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Newbies Forum: "A place for people new to the Northwest, or new to the sport to ask questions about whatever. Absolutely no flaming." However, I'm sure that Andy Zig would agree the words "expert skier" and "limited (avy) experience" sound a bit oxymoronic. .... But the rules say no flaming in the noobs forum, so give him a break, eh? I agree that with few exceptions, "east coast" skiing seldom requires avy awareness - I know that sounds counter-intuitive, but other than a few specific places, avy chutes, couloirs, flagged trees, etc are indeed a big mountain phenomenon. (Again, I know there's exceptions) With the last couple "Snomaggedons" excepted, the east is known for "dust on crust," not avys. So I could imagine being an "expert" without experience in big-mountain conditions - remember the Cascades are notoriously wet and heavy and slide-prone compared with most of the country. I grew up in Pennsylvania and New York and never remember thinking about avalanches- we were lucky to have enough to ski in the late 80s. Even in the west there's plenty of people that would consider themselves expert backcountry skiers without avalanche evaluation experience - those who only spring ski, for instance. Then there's plenty of folks who tour the b/c, staying away from terrain traps and steep slopes. There are F'ing ski bladers. Ok, you get my point. Lots of variables. Finally, Andy, I'd like to apologize for the forum's hostility - of course no one is going to give up their stash, but with a little research I'm sure you'll find plenty to keep you busy for a week! Good luck! (First, we need some damn snow!!)

Buy a Sno-Park Permit for $20 (or $5/day) and park at any of them up on Mt. Hood or nearby Mt. St. Helens. There's a reason they're there, and you can follow tracks up/down and all around. Get on Google Earth and check out some of the pull outs. The winter climbing route on Mt. St. Helens is also a good bet; park at Marble Mountain Sno-Park . There's plenty of low angled, tight trees for a couple of miles off the well-worn trail to the summit that will make you feel right at home. And, you'll typically have plenty of company in baller conditions- Or, drive to Timberline Lodge (on Mt. Hood) any day of the skison - the climbers route is skier's left, low angled, open slopes up past the ski area to the summit crater. You can skin up anytime and sleep in your car in the lot.

PRICELESS boots are ones that fit perfectly, irrespective of price. Figure out what class of boot you want, have the boot fitter (go to an outdoor store that has someone knowledgeable) bring out every boot in that class, without looking at the price. Buy the ones that fit the best. Never buy boots without trying them on. That said, expect to pay $200-255 for Mountaineering/Backpacking Boots, and $300-600 for Technical Mountaineering/Ice Climbing Boots. You can get a set of good waterproof leather hikers for under $200, but they prob. won't be stiff enough to any serious ice climbing. I've climbed 9,000-ft peaks in Montana with $160 boots and gaiters, and although my feet were cold, they were fine. Finally, invest in a pair of SuperFeet footbeds. They pay for themselves.

Thank you! This is exactly the point, the Winter Rec said, "We're sitting here in Olympia, and we have no idea what is going on out at all the Sno Parks. If you send me a photo with your complaint, it makes it really easy to address to the contractor."

He was pissed that my Skiburban was a little small for the last spot left anywhere, since it was the only place anywhere his RV would fit. He sat there for a minute, got out (while we were shoveling) and said, "what would it take to get this spot?" I said, "well, find us a spot and shovel it out and I'll trade with you." He's like, "Oh, so THAT's how you're gonna be?" I was thinking, WTF dude!?! I've been shoveling for 30 minutes and I'm gonna be like, "sure, take my spot and I'll just go home?" He was clearly pissed off. I was praying my truck wouldn't be vandalized. Believe me, we drove around twice before I realized this spot was it - I would've sardined in anywhere - this is the whole problem- if the lot was plowed, folks could park closer together - and the lower lot wasn't plowed at all and a 4-foot wall prevented trying it. This was us shoveling the spot:

This was not the impression I had after speaking with the Winter Recreation office staff - I asked her specifically if plowing was required through the duration of the permit, and she assured me it was. Don't get me wrong, I understand what a f'd up situation the Washington State Parks etc are in, but you're saying the permits aren't fully funding the plowing? Again, that's not the impression I got. Where did you obtain this information? (It's F'd up either way, clearly!)

Glad to hear I'm not the only one with bad luck. After spending two hours shoveling out the last unplowed spot (last March), and then having an angry RVer confront me about the "last spot" (first come, first serve buddy); I was pretty put-out for buying a $20 permit I didn't see any benefit from. DPS, you're hilarious!!

SOLD!!

SOLD!

