BootsandPants

I think you're right for the majority of climbers with the regular 9-5 jobs where month+ long vacations aren't possible every year, making climbing in far flung destinations difficult. While I would like to climb in the Alps, Andes, and Himalaya, and probably will once in my life, there's also a lifetime of fun/challenging routes to be had right here in NA where the travel time and cost are significantly less. Especially being in the Cascades and on the West Coast, we're much closer to things relatively than the rest of the country/continent.

New year, new goals; good idea for a thread to get one thinking! 1) Favorites I have climbed: - Beckey-Chouinard on S. Howesr - Sunset Strip on the Chief - Rebel Yell on Chianti - Pigeon Spire WR 2) Capable of, but have not climbed and want to: - Lotus Flower Tower - Nose/Salathe/El Cap or anything in the valley (I really need to get myself there...) - Index Traverse - Slesse NEB - Sunshine Crack on Snowpatch 3) Admire but will never climb. - >5.12 - Willis Wall - the Bulger list

My prediction is that this is all an extremely elaborate marketing stunt. If so, it sure is paying off! You can bet your ass that when they do release this (which they will), people are going to flock to it in droves.

Steering this back on track; Comcast actually has been doing this since 2012 in certain test markets. They're starting to broaden these "tests". Although amount of data supplied by ISP is not really the issue of net neutrality. It's how the data is supplied and at what rate it's supplied to the end user.

My girlfriend and I were taking it easy on GNS that day and saw the group ascending Pisces to the anchor where the rack was apparently left. They hiked out to the parking lot after rapping off the route. I was there until about 5PM when it got dark and nobody came by, otherwise I would have let them know that someone retrieved their rack. Anyhow, I believe one of the climbers' names was Fletch, or something similar. At least that's what it sounded like from what I could hear of them calling back and forth. If someone knows him, maybe give him a heads up that Tom has it for him

...and yet a big cable lobbiest was appointed to the head of the FCC. Dafuq? It would be nice if all the people we elected and pay who are voting on this actually knew how the internet worked. Conversely, it would be nice if the people we elected and pay took the time to educate themselves on all the issues they vote on.

The one having the most fun. Sorry, couldn't resist. I've been using Garmont Dragontails the past few seasons for almost all of my summer objectives where I might need crampons. I think of it as a lightweight, low top, mtn shoe; somewhere in between an approach shoe and a full on mtn boot. They're stiff and climb/frontpoint well, but won't kill your feet walking on trails. I fit my pair slightly smaller (-1/2 size) than my street shoe for better performance on the more technical stuff. They also fit into a pack or carry on the back of a harness like regular approach shoes if/when you need to break out the rock shoes. Saves lots of space. They don't have welts for pons, so that could be a deal breaker depending on your crampon configuration. It's been a great shoe for my needs that fits in between mtn boots and approach-chacos.

Ah, typical Seattlite response. Do nothing. Shitty neighbors.

Never had good luck with any of Osprey's packs, so I stay away from them. Too much frivolous stuff on them for my tastes. Durability was pretty terrible in my experience too; even worse than my cilogear pack that only lasted a season... I'd recommend: Alpine Threadworks Selkirk; the only ski pack you'll ever need. A little bit more $, but it's made to your back length. Perfect fit. I have used it to carry heavy loads on multi-day trips too and it works great. or Cold Cold World Chernobyl or Valdez; awesome climbing packs that carry skis well too. They will last forever. The guys who make CCW and ATW packs are actually out there doing these things; their designs are all well thought out for actual use. Plus, I like to support the little guys.

Quite possibly, it definitely wasn't crazy dirty or anything; pretty much par the course for alpine climbing in the cascades. I've climbed plenty dirtier things around here. I just got back from some time in the Bugs, so my perception of alpine rock is a bit skewed at the moment. Bottom line: people should go climb this.

I actually just climbed this yesterday. It looked more interesting and aesthetic than the standard NF route we were thinking about. The lichen is back and we threw off a few sizable chunks of moss, but we gave it a bit of cleaning on our way up. There's still one very large, loose block on P4 that's a bit scary. My partner stepped on it and it teetered and rumbled; couldn't get it to bust free though. It's easily avoidable, just be careful. The rock was solid for the rest of the climb overall (I chucked off a few pieces here and there). Darrin isn't full of shit; I thought it was a fun day out on a great line. Very reasonable and easy climbing; it was a nice break from going balls to the wall for the past month. The position is impressive and striking, and the views back behind you are fantastic. Really nice thing to do that's so close to home. Thanks for putting it up and the new hardware!

