We found your machete up near buck creek pass next to the remains of your shelter, we also found your sleeping bag. We brought out the machete but left the sleeping bag on the trail it was just too heavy being soaking wet. It is probably still there. I already gave the machete away, but could possibly get it back if you have a compelling story, I really want to know what you were doing. Hope you made it out ok.
have you thought about a single link of alloy chain? like this:
http://www.starrrproducts.com/index.php?action=item&id=8
No idea what a single link weighs, but it comes in many different inside diameters, so it could be sized appropriately for different ropes, and probably cheaper than rap rings.
just keep going, If I remember correctly there is a slight down climb about five to ten minutes past retardant rock then you keep skirting the cliff and work your way back up a little higher to get to arse lips and elbows, it's not really worth the walk up there, very short and easy squeeze chimney not really off width but fun. But it is obvious once you have passed it and are looking back. A better bet for training is carnival crack.
Where is a good place with some open crevasses, maybe near seattle, that doesn't require hours of hiking, where one could dispose of a body, or, practice something or another?