dave schultz

When you going to Ouray? I'd love to join you if possible ....

I'm in Everett and am just waiting for the ice to come in. Had one unsuccessful trip to N Joffre Creek looking for ice already this season, and read some TRs of other peoples similar experience ... so I think I'll wait until its def cold enough for the ice form. Dave

I have the 28th through the 9th of January off; currently partially planning a trip to CO to climb ice or Smith to climb rock (will decide a little based on weather). I could go for a trek up Rainier; I would be on skis, though. I am new to the area but have been on the DC on Rainier in late August and the CD on Baker mid-September.

Sounds like a killer idea, I am game for early April, especially a ski descent. Weather is obviously pretty fickle, but April should be a little more reliable. Keep in touch as it gets closer to the date, any specific ideas for dates, or will you do a short notice flight to catch a good weather window? daveschultz125@gmail.com

I have the Oregon 450 and use the 24k maps. It's a pretty small device, gets reliable battery usage, and is very accurate. Not something to bank 100% on, but something that can make travel much easier especially at night and during low visibility. It also allows me to track my speed, distance, and elevation gain which I can then plug into future trips to gauge how long it might take to complete a particular route by comparing it to previous trips in similar conditions. Hope that helps, Dave

Please send pics of alpha sl and cobras to daveschultz125@gmail.com?

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The Bora 80 is one of, if not the, best packs at that size. You could haul your refrigerator and still carry more group gear. Plus, the thing retails new for over like $400! If it fits, why not just keep it, you will at some point have a need for it again ... if you sell it, and get a measly $200 for it, you will immediately regret not having that kick-ass pack in you closet for the weekend that you do need it ... just my two cents. Mine is a regular, and if yours was a large, I would probably buy it just so mine would fit a little better ... that's how bomber that big-ass pack is. Good luck. Dave

I agree that the weather is something to keep an eye on, I'll make the call Friday based on what actually develops plus the forecast for Saturday and Sunday will be a little more solid. Resorts might be the place to go, but I am hoping to get out and tour.

I was wondering if anyone would be interested in an overnight tour of Tatoosh on Saturday-Sunday. I was up at Paradise this past Thursday and the coverage seemed good across the way. The forecast is calling for some snow, but not too much, probably a couple inches on top of a solid crust. I will be driving down from Everett and arriving at Longmire around noon on Saturday, so it it would be a pretty late start. Let me know if you're interested (or if this seems like a silly idea). Dave

Trip: North Joffre Creek - Swiss Wall? Date: 11/24/2012 Trip Report: Headed up to NJC looking for ice on Saturday. What a foolish idea. Early season, not a lot of snow, not super cold ... you can see where this is heading. The skin up the logging road was not too bad, followed a snow mobile track for about 1.5 miles then easy trail breaking. We made a critical mistake of heading right at the end of the logging road instead of heading left across the creek. What ensued was about 2 hrs of bushwacking, skining on top of thin snow on top of down trees, creek crossings, and other horrors ... all to gain another 1/2 mile. Then the ice looked thin and not very climbable, but the longer we looked at it, the better it looked (mirages, maybe?). Still the approach was horrible, and we never got to the start. We tuck tailed and bailed, in order to get out by sunset and at least salvage Sunday. We were rewarded with hearing one of the fatter looking corners of ice collapse as we were heading out - that would have made the day a little worse. We returned on the right side of the creek (opposite from where we started), which was much easier, faster, and less stressful. The skin back to the trucks was fast and uneventful. In the end, all it cost us was a full day of skinning, while carrying overnight packs (training weight?), with the false hope of finding ice in November (impeccable optimism?). With another foot of base the approach the left side of the creek would be cake, and with a long and colder stretch of weather the ice looked like it would be steller. For the skiers: it looked like there was TONS of great adventure skiing. Bring your avi A-Game and a competent parter, and make sure you're well rested. Several good looking lines and great bowl skiing further up the creek drainage. I will try and get a few pics posted when I figure out how to work my iPhone. Gear: we only needed skis and skins (and days packs). In good conditions it looked like a variety of screws, probably some pins, a light selection of rock gear if your into that stuff might also be helpful. Snow note: VERY consistent weak layer approx 1 inch thick, about 2 inches below the surface, and about 18 inches above the ground. Discovered in the parking area off Highway 99 and was still present as far as we got. Look for it when you head in there. BTW, this is my first TR ... Dave

I have a Tracker 2 and its great. I am thinking about getting the Mammut Pulse Barryvox due to its better performance with multiple burials. They are pretty expensive, but most people will vouch for the importance if you are ever involved in a slide.

AIARE Level I is invaluable - one of the best courses to take. I did mine in VT so I can't speak to who does it here. You probably can't go wrong though.

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This weekend? Friday to Sunday for day trips or an overnight. Will narrow down options on Tuesday and Wednesday. I am experianced leading ice and rock, as well as mountaineering and ski mountaineering. Crevasse and avi aware, not too much medical training, though.

Hi, I am also new to the PNW. I have experiance rock and ice climbing, plus moutnaineering and ski moutnaineering. I am crevasse rescue competant as well as some avalanche training. I prefer to do something that allows me to ski down it, but am happy to leave the skis behind. I have Friday to Sunday off, looking for single day or overnight partners.

Hi, I am going out this weekend, weather and conditions depending, on Friday, Sat, and Sun, and am looking for a partner who can commit to any or all of those days. Not exactly sure what the objectives will be. I am cofortable leading rock and ice, plus any mountaineering with or without skis. I am flexible for either day trips or overnights. What is your glacier traval and crevasse resucue experiance? Dave

very cool report, glad someone is getting out and climbing. I am looking for a partner to get out on anything on the 23rd to 25th. But good to know if I can't find anyone I can head up to the washington pass area and climb this. how much more snow do you think will be needed before skiing that area?

If conditions are good for skiing up in that area, I will be down for skiing as much that is skiable during the 23rd - 25th if I can find some partner(s) to join me ...

I would like to head out there and tag some lines when there is enough snow to ski it, unfortunately I can't head out there until Friday the 23rd - so if you're game for that we can probably work something out. Dave

Hi Everyone, I have the 23rd through the 25th off. I am comfortable skiing, climbing rock, climbing ice, and everything in between. Looking for anyone to partner up for whatever the weather lets us go after. The more experianced you are, the better, but as long as you can safely belay we should be in buisness. I am in Everett, but willing to go as far as far south as Mt Hood or as far north as Joffre Peak. Wherever conditions are right. Thanks, Dave

Hi, Looking for anyone's old, cheap, shitty avi beacon. Want one to do practice burials with. I'm in Everett and can pay for shipping. Thanks, Dave

Maybe its just me ... but the article doesn't really say anything usefull. Does it interfere with sending your signal (ie you're buried and can't do anything) or does it interfere with receiving a signal (ie you're searching and can turn your phone off and relocate your digital camera)?

how was the scratching? Any ice at all, or just rock climbing with tools? If you're game, I'll be around starting this coming Monday. Dave

what is the 10 degree trail on Pilchuck Lookout? Is that the only trail heading up to the lookout? I have never been there, but am definitely looking for ANY ice to climb. Any reports of ice in the Snowqualime area? Thanks in advance. Dave