jfreeburg

Thanks for all the ideas. We ended up doing Gib Ledges and a trip to Vancouver Island. We had always wanted to do a winter ascent of Rainier but didn't think the weather would cooperate when we had time available. Turns out everything lined up and we went for it. A fun, direct route. After that, we headed up to Strathcona on Vancouver Island. My friend has dreamed about sailing around the island for several years but hadn't actually seen it. We read about some alpine routes up there and thought an international climb was in order. We were shortchanged of ice so no major objectives scaled but we had a fun scramble up some no-one peak near Gold River. Lots and lots of mountains up there and the alpine starts pretty low - around 3500 feet in places. It feels a lot like SE Alaska. Definitely a place to return to.

We are looking for routes in the realm of 4th class, low fifth class. We are Seattle-based so we want to get away from the usual Cascade haunts like the Enchantments. Banff is an option though I think we'd rather be on the move rather than doing 5-6 days of straight ice climbing. Any particularly noteworthy traverses in Banff or Yosemite that would be a good 4 or 5 day trip?

My buddy and I find ourselves with 13 days off starting next week and a roadtrip/climbing trip to be had. Where would you go and why? We are open to anywhere in the west and have winter camping and extensive mountaineering experience. We may hit up Hood (Yocum?), Shasta, and then maybe 5-6 days in Yellowstone. But where would you go? Sierras? Banff? What route and why? We'd love some suggestions of high routes, link-ups, etc and we have some time and energy to get after it. We have skis, snowshoes, and whatever else it may take to get some summits in. Any recommendations would be appreciated. Anything within driving range (meaning western US & Canada is considered in). Thanks!

No, but I've heard you can get about a mile and a half from the Hidden Lake lookout trailhead. I was thinking I'd approach from there.

I'm looking for a partner or two to join me for a climb of the Triad (between Hidden Lake lookout and Eldorado) later this week. While I'm guessing it could be done in a day, I'm thinking it would be more fun to do a 2 day climb. Approach Wednesday and summit Thursday. Likely on snowshoes, but I could do skis too (I'm just getting into backcountry skiing, so I'd need to be convinced an average skier could do this trip). I'm also available for future mid-week multi-day climbs/scrambles/backcountry ski trips.

Interested in a climb/ski of Corteo or Black Peak tomorrow? I'm in good shape (headed to Denali in 2 weeks) and looking for a steady pace. Not a strong skier, but very experienced on snow, steep slopes, etc.

Interested in a climb/ski of Corteo or Black Peak tomorrow? I'm in good shape (headed to Denali in 2 weeks) and looking for a steady pace. Not a strong skier, but very experienced on snow, steep slopes, etc.

I have a size small women's pair of Outdoor research alti mitts and I'd like to trade them for a larger size. They are like new. Gore text outer and removable liner. Will consider sale, but would prefer to trade for a larger size - men's medium preferable, of any similar expedition weight mitt (any brand).

Yup - would love to hear from you. Send me a note at jifreeburg@yahoo.com or Two oh six -245-0059.

Vagabond and Nostrand, I sent you private messages. Please check and contact me if interested.

What size is it? S/m or m/l?

Still looking for partners. I've sent private messages to the folks who replied so far, but haven't heard anything back. Perhaps old fashioned cell phones are better? Text me at 206-245-0059 and let's set up a time to grab a beer and/or discuss via phone. Thanks, Jim

PMs sent.

Interested in a one day trip Saturday? Perhaps Observation Rock or another one day steep snow climb?

My team of three is looking to expand our team for a West Buttress attempt next year. We are three brothers who have committed to this project and we'd like to bring on a few more climbers or join another rope team. We will be doing a series of training climbs over the next year and we'd like to have potential partners join us on one of those climbs to ensure we are a good fit. Our next training climb is mid-June. Location TBD but will likely be Grade III. Our Denali plan is a late May start (one of us is a teacher) on snowshoes. We are relatively experienced - 40+ glacier climbs between us. Happy to grab a beer with you to discuss further. I live in Seattle and work in Olympia so anywhere nearby is ideal. One brother lives in Kenmore (the other is in San Jose), so those are options as well.

I just took a job in Olympia, though live in Seattle. I'd be up for some after work hikes in the Olympics or other training routines - 6-10 miles runs, etc. Either of you interested? My weekends are a little tough through March, but open back up again in April. Perhaps grab a beer one evening to touch base first?

Le Piston - I do have a tent. But I'm interested in your mitts. I'll PM you. I've heard the air taxis do have sleds, but they don't have fixed poles. I'm still trying to decide if I want to pony up the extra money for a nicer sled, but I thought I'd see what's out there at least.

