bvl

Thanks for the great help!

So I am hearing that the beal Joker is a good rope, any thoughts/experiances with Sterling ropes, particularly the Nano? It seems like most glacier only ropes are like 8 or 8.5mm, but are they constructed in some way to be more durable/crampon resistant? Granted I won't be stepping on my rope, but I can't speak for those that will be climbing with me. Do I need to be concerned about too thin of a rope for the little bit of alpine rock I'll be doing?

I am looking at getting my first rope, and will be using it primarily for glacier travel and a little bit of alpine rock. Any suggestions, or brands I should stay away from?

I am interested in the crampons, but the pic isn't showing up

check pm

Nice TR, where do you get breakfast in Marblemount?

I hiked the Na Pali coast this summer, and it was great. As far as the big island goes, Mauna kea is a 10 minute hike, and it is amazing at sunrise, a must do if are into mountains and on the big island. You'll probably be fighting crowds at sunset. We had it to ourselves at sunrise. The road up is great, 5 miles of gravel, the rest is paved, and the gravel is good. You could also hike Mauna loa, it is about 6-7 miles and around 3,000 feet. Probably many others, that is what I know of. It doesn't get much better than wearing your down jacket in Hawaii in August, and swimming at a beautiful beach 2 hours later.

I would guess it was 30 maybe 35 degree ice. The number of rope lengths will depend on where you start. We got as far up as we could, which was by the highest boulders on the glacier. From there, 2 rope lengths should get you to the less steep part.

I attempted Dragontail and colchuck on Saturday(9/26). We got to the glacier and had to turn around since we didn't have ice climbing gear, or a rope to protect a really sketchy walk on the glacial ice. If you are planning on a simple walk up/scramble, I wouldn't advise the colchuck glacier at this time of year.

I am looking at Climbing dragontail from the colchuck glacier this weekend, are there any recomendations about decending via asguard, or heading back via the colchuck col and glacier. I'll probably be able to figure it out once I am there, but it would be nice to know before hand.

Matt, could you tell me what you would suggest not doing, also could we get by without bringing a rope for the little bit of glacier? thanks

Thats a black, Ursus americanus. The head an neck profile give it away.

Somebody had already kicked steps up, so we followed his tracks which made it rather nice. We didn't use any special gear for the pyramid, wore crampons, probably didn't need them.

Trip: Mt. Shuksan - Sulphide glacier Date: 5/10/2009 Trip Report: I got sick on not seeing any new trip reports so here are a few pictures from this weekend. We skinned up to camp Saturday evening and got a late alpine start Sunday morning Morning light on Baker Skinning towards the summit pyramid Summit pyramid We taged the summit as the clouds were starting to obscure the views and headed down for Mothers day lunch, just a few hours late. Approach Notes: Road is almost clear to the trailhead.

Brief thread highjack Doug, did you climb the DC route on Rainier last summer, I think around mid-August and run it to two guys who said they would email you pictures they had of you? And then never did (atleast I didn't), if so I am one of those inconsiderate jerks, and will get you the few pics I took of you. By the way, great work on the climb! bvl

email sent

If you have a pair of used Fritschi Alpine touring bindings that aren't being used, I would be glad to take them off your hands. I just don't want to shell out full price if I don't have to. Give me an email; bvanloo at mvcwa dot com. I am in Mt. Vernon and willing to drive a little ways to pick them up

Thanks for the info

Does anybody know what the glaciers are looking like for a climbg of El dorado?

I am just getting into mountaineering, and I got a pair of Patagonia guide pants. My question is how are the supposed to fit? They feel great in the waist and crotch area, but they are close fitting on the legs, is this normal? I wouldn't call them tight, but they fit much closer to my legs than a pair of jeans. I have great movement in them, and a little room for an insulation layer.