ClimbingPanther

baa --> --> --> --> However, it is not so joyful to carry it around with you if at all possible. I know it is unacceptable to "bury" (read: conceal for a limited time) your poop in the snow in high alpine environments where it will essentially remain frozen in time for future civilizations to analyze, but... (no pun intended) What about lower elevation snow? Is it acceptable/questionable/unacceptable to poop in the snow at elevations where it is guaranteed to melt and eventually get in to or at least on the ground? Please don't (blue?) flame me. edit: of course I'm talking multi-day trips here, not just single-dump trips.

Something you've heard of: The Fray, "How to Save a Life" Obscure classical gem: Rachmaninov's "Vespers" by Robert Shaw Festival Singers {this is actually the best recording of the best performance of the best director of the best choir singing the best music ever in the wildest dreams of any mortal being in the universe}

Don't use hyperbole in the newbie forum. If that wasn't hyperbole... No, it's not the bible. But it is likely the best place to start. Kinda like the Pentateuch or something. It is certainly the most comprehensive collection of general information on pretty much all aspects of mountaineering, but it will not be all you ever need. Depending on what subject you're interested in, there are more detailed and specific books out there.

Actually the times my feet were most cold were on day trips with new socks (while the rest of me is always warm). That's why I suspect dehydration reduced my circulation. I was on Leuthold last year on Dec. 11 (kinda scary) one of the times they got really bad off. I went pretty lightweight (<10 lbs) and I probably won't do that again in light of recent events.

My feet get cold easily too. I don't know if there's anything to this, but I've noticed a very nice correlation between my water intake and my feet temperature. That is, my feet get cold very easily and will not warm back up if I'm not drinking enough water. Keep that in mind when you're up there.

Thankfully you only posted twice before you quit and moved on.

323.5 ...must be a maximum

jonmf76, you sound offended, but read your first post again and tell me it doesn't sound the least bit presumptious... Expect spray and condescension as a natural response to perceived presumption of any degree. It's kinda like a law of the universe or something. Oh yeah, and repeatedly proclaiming your disdain for climbers on a site called "cascadeclimbers" is a SURE way to validate your incorrect perception that climbers are mostly jerks nowadays.

Yes, it is indeed a digital vs. analog problem. I just talked with my Cingular guy about it the other day. I still have analog, but it's getting phased out and will be toast in Feb. '08. Pretty stupid, since he said 5% (and fewer by the month) of Cingular's towers are analog, but my service is often better than anyone else's. Why the switch? I wish I knew.

My favorite post to date And all of this despair about the climbing conditions hopefully does not discourage those who care about these climbers. A snow cave protects nicely from things a climber on the surface would have no chance in.

Thanks for the laughs. OK, I don't mean to be a jerk at all, but before you get indignant over someone else's lack of apparent Hood-knowledge, know that you're being eyed with the same uncertainty. Honestly, I did roll around pretty much all of the exact same thoughts that have been posted here, and some are very good ideas, but it all boils down to two things for me: 1-with the extreme avy danger and continuing snow, it's completely foolhardy to be moving around just about anywhere high on that mountain. OK, you might think you're safe on wind-swept bulletproof snow (which by the way would likely not be on the leeward side), but what's above you? You don't have a clue about its stability, even if you could see it. The cooper spur route ~10-10.5K is where they are supposedly assuming the one climber is, which is typically on the lee side and could be one of the most avy-prone faces on the entire mountain right now. I wouldn't be on that face right now unless it was my mom up there. 2-even if you were to get high on the mountain, think about the likely scenario. If you are fortunate enough to come within a couple hundred yards, whoopee! What do you think you're going to hear, short of an atomic blast, in such fierce wind with who knows how many layers over your ears? Maybe if you come within 50 feet, MAYBE you might hear something. This is all assuming that the person is alive and capable of belting out a terrific roar for the SAR folks to hear. To put yourself in such a seriously life-threatening situation with little hope of actually finding the cave-dwelling rescuee does not sound like reason to me.

If you're defining Christian religion as one based on the Bible, then that's not true. Nowhere is redemption offered by way of a bribe. Redemption is characterized as a free gift and faith is the only pretence for obtaining it. Now you still have an argument that the gifts are often given in hopes of some heavenly reward, but redemption is not offered on those terms.

Dude! That's some scary sounding weather. I feel so bad for those guys It reminds us to be prepared to survive. I sure hope they're able to dig in and stay warm through all of this. *praying*

That's funny about Ellensburg. I've always thought that would be a prime place but have never seen a cop once in the many times I've driven that way. On the other hand... two words: I-84 from Portland to Hermiston, the whole thing! They're not too anal though, as I've occasionally been going (oops!) 10 mph over without getting stopped once.

Good point about the gloves, it's true. The amount of squeeze you need to hold on is more when you have to crunch all that squishy insulation. Do they make gloves that are thinner on the grip and burly & warm on the back?

One more related point to make is that when one small, specific set of muscles gets worked hard, such as hand grip muscles, you're not as likely to have that burning need to increase your breathing rate like in an aerobic activity, although these muscles still do need the extra oxygen. You need to consciously focus on breathing regularly and deeply to keep those muscles supplied with oxygen and make them capable of holding for the maximum time. And I agree that exercising in the same way you will actually use the muscles is generally the best way to exercise. Hang from the rafters in your garage or some similarly strong and cosmetically unimportant structure.

I've just been using my ski goggles, but if your wife wants full-face protection, I wouldn't look down on her. Can't imagine life without at least something to protect my eyes, at least not until they can be replaced.

Frieh, those are some good suggestions. Holsteins has been my standard stop on the way home after any shenanigans at Mt. Hood, and I spent a lot of hours at Coffee Time on 21st during college for the interesting crowd and setting and because it's 24h.

Amorphous silica is inflammatory but not carcinogenic, while crystalline silica (quartz) is both. Particle size also changes biological activity. I'm unaware if pea gravel has been specifically studied for its silica content and related health risks... anyone else?

try the Starbucks by Safeway in Richland *back to being serious* Tri-cities best brew: Barracuda Coffee Co. on Van Giesen St. a couple blocks from the HWY240 bypass in Richland edit: why: unique place, excellent coffee (zoka) and skillz at making drinks, free wi-fi, cool classic car theme esp. in restroom (owner sold classic '70 Barracuda for capital to start business)

Haha, yes that's true. Except that pretty much nowhere is accessible only by a "super-fit" minority, excluding difficult climbs. Any average Joe can go most anywhere with the right equipment and motivation. The fact that a growing number of Americans are too fat/lazy and lack the will to exert themselves does not mean our mountain wilderness/alpine areas are inaccessible.

bring home the bacon!

...I was a little bit taller

no tvash, you're thinking of pump kin pies. not illegal in some religions though... http://www.cnn.com/2006/LAW/11/21/polygamist.leader.ap/index.html

pumpkinpies anyone?