mzvarner

Any updates? Been a while since i have posted, but i tried scanning the site for an update. Wife really wants to get up to this area to climb. Also, would skis and skins be appropriate for the approach? Any other advice would be appreciated.

It has come time that I need to replace my beloved Micropuff. This paired with a nanopuff has been just a stellar combination for me. The hyperpuff looks like its being marketed as a replacement to their DAS parka, which I did not find very warm. Any thoughts, or other similar platforms out there I should consider?

I have a cilo 40b worksac, but I am not very impressed with it. i am of moderate build ( 5'11, 195#'s) and i find it rather uncomfortable to carry heavy loads. i have a hard time getting to the load to ride comfortably on my his, it always feel like it is trying to pull me back. The shoulder straps are a little narrow as well, and there is no improvement when i have the load straps cinched all the way down, or when using the internal compression strap.

What are you guys using? I am hoping to in something that I can use for an over-nighter and day tripping. Whats your preferred carry method? I have never had a dedicated board pack before, so not sure what features are important, but I can see the value in having a separate compartmetn for avy gear (ease of access and your puffy stays dry!)

If your ever in the spokane area, send me a PM. Lots of local cragging and my wife and I are always looking for company.

Any updates? I do not seem to be able to access their website. Anyone know what time of year they are usually open?

That's a good point... But I would expect it to be bilateral. It's always the medial r knee which makes me question it. And it's sharp in nature and not an ache. But I get it. Pain comes with the territory.

I have had a long history of knee pain on descents. Specifically it is the medial aspect of my right patella. I have also had a long standing history of tight IT band issues with this leg that arises w/ running. I am sure I have some muscles that are weak and need some training. Wondering which ones specifically. I am going to be starting a weight training regiment with a focus on HITT training for climbing. With that in mind is there any hints, tips, exercises, or circuits you have found beneficial? I also do yoga a few times a week, among other activities.

Epic! Thanks for the stoke. I am heading to Ouray (not as gnarly) for 3 days in 10 days!

I have been riding a home made split since 2009. Been toying with the idea of switching to skis, even gone so far as to spend a season renting. However I have made the decision that my 15 years of snowboarding is too much to throw away. So I have decided to stick with it and am picking up a Jones solution today from Mountain Gear. I have ridden a few hills including Stevens Peak, Hub lake, Hood, Shuksan, and Adams. Anyways, ill see yeah out there. Have not been active on the forum (or in the mountains) for a few years while finishing school and getting a real job.

Hi all. Wife and I are getting back into mountaineering after a few years away to finish school. Hoping to do hood next week via hogs back. Been on it before but years ago. At this time we are planning a one day car to car. So looks like we need to get a permit and sounds like self register at timberline lodge. What's the policy about sleeping in your car in the parking lot for a night? Is there a better alternative? Going to be driving over from Spokane. Thanks.

@ NDrake- thanks for the excellent post. I do not feel attacked. I think you make a very good point about safety. I had no intentions of doing any backcountry skiing this year for that very reason. I know of one guy, an experienced skier, who broke his tib-fib after a freak slip up down the bunny hill on the first run of the day getting to the lift. Me personally, I have already had a bad fall rock climbing where I had a spine fracture among other breaks. Safety in the mountains is important to me. On another note, since my original post I have thought more about it. I am leaning more towards staying with the split board. I think I'll by a real one next season and get a pair of crampons for it. I think my main motivation for wanting to switch actually stems from boredom at the resort. Riding groomers is kinda boring after 15 years so I wanted to make the resort fun again.

The problem w/ the phantom set up is that it looks like ~$850 just for the bindings. Then factor in a new split board around $700 (I currently am riding a home cut franken-board that was 99$ at a local outlet store), and ski boots $500-$800. In my mind, I may as well just get set up w/ AT skis that I intend to use for approaches and Ski mountaineering/ descents. Then I have my fall back (split board) for the powder days. My objectives are not gnarly awe inspiring lines. I want to get down from muir faster, ski the classic lines on Adams, Baker, Rainier, etc. as well as make the resort fun. Now I am second guessing myself all together. I have a pair of spantiks and I have used them w/ the split board. It was OK, not great, but ok. I could just invest in a real splitboard and shut up and get out in the back country. I will have more confidence in my abilities as a snowboarder on sketchy terrain versus newb on skies.

Pete- I am giving up the board for the most part. This is my first year skiing seriously at all. So all my time in the resort is going to be on rented ski equipment. Since I still want to go into the back country on my days off, I will take the split board. When my buddies want to go ride powder and spend a few days in the back country at one of the cabins around here, ill ride the split board. Then hopefully at the end of the season Ill have enough coin put away and skill built up that I will be able to get some spring corn turns on new gear.

