PickleJuice

I'm glad you made it! Meadows is a good suggestion considering the weather outlook for this weekend. (Don't know your time constraints but there is Smith...). Good Luck! Pickle. again

Nice work Elisif! I love the shot of you leading... and the one of the guy bowing to the sun gods!

Did you and liz make it out? How was it? I have Sunday off (at last!) if you guys want to get out.

I use Ride's DVa bindings. They came highly recommended to me when I was upgrading, and I have really liked them. It is a good time a year to be buying as most snow gear is now on sale. You can probably find them discounted at a lot of shops...here is one link where they are half off... Ride DVa Binding I've never used their boards, however, if you want a board you can ride for a while (cutting out the need to upgrade for a longer period of time), check out the Option's Bella board. It's still an all-mountain board, and you can find it for not too much more than the Solace. (Plus, they're still handmade in Vancouver). Good luck!

Check messages

Sparky, posted for some cute elderly climbers at work. . . They were worried having never done it before. Climb today in your neck of the woods?

Planning on doing St. Helens from the southern route (along Monitor Ridge) on Saturday. . . Does anybody know conditions, avalanche danger? thanks

Great report. I can see why you fell in love. Your pictures are amazing (especially like the Aguja M2 shot).

The skiing near Granada is incredible. I highly recommend staying in the town of Granada if you can. The town itself is enchanting with an incredible history (Alhambra, which was the last strong hold for the Moors in Spain is amazing), views of mountains in every direction, a crazy nightlife and skiing (Sierra Nevadas) is only a half an hour away. I can probably dig up some more details if you need any. . . let me know.

I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions of places to climb in the Phoenix area. I would be happy to drive a few hours for a good day of climbing. I've read about Mr. Lemmon (Tucson) and Promised Land (Prescott). . . any good info or recommendations would be wonderful. Thanks!

Excellent work Marcus and John! It seemed like everyone had a great time. Also special thanks to Gary and the two employees from the Portland Rock Gym that worked the event.(Hopefully there was a little booze left at the end of the night for you to enjoy.) I didn't win any of the comps or prizes from the raffles but I did get handed a business card from a Mr. Mike Layton. Funny, I heard he only worked on sheep and goats??? Had a wonderful time, thanks guys!

Excellent TR John. Great job Elisif! Two words were carefully selected by JF to describe you on your first alpine ascent, "bad ass." Wonderful work team Harro.

Origin of the Jedi (no wonder they're so cocky)

Climb: SEWS-South Arete Date of Climb: 7/23/2006 Trip Report: Though I went to university in Seattle I had never been on the scenic loop. That and I only started climbing 2 months ago (John insists that technically I'm only "pebble wrestling" at this point). Anyhoo, John and I set out on my first alpine climbing adventure. To prepare for my first adventure John insisted we consume the most nourishing of substances: I wonder how John's cam really got bent (John finishing off a bag of cookies)... John also insisted on an alpine start at 3:30 in the freaking morning. Had I known this about alpine climbing with NOLSe I would have stuck with "pebble wrestling" which we actually did later that day. Anyhoo we did battle with the mosquitoes on the approach: An hour of hiking brought us to the base of my first climb. John whined the whole way about the pace. The climb was totally fun... I found my first piece of booty (a sling... not NOLSe)! I was super stoked to summit: While I snacked and admired the views John fell asleep on the job which was good as it meant more sharkies for me: Organic Goodness (electrolytes without pickle juice)! I was able to rouse John after a half hour... or so... We then started the descent during which I also learned a redneck sport: rappelling! We then hiked out (John was suddenly able to walk fast): On the hike John decided to take another nap: Just kidding! We saw a goat. We then drove to Leavenworth (my first time!) to boulder. We warmed up on some easy stuff (sit start!): We then moved on to some rough and tumble rock: NOLSe even tried but too many cookies was his downfall (BENT CAM! BENT CAM!): ] After that we headed home. Wonderful first trip and I look forward to many many more trips. Hopefully my partner doesn't fall asleep on me or bend any cams. Gear Notes: Mosquito repellent, cookies for fatties, Sharkies, chauffeur, mug keeps beer cold Approach Notes: all trail