dhrmabum

Hey JoeMack, Thanks for that update. I've never done the chutes, though I'd like to. What's the peak corn time, 11ish? How's the traverse from the chutes back to the main trail? How long, easy to find, etc? Thanks.

Hey, thanks. Were you able to see the lakes? Melted out?

Hey, just wondering if anyone's been up in that vicinity recently? Thinking of taking my son up there soon, as in early next week, and am wondering if the park/lakes, etc. is melted out yet? Thanks.

Sure, maybe. . . Not even sure if we're heading there or the Wallowas. . . but, if conditions are good for skiing, we might go for it, then maybe head to Jeff. . .

I do have questions, for you or anyone who's been up recently: Thinking of going up around Sun/Mon. Anyone been up with skis? Wondering if its still good, and worth it for my son and I to bring 'em. . . And, snow begins about where on the trail? I'm hoping there's still a fair amount up there, and it's worth it to bring skis, and then ski almost all the way down. . . Hoping.

Greetings Devan! Hey, I just got my ol' beloved headlamp back last night! A good man, Jonathon, was hiking/skinnig up right behind us and found it. Saw my post and Voila! returned it to me last night! Good people out there. Thanks again for the loaner that night, Devan. And thanks for returning it, Jonathon! And yes, it was a most excellent Fourth o' July climb and ski. Catch you next time, and thanks again.

To me, isn't this the crux of the matter? Not sooo many years ago,(hmm, 10-15 or so?), one didn't need a pass of any sort to visit a NF. trailhead. Yeah, quotas for hiking in certain impacted areas, yeah for paying a NPS fee to enter a park, etc. but. . .not for trailheads to our forests. I thought that's one piece of the pie that our taxes were supposed to pay for,ie, to use our land. Then, hard times, NFS budgets cut for recreation, etc. and now we are required to buy these friggin' passes! Outrageous, I tell ya! Agree much with what others have said, ie,Mr.HappilyRetired, and others, regarding just how stupid this cash cow is that were supposed to support, while for years,us, the US.Taxpayer, subsidized the logging Co's. to go in and certainly in places, rape the same forest that were now supposed to pay to play in. A climbing fee to climb Mt.St.Helens. . Permits all sold out. . can't even take my kid up when I want unless I plan months in advance. . . My fault, I know. .

Paulo, or anyone, You didn't happen to find a headlamp somewhere just above t-line parking lot, did you? I lost my favorite petzl. . And yes, conditons were excellent.

Yeah, lost one of my favorite headlamps,a Petzl Tika XP, just above the parking lot at Timberline, on the climber's route. Slipped off sometime in the 1-2am hour on July 4th. Thanks to the guy who lent me his for climb. Would love to get it back! thanks.

Excellent! Nicely done, with good writing and photos for accompaniment.

Wow, that looks great. Looks like the ridges are melting out. Good work. And play. Skiing down is the way to go. Yahoo!

True. But JohnJr. doesn't care. . .

Or as the Russians would say: Dersu Uzala!

Yeah, I'm happy to delete the above post, if possible. Wasn't trying to second guess the actions of those involved, esp. since they are no doubt more experienced than myself. I usually am disappointed to see the critics begin braying aloud so soon after something like this happens. . . So, again, I'm happy to delete that post, if I could. Ah, took care of it myself. Apologies to all.

Yeah, I'm not criticizing, believe it or not, just wondering. Sorry if it came out that way. This is always the topic that comes up, ie, why didn't they carry said climber down from 24,000ft. on Everest, etc. Conditions usually dictate what's possible, I guess. Sounds like they were experienced as well.

Very nice, Ivan, very nice. Nice pics. Fun times abound.

Hey, anyone up for making a rocket run down to Shasta, like tomorrow? I just turned down an offer to go, and now I'm regretting it a bit. Thought the weather would make it a no-go, but, it does look good for Sunday. I'd even like to go for a less-travelled route, perhaps Casaval ridge, though I'm a bit of a newb. Anyone interested? I live in Pdx. Let me know. . .

+1!

Nice pics, Ptown!

Dane, I'm very much a novice when it comes to backcountry skiing, but, I do spend a bit too much time(I must confess), looking at packs. I own the Osprey Variant 52, which does compress a bit for day tours. A climbing pack, but it does double duty for skiing. I've looked at its little brother, the Variant 37, as more suitable for day trips, etc. Some of the packs I've been reading about are the Deuter- Guide35, BCA(either the Stash or the Alp40) and Black Diamond(Outlaw,Alias, or Revelation). A Anyway, just some suggestions from some of what I'm looking at. A few more ideas on this thread: http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php/122765-Reccomendations-35-40l-lightweight-ski-touring-backpack

I thinK that's good advice. . .

Good dallying with you guys, though I have to admit, that bacon was a bit. . funky! Ok, well, just slightly undercooked but still tasty. And, Ivan's folksinging might be underappreciated by some, but I thought it lent itself well to a fine day in the mountains. There's gotta be a band in Pdx. that needs such a well-versed, rootsy folk-singer. Good on you two.

Ah, skip Voodoo. . . Get your calories from any of the plentiful breweries instead. That is, unless you like candy and cereal on your donuts. .

I will second, or third, the opinion of what many have already mentioned: Seasonal work! Great way to go, imo. In my college days,(and before/after), I worked at a ski area in Cal. Worked out nicely for my long winter break/spring break, after college, etc. Worked up in Alaska during the summers, fish canneries and in Denali. Wasn't exactly "dirtbaggin," per se,(not built around climbing), but I did do my fair share of hitchhiking around, sleeping in parks, living out of a tent in Alaska, etc. all to minimize my expenditures. Fun stuff. Working vacations. Also, what others have mentioned, doing the seasonal thing allows for a nice base from which to play, whether it was skiing/hiking(the Eastern Sierra for me), or working and then hiking my ass off up in Denali. Along with the social relationships developed. And, the before/after work time is great for traveling. I used to do bike tours, New England in the fall, Canadian Rockies en route to Ak, etc. Good stuff. Nice to have the luxury of some money made from the seasonal job to make it all happen. Anyway, my two cents. Best o' luck!

True. Time to eat and drink up! Winter's here.