YakCLimber78

The previous responses have been spot-on. I can only reiterate that you need to try on as many pairs as you can before you even prepair to drop the coin on a new pair of boots. Get insoles, the stock ones that come in most footwear are garbage. Once you do finally decide on a pair, wear them around the house for a few days to see if they hit you anywhere you didn't notice in the store; any minor issues could be a trip-ender in the future.

I have the Scarpa Crux as well and love them. On my last trip up the NR of Stuart, I used a super-light pair of trail runners that packed well into my pack and climbed strictly in my rock shoes...... Just one guy's thought.

sent you a pm

go to your local pool/hot tub supply store.... I bought a 3/8 piece of foam ay my local store for next to nothing.

Unfortunately, I have had 4 opinions and they all lead to the same conclusions. Thanks again all for the insight and the positivity.......

I was recently told by my Dr that I will be in need of having a bit of "work" don't to my left hip. He is going to performa laproscopic re-shaping of my femur and pelvis and repair my labrum. Has anybody had this type of surgery or anything close? I understand that it has a bit of a recovery time (I already realize that my skiing next year is gone), but I want to know how you feel in year 2,3,5, etc. Any insight would be great. Paul

My wife has circulation issues and has found great results using a combination of garlic, aspirin, and heated gloves..... I know the heated gloves my be a touch extreme, but they work. when she's touring and the circulation is going well, she uses wristbands and places the little heat packs against the underside of her wrists (keeps the blood flowing to her fingers pre-heated). When she stops, she puts on her gloves and turns them on low and it seems to work. Hope this helps....

I had a chance to climb (hike) Lassen a few years back. A wonderful experience on a wonderful little peak with wonderful views. Great trip, guys!

My List of Favorites and Wants and Never wills 1)Have Climbed: Complete N Ridge of Stuart Zebra-Zion Cooper Spur Exasperator 2)Want to Climb when I get my azz in shape: NE Butt of Slesse Lib Ridge Go back to AK and finish Denali 3)Never Will (but want to): Anything in the Himalaya Anything in Antarctica North face of The Eiger

Cooper Spur on Hood East Peak on Ingalls

I took a course through the American Alpine Inst. when I was in high school and I have nothing but the greatest of memories and learned skills that I use to this very day (20 years later). But as with instruction, ask questions, ask for your guide's resume, and be sure to practice your skills as often as you can after.

Fit Comes First..... All are great boots. Also look at the newer light alpine boots from Salewa. I have a "Sportiva Foot" and the Salewas were uber-cumfy.

Nice work! I too have been beknighted on Dragontail, and we were also climbing as a party of three. Spooning on the summit is not a fun way to spend a Saturday night..... Much better to drink beer all night and wake-up in a stranger's front yard. Way to stick out the night and save all your digits!

I drove up to White to ski last week and Strobach looked pretty dry. It's warmed-up significantly (like to 54 degrees yesterday) here in Yakima. I don't think strobach is going to be in for a while. PM me if you want any more info.

Good Neighbor Peak?

Went up to the Little (S)Naches to take a look...... Horsetail is about 50%, Dropline is thin (but climbable with a HUGE set of marbles), Hand Full of Luvin' is in on the right side, and Union Creek falls will be in on the right side if the temps stay low. I haven't made the drive to Strobach (or up White for that matter) but that may be an afternoon adventure this week.

I have done variations of that traverse three times and enjoyed them tremendously. In 2007, we did a complete South-North-East traverse that was probably one of my most enjoyable trips. We hiked to the South Peak from the Lake Ann side and then continued up the South Ridge of the North Peak, down-climbed the East Ridge and then climbed the Standard Route on the East Peak. Two years later we did a South Peak/North Peak combo that was a ton of fun as well. Great Job on the Adventure!!

It's been super dry and relatively warm over here in Yakima until just recently. If there is any ice, it's gonna be sketchy. As of last weekend, Clear Creek was mostly melted-out, I doubt Little Naches has any ice (needs to be wetter). Even Strobach has been dry this year. Hope this helps.

was up on hood on wednesday... we did leuthold and it was in the best condition i have ever seen it. we peared over the north face and it looked doable. all i can suggest is to go up and have a look-see and if that doesn't go, take a march over to the sandy. if you are looking for a partner, send me a pm. i'm available after wednesday 5/11.

If it's the one I think it is, it's what I've always known as Manastash Falls.... It's accessed off the manastash road to the south and west on the back road to manastash lake.

Austin was a guy that lived in the 'burg back in the day... I climbed with him a bit and he used to eat it alot! My buddy was climbing up at Umptanum about 10 years ago when he heard a big crash and splash...... Austin fell in the water.

Do you know if anyone has made the trek up to manastash yet????

I was on Denali in June 2007 with temps down to about -20. I used a point-and-shoot (I'm a keep-it-simple type of photographer) and had absolutely zero problems with my older Canon. I found that using a camera that uses simple AA or AAA batteries was the most reliable and simple. As for altitude and moisture, don't worry..... just keep your camera in a jacket pocket.

How was the approach? We were up on the north side of Rimrock and heard uber-loud snowmachines... Our line was melting out by the time we got to the last pitch so we had to bail. Good to see you were able to take advantage of the cloud cover over there. Nice Send!!

I know this may be a bit late in the conversation, but I shortened my old Mountain Technologies axe from 80cm down to about 63cm about 15 years ago. I cut the axe to length first then drilled-out the spike rivet. After I 'persuaded' the spike out with a vice and a hammer, I epoxied the spike plug back in and re-rivetted the end. I have had absolutely no issues with it since.