mhux

Yeah and there's probably ten 200 page threads on supertaco about whether Colorado or Utah or California is better for climbing. Exactly...if I was truly worried I'd go back home to Salt Lake! So its one of those rural meth towns...? Never been there myself now that's what I'm talking about! But is the housing cheap and the job market reasonable? Thanks for the replies so far, interesting stuff.

Interesting to see that so many people got out sunday! I thought saturday would be the prime day of the weekend, but apparently not....good work everyone!

Hey there, I still have another year as an undergrad and being in Salem, OR means access for almost everything is 2+ hours! I'm from Salt Lake (talk about easy access), but frequently wonder where the 'best' place to live in WA is, in respect to (alpine) climbing and skiing access. This is cascadeclimbers, so I'd love for some locals to chime in! Considerations: Year round climbing, reasonable cost of living (if it's a significant difference), climate (less rain is better but its the PNW...), location (less city more towns), and perceived or real availability of jobs. Places in mind: Index, Leavenworth, Eastern N. Cascades (Winthrop), North Bend, Bellevue, Bellingham And finally, I don't live there and I'm just looking for your thoughts, so please excuse any 'dumb questions'. Lets hear it!

great photos, what camera setup are you using? Also saw that slide debris two weeks back from pea gravel, must have been a big one indeed!

Badass? To say the least...thanks Colin

Does anyone know if the NF gullies have ever been skied? To be honest I've always got shut down by weather the times I've tried to get up there, so pardon me if that's ridiculous. Also, there's a great couloir on the east face, to the right of what I believe is the black spider/arachnaphobia wall, has that ever been skied as well?

Anyone have recent beta on how conditions in the Enchantments are? Looks like weather is stabilizing (for now!), hoping to get something done in the area..thanks

Just came back from Bishop and Mammoth, snow pack is definitely weak there- depressingly so. Driving up the 395 all the mountains were pretty bare too, but neither are quite Tahoe area

South Sister's south ridge is probably a good bet if you don't have much experience, its pretty cruiser though I'd recommend skis for the ride down The other Sisters aren't too hard either, probably something for everyone out there imo... I have friends who have hung around at Smith, either at the bivy site or just walking around the crag and have found partners pretty easily, just offer a belay and maybe beer and you'll be set

I just got a non-titanium Sol this winter, and I've loved it so far. They say it doesn't work well under 25F degrees or whatever, but I had the 0.8 liter cup boiling in what seemed like a minute or less, almost too fast! I've only had it for 3-4 months though, so I can't talk about durability. As far as size and packability, I think it beats the Sumo anyday though...

you have it all backwards.. instead of banging your head against shitty climbing conditions, just go skiing! High avy risk means stellar low angle skiing conditions-your only frustration will be not getting out enough, and realizing how much fun you could have been having

Saturday it called for 4-8" but ended up being sunny and consolidating the newer snow (up at pea gravel ridge), we were worried about the avy report but the snow (due to sun? couldn't have hurt) was as stable as it gets...killed the powder though! Yesterday (Sunday) it was supposed to be stormy as well, but mostly blue skies again (luckily we found a protected aspect with 6" blower) Can't say the weather report was spot on this weekend but it sure was coming in Sunday afternoon! Ben B. you're crazy to want to hit I-rock with the high below 10F, I already feel bad for the belayer...I'd say screaming barfies but its doubtful you'd get the feeling back

Smith is pretty reliable, a lot better than rocky butte or is that too far?

keep those heels down! funny, I dig it

Good advice all around, what about winter climbing? Snoqualmie area, Enchantments...thought it might be a little dry this year (Enchantments at least), but then February came...thoughts?

Nice! Lucky you got wed-sat, the weather on saturday alone was worth a trip! Love that last shot...

So Leavenworth will be crazy during that time? I know some schools take a spring break a week earlier/later, probably not much difference in crowds though..

Curious how you see them comparing to NW Alpines pants. The REI stuff on sale at $117.93 is still costlier than these made in America pants at $110: http://nwalpine.com/fastlight-pant REI description says windproof to 16 mph...I don't know about you but I'd much rather take my NW alpine pants out, I've never had a problem in almost-can't-stand gusts! Maybe you're confused on 'best pant ever'

Oh man the ultimate smith trad ticklist just keeps getting longer and longer...I'm super stoked to get out there now!

Yeah I'm based out of Salem, Smith was the obvious choice but I was hoping for something new...guess the weather will decide on Leavenworth or not. thanks for all the suggestions so far, too!

Guess I didn't really specify- I'm looking for what's good in the PNW during that timeframe, sure there's sunny rock if you drive, but that's not quite what I had in mind... Surprised no one's mentioned Canada after that recent thread, probably the best 'value' for driving ~13 hours, no?

Like I mentioned in my post, I'm in salem for school, unfortunately NOT salt lake. Otherwise this wouldn't be a question! Most of my climbing friends are headed towards Bishop, I don't see why you wouldn't put in a few more hours and go to Red Rocks instead of wasting your time bouldering

Hey there, I've got March 23rd-31st off for spring break, and instead of hitting a warm beach and hoping for televised party madness (who does that anyway?), I'd rather go climbing...any suggestions on what's usually good during that time period? Obviously it's weather dependent (esp. for the alpine), but is any good rock like Leavenworth reliably dry by then? Lots of ideas already floating around, eg. Sisters traverse, Smith Rock, Hood antics...lets hear the WA options! (since I'm in Salem) Or is the best advice to keep an open schedule and watch the weather? thanks in advance!

awesome recommendations everyone, I appreciate it! keep 'em coming, unless that's all the good trad at smith by the way, how much sun does the gorge get this time of year? I figure the shade is nice in summer, but a little chilly this time of year...

Hey there, I've done a bit of trad at smith (Lion's Jaw, Moonshine Dihedral, what have you) but I'd like to get into some more splitter cracks in the gorge...anyone have any suggestions/recommendations? I'm not the most experienced trad leader, so the easier the better, especially if there's some TR's to practice splitter technique. (Yes I know the gorge mostly has 10a and above) Lets hear it!