scottgg

So how'd ya'll do on your summer ambitions? I got most of mine ticked off, looking forward to the winter.....

Cool report! My dad loves hiking in to suprise lake, and we are planning on climbing Gilbert next summer.

Love that fin picture! Was one of you wearing a bright jacket (red or maybe orange)? I hiked through the enchantments on Saturday with my parents, and we saw you guys on top of the first pitch. Yeah, the wind was pretty tough that day, really blowing through asguard pass! Doing that traverse on top of the fin was tough in the wind! Good Report!

We didn't bring crampons, and the snow/glacier had the consistency of concrete I'd rather make the two rappels (good anchors/ no rope eating cracks) than carry crampons.

From the summit, we scrambled southeasterly through sandy ledges, then made two single rope rappels, the first being from a cairned anchor. Follow this with just a bit of loose downclimbing, and we were soon boulder hopping towards Asguard.

Climb: Dragontail-Backbone Ridge Date of Climb: 9/13/2006 Trip Report: There was recently a thread pondering why a particular climb will come into vogue, and see a rash of ascents and trip reports. In my humble opinion, I think it is because once a climb is reported, you dont want to be the poor sap without it on your resume, so you go and tick it. Backbone Ridge has recently been one such climb, and seeing as how so many CC.comers have been getting up it, I didnt want to be left out. My courage was bolstered by statements such as "...the offwidth was way easier than I thought", "just bring cams" (good thing because I forgot my nuts and lucky red tri-cam). Actually this beast has been on my list for awhile, and my brother and I were not disapointed. How'd ya'll get them ropes up there? The Off-Width (which I thought was challenging) Cruizin Lukey warmin his claws on the fin Descent Sans Crampons Asguard Pass Thanks AlpineDave for lettin us use Big Green!

I saw some cool butresses on the ridgeline east of Kendall Mountain and wondering if anyone had any beta? The routes are visible from the PCT near the Kendall Katwalk and are north facing... thanks for any info!

1. I dont think you can camp at the lake, but there is a really cool place just north of Stuart Pass to camp. 2. Stuart's north and south side are snow free as of this past weekend. Possible itinerary could be to hike in from Teanaway, climb Ingalls then decend to lake Ingalls and camp near the base of the Stuarts west ridge and climb it the next day. Neat area.

We climbed it earlier this summer (July), and on the east ridge made one 30m rappel, one downclimb of a fixed rope, and several hundred feet of down climbing to make it to a snow couloir which we decended to the basin on the north side of Sherpa and Argonaut. But I bet that snow chute has melted out by now.

partner found

Anybody want to get out this Saturday? Here are some ideas: Index peaks traverse Forbidden north ridge or ????? I only have one day, but I can drive and leave super early!

....., I think I'd be pretty happy with what I've done. No small part of that enjoyment would stem from the mis-adventures I've found in our Cascade Mountains. Since beginning to enjoy our mountains with not only my feet, but also hands and axes, I am continually in awe of the joy they bestow on me. As I've recently entered the "corporate world" (more out of necessity than desire) I've been struck by the stagnation of my co-workers lives. Perhaps I've just embodied the alpinist elitism, but I think not. I look around me, and we are taught to embrace conformity. College, spouse, good job (401k), house, kids, etc. That’s all great, but what about the adventure? Our ancestors constantly lived in a state of fear...could I find enough food to feed my family....how about fending off the attacking animals or tribesmen? Safeway and our strong military answer these contemporary questions, so where do we obtain our current adventure? Where do we give "death" the finger, and live to brag about it in a warm pub with close friends? Climbing is the answer, yet I hesitate to use so broad a term. Specifically I am referring to alpine attempts by two men(or women) with "...a rope, a rack, and two packs" on large mountains. I have done a fair share of soloing, mostly close to home, which includes Snoqualmie pass and the odd-ball Leavenworth route. These routes, while scary, never touched me in the way that alpine routes undertaken with partners did. When sharing a rope (or just the rock of a route) with a strong partner, there is a electricity between you that spurs you towards the summit, and whether or not it is reached is insignificant. Remember Jack Nichalson in "A Few Good Men"? He asked Tom Cruise: "..have you ever put you life in another man' s hands, or asked him to put his life in yours?" As climbers we can say: YES! That feeling of mutual trust when a challenging route is undertaken together is liberating and fulfilling. I have never really been on an extreme route, yet my experiences in the mountains have been both eye-opening and fulfilling. Partners dictate our experiences and lessons, so I encourage you to chose wise, and realize that the summit is not the goal, rather the journey. Sure, its nice to stand on top, but how much sweeter is it to share your high point with someone you truly care about? I'd rather struggle up a trade route with someone who I genuinely cared about, than attempt a First Winter Ascent with an individual I had no respect for. Some friends/partners I have had the pleasure of climbing with: Luke Gullberg Aaron Blankers Mark Bunker Kurt Hicks Jens Klubberud I sincerly belive that sharing a life challeninging experience is the most profound effect that climbing can have on us, and I continually seek that lucid moment...

Yeah, Hood's lookin pretty chossy these days. Did you ever head back up to Graybeard and find your gear?

Good stuff; both entertaining and informative. I was originally wondering about wrist support, but the crack taping techniques were good also. I'll put 'em to use this week on the cc.com flavors of the month

Ok, I got one!

Headed up to the Enchantments next Tuesday, and I'm wondering if anyone would let me babysit their large (OW size) Camalot, Friend, or Big Bro? I'll pick it up, bring it back, and leave you with a six pack of your favorite brew. I'm leaving next Tuesday evening, and I'll be back Friday night...

Thanks all! Great link CBS, I'm going to try that out next week!

What is your advice on taping your wrists for rock climbing? I have seen people doing it, but whenever I try it my circulation gets cut off and I cant feel my fingers. My wrists tend to ache while climbing near my limits, and it seems like tape might help this....any thoughts?

Good Luck Kurt! When are you guys headed up there?

Great TR! I'm heading up their next week and your photos are very helpful

Good Stuff Wayne! So what made you decide to go it alone and not get a strong back or two to help carry in? I was pretty pumped after Colins slide show also!

Nice job, I'm planning on heading up that thing next week.

Fun Thats a cool looking tower!

great view of the pickets from there, huh? cool climb!