bigeo

This brings up a question that I have long wondered about. I have been carrying snow "flukes" rather than pickets since I was a teenager climbing with my dad. They are a lot less awkward to carry and, based on intuition, l believe they have greater holding power in a wider variety of snow conditions. I have weighted them when set as an anchor, but never subjected one to a fall-type load. Does anyone have experience or know of any testing that indicates how flukes stack up against pickets? Found this, but it doesn't really answer the question: https://www.msrgear.com/blog/gear-archives-diving-deep-evolution-msr-snow-fluke/ and there's this:

Having eyed the flows above Melakawa Lakes while doing the Chair Pk circumnav on multiple occasions, I would say they form often, if not every winter. I believed they would offer some fun climbing, but, being a bit long in approach for a day trip in the short daylight hours of winter, and the prospect of hauling camping gear and ice climbing kit seeming like excessive effort, I contented myself with admiring them as I skinned by. I might have to reconsider. Hats off to you guys for getting after it.

bump for more books

This weather isn't much good for getting into the mountains. It's a good time to read/plan/dream about exploits to come. I have several decades worth of collected climbing "literature" to unload. Make an offer on anything that strikes your fancy. The more you buy, the better price you're gonna get. Will ship for cost. A few books that are either rare or current I'm going to hold out for $$. Smith Rock Guide $20 Red Rocks Guide $50 Waterfall Ice make an offer (lowest price on Amazon is $360!) And for something totally amazing: Every issue of Off Belay magazine (Jan. 1972 - February 1981) plus a few duplicates. Good condition, with a hint of mustiness to insure authenticity make an offer I will ship for cost. Prefer Venmo for payment. I live in Edmonds and you can pick up at my house.

Andreu, sent you a PM

Anybody use these anymore? $5 each or $20 for the lot.

3 @ 21cm, 1 @ 18cm, 2 @ 15cm All sharp and shiny. $25/each I'm in the Seattle area

A good starter set for winter alpineering. 50cm shafts. drop and curved picks. I'm sure I could dig up another leash. $30 each or $50 for the pair. cash or venmo.

I said "unused", not new. They were manufactured in 2002, nuf said. $75 each, $100 for the pair. Can ship for cost. I'm in the Seattle area.

Dug deep in the gear bin to pull out this treasure for y'all. These are old school rigid crampons (some of you remember). They are pretty good for pure water ice; puts some mojo in your kick. Comes with all the trimmings (heel spurs!) and can be set up for dual point or mono (centered or off). Adjustable to fit just about any (rigid sole) boot. Haven't been used a ton, so points still have a lot of life. $50 cash or venmo. Could ship for cost if you're not in the Seattle area (i'm in Edmonds) https://www.climbing.com/gear/dmm-terminator-crampon-review-no-226/ Ice climbing around here is going to be off the hook when all this rain freezes up ; )

Well played gentlemen. Thanks for the stoke.

Positively excellent! Thanks for the report. Just got my Nexus card and BC is my new backyard.

Spectacular! I want to do that.

It would be a lot safer to camp where you cross the broad lower end of Curtis Ridge. If you're skiing the approach, this won't add substantially to the time/effort on your summit day and getting on to the base of Lib. ridge in the early morning hours makes sense to me. I've done it in the late afternoon on a warm day and it was a shooting gallery. There is plenty of flat terrain on lower Curtis and you might even find running water. Good luck!

Very cool. My dad got me started in the climbing game as an early teen. It was one of the greatest things he did for me.