I have been training for 11 months for a Rainier climb and am looking forward to heading out in three weeks. Besides hauling a heavy pack up hills, I spent a good amount of time practicing self arrest on the landing hill of a large local ski jump. ( After the jumping season ended) It was very steep and hard packed. I have to admit that I was surprised how fast I got ripping with hard shells on. It took sometimes 50 or more feet to stop once I planted the pick. I have read the stories of what happened on Hood in '02 when two rope teams went down, and take this practice very seriously. I was wondering about you veterans out there--Have you or your teammates taken spills very often that you have had to arrest, and have you ever had a rope team go ? Just a new guy wondering. Thanks.
Jim