Can't help with the binoculars, sorry. A few friends (myself included) have been having great luck with Rokinon lenses for outdoor and landscape/nightscape stuff. They produce some exceptionally sharp and clear images for their price. Some good examples here from a TR I wrote a few months back. Most of those images were taken with a 17mm or 24mm Rokinon. The only drawback of the Rokinons is that they are manual focus only. It cuts down on the cost for sure, but has it's limitations with moving subjects. I haven't found any problems with only using MF, especially for climbing and outdoors photos. With a little practice, it becomes second nature. FYI: They market these lenses under three brand names; Rokinon, Samyang, and Bower, but they're all the same thing. I've read some complaints on the interwebz about there being lemons out there and you have to "get a good one", but nobody I know has gotten a "bad one". I think it's just photo geeks being picky about nothing. Personally I have the 24mm f1.4 (Bower label); bought it new for $400 and it's been great. Definitely recommend it or similar if you're on a budget.

Better in snow, but OK without it. I climbed it a few years ago in September (no snow in sight) but felt secure scrambling. There is some loose stuff, but not any worse than anything else on the peninsula. If she's OK with scrambling, she should be fine.

Wait, this was meant to be a serious TR? My trolldar is all out of whack these days...

Alright; which one of you is trolling over on summitpost? Mt. Hood Hike Entertaining read and really twisted some panties over there.

Ditto. No problems with WD40 once a year. I tried a dry teflon lube I use on my bike chain at the beginning of this season just as a test and it seems to work well so far; time will tell. Honestly, most things would be fine, but I'd stay away from wax based lubricants; they tend to hold onto dirt more so than WD40 or other lubricants in my experience.

Wow, great photos and TR; nice work gents. Thanks for sharing!

Neither. Totem is the way, the truth, and the light.

There was a short section of snow right at the base of the gully before things get steep, but no snow higher than that. Totally fine to do in tennies; I had no problems over the past few days.

For those of you using the jul and really like it; what biner are you using (and would this really have an effect)? I'd really like for this to work for me (since I paid for one), but it's just too herky jerky and I can't figure out why. Haven't tried a different biner though.

I think that climbing clubs (mounties, WAC, Boealps etc) are a great place to get started and to meet people/future climbing partners if you have no baseline. At a certain point, you'll outgrow it if you keep developing your skills, but that's to be expected; these aren't professionals teaching with these clubs and they can only offer so much. Another plus, or minus depending on how you look at it, of taking a climbing class through one of the clubs is that it forces you to get out multiple weeks in a row. You get a bunch of mileage through them with the same group of people. It's a good thing for getting the basic skills dialed in, and making some lasting friendships. A few of my best climbing partners I met through one of the club classes, where we became friends and subsequently outgrew the club. Now we just climb, spray, and heckle each other.

All the permits for the summer are already sold out?! I think they do a certain number of walk-up permits too. Someone else on here can confirm though, I've only climbed it once in permit season a while back, so I'm not well versed in that department. As far as gear for St. Helens? Skis But in all honesty, a good pair of waterproof boots, trekking poles, and appropriate clothing will see you through just fine, probably wouldn't hurt to take an axe either. Crampons if things get firm (make sure they fit your shoes before going on the mountain). Also the basic little things like food, water, map+compass, headlamp, first aid etc etc. For your pack, that will work fine, but for an alpine pack I would want some loops for an ice axe/tools. The problem I have with "backpacking" backpacks is all of the superfluous stuff tacked on to them. Straps, lids, pockets, doodads; all add weight and complexity with little to no practical benefits. I prefer mine to be simple. If you plan on continuing mountaineering and alpine climbing, I would return that one if you can (if not, it will work totally fine) and look for a pack more suited towards your objectives. Check out the Cold Cold World valdez pack. Great design, very durable, and the price is totally right CCW Pack. You could have one of these guys for the same price as that one. Good luck, stay safe, and have fun out there!

Well, you're still a good hour or two (depending on fitness) away from where things get kind of steep/"technical" from the top of the Palmer lift. Might as well just walk the whole thing. The cat would really only be saving you 2-3 hours at most; too poor of an ROI for me anyhow. And yes, be prepared to turn around in adverse conditions or if things don't feel right. Stay safe and have fun

Glad to know I'm not the only one who thinks that. Sorry to add nothing but snarkiness; good luck with your info search