Le Piston

I was looking at Cutthroat also...looks like a fun climb. Thanks for posting! Probably no more warm granite weekends this year though.

I'm with Dane and BigSky on this question. I have the BD Venoms and love them for alpine climbs that are mostly steep firm snow and a little bit of ice. But, they are too light for sustained ice for me, and make me wish for "real" ice tools, like my BD Vipers, if it gets vertical or full pitches of ice. It really is about the skill and comfort level of the "indian".

Perhaps I was unclear what you meant by side impact protection. Are you referring to the cradle and padding, or the shell? I haven't had a sideways head impact, but my thought was that a firm brim extending laterally would protect your head more than a helmet from which my face and jaw are flush in a fall. I had my BD Half Dome break on the side on a bushwhack descent...not a fall. Is there any UIAA or CE tests of side impact? True, the shock absorbing capacity of the padding and cradle are vital...I was thinking only of the helmet shell protection.

My guess would be the old MSR or HB El Cap would be contenders for side impact protection also.

Never met you Steph (my loss) but enjoy your pictures and trail reports a lot...always something I look forward to. So, I really hope you have a rapid recovery and no long term complications. I'm glad you weren't hurt worse.

I did just that...not that I was worried about the seams bursting, just don't want any precip leaking into my tent. I've had mine for 5 years and it IS my go-to tent. It is willow-light, but has put up with all the weather and abuse I've come up against.

You might want to check out Castle Crags near Lake Shasta...if you have time. Have fun!

I don't have the Quantum, but I have a BD Speed 28 that I've used in the Alps, Rockies, and Cascades with plenty of wear and tear (though no Cholitas) over 7 years. It doesn't look burly, but is still going strong...I've been impressed with the durability.

As usual, awesome pictures. I always look for your TR's. I'm glad you lucked out with the weather...when I was up that way 2 weeks ago for Diadem and Woolley, we hoped to also climb Temple and Hector. But our visibility went from photo one to photo two. P.S. bummer about the ticket eh?

That is a long day (I've done it from Colchuck Lake myself) any way you look at it. Strong work! Thanks for the great pictures...I'm inspired to head back up there for a repeat!

From someone who's done some fine routes and TR's, I appreciate that. Thanks!

I didn't go over and climb it, but hopefully these are helpful.

I have had some success with hitting the "Refresh" icon and retrying 2 or 3 times to get the image to upload...after resizing the image to about 10-12% of original. It's a lot more work, but at least I'm getting some images uploaded...just not the big panoramas. It's an improvement. Hope this helps!

A few more pictures from the trip.

You made a fine trip report and nice pictures...I don't care if they're "well traveled routes", please post more. I like seeing what is out there for routes and peaks to climb. (I'm especially interested in future Canadian trips) Thanks!

Some of my favorites for day climbs are Sahale, South Early Winters Spire, Liberty Bell, Ingalls, and Black Peak. I hope the weather cooperates for you.

The REI Labor Day sale flyer just came out and they advertise the Osprey Aether 70 for $199.99. I have the Aether 60 and love it...but get what you really want for fit and features. I just figured you might find some use for the extra $200. I tend to agree with sparverius though and have also got the Osprey Exos 58...around $220 and 2.5 pounds. As long as I don't go over 40 pounds of load, it is comfortable and more durable than it looks.

Thanks. The thought did cross my mind, but I didn't bring any wine or basting materials. It sure would have beat my ham and cheese sandwich!

If you go via Aasgard Pass to Little Annapurna, you go right past Colchuck Lake (but not Ingalls). It is a long day, but not too bad. I did it last year. I suggest an early start. Here's a couple pictures from that trip.

Nice work gentlemen and great pictures! Thanks for posting.

Since it sounds like distance isn't an issue, let me throw a couple more possibles your way: Ingall's Lake and Colchuck Lake Both are less than 14 miles round trip and have nice trails...and pretty nice views.

I agree about Cascade Pass, but you might also look at Mount Aix and Snowgrass Flats...a little closer to Mt. St. Helens. I'm sure you want more trail time compared to driving time. Wherever you go, enjoy!

Thanks, now I don't feel like such a whimp, not climbing because of cold hands, deteriorating weather, and a high reading on the choss-o-meter.

I wish I could tell you. I had discussed going up there last week with my partner after hearing how great the views were. He convinced me that they would be just as good or better from the summits of Woolley and Diadem, so we didn't go up there. Sorry!

Trip: Sahale Peak - Sahale Glacier/West Ridge Date: 8/21/2010 Trip Report: Before heading back to work I wanted to do a mellow overnight trip. Sahale isn't a hardman climb, and I have done it many times, but never as an overnighter. My friend Rod wanted to do Johannesburg, but that didn't sound mellow to me, so off we went up Sahale Arm. We scored the primo camp spot and enjoyed the scenery. For a short approach, you can't beat the views here. We were treated to a nice sunset. The morning was very nippy and made for firm snow on the Sahale glacier. To make it a bit more sporting, we went up the steeper snow slope and did more of the West ridge rock scramble than usualWe considered moving on to Boston Peak, but our hands were frozen and the rain showers to the southeast convinced us to call it a day. We enjoyed the bear and grouse sightings on the way out.I know many of you have sprinted up Sahale as a day trip, as I previously had done, but consider doing it as an overnighter...you won't be sorry. Gear Notes: Ice axe and crampons. We took a rope and small rock rack in case we could fit Boston in. Bring a good book, paper, camera, liquid refreshments...you'll have plenty of time to hang out. Approach Notes: Sahale arm trail in great shape and snow free. Lots of bear sightings!