rocketparrotlet

Has anyone seen Josh? He was supposed to be back last night... -Mark

Or you could just go to Three O'Clock Rock. Not that I would have known that, either. I just took my first trip to Darrington this weekend, and I had to be convinced out of Green Giant Buttress. -Mark

He's going up the Sahale Arm route, not the Quien Sabe. I lent him my glacier rope yesterday. He's going with one other person, and he says that if it gets too technical or dangerous, he will be fine turning around. -Mark

Really? Nobody is interested in climbing easy to moderate routes at Index? I'll even lead the whole time if you want, I'm fine with that as long as you are fine climbing 5.7! I'd be fine following harder stuff too. I just want to get out. -Mark

Good job! I would also advise Second Ascent for getting gear...I'm on a tight budget, and I've gotten quite a bit of climbing gear from there for low prices...just picked up a Lowe Alpine backpack for $60, it would have cost over $200 new! Also, drinking water straight from a creek is not a good idea...it can give you giardia, which is NOT something you want. Water filters can eliminate this problem, but for a dayhike, it's easier to just pack in the water you will drink. A way to make it taste better is to mix half water and half Gatorade. -Mark

I'm looking for a partner for Index tomorrow if you're still interested. I can lead 5.7 and follow 5.9. -Mark

I'm looking for a partner for Index Sunday if you want to go. -Mark

Poly Pro=polypropylene, it's a stretchy material used for baselayers. Things like Under Armor work alright, the Patagonia Capilene is a nice baselayer. The puff jacket is similar to a normal winter puffy coat, the only difference is it weighs a lot less, you will find that ounces can make a difference (especially when they add up to pounds!) Here you go, you can buy Freedom of the Hills online: http://product.half.ebay.com/Mountaineering_W0QQtgZinfoQQprZ2439034 -Mark

It's not the going up that's scary, it's coming down. If you feel comfortable downclimbing 4th class, do it, but make sure your partner is ready for it. Another option is to take your glacier rope to the summit and rappel down the 4th class section, but don't belay up if you don't have pro. Of course, if you have to question your decision up there, and it worries you, turn around if you don't have the materials. Safety is key. -Mark

This advice is great! I took a course from the Mountaineers to learn climbing skills and glacier travel, and I read Freedom of the Hills (7th Edition) to learn and refine my skills. I am very glad to hear you are out getting after your dreams! I made my first attempt on Rainier this August, but it was turned around. Oh well. If you follow your dreams, you can achieve them! -Mark

I would like to head out to Index on Sunday 9/27 for some cragging, I can follow 5.9 and lead 5.7. I would like to climb G.M. and some stuff at the Inner Wall. I have a rope and a rack, but no car. -Mark

Yeah, I thought you could walk off the back, that's why I suggested it. Index is fine too. But I really just don't want to sit around. -Mark

I have Friday off to climb, how about sometihng in Index or Darrington? I was thinking G.M. at Index and some stuff at the lower wall, and there's some routes I'd like to lead there too (easier stuff). In Darrington, I was thinking maybe Dreamer or Safe Sex, or something on Three O'Clock Rock. I can follow 5.9, lead 5.7. I've got a rope and a rack, but no car. -Mark

You could also let your daughter join the Mountaineers; for the most part, the group is filled with nice people. She could take the Alpine Scrambling course. The trips are very safe, you will not need to worry about safety. 14 is the minimum age for the course, I took it last year, with great results. -Mark

Thank you! I'd rather not do it again...I'd like to go somewhere else. Sorry. Where did you go in the North Cascades?

Josh, I just climbed this yesterday. I thought about you on it a little bit. You would be able to climb it. It's not very technical, but it's just hard. I thought so anyway. Super fun though! You will be able to climb in two days like Tazz said, don't try it in one, it's too long and being extremely tired as you would be if you did it in a day would put your team members at risk. The route is very good though, the conditions are nice! We had no moat or bergschrund problems to deal with, and the river is only knee-high. I would call it a climb- easy glacier (PD-), and a little class 4 rock near the top. I went with one other person, we roped up on the glacier, but climbed the rock unroped. If you are uncomfortable climbing/downclimbing class 4 rock, you might want to rope up. Bring a light rope though, we used an 8mm 30m. Even moving at a steady, fairly fast pace, it still took us twelve and a half hours car-to-car. -Mark

What sizes in the old Friends? I might be interested. -Mark

How much for the micro-cams? -Mark

OK great, let's plan on it then! I'm 16, with glacier and rock knowledge. Should I bring a few nuts, or do you have that under control? -Mark

I might be interested, I have to check out the route information- I have heard it has a gnarly river crossing which might be dangerous after Saturday's storm. I think I'll be in, though. -Mark

Why is it that you guys get so up in arms to defend some old guys climbing with obviously unsafe techniques, but then shy away like the plague from anyone below 18 for "safety" reasons? -Mark

I need a partner for Sunday, both my plans for this weekend fell through. I'd love to do something alpine, but a day at the crags would be fine too. I'm open to suggestions. I am 16, I have a rack, but no car. My belaying and following skills are solid, and I can lead easier (5.7 and below) stuff. -Mark

Is this still up, or is it over? I need a partner for Sunday. -Mark

Cool! We can plan on Sunday if that's cool. -Mark

That would be great! Let's plan on the Beckey Route on Liberty Bell Saturday or Sunday, probably Saturday but I'm not sure yet. -Mark