nhluhr

Snow on road is clear to within about 200yards of the upper trailhead at Ellinor now.

So good you had to post it twice?

1) michigan is low altitude 2) michigan snow is in the winter, when the sun is low in the sky On a glacier in june/july at 10,000+ ft, you're going to have a couple magnitudes brighter light than a clear winter day in michigan. My wife tried to use a pair of Natives that she had and they just were not dark enough, plus the contrast was all wrong for picking out subtle features in the snow when the fog rolls in.

So...this TR sparked an interest in me. I read it thinking "you're doing everything completely wrong" but then clicked around a bit on Flikr, the NWhikers link, your other TRs here, and realized this TR is from a trip a year ago. Presumably you've made a lot of progress since then as your other TRs talk about climbing/hiking with other experienced people. If not, I implore you to read a bit about decision-making in the wilderness. Some excellent books I can recommend are: Freedom of The Hills (Mountaineers) Deep Survival (Laurence Gonzales)

Yeah there haven't been any reports of the trees being cleared yet and the GFNF website doesn't have any recent updates on the road with the last update being "closed by snow"

I wouldn't expect a newswriter to know the difference,especially with a view of Rainier that is seen less frequently. The real tradgedy is the fate of Mr Bennett.

The internal vestible is a double edged sword on my EV3. I like the extra space (I'm 6'3") and it keeps my pack/boots/etc warmer and dryer but the extra volume it imparts means it's not as warm as a tent with an external vestibule. Cooking is more comfortable though and you can brushiebrusihie the snow/etc out the little floor zipper.

Or just use a stove that doesn't put out 10-100 times the CO of other stoves. I am sure you've seen the test results on backpackinglight.com but if you haven't... The Reactor doesn't come with the huge CO warning tags for kicks. Be careful.

ktschmidt, I'd go out with you, but lets choose something mellow for starters. Like Frikadeller alluded to, there are a lot of ways to get yourself in trouble!

This is why you do beacon check at the trailhead. Sounds to me like you have identified a beacon with drift. Why would you continue to use it just because it can still be picked up by other old beacons?

The bike is a great way to cross-train for other leg-intense activity but you're right - it does NOT translate very well to hiking/climbing. It will help beef up some major leg muscles and lower back, but it will do very little for all the little stabilizing muscles in your lower legs and core that are in constant use while hiking and it won't work your shins at all so you will end up getting shin splints on your first hard hike with a moderate descent if you neglect other forms of training. I have been a competitive cyclist for many years but I simply cannot rely on it alone.

Anybody been back up since jgregory?

So after resort skiing for years and years and picking up the mountaineering bug a few years back, I have finally put the two together. I went out for an intial run at Muir Snowfield last weekend and enjoyed it but didn't want to go far because of the avy conditions. I'm hoping to find some other people who may be new to AT skiing or who are willing to go out with a newer AT skier like me.

I'd be interested in going up the Kautz with a smallish group. When will you be in the area?

If you live in Seattle, go do mount si. If you can make it up and back (including the scramble to the top of the haystack) in under 3 hours, you're "fit enough". Do it with a loaded pack for excellent training. With a loaded pack, you should be able to manage 4 hours round trip.

ah, thanks for the correction!

^^ BirdDog mentions "First Come First Served" for the Muir Hut. Keep in mind that once summer guiding season starts, that thing IS reserved for RMI since they bring clients up without tents. During the winter guided climbs, the groups are small enough that there will be enough room in Muir for everybody. You can register and get your camping permit with the rangers at the new Paradise Visitor Center. It's free. You will need to pay for a climbing pass if you intend to go above 10,000ft. The pass is $30 (per person) and is good each year until Dec31. More useful links: Climbing routes from paradise, including landmarks: http://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/upload/ParadiseRoutes2.pdf Compass bearings for Muir snowfield (whiteouts happen, tracks fill in): http://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/upload/mapcompass.pdf

You don't need a reservation. You need a registration.

He means move it UP, as in, sooner. The road wasn't open in 2009 until mid to late June so I think you'll be fine to come in mid June and still have plenty of snow, even accounting for this year's decreased snowpack. You can watch http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/recreation/current-conditions/roads.shtml for updates on road 80 and 8040 and also call the Ranger Station for updates. Watch here for updates as well. As spring approaches, lots of skiers will be heading there to try it out. I know there is a BIG downed tree across the road according to the last Trip Report I saw, but that will get cut out pretty fast.

I'm very interested in your ski setup. I have a 339mm BSL boot (Scarpa Spirit 4, 31.0). Any idea if the bindings will adjust to that size? You said you mounted them for size 14 boots which should be pretty damn close.

The tent you're looking for sounds like the REI Arete ASL 2 (single front door/vestibule) or the REI Cirque ASL 2 (if you want side doors with 2 big vestibules and won't be digging a platform on steeper snow). They are pretty damn lightweight for a legit crossover tent that will handle both backpacking AND mountaineering without much compromise. I've been wanting one for a long time but I already have two tents that are nearly in the same category so I can't justify it.

That looks like a hell of a good price for the Scarpas. I wear 48s too but I don't need a boot like that!

or learn how to diagnose avy danger yourself.

Well, there are several good places to stay between Ashford and Paradise. Nisqually Lodge is adequate, closest to IMG (virtually next door), no food service. Alexanders Country Inn is very nice for couples, terrific food Copper Creek Inn (never stayed there but great food) Paradise Inn has terrible food but is high (not convinced that actually helps) National Park Inn (at longmire) IMG also puts up big platforms with luxury tents, cots, lighting for something cheap like $12/night which is nice if you want to sleep there the night before but I assume your wife will be along. As you can see, there are tons of choices so you just have to decide what works for you.

kmehrtens, sounds like pretty reasonable plan. If you're planning to stay at Paradise, keep in mind that AAI operates out of Seattle while RMI and IMG operate out of Ashford, only about 30-40min from Paradise (near the park entrance). It may be much more convenient for you to pick one of those two if you intend to be at the mountain the night before. And if you like the extra day at 11,000, well that helps narrow it down further. If you intend to be back in Seattle the night before, AAI seems an obvious choice. All three fill up their programs fast (2010 3day programs are already full) so make sure you find out when registration opens for 2011 and get in early!