sprocket

Anyone go down there this past weekend? Sounds like you still can't get to Cold Springs CG. Wondering how much extra you have to hike and what the parking situation on that last stretch of road is? Thanks.

Thanks for all the input. Ordered one, should have it this week. We'll see how it works.

REI has these on sale/closeout for $30. Wondering what anyone thinks of these. Are they adequate for glacier climbs? Looking for a few pieces of gear right now and am on a budget. I have an old PT Aurora which is less than great IMO and a heavy Petzl Arctic which is super bright but requires a heavy flat Lithium battery. Thanks.

$100 or less would be cheap for me. Arcteryx is great stuff but I can usually only justify it when it is on closeout. Something I'd mainly use for cool mornings cragging or day climbs where there was need for something warm other than down.

Anyone found an inexpensive synthetic puffy lately they would recommend? Nothing fancy or too heavy, maybe around a pound. Thanks

I haven't boarded down Muir and wouldn't waste my time hiking up there if there was a marginal forecast. Besides conditioning, the view is the main reason to hike up there IMO. The issue is that if you follow the fall line you end up in one of the two glaciers on either side of the Muir snowfield. The guy that fell onto the Nisqually was told he could walk down with the ranger who was leading a group down in a whiteout. He declined the offer and headed down on his own and his whereabouts were unknown but presumed dead until a low snow year led to his discovery. If you haven't got this, it is useful if you have a compass. www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/upload/GetYourBearings.pdf If you go come back with a report and some photos, I've always wanted to drag my board up there and ride down.

Thanks, that was a very visually scary description, we definitely won't be coming anywhere close to the edge. I was one of those putting foot prints close to the edge. Was shocked when we walked over to the "true summit" to see where we had been standing. Sometimes you're lucky. There have been a couple of fatalities on St. Helens that I’m aware of. This happens a lot, saw some folks do it on Granite Mountain a few years ago. They walked out on a snow patch next to the lookout tower, we had all come up opposite the regular trail and while descending you could see those folks had been on a cornice. Saw a lot of big cornices this past weekend driving over the North Cascades highway, been a heavy snow year. My GF climbed it years back and they actually brought climbing harnesses and set up a snow anchor to belay each party member so they could look into the crater. As far as crampons and ice axe, better too be comfortable with them if the conditions are icy. If it is soft snow it is a pretty moderate slope and as pointed out earlier much more comfortable than the rock and ash. One other warning, more people seem to get hurt glissading than almost anything else. St. Helens has great glissades but make sure you know what you are doing if you do them and never do it with crampons on. And don’t make another mistake I did back then, don’t wear shorts over polypro!

Stay well away from the crater edge, it is usually heavily corniced and people have fallen through. You can't see it when you come straight up the route but if you skirt around to one side or the other the cornice can often be seen, nothing but a lot of air underneath it.

There are non-chest strap models but they supposedly are not as accurate or responsive. Chest Strap isn't too bad but I mainly bike. My GF has to use Body Glide on hers when she runs to avoid skin removal. Polar has a great reputation but you have to send them to the factory to change the battery. Garmin has good rep too but tend to be on the spendy side. I've owned two Sports Instrument HR monitors and thought they are/were great. Got them both on closeout, one at a bike retailer and one from REI. Unfortunately they went out of business or got bought out. Buy something inexpensive through rei-outlet.com, Sierra Trading Post or some such outlet and see if you like using them. Then you can decide if you want to spend more for something with more features.

I was looking at this a couple of weeks ago unitl someone gave me one they weren't using. My previous one had given up the ghost. Nashbar has one by Schwinn for $30. I also saw that there was a Timex entry level model that was listed on several reviews I found. Costco has a New Balance (N4 I think) model in the Seattle store that has gotten great reviews and it is around $50 which is $20 less than anywhere I could find. They only had a womens model (small face and pearl white) so it might not work but worth a look. They have some other models online that might be worth a look.

Thanks for the input. I thought I'd seen photos of folks riding from the eastside before it was cleared in years past. It would only be me and my GF riding from Winthrop and we would stay far away from any equipment or workers. We were out at Glacier NP last summer and they apparently let non-motorized travlers on the Going to the Sun Road before the pass is open and it is a popular ride for locals. I had inquired with Rainier NP last year if the Sunrise road is open to bikes before they open the gate but was told it is not allowed and they would cite you for trespassing.