Already on it! (there's plenty of tent space left)

For Sale: NEW Silvretta Ski Crampons, 80mm, never used. I bought them for use with my 555/Pure Easy Go bindings, but never used them. These will certainly fit a pair of 500s as well... asking $40 OBO ($65 new online)

Report Unplowed Sno-Parks! Contractors are responsible and need to be held accountable. In Washington, email photos of unplowed parks to: winter@parks.wa.gov The last three times I've visited Marble Mountain Sno-Park (on Mt. St. Helens) the lot was completely unplowed. I spoke with WA State Park's Winter Recreation Program staff today and she told me that "the Sno-Park fee is used to pay for contractors to do plowing and grooming...any time that snow is present during the permit period. (exceptions for grooming if snow is less than 18 inches.) I told her about the unplowed lot on multiple occasions. She said they occasionally get complaints and the best course of action is to email the address above. They review all complaints and address them to the contractor. This is like a bad cop - if no one ever reports them, no one (the staff in Olympia) will ever know! Snap those photos and send 'em in!! Otherwise, why the hell am I paying a fee??

SOLD!! For Sale: Scarpa T3 Telemark Boots, like new - these have been used by me, less than 5 times. I bought them new in 2003 at Pipestone Mountaineering in Missoula (RIP) and used them with skinny skis. I was learning to ski, hence the scratches, but the liners are like NEW as well as the rands on the boots. They have been sitting in my closet since then. (I switched to AT boots) Size: 11.5 US mens (10.5 UK, 28.5 mondo) There is typically some confusion regarding sizing of these boots since the size indicated on the boot is in UK units. For comparison, I wear a size 12 US in Merrill shoes, and size 11.5 US in Asolo, Vasque, and Danner boots. I also wear the same size (28.5) in my current Scarpa Lasers. Here is a great page that discusses Scarpa Tele boot fitting. Remember, you want these to fit snugly, so you can drive your skis without slop, and also since the liners will eventually pack out. Cost: I paid around $250 for these boots. Compare these to the current T4s. I'm going to ask $125 or best offer. Start the bidding! I can deliver basically Seattle to Salem, or cost plus actual shipping. I'm also selling like new Riva Z bindings here. Description: T3s at Mountain Gear

Trip: Mt. St. Helens Skiing Dec 3, 2011 - Worm Flows via Marble Mtn Sno Park Date: 12/3/2011 Trip Report: On December 3rd we headed up to assess conditions on Mt. St. Helens. We were thoroughly disappointed - this is turning out to be the driest December ever recorded. We need a Christmas MIRACLE!! Pray for Pow!! We camped in the parking lot at the Sno Park, only realizing we didn't bring the 3-man tent at the trailhead. D'oh!! Therefore, Katt and I pounced into the 3-season tent and Nick and Ozzy slept in the back of the Outback. Since we didn't expect to miss any "good snow" conditions, we slept in and made a lazy breakfast of pancakes (have you tried the Snoqualmie Falls pancake mix? That shit is awesome! Just add water!) and apple sausages. Yum!! Conditions: Although there is snow along the road and in the parking lot, it had receded considerably since last month, and was icy. We carried our skis and boards only about 100 yards until we met solid snow, and skinned up to treeline, where we snacked and pounded a couple of Fort George Vortex IPAs. Although we didn't ski the face, other skiers reported "a few" good turns high on the mountain. I was able to ski most of the way back down the trail, until a couple of fireworks from hitting rocks reminded me I just had my skis tuned. Duh! Somehow, I always manage to forget that I need to use my rock skis until the snow is good. I suspect that with the little bit of snow we got this week, it is probably okay to ski down now. The face is fairly bare, especially for this time of year, but skiable nonetheless. Frankly, if you're wavering on climbing vs. skiing, I'd recommend just hoofing it until we get a big dump. Come on Pow!! My girlfriend is much better at posting trip reports than I am. Check out some awesome photos from the trip at her blog here: Mt. St. Helens December 3 2011 From treeline at sunset: Katt, Ozzy, and paltry conditions: Gear Notes: crampons! rock skis! (also Man-pons for swamp ass Approach Notes: skin up from close to parking lot, parking lot unplowed (wtf is my Sno Park permit for?), icy slopes

Missoula now has a public climbing gym! Slacker (slackline) Mondays, Ladies night Thursdays, and more: Freestone Climbing Missoula

Scarpa T3 boots Size 11.5 US for Sale here

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My girlfriend is looking for a technical shell, waterproof/breathable - A Small in Arc'teryx, Medium in Marmot. Something fairly new - price negotiable. We're trying to avoid shelling out $300+ on a new one... Not looking for a soft shell, and don't want black or white color. We are in between Portland and Seattle on a monthly basis. Thanks!

