JDCH

Hello! I am looking for a lighter/bivy style tent that can stand up to 4 season alpine use. I currently lug around the MH Trango 2, and I am looking to make my overnight kit a whole lot lighter. I have thrown around the idea of the firstlight, which sounds like exactly what I am looking for in a tent. However, I am 6'2" -- and unless I am climbing with my girlfriend, most of my regular partners are close or similar in height. I have been warned that the firstlight will be VERY "snug" for 2 people, and that my feet will have to hang out of the end of the tent. Do any taller folk out there have experience using this tent? Is what I heard about this accurate? Any other suggestions for something different/better? Thank you in advance for your help!

Well that one will put me in the dog house... maybe I won't tell her how far it is! Is there anything closer but harder? Maybe I could pose it as a long drive, OR hard climb.. West coast ice is certainly more of an adventure to find than it is in NH, but that's half the fun!

Hello! I am headed up to BC this weekend to find some ice. I have never been up there before, and I am headed up with the girlfriend who prefers WI3 and close proximity to Vancouver so we can make it back for dinner in town. Does anyone who knows the area have any suggestions inside of 90 minutes from Vancouver? thanks in advance!

Ive got tomorrow off... Anyone want to go climb some ice? I was thinking a ski out towards snow lake to find some good ice. Let me know if you want to join. Have car, rack, and ropes, even extra tools... Let me know!

Let me know!

Ive got friday off... Anyone want to go climb some ice? I was thinking a ski out towards snow lake to find some good ice. Let me know if you want to join. Have car, rack, and ropes.

Alpental falls monday 1/16/12

Alpental Falls on Friday 1/14

Here are photos of Hubba Hubba 1/15

Climbed Alpental Falls both last Friday, and this Monday. The ice was less than good, but it made for a quick approach and some fun top roping after leading up with only psychological protection. Thinner on friday, albeit less buried, as I am sure it is now. Still water running underneath the ice on Monday. Also went to check out Hubba Hubba on Saturday in Leavenworth, the ice looked great, however, i quickly learned why its also called the funnel as I walked up and a huge slide came down right in front of me. I figured I can come back on a less snowy day-- But the ice looked great, as did both flows on either side of it. Pictures to come shortly

Hey Kevino, any word on what the ice has done up there after this recent cold snap? Looking to get on some ice for the long weekend! Thanks!

I'm game to go anywhere, I just want to find some ice, I have a car and even an extra set of tools. Let me know if your interested in joining me

Thanks Kevino, I didn't see that one!

Does anyone know if the ice up by snow lake survived this weeks warmth? Or do I have to drive out to leavenworth to find some ice?

I'm game to go anywhere, I just want to find some ice, I have a car and even an extra set of tools. email me tonight at Jamescampbellharris@gmail.com if you want to join me

The girlfriend and I went exploring up the denny creek drainage on Saturday- We knew that finding ice was highly unlikely, but I needed to break in new boots, and we had a new years party to get to, so we went to denny... There was lots of running water. No ice to speak of. light powder snow maybe 6-8 inches on top of the harder pack below. Good training day... Got my new boots a little broken in... the sun was out... but thats about all I could say for it. More hopeful for this weekend? If It doesn't get colder by tomorrow, I think we're heading to canada.

Anyone have any idea what Alpental is going to look like after this warm spell? Is it worth going to have a look-see tomorrow?

any ice in alpental?

kevino, where was that picture taken?

thank you for all of the great advice, I think I am going to prepare for both gib ledges and kautz, and ask the rangers when I get there to make the final decision. I'll let you know how it goes!

Thanks everyone! I think the Kautz glacier route is looking pretty good so long as the avy hazard stays less than considerable. how hard is the routefinding on the gib ledges? That was my initial concern with that route, being early in the winter, I thought the routefinding might be more challenging than on a route like the kautz. Pete, I think I will save thermogenesis for a subsequent attempt...

Hello! A couple of friends and I are planning on going for Rainier this thurs-sun weather window that looks amazing. I am just trying to determine what the best route would be at this time of year as far as objective hazards are concerned, I am trained in avy safety and crevasse rescue, but I just want to minimize the time potentially wasted on the wrong route. We are all experienced, but only one in the party has ever climbed it before. Thanks! James

Everyone-- Thank you for the great advice! Rad-- Thank you for the warning, weather can be very scary. I have climbed Shuskan North face, early winter spires, and Colchuck Glacier route so far in the cascades, I have more ice and snow alpine experience, doing most of my climbing in New Hampshire, but I have also gone up to altitude on mt Elbrus in russia, I appreciate all of the great suggestions, and if my experience gives anyone any more good ideas, I would love to hear them!! Thanks for the warm welcome to the cascades!

typo: I meant to say 5.0-5.7 not 5.6-5.7. I am just up for getting out there, I want to climb it all!

5.9 or below, moderate classics are what I am hoping for, ideally around 5.6-5.7. I am more comfortable on ice and snow than rock.