hefeweizen

It looks like I may be going to Haines/Skagway in mid-April. Any specific tours or locations I should look into? I will have a car but other than that I am human powered (ie no sno-mo or heli).

Based on my observations, the sheer quantity of people in REI purchasing armloads of new shit every time I've gone to return something far outweighs me and the dirtbag next to me returning our "faulty equipment." My point is, they are making so much money hand over fist that I doubt they are considering doing anything to their return policy. Besides, they resell most of the stuff that comes in at the garage sale (not climbing gear, I hope).

Temperature: N/A Restrictions Eastbound: Pass Closed Restrictions Westbound: Pass Closed Conditions & Weather: Snoqualmie Pass remains closed from milepost 34 near North Bend to milepost 106 near Ellensburg. Extreme winter conditions continue to hit the Cascades and Snoqualmie Pass and avalanche risk is at historical levels. Avalanche control work continues. By 8 p.m. this evening, avalanche experts will be able to evaluate the success of the day’s avalanche control efforts. WSDOT will be able to provide a better assessment of a possible re-opening time. Updated information provided as available // Snowing with areas of poor visibility Updated: 10:12 AM, Feb 1, 2008 This is the most current info available and is promptly updated when conditions change.

Somewhere around 50-55 that aint gettin some this year!

It's set up behind the yurt on a run called I-5, off of the Big Chief chair. Come to the patrol room to check out the box that activates the beacons. Currently there are only two, but more to come soon.

The beacon basin at Stevens Pass has also been set up and is operational. Stop by the ski patrol aid room for details to use it.

Just so everyone knows, the word I've gotten from the higher-ups at Stevens Pass is that uphill traffic IS ALLOWED while control work is being done. So if you hear bombs going off, don't assume someone will stop you before you wander into a runout zone.

Since I have not actually done control work at Mt. Baker, I don't know the nuances, but I do have a speculation. I think the reason they say they affect Mt. Herman when controlling Pan Dome is the concussive effect of explosives. Particularly air blasts (hanging charges above the snowpack) and larger (anywhere from a double hand charge ~4 lbs to 25lb or heavier ANFO sacks) explosives. They have no way of limiting the range of these types of detonations without limiting the effectiveness on Pan Dome. Just wanted to be clear that people understand the difference between actually throwing explosives outside the permit area and the effects that controlling the permit area have on adjacent terrain, especially with Mt. Herman's proximity.

Start Reading It's a pretty mixed bag. I'd say the biggest common denomenator is people who either didn't have the education, or went out despite unfavorable avy forecasts.

So consider this scenario: You do your tour, patrol uses one of the BIG bombs, sending a slide off Mt. Herman, burying and killing you and your partner. Headline in Bellingham Herald: Two Slain By Mt Baker Ski Patrol While Innocently Skiing When Avalanche of Death Comes Suddenly From Above The media outlets would have a freaking field day. Baker could lose their explosives license, thus making the mountain impossible to operate. I feel your pain about someone telling you that you can't access the backcountry, but it is a special situation and it sounds like they are really looking out for you on this one.

This appears to me to be a variation of the constant discussion about responsilibilty/liability in the mountains in America. Whether it's avalanches, tree wells, terrain park accidents, open/closed boundaries, hill markings, etc... In Europe, they have a long history of mountain travel as part of their culture. It evolved into mountain recreation where first ascents/descents were front page news. The population has been conditioned over a very long period of time to accept personal responsibility because precedence for protection by the government and/or other entities was never established. In America, when our culture started to recreate in the mountains en masse in the 70's and 80's accidents started to happen more often. People sued and won because a jury of your "peers" is actually a jury of people who have no concept of life in the mountains and personal accountability as a requirement in that environment. Thus, the precedence was set that we should be coddled and protected, and if something happens to us then it is always someone else's fault. There is a fundamental difference in the way America has grown up with respect to personal accountability and no amount of warning labels or TV newscasts will change that. What I hope will happen is that eventually enough people will die that those who chose to go to the mountains will take notice and realize that they need to get some education. I don't mean to be insensitive to those who have suffered loss this year, but people wont notice until it's a big deal. The information is there but ala horse and water argument, people wont seek it out if they don't know they need to. What I desperately hope will not happen is that the families and friends of the dead and injured will sue and warning label us into suffication until setting foot outside a prepared ski surface is punishable by imprisonment. In summary: do nothing about the unusual number of avalanche deaths. Continue supporting the NWAC and making sure that there are professional forecasts available. As long as that base is covered, we as a society should not take any responsibility for whether or not people chose to seek out the information.

Ditto. The pearly gates are usually filled with rubble or a boot pack, so not that smooth compared to the nice pitch over by the West Crater.

25ish, with about 20 of those being tasty pow days!

Actually, Feck's experience contradicts what the instructor said. The slide they triggered was a soft slab, not a point release, which indicates cohesion in the new snow and stored energy (i.e. propagation). They must have been at a terrain feature that gets wind loaded juuust right to encounter those conditions on Sunday. I was at Stevens skiing all over doing hill setup for unopened terrain and we found almost no slab quality to the new snow. However, since then, the additional snow and wind have changed conditions somewhat.

As the comments grow more numerous, it is apparent that the majority feel compassion for the missing, and there are only a couple of uninformed pricks who are preaching high and mighty. It's actually kind of refreshing to see that the dialouge turned to supporting the family and volunteers who are affected by this. Ditto on the great post, Selkirk. You are more restrained than I, as I was planning to suggest that certain posters over there eat a bag of dick.

Looks like a sick day! Not too much has changed.

"Bush is a lying sack of shit." "Beer Helps."

Has anyone noticed an increase in pain after taking glucosamine and then stopping? A friend of mine says his joint pain was worse after taking it for 6 weeks then laying off.

Hopefully you'll heal up in time for winter in New Zealand! You might owe yourself that for getting skunked.

hugh gives a fuck?

latest

I'm taking a break because I can't remember the last time I did. What's your excuse?

Of course they do. They probably have as much as OMC. I think all these shops carry enough rock gear to outfit anyone, but I think Climb Max makes it a specialty of theirs. You sound like you may work for US Outdoor with that plug The nice thing about all these shops is that it seems like they all carry different brands so if you're looking for something specific, just call around and you'll probably find it. You can't loose with REI's return policy though. A friend of mine threw his rope down at the local crag and it was the most twisted mess I'd ever seen. We climbed on it a few frustrating times and he returned it for a new rope. Another friend picked up some boots, wore 'em up hood and through the Cascades then returned them for an upgrade no questions asked. I don't (work for US Outdoor that is) I was merely pointing out that they do carry more than ski and mountaineering gear. And I agree, I hope REI never changes their return policy. My wife returned a Marmot Precip that was 4 years old and had started leaking, they gave her a new one that day.

I heard a story about a guy who worked on the set of Vertical Limit, or some shit like that, and said all the cams, biners, etc were dipped in some kind of rubber to reduce the clanging on camera. What a dishearting sight for a climber, a bunch of brand new trad gear that can never be used.

Don't worry, he'll turn white living in Aspen. If not by association, then from the drugs.