freefall

Dave, Let’s put it this way, I fumbled for a couple of miles getting the top off a beer while driving home from the climb....Seriously though I did notice loss of sensation right away. I blame those crappy gloves I used on the approach. My fingers did the old freeze/painful thaw cycle a couple of times on the way in. The gloves I put on for the technical section were warm and dry. So I don't think they were the culprit. This has happened to me a couple times in the past. I can't recall it on just a day trip though. I'm sure all sensation will return. I try to be careful (hence, two pairs of gloves + hand warmers) because I think some additional sensitivity to the cold does remain even after feeling returns.

Hey Dave, funny I've got the same thing going on with a few of my fingers from our climb the other day. My first day back at work I kept screwing up the keystrokes because of a loss of feeling in my digets. But knowing I was back on the job it brought a smile to my face. Too funny....picking my nose was a little awkward too. Andrew

Finally got around to doing somtething with the footage. Enjoy if you're board. Fun place to climb....

It is if you start South of the Mason-Dixion line.

Not much into typing TR's quick stats then a link to a youtube video: Time of departure 0600, 3 hr snowshoe approach lots of fresh powder even with snowshoes, ankle to knee deep. We ditched snowshoes at the final headwall (minimize backtracking from descent). 1 hour postholing uphill to Col then to base of climb. Snow conditions seemed super stable. We dug no pits but no sign or sound of collapsing snow pack, we witnessed no slides of any size while out there, no sign of unstability while moving through it. Roped up at 10:00 a.m.; 4 pitches to summit toped out at 4:00 p.m.. No drama on the route. I've never been to Chair before but the route seemed "in" Gear was small screws, pins, small to med. Cams, light nut rack. Climbing was interesting not a whole lot of gear but if your comfortable on that kind of climb then definiately a star route in my book. Lastly 2 hours from summit (2 rappels plus some down climbing) back to the car by 6:00 p.m. Any specific questions on the route hit me with a PM. Not much into giving a blow by blow anaylisis. Link to video.

Well I guess the approach was heinous now that I think about it. The mind kind of wants to forget sucky things right after there over. Without a doubt the final 300+ vertical feet of postholing took forever, five minutes of struggling uphill against waist to chest powder resulted in only a few vertical feet of gain. It pains me to recall. Man, I was happy to finally rope up and get climbing! Great climb Dave! Looking forward to the next one.

Not much into typing TR's quick stats then a link to a youtube video: Time of departure 0600, 3 hr snowshoe approach lots of fresh powder even with snowshoes, ankle to knee deep. We ditched snowshoes at the final headwall (minimize backtracking from descent). 1 hour postholing uphill to Col then to base of climb. Snow conditions seemed super stable. We dug no pits but no sign or sound of collapsing snow pack, we witnessed no slides of any size while out there, no sign of unstability while moving through it. Roped up at 10:00 a.m.; 4 pitches to summit toped out at 4:00 p.m.. No drama on the route. I've never been to Chair before but the route seemed "in" Gear was small screws, pins, small to med. Cams, light nut rack. Climbing was interesting not a whole lot of gear but if your comfortable on that kind of climb then definiately a star route in my book. Lastly 2 hours from summit (2 rappels plus some down climbing) back to the car by 6:00 p.m. Any specific questions on the route hit me with a PM. Not much into giving a blow by blow anaylisis. Link to video.

I'm in from out of town, I have my ice gear with me. What are you interested in?

Leaving for Seattle tomorrow. I haven't had time to line up any partners. I'm bringing the kitchen sink out with me. Looking for ice, snow, mountaineering, even rock if the weather dictates. Anyone interested give me a call or email. Hard, moderate, easy whatever, I hate wasting my time out west without getting any climbing in. Andrew 646-642-1776

I'm looking to give it a go on Sat. I thought the weather was going to turn, but the latest forcast has slight snow (6000ft) Friday and partly sunny on Sat. The freeze temp has been forcast to be around 11000ft all week with it dropping to the 6000-7000ft range on friday and sat. I hear the ice on the route is alittle thin. This cold snap should help to fatten it up a bit, correct? Would you recommend snowshoes for the approch? Which chute did you climb Left or Right and how was their condition? Thanks.

Oh it swings to the left it swings to the right....that's what makes our country great. But if it was up to me shoot first, second and third and ask as many questions as you want later. Keep the fight overseas and let our military guys do the work that they sign up for and want to do. (Speaking from experience). Fact is the terrorists HATED us before, during and certainly will after the war. The only good terrorist is a DEAD one. Don't try to make friends with them, just figure out who your enemies are draw lines in the sand and take the fight to them and keep my family safe. The terrorist aren’t going away, can't be reasoned with don't care about politics they just want to kill us!!!!!! This is not fiction it is FACT! Screw politics, BOMB, ASSASSINATE, NUKE, whatever it takes. War is a battle of will. Let’s make sure our will has what it takes to finish the job. They WILL be coming to our shores AGAIN if we don't! Enough.....climb on.

Blah, Blah, Blah,

Wow, spam alert from one web site (summitpost.org) to the next (cc.com) you sure do make your rounds Jesse. Good luck, I've got a can opener I'll donate....

Which route do you plan on climbing?

Mike, Thanks for the follow up posts. I was probably a little grumpy in the AM when I checked the thread. The USMC birthday was the night before so I wasn't at my most cheery that following morning. That being said I never suspected the VA to be misconstrued as Vancouver. Being an American I think the world revolves around me.... I'm just trying to piece together enough info to make a sound plan in order to maximize my time in the Seattle area. I must divide time between my Wife's family/thanksgiving/climbing etc...I don't want to burn my days set aside for climbing doing research or route recon's. I would rather take the advice of those of you with feet on the ground to help guide my research time in the correct direction. Thanks to all for ideas/insight and keep it coming.