Thanks for the update. Curious if cyclists are allowed on the road before the passes are completely cleared. Thanks.

Slightly off topic but having never been to Hawaii or the any Caribbean islands what would be the recomened destinations for a week of relaxing on the beach with maybe some activities thrown in for variety?

Europe would great but is not in the budget this year. Canada may have to wait becuase I need to renew my passport and that might be too late. Maybe Idaho or even Grand Targhee.

Local hills aren't any better as far as crowds go. Crystal Mountain turning skiers away, parking lot full http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2013804615_crystalskiing31m.html Maybe I'll start looking at the powder triangle, Schweitzer or Brundage.

I've been contemplating this too but that is a longer drive. We usually make a couple of trips to Mission Ridge which is just over a 3 hour drive. Was thinking of subbing Hood for one of those trips since it is probably a 4 hour drive. Might not be smart though to drive to ski area(s) so close to a metro area. We like to get away from the crowds at the local hills like Stevens and Crystal.

We're coming from Seattle so would prefer not too drive too much each day. Mainly interested because the snow report keeps saying Hood is getting powder while the local hills are getting wet snow. Would probably schedule it so at least one day was a weekday. We're both intermediate boarders and can easily spend a day on blue runs and be happy. Best Western posted $140 weeknights and $170 weekends, a bit too much. Prefer a room rather than bunks for this trip.

Was hoping to get some more info from locals. Thinking about 2-3 days split between Timberline and Meadows and was looking for lodging recommendations. Would like something closer to the slopes but not too expensive. Any places to get discount lift tickets for either? Thanks

Haven't done too many but the ones I have were fun. Zebra to Zion 4p Seconed pitch has one hard move, really fun climb. Cinnamon Slab 2p Fun and easy. Cinnamon Toast to Cry Babies 2p All bolts, easy and some good exposure. Pack Animal Direct 2p Great stemming first pitch, hand crack pulling bulges on the second. Super Slab 3p Another fun easy one. Spiderman 3p Another classic moderate. There are lots more that I haven't done. Moscow & Peking are supposed to be fun. Always wanted to try Wherever I May Roam a 5p bolted route.

Actually they've edited the original post. Removed parts about wasted time off, effort etc. Drama queens or not, bad form. Anybody can have a bad day.

Would agree with most of what has been said so far. Bolt instead of pin if necessary. If the cam placement is truly reasonable and can be placed from the position there the bolt is probably not needed especially given that this section is substantially (2-4 letter grades) easier than the rest of the climb. I understand the opinion above especially if it were a moderate route that would see a lot less traffic because potential serious injury. I'll never climb at that level so my opinion probably not too relevant.

Sweet looking rock and nice stoke.

Saw something like this at Pro Mountains Sports a few years ago. Seems pretty light compared to the box type. Not sure if they still carry them. http://www.trailspace.com/gear/grivel/crampon-bag/ Seems to make the most sense if you don't want to strap them to the outside of your pack. On the rare occasions I use them I strap them to my pack. Of course I dropped a brand new pair of Grivels coming off Eldorado a couple of years ago and was lucky they got picked up by someone in our party.

Thanks for the replies and the link to summitpost, that will be some good reading. Just scanning the photos is impressive. We have ten days in the park and will do a mix of hikes, bike rides and fishing/relazing. From what you guys say and what I've read sounds like you should carry large cans of bear spray but don't count on it to save your ass if you do something stupid. Don't own a handgun and they aren't allowed in the park, or are they now? but if I had to spend a fair amount of time in grizzly bear country I'd probably get one and learn how to use it. Are flares legal in the park? Whatever "protection" you carry needs to be easily accessible so hiding it from inquiring rangers would defeat the purpose.

I know, climbing forum but was wondering if locals could recommend a few day hikes and maybe an overnighter. Modest scrambles would be good too. Also, never been hiking much in grizzly bear country. Wondering if carrying bear spray is a must. Finally, anyone do much lake fishing in the park? Mainly interested in trout for dinner. Thanks