Gregory.S.

Any new updates about this? I was planning on going some time this summer as well!

My fiance has started to express some interest in my outdoor activities (YAAAAY). She wants to go hiking and take a closer look at mt baker and I was thinking the heliotrope trail would be a good place to go. The only problem is she does not have a TON of hiking experience so I am a little nervous about stream crossings, most notably grouse creek. Has anybody been up there the past week or two? How bad is it? Any other input about the condition of this trail? I have not been up there this time of year before (never earlier than late august). Thanks for your input!

Just make sure you have the ability to melt enough water and stay warm at night. Super dumb mistake me and my friend made last year. We had a lot of camping experience but not much experience "up in the mountains" (It felt that way for us because we were the only ones with permits to go up that night). It is not technical but can be made super miserable if you do not have the right equipment. For the south side the right equipment would be a decent insulating layer at night, enough food, and water. Other than that, just make sure you stay on the trail and you should be okay. Just be safe and have fun. It is really pretty there!

I was just wondering if anybody on here has a neurological disorder or major health condition that impacts their climbing? I am lucky enough to have both asthma and a spinal cord injury (transverse myelitis) that makes getting in shape extremely difficult (mostly just the spinal cord injury as my asthma gets better with exercise). At times it seems impossible but I keep at it. I finally figured I would look for somebody else who has had to deal with similar issues and has advice?

Was the ridge as scary as some of the pictures make it seem? That is the only thing that kind of makes my stomach drop a little bit. My only experience so far has been on Adams and around Baker national forest (nothing serious just winter travel).

its at about 4:50.

I was just wondering what the summit ride is like? I have seen a few videos and it looks different in all of them. This video is from earlier in the season and I am assuming it is due to lack of foot traffic (less defined path).

Perfect! thanks guys!

Oh and I know that you need to bring in general anyways! And my climbing partner has previous experience.

I decided to go for Mt hood in June and mt Adams early July. I do not know much about Mt Hood other than the fact that the Hogsback is the "easiest" route possible. I ahve also been reading a ton of reports saying the pearly gates are fairly technical this year and that 2 tools and rope are absolutely necessary. I am not apposed to this exactly but I feel like I have a limited amount of energy (explained at bottom of post) and do not want to over commit myself and burn out for the season early June. I ahd read about an alternate path from the hogsback that is less technical but I dont know what its called? From what I understand you have to traverse to the left of the pearly gates. (I have had to neck fractures from accidents and a neurological disorder, after a certain amount of strain I have to call it quits for the season or I will seriously pay for it. I am working with a specialists and seeing a sports medicine doctor all who say I should be fine to do what I plan on doing.)

Thank you! ! ! Last year I did not bring enough fuel for water, was sick, and hurt my back all at the same time. THe perfect storm of failure.

Going to head down to Mt. Adams again this year! !! Did not complete it last time and looking to get it off my mind as I have been obsessing about it ever since. I was wondering, what is the earliest the forest road is normally open going to the Trail head for the south spur route? From what I have heard it can be LAAATE in the season. Any guess / information / experience?

Yeah it kind of sucks. Actually I can get 4 inches around the waist through but it just feels like it doesnt fit right.

I go to school in bellingham and it is definitely a good place to do all of those things. You wont have a hard time finding a place over the summer because Western students either do not have a lease that goes through the summer or they do have a lease and a lot leave for break but sublet. Depending on where you live you may even be able to get a temp pass to the University rec cener though it might be expensive. There are however a couple gyms and tons of trails scattered throughout the Bellingham area. Oysterdome is my favorite.

I am 6'3, 220 pounds and I cannot seem to find a harness that works right. I bought the Alpine BOD harness from REI in XL figuring it would have to fit. I can get the strap to go around my waist and into the buckle but only about an inch makes it through (obviously not safe). Does any body have any recommendations?

From what I could find the Summit is a tad heavier than the Mont Blanc. I sold a couple things and ordered the Mont Blancs, theyre on their way! I hope to climb baker in 8 weeks so well see how it goes....

Thank you very much for the helpful response!

It is possible I could try and swing the Scarpa Mont Blanc, looking into that right now. Any opinion about the Mont Blanc?

I know that the Charmoz are not the first choice for mountains like baker, shuksan, rainier, etc. but In many of the positive reviews I found people saying that is exactly what they used them for. I am going up baker the end of may and just bought the Charmoz from REI, should I reconsider this?

Yeah, looks like I will be moving on from the mountain experts. It is too bad because I really liked them. It almost fits, it is just barely too narrow on the sides of my feet near my toes. Not uncomfortable but some pressure when I wear liner socks + wool.

or advice.

I have an REI credit and they have the 20% sale going on so I am looking to buy my first pair of actual mountaineering boots (backpacking boots up until now). I have gone into REI and the two boots at my closest store that I feel are good options are the LOWA mountain expert GTX and the Scarpa Charmox GTX. I have spent a lot of time wearing the LOWA's and would prefer them because of their insulation (want to use them for baker, rainier (multiple trips), shuksan, etc. The LOWA's mostly fit but seem a little tight around the front of my feet (right before my toes). It is more of a light pressure but it is obviously pressing against that part of my foot more than any other. I had planned on just buying the LOWA's until I realized this is a problem as the largest size they carry (13) would not comfortable allow me to wear a liner and wool sock. Any thoughts, feelings about the SCARPA's and LOWA's?

I know! I sized slightly up in order to use thicker socks and waterproof them. I know its not ideal, I was just making sure there were not other reasons I had missed previously that would make it a bad idea.

"I would either rent or buy plastic boots (buy if you think you will get more use out of them to justify. Like going to denali or acon-choss-ua or something like) Don't be the guy with leather boots. seriously. gaiters, the standard OR kind is fine." genepires, I was just wondering if you could specify why it is such a bad thing? I personally know people who have used leather backpacking boots with BD contact crampons (I used Vasque boots with contacts for adams Which I know IS different). I had been considering using them for baker with two pairs of wool socks so that I could have one less thing to pay for (as I have already spent waaay too much on this hobby), why exactly is it such a bad thing?

I understand the sentiment but it takes a lot for me to want to wear a protective hood. By the time that happened I would just wear a hard shell anyways.