Bigtree

You can buy a nice carbon fiber set from Fibraplex here: http://www.fibraplex.com/tentpoles2B.asp

Thanks for the responses. I spoke with a ranger this morning at Longmire and he said camping was fine, but only once on Muir snowfield. Too far for us, so down to Cougar again.

Some friends and I are heading down to Rainier June 12th for what seems to be turning in an annual event for us. We're driving down from Vancouver and usually camp at Cougar Rock for our first night before getting our permits the next day at Paradise and heading up. This year we would like to try something a bit different and tent near Paradise to help with aclimatization; however, we don't want to run afoul park rules. So, I would appreciate if anyone can advise if its cool to hike a couple of hundred metres up the trail beyond the parking lot and tent for the night. We would plod back down to the visitors centre and grab our permits first thing the next morning and go. Thanks.

That's the mountain last June: That's the the dog route up from the parking lot: That's a picture of the fun part from the Hogsback up: That's a picture of one of my mates on the infamous 50' knife edge ridge: That's the summit: You can form your own opinion on how 10,000 people a year and probably a number of canines make it to the summit each year.

No sweat. Good suggestion for Skate B to start with some inspirational reading. Buhl is my favourite and most impressive of the 20th century hardmen.

Why would it feel like its cheating? You're going to drive up to the parking lot I bet, so what's the difference of another 3,000' of diesel powered assistance? I found my Hood climb last June to be rather circus-like in general (and I didn't use the cat by the way). Hordes of climbers and skiers much of the way. Felt like a bus stop at rush hour waiting at the Hogsback for a bit of a clear spell and constant fear of getting taken out like a bowling pin by someone taking a tumble at atop the Pearly gates all added to the thrill and unique ambiance. Not that Baker can't be busy and goofy on a long weekend, but I would pick it hands-down over Hood. Easton via Railroad grade route is rarely busy and very straight-forward. I think Coleman-Demming route is way better as a day climb though.

Buhl died on Chogolisa after a cornice he was on collapsed. Lionel Terray died roped together with Marc Martinetti at the base of a rock climb in the Vercors. Perhaps you were thinking about Louis Lachenal, Terray's long-time partner, who died after skiing into a crevasse in Chamonix?

You mean like this? [img:left]http://lh4.ggpht.com/_79u2cG3BcPw/R-pFlQy8hKI/AAAAAAAACTQ/I2nIgAxSweA/s512/Shawn.jpg[/img]

Fantastic pics ryanl. Thanks for taking the time to post them. Its such a great area.

Hmmm, you're right. I guess I got all frothy mouthed as soon as I read Gimli and and my brain stopped working. Ah well.

Good TR and pics here: http://cascadeclimbers.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/822881/Searchpage/1/Main/61461/Words/gimli/Search/true/Re_TR_Gimli_South_Ridge_7_26_2#Post822881 More good stuff here: http://lamountaineers.org/NAC/browserf/climbs/gimli/beta.htm Its on my tic list.

I'm just having some fun with you guys re: sissy/toque comment. 'bout the only thing I do wear one for though is for climbing rock or other steeps. Its a personal decision and I relish the freedom of making it myself.

Wearing a helmet for anything but the most extreme off piste skiing is for sissies. A toque with a tassel or pom pom has served me well for more than 40 years.

Whoo hoo!

Hmmm. That was careless of me. Sorry. Still funny though. Imagine what the guy's son is thinking sitting there staring at pops?

Bad day...

Ditto. Great vicarious climbing over the holiday's. Thanks.

Bummer. I guess I'm going to be screwed out of the balance of my 2-year subscription (about 1 year left as I recall). Edit: Despite my pecuniary focus/loss, I too am saddened the climbing community will be losing such a fine rag. Been subscribing since ed. 12.

Nice work/very interesting Belle. Lot's of head scratchers like this one... "Fell 800 feet from Disappointment Cleaver. Tied together with a 25 foot rope with companion Patrick Hill. Neither of them were registered climbers, their outfits consisted of blue jeans and tennis shoes, as well as loose crampons." Wow.

That's a great little web site you have there Joe - nice pics. You should wait until the snow flys and try again - completely different vibe with snow/cold.

Spectacular pics/route. Thanks for the TR Le Piston

HikerGirl98, think about this guy who did it just over a year ago as you tick off the miles... http://cascadeclimbers.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Board=6&Number=719711&Searchpage=1&Main=53151&Words=olympus&topic=0&Search=true#Post719711 Have fun.

Great pics/TR Burglar

Nice work/pics guys.

"Mountains have a way of dealing with overconfidence." as stated by my favourite hardman Hermann Buhl.