KirkW

You are a lucky man. Two weeks is long enough to make you want to leave but not long enough for the locals to turn completely against you. They'll be super nice in that fake mid western way when they first meet you and it takes at least a few weeks for them to decide that you are a sinner and going to hell. My buddy that lives there tells me that the natives are beginning to turn on anyone from out of state though, because the housing market and general economy is finally starting to tank there too. So, of course, anyone from out of state is to blame. Everyone in town used to love the oil rigs. Now they're dealing with the mess and the screwed up economy of a boom town and the realization that ND is not immune to the problems they've been hearing about on Faux News. They are not happy about it. I don't know if ND is still offering free land but a couple years ago they were offering land and sometimes a home to people from out of state to settle in ND. They were having trouble finding people to take them up on the offer and several people who did ended up giving everything back and leaving the state. I can totally understand why someone would do this. I'd much rather be unemployed in OR than rich in Dickinson, ND. Also...if you need beer (I mean real beer) the only place in town that I found that carried anything worth drinking was the liquor store right next to the hardware store off the interstate. I seem to remember a Subway a couple doors down as well. Can't remember the name but it's not a big town so you'll find it. I just drank a lot of whiskey and tried to mind my own business while I was there. I was serious about TRNP and the Grasslands being kickass though. I pretty much make it a point to stop there on my way back to MN every time now. The place was incredible and no more than 45 minutes outside Dickerville. Have fun!

I spent a half a year working in Dickerville. The local sports are light beer (yes, that's a sport) darts, and shit talking anyone that doesn't look like you (white, xian) There's a local biker gang. They call themselves the fat bastards or something. If you are into guns you could easily outfit your self for the apocalypse (or a black man getting elected president) at the local farm and ranch store. You can't miss it. It's right across the street from the busiest Wal Mart in the world. I don't believe there is any climbing in the entire state outside a rock gym in Fargo but that might be because no body has spent the time to bother and look for it. My refuge was Teddy Roosevelt National Park and the Ma Da Hey Trail (take a good mountain bike). TRNP has hundreds of miles of trails that no one ever hikes on. The park staff encouraged me to just wander off trail and were way stoked that someone was back packing out there. More wild life in one place than I've ever seen. It was like walking through a zoo. Of course that's because the whole damn park (both N and S unit) is completely fenced in owing to the fact that any critters that step off the park boundary are pretty much immediately mowed down promptly stuffed and mounted over someones fireplace. Not that I have anything against hunting but they're not into hunting...they're into killin. The Ma Da Hey is trail that connects the S and N units of TRNP. It covers nearly 100 miles of the little missouri grasslands. I did mostly day rides on it and I didn't ride every section but you could do the whole thing in a few days if you were motivated and in good shape on a bike. It wasn't bad but it was burlier than I was expecting. I took my hardtail and several times would have been having a lot more fun on my full suspension. Water is a problem. Hiking or biking you won't believe how much fucking water you drink and there is virtually none out there anywhere on the prairie. When you do find water it's usually got a dead buffalo in it or it's so muddy from all the bentonite that you can't even filter it. I have very fond memories of the hiking,biking and wild life viewing that I did. Having to endure the rest of my time working was not nearly worth the money that I made. And yes... the weather is as bad as they say. Worse actually. They tend to down play how bad the weather is. Everyone in ND thinks they're a bad ass. May I extend to you my deepest sympathies if you have to spend any amount of time there. Hope you enjoy darts.

I'm sorry to report that Diamond is no longer a rarely climbed peak. Every year I have to kick over the new cairns that show up all over that mountain. Last year I even found some dipshits prayer flags laying in the dirt on the summit. The summit register that was there forever disappeared last year and the memorial plaque cemented to the choss just below the true summit was not there my last trip. After Sullivans last edition came out that mountain got a lot more crowded. Nice trip caver. I tried my hand at tele skiing a week or so after you were out there. We still had awesome coverage in the bowl. Terrifying for me on tele gear, since I'm not a skier, but fun!

I'm assuming since RuMR hasn't posted lately in this thread that he was banned for his personal attack on another poster? Or is he STILL on the protected list of CC posters who get to say whatever the fuck they want without the mods coming down on them? Just checking why he hasn't been banned yet since OFF posted in the same forum and obviously saw his comments. ...and RuMR...I don't appreciate seeing that kind of thing posted outside of spray so how's about you mind your manners a little?