Yup! 30 days food, wetsuit, caving gear, vertical (SRT) gear, aid climbing gear, etc. This will be a reality check on if I'm ever gonna be prepared to do Denali. What sled do you use/recommend in the 40" range? That's my understanding. According to someone at True Value that said she could speak for what is available at "all" stores, they have a couple Erapro models but not the Expedition. Ed, who fabricates and sells expedition grade sleds at skipulk.com told me he "...doesn't understand their marketing strategy at ERA Pro," with respect to why they apparently haven't distributed that sled in the U.S. this year. There's a couple of east coast stores that have them in stock, but I'm sure they can sell $500 worth of sleds out there easily. The True Value rep told me EraPro's minimum for zero-freight charges (free shipping) was $1500.

For Sale: Tubbs ~36-inch snowshoes. Used maybe 10 times (until I started b/c skiing!) and always stored in the dark. Serious crampons underneath. These are great for heavy dudes like me, especially when carrying a backpack in post-hole conditions. $60 OBO + shipping, or deliver anywhere Seattle to ~Salem. I live in Astoria but ski most weekends in the Cascades and travel to Seattle 2x/month. I have PayPal.

For Sale: Gently used Black Diamond Riva Z telemark bindings with 21mm risers and leashes. Paid ~$125, used three or four times (until I wised up and bought AT gear!). (Looking for nearly new Tele Boots? I have Scarpa T3s, barely used, size ~11.5 US and will post them in this forum soon!) Asking $60 OBO + shipping. I can deliver Seattle to ~Salem as well, I'm in Astoria but ski Mt. Hood and travel to Seattle 2x/month. If you want the old BD Eclipse skis, they're FREE with the bindings! (60mm underfoot, good for touring but not pow pow!) Otherwise I'll ship just the bindings. I have PayPal. Let's talk. Here's a blurry photo of the skis, better photos on request (I doubt anyone want 'em, but who knows?) Buy the bindings!

I agree with the above posts, and will add this: Once you can easily ski down all blues and most blacks, try backcountry skiing in an EASY area in the SPRING when conditions are like they groomed the whole mountain (corn!). From my experience, it is far easier to start b/c skiing in "good" conditions and then slowly progress to "worse/harder" conditions (windpacked,mank,crud,powder,cascade cement) that one finds earlier in the skison. Go with experienced folks, many you can hook up with here on CC, go early, and get down before it slushes up. St. Helens, Hood, and Adams all have "blue" slopes you can easily ski in great conditions. Let the experienced folks tell you when it's time to shred! Also, also try touring (i.e. "cross country") a bit before you hit the steep slopes to get your system down - switching from level to heel-lifter steep, taking on/off your skins with your gloves on, get used to short downhills on groomed trails with your skins on, etc. That way you'll have your system dialed in lest the weather comes in on the open ridges. Always go with someone who has more experience than you, and you should be fine!! (Keep those DIN settings low at first in the b/c, you don't want to blow a knee out there!) Finally, Alex has it right - don't buy an alpine set up if you know you're heading to the b/c - get a good set up and practice on it in the front country -that way you won't have to get used to a second set of skis. Good Luck!

1. Does anyone know where I can buy a EraPro Paris Expedition Sled? (60" model 960) Sadly, REI and True Value no longer carry them, and I'm remiss to find one in the PAC NW. They are in stock all over the east coast, cost about $30-$40, but everyone wants $50+ for shipping! The sled is ideal for ski pulking (pull sleds). I'll buy a used one in good shape, Salem to Seattle. EraPro website has them but requires a $500 minimum order, and I don't need 16 sleds!! I'm building mine for a caving expediton in the Scapegoat Wilderness (MT) this winter, and may haul a keg up to Camp Muir for 'the fun of it.' 2. Next, are you interested in buying one of these, locally, for around $40?? If I can get 10 or more committed buyers, I'd be willing to fork over the advance to bring 'em to Portland and Seattle! Please post/PM me if you'd be interested. Maybe I'll start a local ski pulk shop, ha ha ha! Finally, see skipulk.com for information on how to build your own sled, cheap!!

1. Does anyone know where I can buy a EraPro Paris Expedition Sled? (60" model 960) Sadly, REI and True Value no longer carry them, and I'm remiss to find one in the PAC NW. They are in stock all over the east coast, cost about $30-$40, but everyone wants $50+ for shipping! The sled is ideal for ski pulking (pull sleds). I'll buy a used one in good shape, Salem to Seattle. EraPro website has them but requires a $500 minimum order, and I don't need 16 sleds!! I'm building mine for a caving expediton in the Scapegoat Wilderness (MT) this winter, and may haul a keg up to Camp Muir for 'the fun of it.' 2. Next, are you interested in buying one of these, locally, for around $40?? If I can get 10 or more committed buyers, I'd be willing to fork over the advance to bring 'em to Portland and Seattle! Please post/PM me if you'd be interested. Maybe I'll start a local ski pulk shop, ha ha ha! Finally, see skipulk.com for information on how to build your own sled, cheap!!