rocketparrotlet

I know. But this site is primarily devoted to ice, alpine, and mountaineering. I was just making a comparison. I love all forms of climbing. That means scrambling, sport climbing, trad climbing, alpine, ice, etc. I think scramble trip reports are very valuable information, as opposed to "We climbed such-and-such a route at a well-documented wall in good weather. It was exactly the same as when the other 100 people climbed this route last week." But don't get me wrong. They all have their place here. -Mark

Hey, Sounds great! I'm a 17 year old high school student as well, and it seems like you really share a passion as well! Our stories are pretty similar. Do you have a car? I live in Everett, the only problem might be getting up here. If you are ever in the area, send me a PM- I'd love to meet some fellow climbers my age! -Mark

Wait...round trip?! That seems too good to be true. I hope weather is good for Index this Sunday! -Mark

Yes Josh, post some of the more recent ones, like your Prairie Mountain story with the dogs chasing you up the mountain! It's not gonna turn into nwhikers here, believe me! I'd argue that scrambling has more of a place for TR's here than clipping bolts, but that's just my personal opinion. -Mark

If anyone would like to practice z-pulley at a local park, I would be in. Escaping the belay as well. -Mark

Do you have any Express screws?

Looks great! I'd love to head up there and climb some of these routes you make me drool over. Once I get my passport, I just might be able to! -Mark

And that is why it's next on my list! It was pretty fat when we were there, too. http://www.summitpost.org/view_object.php?object_id=585656 http://www.summitpost.org/view_object.php?object_id=585657 Yeah, I called it Candlestick Falls. Seemed like a fitting name because of the column. -Mark

EMS jackets? I got one at Second Ascent for $60 and I love it. Here's the only picture I have posted (I'm the one in the fatty orange belay jacket): http://www.summitpost.org/image/588622//on-belay.html -Mark

Put spit there? As in, spit on the ice so it freezes because it's so freakin' thin? Holy crap! -Mark

I love my helmet...it's one of those heavy thick old light green Edelrid ones, and I'm very glad I wear a hard plastic helmet instead of a foam core one...I have bad luck with things hitting me, and I don't want to risk it because often times, when things have a likelihood of hitting me in the head, that means there is loose rock/ice and it is liable to do it again. (ex. Mt. Baring if you're off route) I've got one of those nose scratches too! They hurt. A week ago on the last pitch of Rat Ketchup, I was bouldering around at the bottom and a chunk of ice fell off that weighed at least 5 pounds, hit me in the chest and knocked me off. Luckily I was only a foot above the ground (I don't like to go much higher ice-bouldering). My helmet under violet laser light: http://s565.photobucket.com/albums/ss91/rocketparrotlet/ As soon as I get some clear acrylic paint I will paint my helmet with glow-in-the-dark of all different colors (I have green, blue, and red GITD powder- this will be fun!) -Mark

Cool! Only 2 days later, and you could already tell the difference? I guess that's PNW ice... -Mark

Whoa, that's like half the price, thanks! EDIT: Still looking for Index...rideshare is a great idea though! -Mark

Anyone know of a bus that can take you to from Everett to Index? Josh says he can get as far as Gold Bar, but can't find one past that. The only bus I know of to Leavenworth from Everett is $27 each way. That's kind of expensive. Any cheaper alternatives? (It's worth it...but it's still a lot of money to me.) -Mark

1 hour which direction from Seattle? EDIT: Because I'm in Everett. -Mark

Yeah...neither of us really HAS $200 for tools. I already have a set of Petzl Aztars, I'm just mainly trying to help Josh out if he misses something. -Mark

We had to turn around on Mt. Adams due to 70mph winds and ice. In August. I would recommend crampons and an ice axe for sure. -Mark

EDIT: Crap, they're $100 each. I don't have $200. Worth it or no? -Mark

Thanks! Those conditions at Index didn't look too bad, I might just head out this weekend. That or Leavenworth! This winter season isn't turning out to be as boring as I thought it would. -Mark

Do you have any gear for sale? -Mark

I am looking to build up an ice rack, so I need some screws. I don't have too much money, but I figure if I save up all my money I should have a basic ice rack before February, which is when I am going for a 9-day ice climbing trip in Canada (that's my deadline for getting a rack and following on WI5). My favorite screws are the Black Diamond Express and Turbo Express. I see them for $30 each on here all the time, but I always just miss them. I'm also looking for a headlamp because I lost mine. -Mark

Fun? So should I go in the rain and wet? How do your shoes grip? I would be leading anything I climbed, and I don't want to fall on lead. -Mark

Josh- get some nice tools. They don't have to be great, but they have to be decent. I love my Aztars, I could probably sell them for much more than I bought them for and make some money, but NO WAY. They are too nice for that. Trust me- when you are pumped to the point that you can't even hold on to a tool halfway up a pitch because you went for a price over value, what then? I don't see why you are interested in steep snow. It's like ice, only a lot easier and not as easily protected. Some of those deals posted (like the Camp Awax) are nice. -Mark

I went to Leavenworth...the ice was great! I also got in my first ice leads. I'm really glad I went. -Mark

I'm a male, sorry, but I'd love to meet up for some climbing sometime. I'm always looking for partners. I'm relatively new to ice climbing, but I led some easy pitches this weekend and I can follow some harder ones. Do you have ice screws? I have not yet been able to buy any, but I have everything else. -Mark