mountainsloth

powder turns, sweet ice, and a summit? sounds rough...

wicked! I think I ran into you rapscallions last Sept in the Bugs.

killer pete! super jealous! i imagine it made you want to revisit in the Summer as well for those spectacular rock lines.

awe inspiring! i am stunned at the winter beauty. I imagine Queen Bess is going to make a mess when that NE face blows. Thank you for sharing Steph.

Get this man a crown and dub him king of Shuksan!

anyone know the exact dates the porta-potties are going to be at Vantage? I am taking a group of students up there this weekend and need to know whether I need to order one. Thanks!

Winter has a way of crushing grandiose plans of epic ascents and descents. Way to enjoy the splendors of solitude in such a remote place of the cascades.

So impressive. Love this stuff.

damn, that looks much fatter than I thought it would. looks like some great climbing.

"pics or it didn't happen"

wow, wow, wow... it still blows my mind that I have not been down there yet. This might have sealed the deal. Thanks for sharing.

Sounds like someone has had a bad experience with large groups among choss? Looks like they were being pretty safe. Don't forget, your safety is also in your own hands not others. Don't like the situation, find a way around them or go home.

impressive as usual. Ever given thoughts to Skiing the North Face of Big Four? 4,000 vert and the next couple of days would be perfect time with the low elevation snow.

nice. looks like a fun day out.

well that was a nice day dream... thanks

In my 5 years of living in Western Washington I have learned to take what the weather gives you and let that guide your winter recreation. For example, Sunday was supposed to be Sunny but very warm. That led me to go rock climbing at index (50 degrees) than hit some ice, the alpine, or ski mush. Index was wet (surprise! but we still had fun.

hehe... silly non-climbers. I had a new years conversation with a guy who was very interested in climbing outside after a few months bouldering by himself in a gym. When I told him I would take him outside and the things I like to climb she went into a tirade about how climbing anything with a rope is dangerous and that we would both die and it just was not worth it. No explaining, statistics, or analogies could convince her that I was going to die very soon and if I took her husband out climbing he would die soon. This all drives home the point that most Americans are terrified of what they do not understand and it makes them all the dumber and easier to control.

no surprise. add me to the list for a work crew when the time is right.

no shit sherlock. I assume the N routes are in, but with Kevin being a resource why not double check?

wow. looks like an amazing place. thanks for sharing. too bad on the weather.

photos of chair yet? thinking about going up there Tuesday. Thanks!

wow. neato! super jealous. I had a friend who was down there over Christmas. Seems like a dream destination.

hows chair looking these days Kev?

Ever since I first set foot on the slabs of Darrington, I knew I found a special place both in nature and within myself. I have climbed scary runouts, taken 30 foot wipers, and many long and beautiful lines out there with friends and my wife yet the place seems new, exciting, and awe-inspiring every visit. I have taken the new and old, the sport-os, novices, and those who have climbed everything. The response climbing those walls are always overwhelmingly joyous. I say climb that magnificent rock anyway you wish, but be prepared to be held high for 5 star routes, be ostracized for ruining the rock, or not be heard as your route might never be climbed. Chris, your routes speak for themselves. Don't change a thing. Your work is very well appreciated. As for over crowding... I think the approaches are doing a good job with this issue. Cheers to the wilderness for healing the wounds of our old timber and mining days.