patob

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/health/health_watch&id=7838036 http://www.hss.edu/conditions_ankle-distraction-arthroplasty.asp Here is some more info. It was a challenge going to NYC for it and wearing the fixator is not always fun, but it's an option to try that doesn't burn any bridges. Jeff Christensian at everett foot and ankle is the replacement guy for around here. the boots may be helping, but it's going to catch up to you.

Mark, I broke my ankle 20+ years ago and was in the same position as you. I had worn out the cartiladge and was recomended to have fusion or replacement. I am finishing up on what is a third option. Ankle distraction. Don't do a replacement without considering it. I have grown new cartiladge. I heard about it from reading an article about Vern Tejas who had it done. S. Robert Rozbruch at the Hospital for Special Surgeries in NYC is the man for this. It has it's challenges, but is way less scary compared to having your joint cut out. PM me if you want to talk about it. I would like to add that Ed Blahous is a great local ankle guy. He doesn't do the distraction.

My wife and I were thinking about going to city of rocks at the end of the month. One of the questions is whether or not to take the dog. How dog friendly is City of Rocks? Any other beta like best campground, food, routes, etc much appreciated. Thanks

Thanks for the update Alasdair

Has anyone been up there? How far back from the trailhead is the road blocked by the snow? Thanks for any updates

Take the five. Leave your pack on the ground and chimney up scooting the five along. Pretty easy without the pack.

La Paloma in George, Wa. Looks closed, but Fidel will serve you up some good cheap food

I rented one on a road trip in the sw. We went from Santa Fe to Ouray then off to wolf creek pass to ski. I liked driving it. We had to do all those passes between durango and ouray in a snow storm and it was great. It's more of a toyota than pontiac, so I would expect good lifetime with it.

I went to the meeting in Anacortes last night. A good turnout by climbers and climbing organizations. AAI, Skagit Alpine club, Washington Alpine Club and others. It's not just the 5 million dollar insurance requirement, which AAI says is unavailable. They want a 90 notice of use, individual releases, hold harmless agreement, sanitation plan, parking plan, and distribution plan. It is squeezing out all the volunteer climbing classes. There was a friendly response from the council, but not sure how it will all fall out.

We were on Redoubt and the mox peaks about 3 weeks ago. We were able to drive to the left turn up the hill with an old volvo. More clearance would be better. Someone has gone in with a chainsaw and cleared the trail so it's really good. The glacier below redoubt is really broken up right now. Pat

The leader should take his pack off and haul it later. I climbed it like a chimney. Left arm towards crack, back againest the wall, and feet working the features on the wall. just scoot the #5 camalot along and your up. With the pack off it's not that hard

I soloed it from luna col a few years ago. The ridge was straightforwarded. I remember that it was best to drop a bit to access the glacier. just scrambling, never wanted a rope

I would concur, no snowshoes needed. The track is pretty beaten in and the top of the railroad grade is mostly bare.

I was there last weekend. The road is down to a little more than a mile of snow covering and melting fast. The glacier is really covered. no problem navigating crevasses or the shrund below the caldera pat

Thanks