mhux

Thank you, turns out it was a blog post! Too bad these got nuked since there is a ton of great content in the blog

I have another question but don't want to make a new thread: Does this site still support the blog posts/articles, like I remember there were some posts by Sky Sjue about skiing, and one in particular I am looking for by Marc-Andre Leclerc about increasing your speed in the alpine. I can seemingly only find forum posts or trip reports. I know you are still building it out, thank you!

Pardon my dumb question: Love the new site layout but it seems the 'Trip Reports' button that chronologically listed all trip reports is gone. Now its 'Submit Trip Report', or FA reports. Does this site still have the same (or a similar) trip report list? Or am I doomed to look at TRs by zone in Forums... Thanks for pointing me the right way!

Thanks for the info- I was mistaken in thinking Steph climbed the west ridge, when in fact it was the North ridge! I don't suppose anyone has climbed the west ridge? Looks steep..

Hi there, I am wondering about the approach to Mt Challenger via easy ridge: it seems most people end up doing the 'imperfect impasse', but I read a Steph Abegg tr where she climbed up and over the west ridge of Whatcom to reach perfect pass. Why don't more people just climb over Whatcom? It seems that perfect pass is really close from the summit, and the ridge to summit is a class 3 scramble- why do people opt for the imperfect impasse? I must be missing something, unless folks just aren't aware of this option. Maybe its 'class 3++'? Can anyone clue me in? Thanks! Max

Interesting thoughts, thanks all. I didn't consider how a storm exits. Also I am sure that getting away from Hood would help!

Wise volcano climbers and skiers of this website and the PNW: Wondering if anyone can share their wisdom of forecasting good volcano ski conditions (winter/ pre-corn). I pretty much assume anything above treeline is wind blasted, golfball sized rime chunks, boilerplate ice, or sastrugi (usually a combo) during the winter. This sour grapes attitude has left me really surprised when friends report skiing (Mt. Hood in most cases) powder from the summit, or even on the Palmer during the winter (okay, maybe more like March-April, and given that it doesn't seem to happen that often!). I am not really talking about corn cycle, although any wisdom is appreciated. Mostly how to determine whether the skiing will be ice chunder or decent above timberline. It seems that most big storms are windy and rowdy, and just scour anything above timberline, with the exception of localized lee pockets of softer snow. Does it just take less windy storms? Better aspect/terrain choices? It also seems that given a few clear midwinter days, anything sunny gets icy or a nasty sun crust- yet I am surprised by the winter corn harvests I read about from such periods. Obviously my cynical mindset is holding me back from the goods, so can anyone walk me through their conditions forecasting process? Is it a matter of just hoping for the best or are you all semi pro meteorologists? Thanks and happy (ice) skiing! Max

Bump for ice boots!

Hey there! Selling a few pairs of boots that are taking up space. I wear a 45.5 or 11.5 street shoe (in Sportiva) for reference. Pickup in Portland preferred, but I am open to driving if you are in the PNW. Otherwise PM me for shipping. Happy to send more photos or field questions about the boots! First up, La Sportiva Batura Evos, in 45.5. $175. Boots are in good condition, normal scuffs and two crampon holes in the left ones gaiter (just through the neoprene like material, not through the actual boot). I really like these boots but they don't fit my wide feet and most days end in foot pain. They climb well and have been warm up to 6000m in the tropics (not in AK!). Next up, La Sportiva Spantiks, in 46. $275 OBO. I bought these for a trip to Peru, they were great if not a little overkill. They fit my wide feet better, but I won't be going on an expedition for a while. The rands could use a spot or two of shoe goo, but otherwise they are in great shape.

No bites? Trailheads are still snowed in, stuff up high must still be good...

Pretty familiar with the NW but haven't been around for a year, coming back Friday for a few weeks to climb/ski whats in. I've heard that the snowpack is good but recently it has been warm, more June than May. Wondering if the classic N face routes still in or is it more volcano corn season? Thinking Hood, Dragontail, Stuart, and other May alpine ice routes. Any recommendations for routes you enjoy in these conditions are welcome too! Thanks in advance, and see you out there! Max

Holy linkup....nice work condensing a season on Hood into one day!

Mixed pitch looks straight out of Chamonix...gotta love the Stuart range! Nice work and great pictures!

Nice, love the bailure mentality getting pushed out by awesome climbing!! Dragontail is looking super fat...way to get it

Loving the drone vids as well, really unique way to present the towers/utah desert. What an incredible place...