Maine-iac

New article about the proposed mega-mine in AK out. http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2010/12/bristol-bay/dobb-text

I've got a GoPro Hero (HD versus the normal one) and love it. Best 300 bucks i've spent on a camera. I have not tried it with one of the fixed mounts yet (but have friends who have) so I can't vouch for their integrity, but they look solid. My only complaint is that it is so easy to take lots of footage you can fill up your computer in one day. I bought it because it does a fairly wide range of timelapse stuff which I enjoy [video:youtube] This is something like 400 miles of North Dakota. And yes, it is that boring.

I have a pair of Hellbents (122 underfoot) with Dukes on them. I would "tour" with them but I can't afford a pair of skins that large right now. My "touring"/everyday ski is 100 under foot with a rando binding on them. Rocker is fun because you can't dive your tips under. If you are going well above 100 underfoot look for a larger binding because a skinny traditional alpine binding won't give you as much power transfer to a super fat ski. That is a big reason that I have a pair of Dukes on the hellbents.

Sean, fair enough. Personally, I doubt that it is a guided climb as nobody has a helmet on and it is TMG's policy to have helmets. My guess it's the Mazamas.

While this vary well could be a guided group, their guide is not doing a very good job. What you stated as the technique for short roping is not exactly seen in that photo. I agree with Holk's statement. Climbers + Ropes + Hood = potentially scary situation.

I spent the summer working in Lake Clark National Park- a seldom visited but probably one of the most beautiful parks in North America. I tried to upload some photos but it was not working so I only got one up. The rock and the size of the mountains was amazing. There were many times where there were 2000 ft valley walls with clean granite, and even a few times of 3,000, 4,000 and 5,000 ft walls! If you are interested more pics are on my Picasa

NOAA does telemetry data for the top of Palmer, I think. Depending on what you mean by historical data this site: http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Timberline/6day/mid records the temps and wind directions for around a full year I think. I looked about a year ago for temp and wind data and had a hard time finding it. The snowforecast was the best I could do. But I never emailed NOAA or NWAC about it.

Negative ghost-rider. He said ski shops won't work on ancient bindings for liability reasons. If the binding looks old and decrepit and a tech knows it was not sold recently they won't touch it. If that has happened to anybody, take it as a hint to buy new gear, or be stubborn and just buy a better insurance policy. Snow's coming soon!!

Dude a little while ago I soloed Mt Hood, got out of the ski resort in 2 hours (it wasn't groomed so I wore my 'pons ), AND I made it back to Eugene for 9am class. BAM!

I've been up there 8 times this year and I have never seen it open. I piss in circles in the parking lot and shit on the hogsback. Actually I just walk up to the lodge and go there.

My mistake, I was in a Hilight not a firstlight. The whole sidewall opens up on a hilight versus the smaller "front" on the firstlight.

My only experience with the first light was not very fun. It was in a blizzard and having to get in the tent to put it up let in quite a bit of snow. It also did not seem to be the best in the wind.

I have had really good luck repairing them. I put it in the tub to find the hole (typically I sit on it to really force the air around and out), or holes, mark it with a sharpie, let it dry out. Then I use that rubber cement stuff put on a solid (be very liberal) amount of it and let it 3/4 dry then I take a piece of that repair material and put it on it and add more of that glue stuff to top it all off. Then let it sit for a day or two and it should work.

Who cares. Fishing is cruel and lame. So Miss boner is a vegetarian then. That explains it all.

So as everybody probably knows it is best to fish in the twilight hours (early morning/late evening). But when do you fish if the sun does not set?

Just wondering.... but why is this in the freshiezone??

Yeah!!!

Damn straight Cobra_Commander! Although the price point is a little different.

I'm amazed that the guide services are able to bury attention to their accidents. If this had been a recreational club climb, the critics would be having a field day. Many times the guides go out on a "summit bid" but they know that they will turn around long before seeing Columbia Crest. Just like somebody said it is an educational experience. If I dropped $1,000 and I get to Muir and my guides say "no go on the summit" i'd be a little pissed; but if at 1am we walk out of that hut in shitting conditions and I see why it is a no go then that is $1,000 well spent. I've heard of groups walking over to the cleaver and turning there because that route was not in conditions... the guides new that because they maintain the route, but they still go out.

How do people store their winter gear; or gear that will be unused for a while? Everything is dry, but is there anything special I should be doing with my crampons/icetools/screws.... what about ropes? Thanks.

I was up there last week, above treeline but not climbing. The road is open all the way, and there is snow about 1/2 to 3/4 mile up the trail. Slowshoes might be nice... but that is your call- we had 'em. Make sure to hit some cold temps as last weekend the mountain was looking rather warm and there were a number of small sluff slides coming down. I can find a pic or two if you ask nicely.

Was up on the main devil's kitchen route today and it was awesome. Somebody put in a trail yesterday and made my day 10x easier. Thanks a lot for whoever did that!! There is about half a pitch of fairly nice ice about half way up the climb. It took 1 or 2 screws and then you were out of trouble. Great climb and it will now become my standard south side route because it was so fun! Pearly Gates (right) are very straight forward. a 2 ft step up in the middle, easy for down-climbing. Almost skiable!!

What happened?

Are the Gates skiable???!!!???

i have the standard petzl plastic one (Elios) and my googles work on it just fine.