MountaingirlBC

I just picked up new shoes, boots and harness for my youngest at the MEC gear swap so we're all good to go. The full body harness was getting a little small. My oldest is big enough to wear my gear. Stood in line for an hour to get in and all I got for me was a pair of gloves!

Mine like the climbing part fine... it's the hiking part we have trouble with. A few thoughts I came up with on the subject last year: I've learned that I have to take any time estimate and multiply it by 3 or 4. I've learned that I have to feed them at very regular intervals or their engines stall. Even when they're not hungry, I have to make them eat something... even if it's just a bite of chocolate. I've learned to take 3 times as many socks and clothes as I think I will need because if there is a way to get wet, my boys will find it. I've learned that I have to completely deconstruct expectations and have very different goals. I need to slow down and be there to experience nature from my children's perspective. This is a completely different experience from when I go without them. I've learned that there are many destinations along a trail and the summit may not be on the list today. The boulder field is a playground. The stream is a waterpark. The snowslope is a toboggan run. We mustn't rush through on our way to somewhere else. We're already somewhere. I've learned that frequent breaks pay for themselves in happier kids and more time on the trail. They are also great opportunities to reconnect and talk. I've learned that I can still get away with holding my 9 year old's hand as we hike long after the tricky part he needed help with is over. I've learned that you have to make kids do things they don't want to do even when it would be easier to just give in because that is what being a parent is all about and it's worth it.

Good job! Thanks for the tr. Love the jumping summit pic

lol amen... we need people with balls, determination and drive like that in this world. I'll foot the bill for the occasional helicopter rescue.

I can often get away midweek but I'm in Vancouver. If there's anything in the North Cascades that interests you give me a shout.

Thank you Couloir.. that's exactly the kind of thing I'm looking for. I rented the 1st season of House which is so far pretty good. Never tire of the dark brooding brilliant doctor role. I loved Bringing out the Dead... pretty much anything with Nick Cage in it is good. Gone in 60 seconds was good too... and had the added bonus of Angelina *yummy* I've been saving Eiger Sanction to watch on a rainy weekend with my climbing buddies. Vertical Limit was pretty silly but better than Oprah. Haven't seen Cliffhanger in a million years so I might check that one out again.

I must be an idiot... where's that?

I'm bored out of my freakin mind on my stair climber and need something to take my mind off the 60lbs on my back and the 60 min on the clock. TV sucks. I've watched Touching the Void way too much. Any other reccomendations? I tried that new 'SubZero' movie that is in video stores now and I can safely say that that was hands down the worst climbing movie I have ever seen in my life. It's worth renting just for a laugh. I actually watched it twice because it was so bad I had to show my friends. They're on the summit of K2 (which they got to in about 72 hours from sea level) walking 6 abreast with ski runs and trees in the background. And there's LOTS more where that came from. Anyway... something NOT like that please. I need some eye candy to keep me motivated.

here's me: http://www.mountaingirl.net and I have links to lots of great local sites both resource based and personal sites here: http://www.mountaingirl.net/links.htm If you'd like to swap links please let me know

Nice job! Wish you had pics. How long did this take you?

hey RuMR... yeah lets plan something. I'll pm you my number. Thx for getting the ball rolling!

Maybe I will

omg that looks like SO much fun. I'm so not worthy. Amazing pics.

woohoo! 100 posts! How did that happen?

It would be SO great to have some other kids to climb with. What the photos don't show is the hours of whining and be bribing, coaxing, me carrying two packs, etc. etc. on the approach. Having other kids around would make it easier. Here's a few more from an AWESOME location to take kids. Nice short approach and serious looking mountains with relatively easy routes on them but still technical enough that you need cool looking gear. I roped my kids up in a few sections mostly cuz they think it's fun but a couple of times for exposure. It's up north of Pemberton. It's a long drive from WA but you can spend a few days easily:

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm thx for the report and pics. Hoping to do it next week.

Sign us up too please. We're in Vancouver but happy to come south. Or we also have this little crag up here called Squamish you might want to check out. Hopefully we can get some gear swapping going too. I hate buying new gear for kids cuz they grow so fast.

instead of an atc for self tending. seems to work better.

awesome! Can't wait to get up there. Any pics?

Figured this was a good place to ask for opinions Primary use would be for CR.

mmmmmmmmm is that a Sprint? Triumph's are sooooo nice. I used to ride a Sprint but decided that climbing mountains AND riding a motorcycle was a bit cocky. Have fun with it!

Time to bite the bullet and buy some cams. I've been waiting around to have $500 that I don't know what to do with so I can buy a full set but that never seems to happen so I'm going to just start picking away at it. What sizes should I get first? I'm primarily doing alpine stuff in the South Coast/North Cascades area. I know that's very general but if you could recommend 3-5 useful sizes that would be great. Also, what is your preference in terms of brands? Thx much! God I'm so bored this weekend. Nothing to do but sit around and gear whore.

I didn't make it unfortunately. Long weekend border lineups scared me off. Could you give me his contact info? I'd like to know if he'll be doing it again.

yikes. Make sure you do a lot of work to strengthen your vastus medialis to save your knees. The leg extension machine is the best way I've found to isolate this muscle. I'm 124lbs and start to crumble at about 73lbs. Hopefully being a dude gives you a little more wiggle room.

Last weekend we were able to drive 10.6km to 3012ft up the road to Heliotrope Ridge. That's about 2.5km from the TH. But all this new white stuff and lower freezing levels has probably buggered everything up. And like it's already been pointed out... 2 feet of fresh powder sitting on top of a skating rink is a bad thing so I wouldn't be going anywhere near there for a while.