JBo6

How were the snow conditions? Corn developing pretty well? I'm shooting to get down there next weekend.

Anyone interested on Thursday? I'm not to sure on how things will be looking with this heat, but I was thinking about heading up early Thursday to check it out, and if things were looking good maybe heading up to the summit, but I'm pretty willing to pull the plug and just check out the Crater Rock area. I haven't spent any time up there so am also looking to get to know the area a bit more.

Might not be able to make it to the camping, but I'd be interested in getting some skiing in.

STP has some 35% off coupons floating around which would get you down to 75 bucks or so.

I have the Core and I've been happy with it. I was gifted a High Gear alti watch (no idea on brand cost about 150) and it lasted two months before breaking so I upgraded to the Core and have been pleased. Eats a battery every 8 months or so and are user replaceable.

Interesting to hear dhrmabum, with the exception of the suncups on the plains everything skied real nice for us. Of course the day we skied was the beginning of about 5 days of 90+ degree temperatures in Bend, so I can believe it got a little warm.

I skied South Sister on July 4th weekend last year. We had approximately 500-700 vertical feet of trail and then were skinning with occasional sections of booting over the rocks all the way to the summit. It was a nice ski, but the plateau at about 6k above sea level was a hellacious oven of suncups. I believe the Pole Creek trailhead is still closed due to the fire last year.

AS I'm getting more into BC skiing I'm starting to think that it would be nice to have a little more medical knowledge rather that working under the "I hope nothing bad happens" philosophy. I guess I'm most curious about what people think about various providers and classes length, eg an 8 day or a 10 day? I'd like to do a class in Portland this spring.

I was talking with a buddy about what to ski a couple of weekends ago, and I believe the NF of Big 4 was mentioned. If I remember right it was mentioned along with somethings off of Index and the Willis Wall. And none of those were serious. Looking at your Trip Reports are one of my favorite things on this website.

That's a pretty dang cool trip and I've added it the list of things to do. Thanks.

Jaysus, 1:35 from the parking lot or the top of the Mile? You are making me feel crappy about my self.

I'm going to be in Bend from the 20th to the 22nd while my girlfriend is at a conference. Anyone interested in getting some mid week skiing in? I've got a car and all avy gear.I'm fine with doing a mellow half day or a longer day too.

A Voile strap might work pretty well for that.

Aquaseal is another good bet.

Woah! Saw the plane at Helens the other evening and figured Scurlock was sticking around down south rather than blasting back to Concrete. What time did you guys end up getting in at? Looks like a heck of an adventure!

My boots used to fit the same way. I thought I could get away with just molding the liners, but it wasn't quite enough. I was able to go to a pretty nice ski shop and get them to punch the shell out a little bit where it was bothering and it worked like a charm. It ran me about 40 bucks. Be careful of the shop you take them to, I believe that most plastics that AT boots are made out of are a little trickier to punch than your typically beefy resort boot.

As ski season approaches I'm beginning to realize how out of shape I am. Anyone looking for a training buddy/someone to hold you accountable for the next few months. I work till 530 Monday through Thursday and would be game if you are. Let me know if you are interested.

Pretty cool. So if I'm reading your TR right the 4:40 time was on foot all the way to and from the summit? Is that sort of trend true for stuff on the Grand or some of the SLC stuff you guys do? And keep the spray out of TRs, I'd sure rather read about something like this than non climbing stuff. Thanks for posting it up.

I'd appreciate a report back if anyone heads out there. Thanks.

I'm looking at an extended ski trip around July 4th and one of the possible stops is in the Sisters area. How is the snowpack looking down there? South Ridge of South Sister still skiable? Any recommendations of something comparable if that is no good, or if there is a better route on any of the Sisters? Thanks a ton.

Funny. The Brooks Range tarp was exactly the one that prompted this post.

I got the chance to play around with a 8x5 Integral Designs silnylon tarp and they seem pretty slick. Any opinions on tarp usage for winter ski touring through summer backpacking. Something like a 8x10? Or go with a Megalight or other fitted tarp? What do you think?

Nevermind. Woah. http://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/climbing/mountaineering/everest-2012/Five-Confirmed-Dead-in-Two-Days-on-Everest-and-Lhotse.html

So if that earlier photo is in fact of Everest did all 150 of those people leave the camp at the bottom of the image after daybreak or whats up? A little bit of Photoshop?

If you live somewhere near a ski shop it may be possible to have some custom work done on boots. I have a pair of Scarpa Maestrales that are 27.0 and I believe they have a 102mm last. I also had the boots punched out over the bunion area and they fit like a dream besides a minor issue molding the liners.