obwan

I have had Dave Page do a few pair and was lucky they all turned out. If you want them done well - as stated above, send them to John Ramuta. He used to be at the family owned shoe repair at 6th & Stewart in Seattle - but he now resides in Montana. Believe me the shipping is worth it and about the same in gas prices. He is on the web at www.ramutaresoles.com - you can also find resolers in the climbing magazines, but Ramuta is the best.

Nice shot - I see you've been to the Renton granite dome.

To make sure boots don't ruin the trip, it may be best to rent some plastics/insulated boots. I've climbed it in leather, just be sure you seal and waterproof the hell out of them. Then use a merlino wool sock with plastic bags over the socks - pretty toasty, and has been mentioned before on this site where some have used bread bags (I've used the grocery store bags) .

Has something changed recently? I used to be able to add icons on my replies - any ideas?

Nothing wrong with some Neve' !

I'm confused about who is hauling away vehicles, how would one camp overnite or several days at Snow Lake? A trailhead pass should do it, what has changed?

You really struck gold - good for you all!

I agree, this season is toast - what happened to the big bad La Nina and severe winter. It all happened back east, Washington ice is very elusive and not always top-ropeable. You can try some dry tooling at the SR900 Rock or Exit 38, but in the end be prepared to travel for some good WI.

My dog Sam must have been very experienced.

Young Luke - you have made the right choice, may the force be with you! I'm sure that you will enjoy the climb, as you say from an alpine aspect - it's all there! (and better than the walk-up on Hood, which can nail you). From your abilities and experience it will probably be a cake walk as the above have stated, but it's not one you'll get hurt on. It's obvious, but just be sure to fly into Portland rather than Seattle. p.s. Always take axe and ponds to the "mountains". Check the latest road conditions before going, to save your trip.

Pretty much ditto on all of the above advice. Obviously if you go with the "Trade Route", it is very busy and has some rockfall hazard - most private parties like the Emmons. You could even do some training and day trips to both Muir and Schurman, just to see what the mountain is all about when it's crowded. Also, Mike Gauthier - a past climbing ranger tells it all; as well as covering conditioning and training in his book "Mount Rainier - A Climbing Guide". I wished I had it 25 years ago.

Looks pretty normal to me.

Try the KOA campground on HWY 20, just as you enter Winthrop. There is also a CG at Twin Lakes, not sure if they are open in the Winter.

Pretty awesome photo!

Amen - this is certainly not the first time for this thread.

I wasn't going to jump into this one as I was a past employee; and as a member of the COOP I was always frustrated with the return policy - so I was banned from working in Customer Service. Some of the stuff discussed herein is valid - Return Everything Inc. was sometimes difficult to accept; but from a business perspective it makes sense and actually works out in the long term. It's called 100% customer satisfaction. As a climber (and I know that there are not many left in the retail job market), I almost cried when I saw brand new ropes (factory wrapped) cut up ): - but as said above it becomes a liability issue. I mean, you don't know if someones dog pee'd or pooped on it. For liability reasons, once climbing gear has left the store it could not be sold. It would not be cool if you rapped off the nose of Monkey Face and found the rope shredded or was sabotaged. Once every year an item would sneak through the process and it would be a wet harness, steaming up the plastic bag. Typically it came from a first timer on Rainier, who rented axe, helmet ,crampons and boots - but could not rent a harness, so they bought one and then returned it. It's the same as the Nordstrom story, where you buy a Tuxedo for your wedding and then return it. Pretty lame. That's my two cents and I'm sticking to my story.

This is the most awesome TR! Congratulations! I guess I'll have to modify this old joke: When God made woman, he told Adam that he could make him the most beautiful woman in the world that could climb WI, and be your ropegun forever - but it would cost you an arm and a leg. Adam says, really? But that's a lot, what can I get for a rib?

Goes to show you - climbers are the same everywhere.

Good for you, that will help. We should not be banned from this Classic climbing area.

I met him once on a carpool drive up to the Cliff Hanger in Coquitlam, a very ambitious dude - god bless.

Close the f--ker, just don't write me any tickets as I have the "all access pass", and we'll go to the judge on that one. ::

mucho dinero!

Si, pretty buffed - I want one!

Try the Spires at the Marymoor Park in Redmond near the Velodrome.