Bigtree

Hmmm...one of many on an increasing growing list of such types that was installed and/or maintained their power with the direct and sustained assistance of the USA. Why do you guys tolerate such behavior from your politicians?

So many good climbs...Headstone Rock and Sail Away (Hidden Tower) are favorites 4 me.

This might work better... xUt419xLOlk

Here's a seasonal flick (if it doesn't work within this post then check out here )

Don, there's over 1400 classical download postings available here: http://www.torrentspy.com/directory/22/music/classical. Quality can be highly variable; however the price is right and leaves some money for purchasing new/shiny bits of climbing gear. Note that you'll need to obtain/install a bittorrent client such as BitComet obtained here: http://www.bitcomet.com/. PM me is you have any trouble. Cheers.

I'm afraid my pre-trip scheming hasn't gotten me that far yet but it certainly won't be anything extreme as my cliff hucking days are over. Have just ordered "Oregon High: A Climbing Guide to Nine Cascade Volcanoes" by Jeff Thomas from Amazon.com and was trolling for ideas/possible GPS tracks from folks such as yourself. Any thoughts on what's best for late May - early June (i.e., aspect, routes etc)?

Does anyone out there have a gps track or key way points for Mt. Jefferson (Oregon) that they care to share? I'm planning a week-long skiing/climbing trip in the spring of Adams/Hood/Jefferson and wood appreciate the info. Of course, I'd be happy to return the favor with some tracks to the north (e.g, Hood, Adams, Rainier, Baker, Shuksan). You can reach me via PM or shawn96438@yahoo.com Cheers.

A good read. Thanks for sharing Marek.

thx Kevin

I'm plotting a week-long triple header ski/mountaineering trip next May or June of Mts. Adams, Hood and Jefferson and my "Beckey 1" only takes me as far south as the Columbia River. Does anyone have any recommendations for a decent guide book with the standard route(s) for Mt. Jefferson? Thanks.

Gertlush, here's an June '06 picture of the N/W chute on the West Lion. I found it to be a straightforward variation of the usual approach: Of course here's the conditions you'll likely encounter for the next few months (this was taken during an earlier March '06 trip) - take care:

I can only afford one set of gear and was looking for the "perfect" binding to mount on my new Shuksans. I thought it was the Dynafits but a gear head friend of mine is strongly suggesting I pick up a pair of Silvretta Pure Performance AT Bindings. More versatile and very light (1.23 kg) compared to other non-Dynafit bindings. Also, while noodling around on the net I came across this site which has some straight up in on the strengths and limitations of Dynafits: http://www.wildsnow.com/articles/dynafit_faq/comfort_faq.html

Don't know if its std procedure for others or not but for what its worth I've used guides on two occaisions over the years - once in Washington State and once in Ecuador. I don't make alot of dough but felt that $50 was appropriate in both cases. Both trips were 4 days in length and the services limited to guiding (i.e., no food, accommodation etc.). I didn't begrudge the tips given that I was pleased with the competent service and had the impression that both guides lived a pretty humble existence.

PM sent.

Clipped from today's CBC website: Canada shreds plan to scrap paper maps Last Updated: Thursday, October 12, 2006 | 10:37 AM ET CBC News The Canada Map Office has found its way out of the scrap heap. The previous Liberal government decided to close the map office, which provides regional dealers with large-scale topographical maps that show details about terrain and elevation. The plan had been to move to digital maps only. But Natural Resources Minister Gary Lunn announced Wednesday that the Conservative government has yanked that plan off its course, and the map office will remain open. Kathleen Olson, a spokeswoman for Lunn, said Natural Resources Canada received a flood of letters protesting the planned closure. "We did start seeing a lot of commotion around the idea of this office closing," Olson said. "The minister wanted to find out more about it and once he did, he quickly realized that this is not something he wanted to see happen."

Can anyone with some experience with rigging/using the Bilgeri crevasse rescue technique describe it to me or post a diagram depicting the basic elements? I can't seem to find anything on the web. I heard some vet climbers mention it but can seem to find anything decent on the web. Mucho gracias.

Austin, I tagged the summit twice this year - once in June and again in August - both times via the south ridge from Cold Springs trail head. On the June trip I camped at the Lunch Counter at ~ 9 000'. The August journey was a day trip (~ 12hrs return) and I enjoyed it much more. There are a couple of route variations from the south - all straight forward. Here's a few pics at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bigtree/. Will likely go back in the spring and try a route from the north. Lots of beta under: "Route Reports >> Southern WA Cascades"

As the title says: http://www.glumbert.com/media/tonguetwister.html

"WESTMINSTER - When Ben Cort went to Longs Peak Saturday to climb with his friends, he never imagined what would happen once he reached the top. Cort, from Westminster, was climbing an area called Lamb's Slide, which is known for its icy and rocky terrain. When Cort was at the top, he lost his footing and fell some 800 feet. "The next thing you know I was just flying down the mountain without my ice axe," he said. "That's when it gets bad." Traveling at speeds witnesses estimate were near 40 mph, Cort stayed conscious for the entire fall. "Total pandemonium," he said. "I was head over heels and I was smacking my face on rocks. Rocks were coming down with me and then this boulder rolled over me a couple times." When Cort reached the bottom, he initially thought he was dead. "There was a very, very distinct feeling that I knew that that's how I was going to die. I was just sure," he said. "My friends were positive I was dead. I've been climbing long enough and have been around this sport long enough that you take something like that and you know that's kind of it." Remarkably, Cort not only survived, but was left with only a broken leg and shoulder, and some scrapes and cuts. "I hit the ground and I felt my feet, I felt my fingers and was just so overcome with gratitude because I knew that God had just decided to save me," he said. His climbing group, which included a man with Rocky Mountain Search and Rescue, immediately came to his aid. Cort says complete strangers also stopped to help him. "It was hailing. It was raining. It was nasty," he said. "And they didn't even think twice." Cort also says the Flight for Life pilot took a risk by flying in the bad weather to land in a tricky spot to rescue him. Cort was flown out of the area that night. He's been recovering at St. Anthony Hospital since then. It's likely he'll be released from the hospital this week, but it will be several months before he's able to climb again. "I'll probably be out of climbing for about a year," he said. "But I'm talking to you." http://www.9news.com/acm_news.aspx?OSGNA...47-c589c01ca7bf

I concur with Winter. Besides, as you can see from the attached picture taken Aug 7th, there's hardly any snow to be concerned with for much of the route except for the slog from the Lunch Counter to Pikers Peak.

I appreciate the humour for what its worth G-spotter...keep it up mate.

For the record, I was at Rainier Aug 10-12 with a buddy. We purchased our $30 passes at White River. Didn't make it past Camp Schruman this trip but didn't begrudge spending the dough given the well maintain trail up to Glacier Basin, the helpful/friendly rangers we met and best of all - not having to shit in a blue bag at Schurman. Contrasting the fee/service with my Mt. Baker and Adams climbs earlier in June and August, I didn't see much difference in terms of value for money.

Useful contact numbers not posted on http://mountrainierclimbingregistration.blogspot.com/ are as follows: Jackson-Paradise Ranger Station 1-360-569-6036 White River Ranger Station 1-360-569-6030

Very nice. Can't wait for more pics/details.

Am curious to hear some views on pros/cons of packing a satellite phone into the mountains. Given the nature of some recent trips of mine I've been pondering buying or renting one but am somewhat conflicted as I think a case can be made that it can undermine one's good judgement and self reliance given that "help is only a call away". Thoughts?