dinomyte

Wait a minute. When we did this a couple weeks ago, the summit was dirt!! You're standing on snow in that first shot! Ha Hah!

Glad to hear you folks made it up and back alright. Sounds like you made pretty good time. I figured up would be alright, though things were getting a tad soft, it was the "back" I was concerned about with you folks heading up late. A crack or two had widened over the day!

Thanks for the pics. Think we'll aim for that rock when we head up there!

Tazz: Thanks for the TR. I want to get up there in the next few weeks. If you have any shots taken while on the Rib, that would be sweet. I'd love to get a feel for that before heading up to see if it's a decent option for us.

I am tentatively planning on Shuksan either 7/18 or 8/1, depending on local conditions and partner availability.

OK you bastages....I can't go. Family plans. But if you do Shuksan I want a full report. Planning on that in a few weeks if possible.

My partner on Baker this past weekend (Craig33) had a spanking new pair of these Kayland boots. I can't comment on the moisture, as he didn't mention it. But, his feet were killing him after the 12 miles and 7000+ feet of gain in a day. I didn't catch whether it was blisters or just hot spots, but he was wishing he'd taped his heels.

Yeah, I saw no one roped up when I was there. Can't imagine that anyone ever does on that route.

Trip: Mt. Baker - Easton Glacier Date: 6/27/2009 Trip Report: Craig33 and I met up to hike this one on Saturday. We took off at about 3am and after a long day, got back to the car at 6:30pm. Since there is a recent TR, I won't bore you with too many details, but I'll point out a couple of things that the last TR did not mention: The last running water is along the Railroad Grade near the first set of campsites toward the top of the grade. It's pretty obvious there to your left. The route currently starts along the west edge of Easton, then zigzags across the middle to the crater, rather than staying along either edge. Though that may have changed by now. A couple bridges looked like they would not last much longer and the new route could be interesting. The wind was blowing hard as we looked into the crater. My hat blew off and disappeared down there somewhere. If you find it and get it back to me, I'll buy you a beer. This was quite a long day, especially that last mile of flat land before you get back to the TH. But the cold beer in the car was nice. This might not be the best place to wear brand new boots. Final note - buy and display a NW Forest Pass. Anyway, those are my thoughts. I may post a few pics later. Or, you can do that Craig! Gear Notes: 'pons, rope, helmets that we left in our packs. Approach Notes: 6.5 hours from Portland, thanks to rush hour in Seattle.

Don't take my word for it, but I've never heard of it. The SE ridge of North sis would not, in my opinion, work well with skis. You MIGHT get something in between North and Middle, but down Middle and up the North side of South sis would be worthless...... I dunno, I just wouldn't bother.

I think the Mazama-bashing was covered in another thread. I am not a member, but I think they do a good job of doing what they do. Nobody wants to be behind a group of 12 - or two groups of 6, or three groups of 4, or whatever. I just check the site for the schedule, or get to the Hogs at 4:30 like the other sharp folks!

Ahhhh...I remember that one. They don't call it "asscadian," "crapcadian" etc. for nothing!

I need to get out in the hills, and this weekend will be my last chance for a few weeks. I'm cool with the dog routes, and I can be at the TH Friday night, and climb Saturday and Sunday. As far as experience, I've done everything down my way - Hood, Adams, Jeff, Jack, Washington, Shasta, the Three Sisters, etc. Happy to discuss experience more privately. If this weeekend does not work, but folks wanna propose other times, please feel free. Weekends are best for me, but I can take another day or two if needed. Would love to do both Baker and Shuksan in one trip. Have or can get all needed gear.

Shuksan, Baker, Rainier, Olympus and Glacier are on my list. But, I'd be glad to head up something down my way again, if schedules match with any of you folks. I'm also a weekender, but can do an extra day here or there.

These comments are interesting, what with the number of "climbers" who won't hit a crag if it's more than 50 ft off the freeway!

Good comments all. I too have met some good folks on here. And, I agree that some of the posts in the partners forum are from folks looking for free guiding. Of course, many of them are from folks who are just looking to get out. I've gotten a lot of value out of this site, and didn't mean to indicate otherwise. My musings were simply the result of seeing a large number of partner posts with zero replies, and I wondered how willing folks are to share their knowledge. Although I did not look at them all, many of these were from folks who have not posted here much, and may not have a ton of experience. Some are probably looking to get short-roped up the hill; some are probably not. I have personally only posted on the partners forum a few times, and I think I've gotten out with some pretty cool folks maybe 2 of the 3 times. So, I wasn't really speaking for myself. Although, I was pondering how likely I am to get responses when I post for Rainier, Shuksan, Glacier, Baker and Olympus. Obviously, it's one thing to join someone on a hike up Adams, and another to respond on something a bit more technical. Anyway, I enjoy the discussion, and think that most of you folks have some great points.

