MickVB

SOLD!

Brand NEW Edelweuss Toplight II; 10.2mm; Supereverdry treatment. New $155. for sale for $95. PLUS shipping or P/U in North Idaho.

Used a couple of seasons and is in excellent condition. It has two tiny puncture wounds at top off back mesh. Other than that, super clean. This pack carries well and is comfortable. At 33 liters it will hold everything you need for the days outing; (you with the rope or rack). If weight is important, this weights in a 28oz as a base line. New $200. for sale at $50. PLUS Shipping or P/U in North Idaho.

I just booked the City Center Inn last night for this Thurs. thru Sunday; they gave it to me for $46.00 per night + tax.

I've stayed at the City Center Inn the last 3-4 seasons. Exit 7th St., south to and left Main St. between 5th & 6th st. immediately on your left; North side. You can get it for $60.00 per night, for two queen beds, as an ice climber rate. Limited selection, but free breakfast at their attached resturant, plenty of room to dry gear; very clean. 406 587-3158 Good luck, Mick

Trip: Banks Lake - Date: 2/8/2014 Trip Report: Climbed at Banks Lake yesterday, Feb. 7, with Jason. He gave me a tour for most of the lenght of the road; my first time there. Here's some pix of various routes and conditions. The Cable was thin at the bottom; H202, Devil's Punch Bowl. We wound up running some lapse at Pee Wee's with Jason of the sharp end. With underground feeds, the water was still running despite the cold temps. The routes we did at Pee Wee's got wet pretty quickly. The last route got full sun late in the afternoon; about 4:00. The draws and biners became encased in ice and the biners were "fun" to remove while getting soaked from above.

Driving home, east on Hwy. 84 today, I snapped this pix of some ice at Ainsworth. Not sure how stable or reliable it actually is. It was 37 degrees and hasn't seen any "real" drops in temps probably since early Dec. Just some beta in the event it might come in handy..... sorry, couldn't get the pix to rotate.

I'm good; thanks for any consideration. Mick

keenwesh, Thanks for taking the time to convey the beta. Very much appreciated. You're correct, we did get service at Deer Creek; I have At&t. I tried to respond to you from there, but just couldn't get the screens to moved with only 1-2 bars. You were right on about conditions also, everything looks in and fat. My partners did Main Vein, p 1. was touching down; the rest was more than in. I did Stringer with them the next day. The last pitch was thick and fat; a beautiful peice of ice after a 20 min. or so hike through a canyon that has endless mixed potential. We got rained on pretty steady for about 5 hours afterwards; which turned to aprox. 3 in. of snow overnight. We left yesterday am and I did the full drive back to CDA area. Again, thanks! Mick

I'd like to head to either Bozeman or Canmore area to climb some moderates (+); between Jan. 16 to 27th? I'm heading to Cody in 5 minutes and back on the 13th, or so. I can adjust my schedule. Camping in the South Fork I won't have much internet so be patient for any response. I'd be leaving from the Coeur d'Alene,ID area. Hwy. 90 and 95. Thanks! Mick

Julian, Seen your post for a partner. My just cancelled for tomorrow at Levenworth, but he's available Sun. Are you interested in doing something tomorrow, Sat. at Levenworth? I need to know asap! Thanks, Mick

Hey, I'm looking to buy a new pair of mono point crampons. I'm looking at the newly released BD Stinger. Does anyone have any feedback on these? I appreciate any thoughts.... Mick

Gotta partner! Thanks..... Anyone interested in future trip(s), or this one let me know.... Mick

Looking to go to Hyalite this weekend. With Ouray scheduled, it shouldn't be too overran (?). I live in North ID, where 90 & 95 meet. Can leave either Thur. or Fri. Shoot me a PM and lets disuss.... I have a new set of tools I'm looking to plant. Will camp or inexpensive motel. Let's make it happen.

I'm looking for anyone interested in going to the Bozeman Icefest on Dec. 7-11. I live in Coeur d'Alene and can easily hook up w/anyone heading east via Hwy. 90; or, I can drive. I can go a little early, or stay after the 11th, to climb as well. Can do my share for gas, a room or bring my 4-season tent. I just want to climb. I want to climb them all.... Mick

Got a partner! Thanks for the views and consideration.... Mick

Hey, Looking to hook up w/someone(s) do climb Chimney Rock in the Selkirk's North Idaho. I'd like to do the Rappel Route, 5.7, am open to discuss options. I can be available mid-week, with some notice, as well as the weekend. I have gear, rope, and the will.... Thanks! Mick

Gotta partner for this; thanks!

I'm looking for a partner who would like the climb the Standard Route on Harrison Peak. Open to most dates except this Sat. 8/13. A moderate 5.7 crack system. There's about a 2 hour approach, but a moderate elevation gain with some scrambling to access the base of the route. A very well maintained trail up to Harrison Lake. A great alpine setting with not a lot of baggage. I have plenty of gear. Have gear, will travel.... Mick

Hey Gene, Once again, thanks for taking the time for such a detailed overview. Much appreciated.... I just got off the phone w/a climber that we've been talking about hooking up for awhile now. He's been up there several times and just did the north ridge a few weeks ago. He did mention he had concern about rock fall and the objective hazards associated with that route. Based on your overview seems like we need to take the direct route, to avoid the hazards, and run up (metaphorically speaking) the lower half. Again, thanks for the detail, knowledge, and willingness to share.... Mick

Thanks for the tip on the cloudy day aspect on summit day. Very good tip; really good. Also appreciate pointing me to Nelson's guide book. Thx,

Hey, Wanting to do the Coleman Headwall. Anybody recently on Baker? How's the approach, crevasse issues/snow bridges etc, and conditions on the route itself? Concerning pro, just ice screws (long ones I'd suspect)or a light rock rack as well (including The Pink Tri-cam)??? Never been on Baker before so I'd really appreciate input/beta: How far from TH to best bivy location to intersect w/walk off. Thanks!!!

Dave, Where on the "eastside" are you located? What do you have in mind for alpine routes? I'm in North ID, CDA area. Mick

Dane, Thanks again for taking the time and your expert feedback; I want you to know I appreciated it. Thx, Mick

Dane, Thx for the feedback and link. I already read that one; I was interested in getting some of the cc thoughts. I thought I'd get some feedback from you.... You be d'man when it comes to knowledge on gear. I have a set of NEW Cobra's and can return them for a full refund, if I want to change tools. My thoughts were keep the Cobra's for alpine and ice routes and get a set of Nomic's or, after reading your thoughts, a set of Ergo's, for the mixed and steep ice. I just need to make a decision I'm planning on going to Canmore next weekend.... Whatdoyouthink? Again, thx! Mick