dougd

Geezer! Your local BLM office will sell you one for $10 cash... Got mine d

I've had bad leg cramps since the car to car on Shuksan in in '07 I think. I was 53 then. They hit me right behind my knees and near the top of the gully. Pretty sure I was salt deficient as I lost a lot of moisture on the approach. I use magnesium fairly regularly. Electrolyte supplement before and after trips. And I carry salty snacks and try not to run low on water, like I did on a recent trip... And this restorative pose (stretch) has helped me when I can get into position to do it. Near the top of the gully on Shuksan is not the place but it worked well at the bivy on Triumph and I recommend it for your workouts. It is a part of mine. http://www.doyouyoga.com/5-health-benefits-legs-wall-posture/ d

must not fall in love... again...

First time I saw it I sure wanted to climb it. Not sure I have enough left in the tank to actually do it, but at least I can check in here once in a while and share in the joy of it in a small way. Nice work fellas, and thanks for sharing. d

All too familiar with this type of injury... What a bummer. Glad it wasn't worse...

Thanks for posting this Marlin. A buddy's been trying to get me up there for a while to have a look around and now I see why... d

A little over three weeks makes a lot of difference on the snow field. There was a lot of water rushing under it though on the 27/28th of July... Last pic is cool. I gotta get a real camera I guess. d

Yes Jason it was Bill Trippett I met. And his beautiful chocolate lab Maisy. Hope I spelled her name right! d

Trip: Southern Pickets - Mt Triumph NE Ridge Date: 7/27/2016 Trip Report: Will and I climbed the NE Ridge of Mt Triumph last week. We started out at the Thornton Lake TH early morning of the 27th, spent the night at the ridge bivy site, summited on the 28th, made it to the col late that day so put in a second night there with the swarms of mosquitos then hiked back out next morning to the trailhead. I'd been looking for a partner for this climb for a while, unsuccessfully, until I contacted Will (WPH), who posted in the partners forum not only some pretty stellar credentials, but that he would climb with anyone who was reasonably responsible, and not a jerk. I thought I might fit the bill. I have other issues however. Age being one, and some health issues I won't bore you with. We talked about these and he was undaunted. He was stoked to do this climb so we agreed to meet up to do the South Face of Ingalls N Peak in the Stuart range as a shake down climb. That went well and we agreed to attempt Triumph upon the arrival of the next good weather window for the area. We took longer on this climb than some. I take responsibility for this without apology. It was damn decent of Will to ropegun me up both these climbs, carrying rope and rack. We had not met before, and 39 years of age separate us, which makes for a pretty unique experience and I think we both really enjoyed it. He's the real deal, highly skilled, smart, safe, amiable, and is ready to go anytime. I hope this TR helps him find younger partners for future climbs. I hiked up Goodell Cr last year. Spent the night just below the col and stared at Triumph for a few hours. I was trying to quit climbing then, the pain had gotten to be too much. Couldn't I just get better at suffering? Looking at that ridge, I fell in love, and off the wagon... It's probably time to give Alpinist's anonymous a call... From the col. Snowfield is still pretty full. Here's Will about halfway across. And a look back to the col from the ridge proper. There's some steep bits to traverse getting down off the col to the lower part of the snowfield but not too bad. Ridge bivy was as advertised. I was glad to sleep in my harness tied off to this sweet chunk of rock. Will got the lower berth... A couple pics from high on the route: Summit view second to none The happy old man with a bad case of helmet hair: Will on one of the first of many spectacular rappels.. Upon arriving back at the trailhead I had the good fortune to meet Bill Trippett, proud Father of David Trippett. I did not know Dave but it was heart warming to hear the stories Bill shared with me. Thanks Bill. Final thanks to Will, and to all here who have contributed beta on this wonderful climb and many others, some of which I hope to enjoy in the future. Think I'll hold off a while longer before calling AA... d Gear Notes: Our 60 meter rope was a tad short on two of the rappels. Ice axe, crampons and rock shoes were nice to have... Approach Notes: The walk in to the col is virtually snow free and accessing the ridge is still pretty easy. Large moats are forming though at the transition to the initial gully to gain the ridge proper.

Thanks for writing it up Ivan. Enjoyed the read and pics. And totally related to the bugs. On a trip in to do Gannett about this time of year couple years ago the skeeters swarming the trail all the way in and out of there. Fucking miserable it was... But the winds are worth it. Really big and beautiful country. d

A good training climb in your back yard I recommend is the keyhole route on Longs Peak. Long approach and bivy in the boulder field and 4th class home stretch finish make this a slightly strenuous very fun climb. d

Mt Stuart from around Ingalls Pass on Memorial day. Still a bit of snow up high here and there...

The Spur is fun and I like the up and over vs that descent in warm conditions... Way to go, and thanks for posting. d

Really enjoyed the TR/pics especially Forbidden Pk. Thanks

Josh, I suffered a compression injury L4/5 in 1977 at age 23 and have lived and climbed with the resulting complications ever since. Certain moves were more difficult than others on rock, lybacking for instance, and man, when it gets tired it can really suck... I started doing yoga about 10 years ago and it has really helped me manage the pain and continue to climb albeit at adjusted level of difficulty. Yoga, some weights, core work and doing laps, kicks only, with a floaty board stretched out in front of me in the pool at the health club keeps the old back strong and supple. Give it a try. And good luck on Baker. d

+1 He sure has learned a lot in a relatively short time but it is his respect for the mountains that stands out to me as the most important part of his overall approach to his climbing, and writing. Respect like this bodes well for us being able to enjoy his stories for a long time to come. As I slowly age out of the sport I love, it is gratifying to see guys like this come up. d

Wondering is all we have. Smart money has Garland cooling his heels for quite some time... d

http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/29/politics/scotus-4-4-decision-hands-public-sector-unions-a-victory/index.html SCOTUS' no decision is a good result in Friedrich v CTA. Man, back in the day I worked in an "open shop" and it really pissed me off to see folks "opt out" of paying their share for representation. It effectively split the shop and nobody was happy, except maybe management. Fuck them, and the rats ya know? Under no illusions were Justice Scalia still with us this result would not have happened... d

+1

When was he not steamed? Good point. I've not had the pleasure of meeting GGK in person, and I've seen him post up some pretty harsh stuff here but certainly would not attempt to make a judgement about him based on just that. d

Jason's on to something here I think. I'll take the under for 20 Zlotys! I was thinking a week - 10 days max but he did seem pretty steamed...

Hard to believe you'd leave all this over a little gun ad man... The upside tho is this thread has cc.com record potential! d

We shall expect "no quarter" if late at the gate... d

Definitely the smart money would be on Friedrich v CTA being a 4-4 tie as things stand now. d

Yes that, or something like it, would be my first guess. Everyone'll rightly expect a good fight to get the next one confirmed under this administration's time left. This man took his stands and was in the arena, doing his best as he saw it. I respect that, and hell, 79 years is a damn good run I'd say AND dying in your sleep! Pretty lucky guy all in all... Sad for his family and friends. Including Justice Ginzburg, who really enjoyed his company. d