leviticusjones

I have used both packs. I ended up selling my direttissima very after half a season. I had the first alpinisto back in the 90s but decided to try the direttissima. Ultimately, the alpinisto rides and carries a load much better and has a far superior suspension system in my opinion. Also the alpinisto has a more narrow and vertical profile that lends to better posture and a less bulky set up in tight spaces on technical routes. Finally, I find that when carrying a full winter set up the alpinisto is far more user friendly with reinforced hypalon crampon patch, and beefier tool attachments. The alpinisto set up also allows you to tuck the picks of your tools behind the crampon patch reducing snags, torn gear etc. However, depending on what size pack you wear the alpinisto is slightly heavier and is slightly smaller(100 in3+/-). And I do miss the removable lid on the direttissima. Ultimately, all the bells and whistles aside, it comes down to how the pack rides. It just happened that I preferred the alpinisto. Not that I recommend it, but I used the pack to hall all my shit for two weeks of climbing up to Colchuck Lake, the Enchantments, and Mt. Stuart. So in answer to your question about being adequate for 2-4 days both packs can handle heavier loads than you would want to climb with. Hope this helps.

Thanks Steph, I had seen you website and trip report before but didn't realize that pick was the backside of Poseidon. I have done the Bailey from both directions and I remember when approaching it from the south route finding was more challenging. Luckily we will hit the couloirs direct, by dropping down from Bear Pass to the base of Poseidon>traverse on the north side> and head to Camp Pan. Cheers.

Flapjack Lakes is absolutely safe to hike in the winter. I have been up there in the winter twice. Getting up to the lake is no problem as long as you have snowshoes. If I remember correctly, it is a seven mile hike with the first half in most seasons won't have much snow. Climbing Sawtooth Ridge is more suspect. But if you get a weather window (10-15 minutes) the view of the Sawtooth Ridge is unbelievable.

Anyone have any beta on the approach to Blizzard Pass and Camp Pan from the Queets Basin? I will be up in the Olympics for two weeks this summer linking the Bailey Traverse>Olympus>Valhallas>Anderson>Constance>Mystery>Deception>Needles>Grey Wolf RIdge. Been to all aforementioned places except the section from Queets Basin to Camp Pan. I have the climbing guide and can follow the straight forward description in it. However, I am curious if there is an alternative route that avoids the potential bushwacking and game trails at 4200-4800 ft? NNW of Dodwell-Rixon Pass at approximately N47degrees 47' 33" W123degrees 36' 30" (Green Trail Map--Mount Olympus, WA--No. 134) is Poseidon peak. I know there are two couloirs that can be climbed to gain the summit. The southern couloir is a thin line of snow that tops out into a section of technical alpine rock, the southeast couloir is a nice broad couloir with no rock sections. I saw them the first time I did the Bailey. From the summit, a traverse of the ridge line will bring you west to Blizzard Pass. Has anyone done this variation? Any info would be appreciated. I have had a picture of those couloirs and wanted climb them for over eight years. Cheers

That is a nice shot of snow dome

I'm going to drop the ol' PSU. Close to Broughton Bluff, Beacon, Hood, Smith--3 Hours, Adams--2 hours, Rainier 2-3 hours, Olympics 3 hours, and closer to the North Cascades, Ice climbing in BC and Banks. Then again, I do more alpine and ice then just rock climbing. Plus, you have a larger pool of climbers to draw from. PSU has a adequate gym, but there is also Portland Rock Gym. Perhaps you should figure out which school is strongest in the major you might pursue and then climb at the areas nearest that school. Spring breaks are for Indian Creek, J Tree etc. Winter breaks for Lillooet, hyalite canyon etc.

Fort Collins Cheap housing and in the weather shadow of Longs Peak. When Wyoming, and Boulder have crap weather, more likely than not FTC is still climbable. Horsetooth res. is five minutes away and you are close to front range ice, Lumpy's and much more. It is also a great lifestyle town