time over there and up into Canada. I got into the snowboarding game late so the idea of BC is probably not in my future. I'd like some lower-risk trips though, like dragging my board up to Muir or St. Helens and riding down.

We just got back from Revelstoke and are hitting Bachelor later in March so something quick and cheap is all we can swing right now. We're heading over on a Friday after work and will head back after a 1/2 day or so on Sunday. Room price I was quoted ends up at $63 a night for 3 people and lift tickets are only $30 if you buy them through the hotel. That's a pretty good deal IMO. I would really like to hit Red at some point, along with Schweitzer for that matter.

Thanks Pindude for all the info. Sounds like what we are looking for in terms of vibe. Need to call and see if there is a room to be had and decide if we want to make the drive. Thanks for the tip about the low coverage off the groomers, already had an experience with that at Mission earlier this year.

Thanks for the feedback guys. We're blue/black (condition dependent) boarders looking for something new from the west side resorts. We rarely go on weekends here, usually go to Mission Ridge for the weekend and were just looking for another option. It would be a haul for 2 days on the slopes. The trail map does look like a lot of black and double black runs. Is there enough to keep us busy since double blacks and bumpy blacks are probably out of our ability? Do they groom some of the black runs on groomer days? Lodging recommendations? Seems like a couple modest hotels are there. Thanks again.

Curious if anyone has been there and what you think of the place, snow quality and the type of terrain. Also does it get crowded on weekends? Thanks.

One was at Alpental so it is probably pretty sketch out there.

Watching Honnold is impressive, won't change or influence the way I climb but I'll never be at that level in any endeavor. I've heard Croft is the same, just looks super smooth and in control when he climbs.

John Bachar died due to a fall while soloing fyi... http://climbing.about.com/b/2009/07/06/iconic-american-climber-john-bacher-killed-in-soloing-fall.htm He was doing it his way, like Honnold is. These climbers are pushing the limits their own way on their terms. I can respect that. Next time don't watch if it upsets you so... d Sorry, didn't type that clearly, I knew Bachar fell and died but the other two died but not from a fall.

Same reaction, awe and ill stomach. Curious if anyone has a historical perspective on how many high-level free soloists there are/have been and how many make it throught that "period" of their climbing career? I know Croft soloed at a high level and is still around and climbing. Bachar, the guy that got stuck on a wall in Yosemite (Hersey?), Reardon getting washed off to sea although the last two didn't fall both passed on because of the pursuit.

Website said sold out.

Winter solo of the North Face of the Matterhorn and then walked away. Serious hardman. RIP.

We did it in 4.5 hours with full packs on two weeks ago, steady pace and 2 decent breaks. Pretty fit crew that's been fairly active of late. 5 hours is about what RMI seems to do with full packs. Conditions and your condtion can affect that also the altitude affects people differently. I guess the question is are you asking for planning purposes or if that is a good time?

Cool, thanks. I was looking at that shrund and wondering if you thought it would be reasonable to skirt it. How is that ascent/descent when it is in good condition? Isn't there a pretty nice 5.8ish climb of Sherpa that either uses that as an approach and or descent?

Just curious, as a noob to anylizing photos what is your conclusion?

Good job guys. I think it was you two we were watching as we packed up camp down on the Coleman between 10:30am and noon. We saw a couple of parties crossing the glacier that morning and a party of 3 finishing up the Headwall. Crazy it snowed up there given it was so nice the preceeding day and a half but it was clouding up on out hike out and yes it was a bit chilly in the morning. Thanks for another great TR. Hope you had a safe drive home.

Thanks for all the input. Just ordered a Stoic Luft Insulated Sweater from Dept of Goods (I think they are associetaed with SAC) for $64 including shipping. Comes in at just under a pound supposedly and is bright green. Not sure about the color but I'll be visible.

Thanks for the info. Looking at Baker instead.

Thanks, still lots of snow. Probably looking at Baker this weekend if the weather holds.

Any updates? Looking for an overnight conditioner/shakedown trip and Adams might be too much driving for me especially with the road still blocked part of the way. Thanks

Would be probably this Sat am if we go. Trying do decide if it is worth the hassle of the long drive and only two days versus waiting until Aug when we could take an extra day and do it at a more relaxed pace.