t_rutl

they also recommend them for Baker. usually to prevent user error or to insure the client doesn't end up bringing an inadequate boot or one that wasnt maintained. but none of the major guide companies require them for a summer trip up Rainier just to clarify. if they are required for whatever reason or that is what you would prefer, i'd just rent unless you can find a dirt cheap pair or plan on winter climbing, trips to AK or other, higher elevs. just my 2 cents. either way, have a fun trip and enjoy.

that sucks thanks for the update

Why plastics? There are insulated synthetic/leather boots out there that are more than adequate for a summer Rainier trip and are lighter and much more comfy. Think Trango Extreme, Nepal Evo's, Scarpa Freney and boots in that category.

yeah, not worth reading comments anymore. ignorant, lifeless tools spew their opions and judments without a clue.

"His companions stopped to rest, and when they pulled in the rope to regroup they discovered that Lewis had unclipped from the rope and was no longer with them, said Lee Taylor of the National Park Service." That's an add one but hope they find him and soon.

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/97679934.html

Hero HD is great. Small. Light. Good batt life. Superb mounts. Inexpesive OEM accesories and extras. Killer footage quality. And you can buy it at REI or Backcountry.com and take advantage of their 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. 720p @ 30fps is fine for everything I've done the files are a bit smaller. Even taken it SCUBA diving. Waterproof to 180'. I pushed it to 60'.

I'll second Mount Adams and Sahale. But if you're coming this far up for Sahale come up for a few days. Add Eldorado and Klawatti to the mix. Eldorado Ice Cap is a beautiful place with many non-technical peaks and realtively benign glacier travel.

thanks for the update!

i bought metolius's cam cleaner and lube...been happy with it

Feathered Friends and the downtown REI are within walking distance of each other and will give you a very good taste of what's out there between the two.

+1 seracs are a great start J. good time and place to work on the skills in a pretty controlled environment. that and aren't distracted by the bitter cold of winter and can take more time to focus than try and stay warm.

Nepal Plots to Reclaim Record

2 batts in a D90 you'll be fine. i take my D3000 ice climbing and in single digit temps it lasts for several hundred shots on a charge over several days. same with a winter climb up Whitney. also i never temp matched mine. just stow and go, point and shoot! be sure to post a TR with some of the pics. T

kick-ass J! way to do work...impressive TR as always

I'll email you a large pic (not sure how to get the x-tra large versions in a post).

after the ice step we stayed on the ridge for a few hundred meters (of walking, not elev) until it backed off to ~35 degrees or less then broke climbers right. there was a small (5-10 meter) step of 50 degree snow that landed us on the plateau.

love the n. ridge, jealous of your outing

nothing but good things to say about their instructional courses. also have several friends who have guided for them and still do from time to time and they enjoyed working with/for AAI.

thanks gentlemen. thats the info i'm looking for! plan is a first light start up the couloir. if it's a post hole mess we'll bag it and head up the arete. if solid enough, up, down, then the arete. mark - NWAC will do "special anouncements" as they see fit. there happens to be one up right now, but also just having general knowledge of past, present and future conditions goes a long way in making your own generalized assesment. Past - a fair amount of recent snow Present - consideraby high freezing level Future - the same that calls for a spring avy cycle especially on terrian that hasnt shed yet. ie, north facing aspects and higher elev's

Deciding a no go on the Coleman Headwall due a lovely avy forcast for the weekend, I'm tossing around the idea of taking a buddy up SEWS (couloir and/or the arete) for an intro "alpine" outing as an alternative to cragging. Having never climbed at WA Pass yet, is the Blue Lake TH approach threatened by slide terrain like the hairpin side? Thanks in advance. Troy

Patagucci's Nano will be getting a full zip and a hood late this summer/fall. Other than that I like the MB Thermawrap.

newest GoPro solved many of the prev. gen nuances. - 16GB card gives you 4hrs, 32GB 8hrs (720p @ 30fps) so no worries about wasted memory. - external LCD coming soon, attaches to back. $50-$60 option. - yes, charges via USB but you can by a car or wall USB adapter for $10 and charge anywhere. - spare batteries (OEM)are $20. plus external extra batt pack available soon. - lost some batt life in the cold but still held up fine in -5 degree temps up the full 300M of Mean Grean in Cody. maybe 1.5hrs of vs. the advertised 2.25hrs. - fully usable under water. definately not for everybody but well worth looking at and I think is sweet. check it out at REI, if it sucks, take it back!

and if you go with a camera, consider the Panasonic LX3. Shoots amazing photos and even in RAW format. Also shoots 720p video.

GoPro HD Hero all the way. Full 1080p @ 30fps if you want it. Use mine in 720. Compact, light and bombproof. Also waterproof to 180ft. Spare parts, batts and accesories are very resonably priced. Numerable ways to mount it. Sample footage and more @ http://www.goprocamera.com/ Cons: no zoom and since its wide angle you have some fisheye effect in close quarters. Other pro: Can be purchased at REI and Backcountry.com so you have their "Unconditional Satisfaction Guarantee"