Do you still have the rental boots for sale at Alpine Ascents?

Starting to gear up for a 2014 Denali climb and interested in buying your used gear. Looking for: overmitts XGK ascender Also willing to rent/buy: pulk -20 sleeping bag Anyone going up this year - let's talk when you get back about other gear you hope to unload. Email me at jifreeburg@yahoo.com

My brother and I are thinking of heading up to McClellan this weekend if the weather allows. We thought we'd get up to the Stuart range by taking the ridge that's north of Ingalls Creek, traversing up from the Ingalls Creek trailhead. Anyone been up there via that route? Our family has a cabin in the area and we've always talked about getting into the Enchantments from this side.

Adze for Quark or Quark ego Hammer for Quark, Nomic, or Ergo Both brand new, in package, with screws, washers and bolts. $25 each.

Trip: TR - Shuksan Attempt - Sulphie Glacier Date: 5/12/2012 Trip Report: A long planned trip took a few of us into the alpine this weekend, despite the avalanche warnings. We knew there were risks, but knew we'd be cautious and use our best judgement to figure out what's safe and what's not. The incredible forecast turned out to be true and we saw hardly any signs of sliding, so it was a great trip. We had a late start to the approach Friday and with the soft snow, it was slow going towards Sulphide Glacier. We had snowshoes for 4 out of 5 of us (luckily), and used them as we approached the pass but decided against them for the traversing that needed to be done to approach the glacier. We decided to camp around 5700 feet. We started moving again around 3:30am to great conditions - solid, firm snow and the mountain to ourselves for now. There were some ski tracks that looked to be from earlier in the week, and a few tracks from critters, but not much other else up there. As we approached the summit pyramid, we knew it was going to be a challenge. We had a few newbies with us and didn't bring ice tools. We should have - the gully was pretty packed and plenty steep. The skiers may or may not have turned around where we did (at the base of the gully, 1/3 of the way up the pyramid) - if they continued, their tracks from front-pointing weren't visible. It was a bummer to turn around without a summit, but it was the right choice. The snow was softening up quite a bit on the way down and we didn't want to be under anything soft longer than we had to be. As we were headed out, a group of 11 (Boealps?) had just crossed over the pass. We passed along a report of the pyramid conditions, though their leader didn't seem to think the gully would be a problem for them as they'd be there at sun-up (he did it last summer and it's no big deal apparently). It wasn't summer conditions, that's for sure. I'd be curious to hear their report. I can't imagine 11 people in that gully, without a second tool, in early spring conditions. A great trip - no signs of major slides, no falling cornices, though we got in and out early in the melt cycle. Not a single crevasse showing on the glacier. It was definitely warming up on the way out Saturday though so I'm sure things will change rather quickly up there. Approach Notes: Road blocked by snow about a mile from the trail head.

I'm hoping to head up to Shuksan tomorrow (up the Sulphide) but I saw the NWAC's gnarly forecast for the spring thaw cycle that warns against backcountry travel in avy terrain this weekend. Can anyone tell me what the slopes are like up there? I talked to a ranger at Marblemount who warned of some potential cornices above the toe of the glacier, but I'm wondering if there is something else to be concerned about. The guy I talked to didn't have much information personally. Does the summit pyramid ever slide? I climbed it maybe 10 years ago so I don't have the route fresh in my head. Any suggestions of similar (safer?) routes to try Fri-Sat?

Brand new extra small alpine bod climbing harness from Black Diamond. Bought for girlfriend and never used. Still in mesh bag with tags. $30 or make me an offer. In Seattle - Greenlake/Fremont area.

Some of your questions can be answered at http://discoverpass.wa.gov/faq/ All revenues from the pass will go towards upkeep at state parks, DNR, and WDFW. And if you want to know how taxes have grown over the last 15 years, check out this graph: http://budgetandpolicy.org/images/copy_of_102010_budget_sharePI.png Spending per person isn't a good way to look at government growth because per capita income has obviously exploded over the last 50 years. Of course government has grown over the last 50 years as well. It didn't take a college education to succeed 50 years ago. Life-saving (and expensive) health care procedures weren't available 50 years ago. And we probably didn't have paved roads and composting toilets on our public lands. Things are just more expensive. I know the Mounties aren't favorites on this board, but you actually should thank them for helping to keep state parks open at all. (http://mntrs.blogspot.com/2011_05_01_archive.html) Without the pass, state lands would be closed. Parks and public lands aren't the highest priority when the legislature is trying to also pay for prisons, courts, schools, public health, health care for people with disabilities.... Paying taxes and user fees aren't my favorite things to do, but there's a price on everything and I'd rather be able to enjoy public lands than see a closed sign out there.