Lisa_D

the lower piece is gone? (did it pop out and fall down?) Nice work, Blake and Rad, and good to hang out with you that weekend!

backpacking through the crater of the volcano was one of my favorite parts about Maui. There is a cabin that is fairly inexpensive to use. Tents are an option too. Awesome experience!

There's a place just to the east of the park called Antelope Flats that has legit free camping. --good to know.

I also know Kevin and have done a few climbs and ski tours with him. What a great guy. Praying for his safe return..

More info about Banbury Green at Skaha - they like climbers and let them camp for $7 per night. This is the climber rate, and I am not sure if it applies during peak season. The campground is closed to the public right now, and they only let in climbers. Nevertheless, highly recommended.

Jackson, WY: Cheap showers are found in the northern end of the national park. But why settle for that when free ones can be found? The nicer hotels offer free showers, wireless, and continental breakfast to those who invite themselves in. The staff is too polite to question, and the pool isn't locked, so you can get to the showers in the locker room. If you come across a staff person, comment nonchalantly, "wow, the hot tub is great!" Don't try this at lower end hotels; my guess is that their security is a lot stricter. Teton National Park: free camping is highly discouraged, and police are everywhere. But it can still be found in less popular campgrounds if you come late and leave early. Also check around on side roads, especially the boat launch parking area near Signal Mountain Road. Park in the woods and leave early.

If you sleep cold, make sure you're warm when you get into your sleeping bag (walk or do jumping jacks before bed). Also, when sleeping, layering the down jacket on top of your torso rather than wearing it adds more warmth. (if you wear the jacket, the part you lay on is compressed and provides no warmth.) Duct tape on the feet to prevent blisters. On some snow traverses, I like to use one pole and an ice axe.

looks wonderful... I'm jealous.

While mountains remain my first love, biking is cheaper, less weather-dependent, and doesn't require a partner. Mtn biking and road biking are both awesome, and possible almost year-round in the NW. And, when it's really raining, there is always spin class. I have wondered, though, if running is better training for climbing.. it seems like a more compatible type of fitness.

way to tell the story with pictures. Loved it!

What: way too many things on this list. ski St. Helens. Bugaboos. Mt. Sir Donald. Goode NE Buttress. Red Rocks. Stuart. Shuksan. Forbidden... How: Training a lot over the winter and spring. Saving money. And, finishing my bachelor's and taking a summer off to play. Then maybe I'll head to New Zealand for a second summer when winter starts to come here.

ouch!

looks like a beautiful day.. makes me excited to try ice climbing this winter!

amazing..got to go for a great 40 mile ride!

Yeah, it was great to meet people and enjoy the sunny weather! Ozone is worth visiting, and really fun to just climb and not worry about the ratings. Allison and I each had some fun leads, including Don't Forget Arete (5.9), near Sam's hill. Thanks for rescuing the cam, Rad!

Cutting off the circulation can be a problem for me, so I use thin socks and then neoprene booties over.. I have a friend who uses 2 pairs of neoprene booties at once.

beautiful photography.

a good end to your climbing season, Steph. Glad you finally got up Slesse!

Nice work guys! Looks like you had a beautiful trip. And you finally got your Unauthorized squirrel.

I did Ruth earlier this year as a fun family backpacking trip (the gully wasn't too fun with full packs, but it was dry when we did it). We hoped to climb Icy Peak too, but the weather came in and we hiked out. I'll take a stab at naming some of the peaks. On the left are Whatcom Peak and Challenger (with the big glacier). Then the Northern Pickets: Ghost, Crooked Thumb, Phantom, Swiss, Fury. Southern Pickets: you can see Inspiration Peak and the two Macmillan spires.

Goat Mt, across the valley from Tomyhoi and Yellow Aster Butte?

(I'm the same Lisa from the TR) That was an awesome trip.. good climbing with a great climbing partner! Thanks for leading the "easy chimney" on Pingora, Steph!

I've thought of that myself, especially on really hot days! But that water is going pretty fast..

Sleep is essential. One thing I tried last winter when I was over-scheduled and burnt out was following a strict sleep/wake schedule. I made a resolution to be in bed by 10:30 and up at 6:30. Not easy (especially as a college student living in a house with a bunch of people), but paid off immensely. I kept it up for the entire winter quarter, and I think it allowed me to keep a healthy balance and not get burned out.

Third time might be the charm for you and the Pickets (and for me and Shuksan). This summer is cursed for weather! Steph, we need to go to Wyoming to escape this North Cascades rain. (check your email for more on that)