My last attempt to climb the monkey was stymied by a group from CA that decided to monopolize the entire top of the monkey for the better part of a day in an attempt to rig "that swing thing" they saw on the internet. They assured us that it was "all good" though because they brought their brother in law the "engineeer" with and he was gonna make sure it was safe. I didn't bother to mention to them that most people don't rig it from the bolts on top of the monkey's head, which is where they were trying to set up their main anchor. I don't think they ever did actually jump but I know that we weren't the only party that opted to not climb the monkey because these yahoos were screwing around up there all day. I don't see a problem with rigging it once in a while and letting everyone know that the swing is going up. I know this has happened many times without problems. I'm sure it's a lot of fun if done safely and with a little forethought, but I, for one, am glad to hear that it will no longer be so easy for idiots to wander into the park and try this because they saw the video on the internet. Thanks for getting rid of the bolts.

http://cascadeclimbers.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/1024276/Kiss_my_Discovery_Pass#Post1024276

There is no such thing as a dog with zero health issues especially if you insist on getting a "pure"(in) bred dog and most certainly if you want another rottie. I've had dogs all my life and spent much time working with rescues (specifically rotties and pits) She passed this last december from breast cancer. "Pure" bred Dane that I spent a small fortune on. In the end we just couldn't get around the fact that it was her genes that betrayed her despite the fact that she came from the most reputable Dane breeder in the Midwest. Miss her like crazy! This guy has got some big shoes to fill. Dane/newfie/ ? mix recently adopted from the local shelter. Adopt a mutt and you'll both be happier and healthier! Good luck with finding a new best friend regardless of where you decide to get them!

Uninformed generalizations? Who's uninformed? Just because we disagree with the conclusion that you've come to doesn't make anyone uninformed. Thanks for insinuating that we're all idiots though with our useless drivel. As far as these "services" that people keep talking about...In the relatively short time (less than 10 years) that I've lived in OR we've seen fees go up across the board for using our PUBLIC lands and the only "services" that I've seen are the placing of toilets and trash cans at remote TH's that never needed them before the fed/state/county/local government that "manages" (lolz) the land needed an excuse to force people to buy these passes. I've come across many VOLUNTEER groups doing trail maintenance but not once have I come across a paid work crew doing actual trail work for ANY gov't organization in OR, WA or CA. This isn't to say they don't ever do this kind of work but it can't be that often considering how many days I've spent out there, hiking, climbing and camping. I've seen lots of people working to build outhouses, RV pads, roads, huge ridiculous signs telling me I need a parking pass at TH's and lots of other "services" that only cater to the RV and car camping crowd. They put these "services" in attracting people who have no respect for the natural world and wonder why everything is getting trashed. Meanwhile...I've been climbing over the same logs that have fallen across trails for years now and I've never run into a ranger or FS personnel unless I'm on or near land that is currently being or slated to be logged for profit or for the addition of "services". Can someone explain to me why the taxpayers should have to foot the bill for someone to drive their million dollar motorhome up to 5k in the mountains, provide a spot for them to park it on, give them a place to shit because they don't want to be bothered with emptying the septic system they brought with them and then haul their trash out for them because they are too lazy to throw it in the back of the Jeep they have in tow when they decide to head back to the city on Sunday night? I think the people who use these "services" should have to pay for them. But they don't. Camping fees end up in the pockets of private companies (sometimes from out of state) and the rest of us who don't own motor homes and wouldn't, even if we could afford them, are left paying for these "improvements and services" through constantly rising user fees even though we don't need or want the services. OUR public lands should be open to everyone but that doesn't mean I should have to pay for some rich idiot to drive his 5 mpg RV out into the middle of the wilderness so they can park their fat ass in front of a TV and enjoy their air conditioner while I get to enjoy the ecological devastation these monstrosities leave in their wake. Yes...I consider forcing everyone to pay a "fee for services" that they don't want or need to be the same as "fleecing the public". But I'm just an uneducated idiot spouting useless drivel so I guess my opinion doesn't count.

NO...we don't need paved roads and RV pads and all the crap that comes with them. Nor do we need filthy pit toilets without TP in them or garbage cans at TH's. It's not the public or the govt job to keep your car clean. You can shit in a hole and bury it or take a dump at home or in a gas station just like me and why would I expect someone to drive out to the middle of no where to collect my trash for me? Get rid of the "services" and there is no problem.

