caverpilot

from the link above.... "The road is Marble Mountain snow park will re-open to vehicle traffic on Friday, April 22 at noon." my bad... here's the scoop: Washington Sno-Park Permits WA Daily Permits are $20. WA Seasonal permits are $40 - both online here. Note: Washington-licensed vehicles must have a Washington Sno-Park permit, and a one-dollar fee may be charged by retail vendors - JasonDowns reports a $58 fine in 2011 for failure to display permit Oregon Sno-Park permits OR Daily permits are $4. OR Annual permits are $25, available at DMV offices or at outfitters listed here Note: Oregon Sno-Park permits are recognized in Washington (cars licensed in Oregon), and the vendors may charge a service fee, usually $1-$2 Thanks parkerm - good point, there's only 8 days left in the Sno-Park permit season! (Nov 1 - Apr 30), so its probably a gamble at this point...but I can imagine this conversation: "the guy at the front desk told me I didn't need one...well sir, it clearly says until April 30th, who did you talk to?...uhhhhhh...rolls eyes..."

I was actually just exposing my girlfriends to backcountry skiing, and sleeping in a snow cave - we only toured to the base of the climb (they're noobs on skis), and back. However, last year I climbed to the summit and back, starting late (after 9 I think?) and made it back to the car by dark, but I was skiing down - If you don't want to slop it up in mashed taters I'd say start pre-dawn if you can - depending on fitness, I've heard anywhere from 4-7 hours up, and 1-4 hours down depending on descent style. With slowshoes I'd max your daylight hours - leave by 6 and you'll be on the climb by 8.... of course, then it will be a bit icy.... gonna have to run the gauntlet on the snow methinks....

Actually, there's many active caving clubs in the area! In Washington, there's the Cascade Grotto, in Oregon, the Oregon Grotto , the Willamette Valley Grotto , and the Oregon High Desert Grotto all make trips to this and other areas - Check out the states' map at: National Speleological Society These guys will hook you up with the right equipment and show you some of the nicer, hard-to-find caves out there! All (most) of the caves out there have been mapped, which helps find hidden rooms and entrances, etc... Ivan, after Dynamited your're gonna be disappointed - that's the "best" lava tube out there. "Real" caves are in limestone, not lava, and around here you'll have to head to Vancouver Island, Cave Ridge (in WA), or the Marble Mountains (in CA) to find something better. That said, there's hundreds of small lava tube caves on St. Helens and Adams - find a flow and follow it - you may even find something virgin! (map it and send it to the grotto!)

On 3/18/2011, the bootpack was hike-able all the way to treeline, (and made an awesome skin track), the snow at the Marble Mountain Sno-Park was DEEP, and the foot o' pow was taters - considering all the snow lately, I'd bet you're gonna be in for a helluva trip! Snow has been really bi-polar lately! I'll bet plenty of snow at the trailhead in two weeks... Recommend: 1. Park at Marble Mountain Sno Park 2. Buy a day-pass Sno-Park online, print out at home, for $5 if you don't have one (JasonDowns reports $52 fine!!) 3. Go early - (before 8am) - lots of pissed off RVers there couldn't find a spot, since the lower lot was COMPLETELY UNPLOWED (isn't my pass paying for this service?) - so there was low to NO parking! (We dug for 30 minutes to get my 'burban into a spot)

I also learned this lesson the hard way. My buddy has a "great" photo of me carrying my skis up an otherwise awesome ridge in Montana's Bitterroots on a perfect spring day. I always use Glop Stopper wax and haven't had issues since. I agree with all of the previous comments, and would also add that reading Allen and Mike's Really Cool Backcountry Ski Book (lots of pictures!) is well worth the time. The book doesn't teach you how to ski, rather it gives you a variety of great tips that will come in handy, and the illustrations are cartoons and quite amusing. Buy for $10 on Amazon, or apparently, read some pages for free on Google Books, here: Google Books preview also here: CascadeClimbers Gear

Anyone know the approach conditions on the trail to Three Fingered Jack? Heading up this weekend. Thanks for any info whatsoever including past year's conditions.

I have a 26 year-old friend that just moved to Portland and she is looking to network with other female climbers, cavers, and/or backpackers in the area. She has summited Mt. Hood and Mt. St. Helens, is active every weekend, and is very friendly and a safe climber. She is looking to steadily improve her skills and gain experience. I will put you in contact with her if you are interested. Thanks!