Thanks, guys. It's actually good to hear thoughts on the matter. I certainly agree about the folks looking to tick Rainier off the list, even though I need to do it myself! I actually am looking to pick up some skills, though. It's good to know that folks are actually meeting others on the site and having some good times. That's something I have not read much about.

I totally agree. I just looked at the "climbing partners" thread again. It's a little scary, as pretty much all the posts are as you describe. Still, I learn better when I'm out with someone, on something relatively "safe", sharing knowledge, as opposed to reading a book. I met one guy on this site, that I certainly trust with my life, and he's shared a lot of his knowledge with me. That has helped. I wish that were more common, but I realize that it may be expecting too much. After all, how many people do you trust with your life!?

My question was "thoughts?" - as indicated by the question mark. I appreciate the commetns by ivan, etc. I can also understand the "no time" excuse. I'm a new father and the fact of the matter is that I don't have enough time myself, let alone hauling someone else up a hill. Still, a lot of folks post that noobs should ask for advice and/or assistance on this board, and while "advice" is pretty easy to come by (though of questionable value) real assistance or training is tough.

OK everyone, I've been a member of this site for quite awhile and over that time a number of thoughts have occurred to me regarding the site; some good and some bad. I wonder if anyone has had similar thoughts. Though I have perused a lot of posts, I don't recall seeing any. If this post should have been posted in spray, I would appreciate an admin moving it, and I apologize. First, I should probably share my background, since it may explain my perspective: I am not a "climber." If anything, I guess I am more of a mountaineer. That is, I do enough rock to get to the top of some mountains, but it's not my preferred substance. I've been to the summit of quite a few hills in this neck of the wods, but I don't have any formal training in crevasse rescue, or evn basic mountaineering for that matter. I have been fortunate enough to meet a few folks (one one this site) that have taught me a number of things that I believe make me a safe partner. Do I have a lot left to learn - sure. One things that bothers me is this: I see a lot of posts on this site from folks who "want to climb Rainier and are looking for guide/partner." The responses are generally pretty darn varied - from "you're an idiot" to "go read a book" to "why are you posting here since you obviously have no experience." My point, I guess, is this - there are very few people who are willing to take a N00b out in the hills, even on something relatively easy (not meaning Rainier). I realize that folks are not gonna trust someone with their lives until being around them a bit, but I'm willing to hike up Adams with just about anyone. I might even meet a good future partner that way. I met a great partner because we decided to do a little scramble together. Since then, we have summited a good half dozen of the Cascade peaks. But, I see the majority of the posts in "climbing partners" ignored, when they are perhaps deemed to be from a noob. I agree that it's not worth risking a life over, but is no one willing to help teach someone with less experience? I have a number of hills in Washington to knock off: Olympus, Rainier, Baker, Shuksan and Glacier, and I was thinking of posting to the partners forum, but I am leery to given what I see to be a pretty damn poor hit ratio. I am certain I could team up with several other folks who have never been on these mountains, but it's great to learn from the experience of others. I don't mean to make this post one to catch a lot of spray, though no doubt it will if it's not ignored. But, I am happy to lead folks up some of the hills that I've been on if they would do the same. Thoughts?

Story does seem thin. And, I'm no lawyer or cop, but even if someone buys stolen goods, and the original owner can prove it, doesn't the original owner get it back.

OK, I have not actually done the marathon, though I want to. But, I have done pretty much every part of it, at least every part you ask about, so I will comment. We did North on August 18, 2007. I don't really remember how great a snow year that was, but the Alley was bare. The first of August might not be too early . Your red line in the pic looks like the line I took to do the north side of south Sis. The only hairy spot that I ran into was a traverse under some rock that had ice right up to the edge of it. I did not have crampons with me, or there would have been no problem. You can read my TR's on both these at www.lebre.net under outdoor activities.

I second the good vibes to the guy. Sorry you and your crew had to see that. Certainly never a good time, even if you're a veteran climber.

A few shots:

I was there on Saturday morning. I left T-line at 12:15 am and was on the summit by 6:00am. I'll admit that I did not stick around long, probably only 15 minutes, and there were tons of people heading up, incuding a number who were unroped like me. I did not hear about the fall, but can definitely say that conditions were good at 7am. The sun should not have even hit the face by then. I'll also admit to facing in for the first hundred feet or so down from the crest. I know people say it's not steep, but if you were to catch your heel or something you'd definitely end up down the hill a ways. I have a couple picks of above the Hogs. I'll try to post them after a bit.