Nicely done and thanks for the TR. Would love to hear about the non G rated part's of the trip as well. Care to elaborate?

They sure do. Along with NW forest passes, snow park permits, camping fees, extra vehicle fees, administration fees from the concessionaires etc. etc. Didn't mean to imply that WA was alone in it's fleecing of the public but just that I won't be paying this latest fee to enjoy WA's public lands. Hell, I can barely afford to pay the fees to play outdoors in OR let alone pay an extra $30 if I want to climb in WA. It used to be the case that camping and enjoying the outdoors was something cheap and simple that most anyone could afford. No longer seems to be the case anywhere.

Well it looks like the fat, rich, assholes figured out another way to dip their collective hand into the pockets of the poor. AGAIN. I absolutely cannot believe that people on this board are actually defending this pass. Lets make everything so expensive that only rich people can afford to enjoy our PUBLIC lands! Poor people are stupid anyway...that's why they're poor. They shouldn't be out playing, they should be at work or in school getting that college education and racking up student loans, in this here land of unlimited opportunity, that won't be paid off until they're retired. "Things are just more expensive." Just the way it is huh? If we can't afford pit toilets and garbage cans at the parking lots then I say take em' away and stop maintaining the trails. It's not the goobermints job to make the forest accessible for anyone and it's not their job to keep me from enjoying it anytime I want to walk, hike, or bike my sorry ass out there. Don't want to maintain a parking lot? Fine...but you can't put a closed sign on the whole outdoors and the fact that you even insinuate that they can means they have all ready won. Looks like I won't be climbing or hiking in WA anytime soon. I'm done with these bullshit fees that keep going up and up to pay for (non-existent) services that no one needs and few want. How long before WA can no longer afford the enforcement of this policy and they turn to private organizations to "help" them out with the policing of this new policy? Ya know...sorta like how private organizations from out of state are now managing and making huge profits off of campgrounds that sit on public lands and have always been free for the public to use.

When you have personally rescued as many climbers and DOGS in the mountains as I have then you can call me a dick on the internets. Until then come and say it to my face. I'll PM you my address. Pussy.

The owners should have put the leash on at the trailhead. Dogs gotta be dogs, but pet owners need to be responsible and follow leash laws. Not the time or the place. KSWM...I assume this is a photo of the woman reunited with her dog taken yesterday? Thanks again for doing what you do! DPS...Why don't you go ahead and give her a call right now and let her know how you feel. I'm sure she would appreciate your opinion. What a dick.

Kick ass job OMR!

Sweet. Thanks for the update!

Surprised that things are still holding together up there as well as they are! Nice work Dan-e!

Why does RuMR still have an account here? He most certainly should have been banned yesterday for his previous post and instead of apologizing he continues with the barag for cursing and personal insults. I thought this kind of thing wasn't going to be tolerated around here? Even in spray. How do I get on this list of protected CC members? I want to be able to post personal attacks on here too.

JRay, We parked at the Pamelia lake TH. (don't forget your permit) The only rock we encountered had an easterly exposure on the crest of the ridge. I didn't have to do any digging to find the rock but much digging and hacking with the tools went on to clear a path over one of the three bulges we climbed directly on the crest. I'm sure that everything we climbed is now melted out. The West face or "Standard" route up the Pinnacle was completely covered in snow and rime. NO rock showing through anywhere and the rime seemed to be decomposing quickly. We soloed the lower easy ramps on the N side of the W face and climbed one mixed pitch directly up the crest of the ridge to the summit finding pro mostly with small rock gear. I place only one picket on the summit pitch but I think pickets would have worked too if you were willing to take the time to set them properly. Leave the screws at home. I was really nervous about climbing the Pinnacle as I'd heard so many horror stories but in the end it turned out to actually be pretty mellow (that day) and LOTS of fun. Don't have any idea what the recent weather is going to do to these conditions but I doubt they are going to be kind. I would also recommend being prepared to downclimb the summit pinnacle unless things have changed dramatically up there. Rapping off was out of the question without resorting to a significant amount of shenanigans. Have fun!

Mr. RuMR whom I've never met: Have you read the new site guidelines about conduct and personal attacks? Time to reassess your behavior and learn to address alternative perspectives in a civil manner. Moderators...please send him packing! Or do the rules not apply to RuMR? Just looking for a clarification so I know who is allowed to personally attack people on this website and who isn't. I don't always agree with Raindawg but he does have the right to express his opinion as much as the next person. Regardless of whether or not he's good friends with the mods.