Thanks for the input so far guys Sol- I have a hard time buying a pair of ski boots for my split board. To me it seems like im trying to tweak the wrong tool for the job (choking up on a framing hammer to use as a finishing hammer?). I also already dropped some serious coin and bought a pair of the Magneto Speed split bindings and love them! Water- I am renting skis at the local ski hills. They are nothing special, but it allows to try a variety of sizes to figure out the difference and what feels best. From my research so far it seemed like 90mm underfoot was what was being recommended. I also saw a lot of people putting out good reviews on skis like the K2 Shuksan and Coomback. (Sounds like the Shuksan was designed for us PNW skiiers?). These reviews are a few years old tho. It also seems that the "trend" has been to go wider. (correct me if I am wrong...) But wide skis are best for deep pow. We dont see much of that around here. If we do I plan on using my splitboard on those days as previously stated. A narrower ski is going to have a better grip on the uphill (and downhill?) because there is less relative surface area so more pressure being exerted? So a narrow under foot ski (but wider than my boot, I have read people have problems w/ this?) w/ a little extra rocker at the tip and camber under foot? I can see what the rocker is doing; helping keep the tip up out of snow, crust, crud, crevase, etc. but what is the camber doing?

Fist off... I figured this was a much discussed topic, so I searched through the pages of this forum for info (as well as other forums). I have been snowboarding for 16 years. the last four of them I have been using a splitboard (home made) in the backcountry. I quickly learned that (in my opinion) the split board system is not ideal for approaches and ski mountaineering mainly due to the weight of the system and lack of stiffness in boots. I am switching to skiing. I have gone a handful of times to the resort over the past few years, but this year I plan on skiing at the resort as much as possible to gain enough skill to get setup for late season/ spring skiing. I plan on skiing the volcanos year round and approaching climbs (dragon tail, Stuart, Chair peak, hyalite ice, etc). (I will stick to my split board for those deep powder days or strictly back country trips). My question is mainly about ski design and whats best for around the PNW. Rocker, camber, reverse rocker w/ camber? also what size and widths seem the most versatile for year round use here. Im 6'0" and 200#. thanks much, hope to see ya out there!

Getting back into the ice after 2 years away at college. The wife and I are wanting to make it to Canada for some ice. We have been to Bozeman a dozen times or so over the years. Would like an area with lots of moderate climbing ( wi 3-4 for leading anything for top roping). Banff seems to be a popular spot but want to make sure I'm not overlooking other areas

Getting back into the climbing game after taking 2 years off to finish college. I'm hoping to make some trips for ice and alpine this winter/ spring and gain some more experience. i have made a dozen trips to Bozeman leading up to WI4 in the past. I have climbed ice in Leavenworth and banks lake as well. Climbed chair peak via NE corner. Colchuck in winter and made attempts at dragon tail and mt. Hood as well but bailed due too conditions. Some goals would be finishing hood and dragontail. Ice trips to Bozeman, Canada, Wyoming, and many more. Very flexible schedule, have all my own gear, just need someone who can get out and has days off during the week and weekends regularly. Send me a pm and we can figure it out.

Another option I am interested in is the Lowe Alpine Alpine Attack series. It seems very similar to the BD epic, but with out the "Activ" suspension. Any thoughts on Lowe Alpine?

Been away from the climbing/ skiing world for a few years and now I am in the market for a new "do it all" pack. I currently have a Cilo gear 40b worksack. I have had it for a number of years, but I have always had problems carrying loads comfortably. I have used BD packs in the past and was really happy with them. I have also used Osprey, but prefer to stay away from them as they just seem to have to many "things" on them. So I have kind of narrowed it down to the Epic 45 which seems to be a beefier version of the Speed 40. How are you guys liking the active suspension? I ride a splitboard so how does carrying skis handle with them? Any other packs I should look at before making a decision? I would like to stay away from company's like CCW and Cilogear because I want to be able to try before I buy.

I have 2 ropes that are both about 2 years old. One is a Petzl Nomad and the other is an Eldelwiess Laser. I am getting redy to retire them both, so what should I do with them? is there a recycling progrm? I dont really want to have hand woven rope rugs all ove rmy house every couple years. Anyone need to set some fixed lines somewhere?

Looks fun, The wife saw this and wants to get on it. Any ideas on how conditions would be right now?

Im interested in finding an area that offers multiple rock routes up to 5.9 ish) that require glacier grossing from an area you can basecamp at relatively near by. only thing that comes to mind is Boston Basin, but I have been there already. Suggestions?

Im up for cragging at vantage, tieton, leavenworth, or alpine in leavenworth (Dragontail or Colchuck)or the selkirks. let me know zach mvarnerz@hotmail.com

I own a pair of doubles (Edelweiss Oxygen). They get used more for ice climbing or i use one strand for glacier crossings. Im planning a trip to Mt. Whittney in August so I would like to fly just one rope down there.