dougd

Park Rangers, being Federal employees, would have the opportunity to purchase life insurance which would provide a benefit up to five times employee annual salary. If I recall correctly there are double indemnity clauses in play for loss of life while on duty. A law enforcement officer would be well advised to take full advantage of an opportunity like this but to my knowledge there is no requirement to do so. It's a good thing folk are trying to do here, trying to find a way to express their sorrow for this Ranger's family's loss. d

1) more self discipline...

Me too. Thanks for sharing the pics. Looks like a good year. So, the lemur was just out walking around? He looks incredulous, and menacing all at once! d

If ever I saw a thread that should be headed for spray, this would be it. JMHO d

I dibs the bobcat square when the pool starts... Very cool pic. d

You certainly won't "catch hell" from me Gene... Doesn't excuse what this young man did at all IMHO. d

lol

Very sad, but this is the world we live in... They'll get the perp. Gotta have a good description on that animal. d

bout the only time I had trouble with AMS was flying into Denver, shooting up to camp @ 10k, hiking up Mt Elbert next day then heading through Leadville Co on the way to Lincoln, Democrat, Bras etc, camping at 12k seriously fucked me up. Some good quality schnapps didn't even help that's how bad it was! I hiked out three of the five 14ers next day but I was hosed... AMS can hit anyone pretty much anytime in the mountains. It's hard to predict. Ascend 1k/hr is a good acclimatization rule... Listen to these guys MP. If you approach the Cascades with the proper respect you'll be ok. Find a way to take the time to learn them, on their terms. They don't care about your life. That's up to you. d d

MP, they're trying to help you. Well, most are... For the record, I found myself similarly nonplussed on just how to answer those same questions when I printed out one of those solo apps last year. And I am one of the fortunate who live close enough to be able to take multiple trips to these mountains and gain the experience necessary to not only enjoy them, but survive them as well. There is some very sound advice, given in posts above. Good luck, d

I've enjoyed all the pics proffered so far. Tom, looks like a very committed year of climbing, the rewards obvious. Pat, your photography reveal not only a good eye but serious thought. Ivan, I really enjoyed yours as well especially the exposure on the Captain. Chris, your beautiful Halfdome pic reminded me of the great memories from my week spent at the Hodgdon meadows campground and hiking as many trails as I could throughout the valley in spite of the harsh late spring weather encountered in May 2010... The weather cleared toward the end of my week enough for climbers to get back on El Cap and I just laid in the meadow in the sun, looking up, watching for hours... Ultimately,it is about the memories isn't it... C'mon now ppl, don't be shy... d

Thanks, yes, it was a very good year. Ivan's right of course, 4th from the bottom is Shuksan's summit pyramid, taken from about midway on the Sulphide glacier. d

lol, the wife said the same thing... Just a harmless lil ole Rainier bear... d

They are crevasses on what may be the lower Newton Clark glacier. I thought they looked cool so snapped the pic. d

Looking SW toward Jefferson @ 9000ft on the spur. Is this the Newton Clark Gl you all are referring to?

Cannon Power Shot A560 can only do so much I guess... As I approached I remember looking at the N Face and thinking that left around the shrund would be best also.. I can send you the pic if it helps. d

Windy Cooper Spur Wednesday pm...

It was open to the public until Wed. I met three guys hiking in on Wed the 21st that were from the Oregon Nordic Club who were heading up to the cabin to put the locks on. They "allowed" me to warm myself by the fire for a few minutes. My understanding is that they are 24/7 locks. At least for now. Access to the cabin reverted to Reserve America from the Nordic Club on that day apparently... I've used RA for campsites etc but not sure how this one's gonna work. d

Nice work Anastasia. I I was up there Wed/Thurs testing some new gear on one final "scouting mission". I decided to wear my crampons all the way down to the car at the Tilly Jane TH on Thurs. Still fell once when the very sharp, new, Petzl pon hooked a calf and down I went just below the cabin on one of those narrow icey traverse sections... It's always something. Wed the 21st was pretty windy still but it died down around 0300 Thursday & was near perfect for climbing that day with 10 - 15 mph winds above... Had the stone hut all to myself & one of my coldest nights ever in the mountains... Oh, and FYI for aspiring Tilly Jane cabin users: it's locked up tight now and control for access is through Reserve America... d

Very nice work on a very beautiful mountain.

I think that's a good call. Here's a networking link that you may already know about. It was a great help to me preparing for my trip. http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/forum.jspa?forumID=16&keywordid=68 d

I was there in '04 & all I could think of was immersing myself in the culture, sightseeing in Kathmandu, & the Himalayas of course, and how much of all that I could experience in the time I had... I'd love to get back there someday... d

1) you're one lucky bastard. 2) bring the rack just in case. 3) you'll be trekking if you're smart so may or may not need the rack. Enjoy the country, Nepal is awesome! d

A tribute worth reading. Not only is Kathleen Parker hot, she's a helluva writer in her own right... http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/there-was-just-one-hitch/2011/12/16/gIQAhPjCzO_story.html d