Thanks!

Anyone been into the crater recently? Wondering if 9 and 11 o'clock are still full of snow (I'm assuming they are) and how close we can get with the truck.

Trip: Mt. Jefferson - West Rib Date: 6/24/2011 Trip Report: We decided to take advantage of what looked to be a nice drop in the freezing level on Thursday night and go take a peek at the West Rib of Jefferson. We didn't have high hopes of summiting but we were both itching to get out and decided we'd at least get up on the Rib and see how things were. Adam (thanks for all the photos) figured he'd at least get a couple good shots of the upper mountain and a nice ski down. The clouds kept the sun and temps at bay for most of the approach and as promised the weather cooled substantially by the time we set up camp just above treeline. We got to watch a spectacular sunset and tried to get a little sleep. We left camp around 2:30 on firm snow. Things got better and more solid the higher we went but the rime formations we encountered lower on the rib were not confidence inspiring. Looking down the route at our camp lost in the clouds far below us. Sunrise caught us still enjoying the climbing and the view well below the summit pinnacle. We got to the base of the pinnacle around 7:30 and made our way up the easy snow chutes on the northern side of the west face to gain the crest of the north ridge. Not being impressed with the condition of the rime on the west face I was happy to find a little exposed rock on the east side of the crest mixed with what looked like solid enough snow and only one short section of rime leading up towards the summit. To my surprise the rock I encountered seemed quite solid and ate what little rock pro I had. There was however, no ice anywhere near Mt. Jefferson that was interested in taking any of the screws I carried up there. The crux of the ridge was having to excavate a path through a small rimey cornice that had formed directly over a smooth boulder on the east face but it really wasn't too bad. I cautiously crawled up over the final bulge on the ridge and walked onto the summit at around 8:45 somewhat astonished to be where I was. It was a little later than we had hoped to be up there so we wasted no time in getting on with things. Leaving the pro in place Adam made quick work of the ridge and joined me on the summit. He quickly snapped one of the best hero shots I've ever seen... ...and downclimbed the route reclipping the pro. The downclimbing went better than I was fearing and we were both soon back at the belay, admiring the North Ridge and planning a future trip. On the way down, we paused a moment, to check out the Traverse I've heard so much about. The snow on the traverse looked fine but the rime hanging directly above it would have given me a bit of a pause, considering the rate at which it seemed to be melting all ready and it wasn't even in the sun yet. The amount of chandelier ice falling off of the Pinnacle was tremendous and by the time we were out of it's fall line we were both noticing an increase in the size of the ice chunks hurling by on a regular basis. The decent of the Rib went well enough but eventually the sun caught up with us and made for a slushy trudge down the final slopes for me but provided Adam with some excellent corn on the lower portion of the Rib where he had stashed his skis on the way up. We took our time getting out and paused for a while at the Milk Creek crossing to enjoy the excellent view as well as a couple of cold beverages we had stashed in the snow on the way in. Overall this turned out to be one of the finest volcano climbs I've done. A super fun route with a solid partner and perfect weather. After all the asskickings Adam and I've had from the Oregon Cascades It's nice to have it all come together once in a while. Gear Notes: Never having been up there and not really knowing what we'd encounter we brought the kitchen sink. 60m of dental floss. Couple small hexes, couple small tricams, a lost arrow, and a nut. 3 screws and 3 pickets (ridiculous...I know). Way too much cordage, slings and webbing. Good training I guess. I pretty much sewed up the parts of the ridge that scared me with a lost arrow, the nut, everyone's favorite tricam and a single picket. It ended up being just a couple meters shy of 60. Trying to rappel off would have been a stupid, dangerous and time consuming adventure. We both had one standard axe and a second technical hammer and found them quite useful on most of the route and indispensable on the one roped pitch. I almost took two technical tools and that would have been a big mistake. Flotation was really nice to have in the afternoons but we could have lived without it. at Milk Creek! Approach Notes: We pondered our options for quite awhile before deciding on how to gain the ridge at Milk Creek. In the end we opted to follow the north fork to the finger of snow that we could see. This was based on beta I found on CC and contrary to Oregon High. We found a blazed path on the north side of the gully complete with cairns and flagging tape. Seriously.

sent you an email regarding the half rope