einzelgaenger80

I know this is a long shot, but: Lost a brand new Garmin Oregon 650 enroute to Muir on 4/22/16. Probably about 3/4 of the way up the route, near a rock outcrop before the snowfield. Had a lanyard and small, black biner attached. Reward if found and returned. Thanks,

Some similar issues I had with the pack were jumped on immediately by Graham. I didn't really mind too much -- the pros of the pack far outweighed, for me, a couple R&D issues. A fair trade off for having a manufacturer who actually listens to comments and suggestions. .. not to mention I am in NYC most of the time and can go to give him my pack to look at in person!

Not anymore, unfortunately .... but I think there are probably some Seattle guys with that pack?? If you do a search on cilogear on the board I think you may find a couple other guys who had posted reviews.

I picked up the CiloGear 60L and the 20L the a few months ago. After playing with them both, thought I would toss up a brief review: They are freaking great. I attach the 20L to the back of the 60L when I am doing any kind of extended alpine trip where it is convenient to have quick access items within quick reach (rescue equip, first aid, snacks, screws, pulleys, phone, etc) -- and I do not have to overfill the lid and make looking up annoying. The 20L itself works great as a cragging pack, summit bag, or what-have-you. It attaches easily to the larger pack. The strap configurations allow one to quickly and securely attach anything to the outside (esp useful as one sheds layers, switches tools, etc). During a recent extended alpine trip I had my two ice axes, mountaineering ax, crampons, pickets, trekking poles, wands, and shovel all strapped securely to the outside of the pack in a nice compact cluster down the middle of the pack - the flexibility of the strap system allowed me to do this. I also glasscaded about 4,000 ft with all that stuff on the back and nothing fell off (along with a pad, helmet, and other various items strapped on back there). The ability to compress the sack into a smaller summit bag )but with the capacity to have all your “emergency” equipment) was nice. The materials are of high quality in all the right places; the ice axe "sleeve" design is also very thoughtful. And really the best part of the packs lies in the owner, Graham. He is easily accessible, listens to any issues, and works with you to get them resolved. It is refreshing to have a pack like this and still have access to the maker. Anyways ... they art great packs and buying one is a great way to support a small business and a fellow climber who decided to take a step forward in pack design. edit: here is an image of a 2 day load.

MSR Reactor - http://www.rei.com/product/736977 ... I got a hold of a demo version. Used it in some unforgiving conditions -- and it worked better than any I have used in the past. Worth the wait, if you can wait.

What a sad year .. and not even half-way there. So many good climbers, and good friends, passing away. "We stand on a mountain pass in the midst of a whirling snow and blinding mist, through which we get glimpses now and then of paths which may be deceptive. If we stand still we shall be frozen to death. If we take the wrong road we shall be dashed to pieces. We do not certainly know whether there is any right one. What must we do ? Be strong and of good courage. Act for the best, hope for the best, and take what comes... If death ends all, we cannot meet death better." -James Fitz.

As someone mentioned, LR is littered with unqualified climbers more and more every year. .... You know, those people you pass on-route, stop 30 yards ahead, look behind you and just get that strong gut feeling that you should probably stay with them, convince them to turn around, or offer some other advice/assistance. Thank goodness most of the really dangerous people turn around on LR before they get to the PONR. Every experienced climber I know has aborted several summit attempts to help random people on the mountain -- part of what I love about mountaineering and the mountaineering community. We bitch and whine, but, in the end, I think we all help out those people on the mountain we detect are in over their heads. Just as we hope someone would help us. Part of the price of climbing these amazing mountains, I think.

A big kudos to who ever does the NWAC reporting -- who ever it is is obviously a mountain goer in some fashion -- and the detail of the reports show it (as does the occasional mountain humor). It is almost always dead on, and a lot of people would stay out these bad situations if they read that report before they went up. Thanks again to all the PMR people. They are great. They are always helpful and take time out to give advice -- whether at the base and give some route reports, or any where else on the mountain (or if you are tucking tail and coming down hogback because of HORRIBLE weather and you run into a couple of them -- they offer to lead to the summit, you follow and end up on some 200 ft crazy ice variation in the gates with no tools and ropes, ZERO vis in a freezing rain storm... leading to one of the most amazing summits of my life ... and on HOOD, no less!)

I'm sure most already use this resource, but maybe there are new people who do not: http://www.nwac.us/~nwac/products/SABNW One of the best resources. BTW: Anyone else notice that they have not posted weather reports/predictions or avi dangers in the climber sign-in area on the SS of Hood ever since the Dec. incident? I've been there a few times since then, never seen it. Maybe I am just missing it? I climbed right before the Dec incident, and it was there. Liability issues?

Went up Yesterday/Today, solo. Rough all the way. Was not fun. Got real soft. Annoying "variable" postholing. Up, down, up down. Bring ice tools to get through the Gates. West Crater Rim route looks suspicous. Needs some avi testing - but maybe I am paranoid. Stash skis at Palmer for the trip down, save yourself 2500ft of hip-level postholing ('course I am 320 lbs, loaded, so that never helps). Feel like Hood doesn't want anybody on it right now. Had this very strange creepy feeling all the way. Couldn't wait to get the hell out of there.

Excited to hear your trip report. I love Adams, and would love to do a little 3 or 4 day expedition up there in winter.

Assuming they reopen Hood -- I'll be up there this weekend and next.

Hey .. I am up for some climbing the end of December. 29,30,31,1st. I would prefer to just stay on Mt. Hood. I am slow as dirt, and I like to take a fairly measured and safe approach to summitting -- so I can but a frustrating partner . But have climbed Rainier/Adams/Hood a few times, several different ways, so I know them all fairly well -- which maybe is helpful in winter. Let me know if you are up for a trip -- I usually like to spend 2 or 3 days on Hood (weather permitting), and just explore around while I wait for a good summit.