tvashtarkatena

Nice work in a great area!

Good on ya for taking the Carne route. Bear 'n ice!

Grover Norquist don't surf.

More fee collection systems = more overhead = less of your money actually going towards what you really need out there. The FS has come up with some GREAT new sign kiosks, though. Very helpful. When I go out, I'm always happy to see more signage. It should come out of federal taxes. Way more efficient. Anyone who thinks that fees stop white trash from making their mark should visit a State Park camp ground some time. The best way to to deal with that crowd is to provide enough free meth and access to clear cuts.

I hate it when Jesus makes that low pitched, whirling sound.

Jetboils do have their problems. Boiling water too quickly isn't one of them. Their one and only use is kind of implied in the name, no? Jetboils give you two signals that they're about to scald everything in your tent: Early Warning: Rising pitch of the characteristic whoosh Core Breach Imminent: The pot starts shaking. You've got about 5 seconds to hit Shut Down before detonation.

The closest call I ever witnessed (without participating) was... ...any guesses? The base of upper Castle Rock. Somebody pried off a 3' dia. Daisy Cutter on their belayer, who was happily and tightly tied to a tree in the gulley on the crag's climbers right. It slammed right in front of her, she rolled on her hip as far as her tree would allow her as The Gigantor scraped past her ass on its way down the gully. Suddenly, a voice from far above yelled: "Pretty fucking sobering!" Advice from a volcanologist: If you're caught out in the open, keep your eyes on the threat until its gone.

Almost crushed my foot with a one ton chunk of talus this weekend. Very close call. My closest call ever came from a situation just as you describe: 2 huge blocks I 'hardly touched'. My take away, for what its worth: a) Assess a block's supports and avoid dubious ones. As you observed, it doesn't take much. b) test others gingerly with a light tap c) Climb to avoid leveraging on such terrain d) Constantly evaluate rock quality as you go e) Don't get cocky f) Never forget where your buddies are g) If its all shitty all the time: life is short, and good rock is plentiful. Loose rock is an unavoidable fact of life and superb entertainment if you happen to have the mountain to yourself.

We didn't fish, Jason. Had to put the trip together quickly and didn't have time to research/acquire the licenses, check regs, etc. Plus, I've never fished from an inflatable kayak (only hardshells). Knowing me.... I do like those groovy little drop anchors the guides use. I'm a CastMaster kinda guy anyway. The finer points of the Blackfoot would have been lost on me. Still, Canyon Lake was WAY down and the fish would have practically leapt into the pan. Next time!

Cause: [video:vimeo]48776393 Effect: [video:vimeo]48769311

They don't call Butte the Paris of the West for nothing.

Cilogear employs a team of extremely hygienic kittens to gently lap the dirt off your pack.

I took some crag shots while hiking up Canyon Ck. I have no idea how developed the Bitterroots are (never looked into it), but given that Canyon Ck is just one of many canyons in the range, and the range is damn big, there's probably some fun to be had there for anyone willing to wade past Montana's ubiquitous white noise of kooks, drunks, and holy rollers. Fortunately, the state also offers a very low population density, particularly regarding Johnny Law. I'm glad to have it available as a possible refuge when they finally come for me. Canada's become impossible these days, but, apparently, Montana will take anyone. Montana's kind of like a snowy Mexico for scratchy white folk with a few Robert Redfords sprinkled in to stoke the brotherly love. Crag Shots

Come on, Pete, you really think I didn't look that up? For you geo wonks and igneoramuses out there, most of the Bitterroots are Cretaceous Idaho Batholith: granodiorite and monzonite.

I keep it stowed until requested to do otherwise.

Trip: Blackfoot/Bitterroot Float and Backpack - Date: 8/27/2012 Trip Report: SLIDESHOW One week left of vacation and a cloudy state of Washington. What's a pair of bodies to do? Colleen and I spent two nights out floating the North and Main fork of the "A River Runs Through It" Blackfoot River. A mellow float (with a fair share of rock dodging this time of year). Plenty of ospreys fishing and red tails hunting during the day. At dusk, the kestrels, which look like large swallows, came out to reduce the insect population. We then headed to the smoke-shrouded Bitterroot Range for one night out at Wyant Lake (Canyon Ck TH). Forest fires can cause some strange animal behavior: we saw a bat lazily drifting overhead mid morning. They also make for some interesting skies. We were surprised to find out that the Bitterroots, at least in our vicinity, were granite and not unlike a more fractured, dryer version of the Yosemite backcountry. Montana provided a sunny respite from Washington's mercurial summer, and it's only slightly further than Smith Rocks from Seattle.

I'm home now. Where 'r you?

I thought about entitling this one "Something Got Climbed". You may only legitimately rape another's TR via a keyboard balanced upon your burgeoning, increasingly bilious baby beer gut. You don't qualify.

Trip: Luna Peak, SKA* - SW Ridge Date: 8/18/2012 Trip Report: Seven days, one summit.* With Colleen still recovering from a broken ankle, we needed to take those two expensive titanium self tapping hex heads holding her medial malleolus together for a long, slow, thorough test drive. Day 1: Launch the Pua'a from Colonial Creek CG, paddle Diablo Lake to NPS dock, portage to Ross Lake, paddle to Big Beaver CG. Day 2: Hike 11 mi up Big Beaver Creek to Luna CG. Day 3: Hike about a mile further up Big Beaver trail, swamp-thrash to Big Beaver Creek, ford, and schwack 1800' up Access Creek to a basin camp at 4200. Day 4: Up the nearly snow free, left most access gulley, then follow ridge top to 6550 camp. Day 5: Colleen defends 6550 camp while Pat observes, but does not participate in, insect orgy on Luna summit. Colleen's ankle remains pain free, but slight swelling indicates a rest period is in order. Both descend back to 4200 camp. Day 6: Reverse scwack down Access Creek with new, improved Big Beaver crossing just upstream of confluence, followed by hike back out to Big Beaver Camp on Ross Lake. Day 7: Reverse paddle/portage/paddle, with a non-participatory observation of human mating rituals at the Quilceda Walmart. Report: $4.99 polarized Berkley shades are out of stock. While in men's room, one small boy observed rushing out of restroom without washing hands. Overheard just outside the restroom: FATHER: "Did you remember to wash your hands?" KID: "Yes" FATHER: "Are you lying to me?" KID: "I washed them!" (presumed Focus on the Family approved corporal punishment strike). KID (now screaming) "I DID!!!!!!!!!" SLIDESHOW An expedition style siege of Luna Peak is not for the faint of heart. The threats are many. Tan lines. The sun burn that can result when avoiding them. Staring down your partner over that last remaining drops of bug juice. Eating all your candy. Having to re-read that Vanity Fair article on Alec Baldwin. One must train, and train hard, for such long stretches of inactivity. Big wall climbing or fruitless Walmart insertions are recommended. *with apologies to Leor and company, whose feats of Alpine VO2 Maximus require no introduction. Gear Notes: More magazines and candy. No gear beyond trekking poles is necessary at this time. Approach Notes: Good ford of Big Beaver just upstream of confluence, which is impossible to find without a GPS or helper bear. Schwack up right side of Access Creek, EZ crossing at 3800 to talus...only a minor dose of slide alder required.

Snus. Have your TP handy, though. Nicotine nudges more than just your alertness.

We had to eat the sheep. Damn this economy!

FYI: Remodel Hell did not prove to be eternal, so there's now a decent bed available for those passing through Seattle in need of shelter.

I've heard from friends that KKK is actually a gentleman and a nice person in person. I've actually had him on Ignore for years due to frequent KKK/JB repetition competitions, but I always peek. Everybody does.

Porcupines tend to stand their ground (why wouldn't they?). We had a helluva time getting them out from under our car. I was even charged by one on Carne Mt. Fortunately for my slow ass, its flank speed was like, a mile an hour. At first I stood my ground, but found my self backing away. It wasn't exactly rocket science making that decision. All the while the thing was making these weird nasal whining sounds. Strange critters. The Bugs rangers leave plywood out for them as a peace offering. They love that glue.