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nonbasketless

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Posts posted by nonbasketless

  1. Oh snap! I thought it was working for others when I asked. Bummer.

    I only have backest of backend C++/math skills. If you can pose the site's problems as a multivariate nonlinear optimization problem, I can probably fix and future proof it in 15 mins.

  2. On 8/8/2022 at 10:51 PM, jefetronic said:

    We also ran into a soloist who said he’d started up the Kennedy Glacier, but turned around.  It was a bit ominous hearing that as we marched our way North on the PCT.

     

    Hah, that was me!! Sorry I made it sound ominous, I thought the route looked excellent, I was just out of sorts, inconveniently emotional. So delighted to see you guys made it (kinda making me wish I continued), thx for posting :D

    Beta for other potential soloists: if you aim for Kennedy Peak, you can walk between it and its subpeak (looks round on a topo map, but there are two spires). Then drop down to a saddle (my intended campsite) and head SE from there on crevasse-free snowfields to the ridge. Though this involves a bit more elevation waste, it avoids just about all glacier travel on approach, and the glacier you do get on (around N side of Kennedy Peak) is pretty tame. I would probe though, you can see minor crevassing in late season satellite imagery. Tracks below show that and also a misguided attempt in 2019. Third time's the charm for me?

    image.png.ceec0058ffbbc2dde29715deb42b327d.png

    View of Kennedy peak (highest point of skyline):
    image.png.24025ed1d12c97663597ab2873b4daf0.png

    View of snowfield you'd use to gain the ridge (center of image) from Kennedy Peak:
    image.png.c68a97d22afce70efe09601a9934c6a2.png

    Another advantage of this approach is that you'll spot the elusive PNW parrot.

    image.png.83cc4b2f6c9a9ca8faa146beca02b53e.png

    • Snaffled 2
  3. Trip: Mt Thomson - West (solo)

    Trip Date: 08/28/2021

    Trip Report:

    Last Friday, my friend and I set out for a two-night trip to the Kendall Katwalk & surroundings.

    Due to car trouble and Portland traffic, our arrival was seriously delayed and we made camp at just a few miles in from the pass. Long story short, we set about doing our own things the second day and I wasn't at the base of the route till 15:30.

    I've never lead solo in the alpine before. Between that, my faster-than-expected dwindling water, and the hideous start time I had very strong "turn around" thoughts happening.

    DSC01253.jpg.88a6880fb2f364f403434f64886d1a0a.jpg

    But eh! I'm not above bailing on a few nuts if need be. Route goes up left skyline in pic above, mostly.

    I did it in 6 pitches, pitching out the very first short bit that's normally simul'd or solo'd. Great climbing! The hardest move IMO is the very very first one. Stepping off the first real belay ledge and getting into a chimney.

    DSC_0683.JPG.6d3c0f7218035ecf564b789946e941c5.JPG

    My 40 meter rope barely worked, resorting to doing dumb shit like extending the anchor every now and then to get the rope to reach.

    DSC_0686.JPG.d4d2b3fe1d4f42619d07ebf2d0c16a8c.JPG

    Though movement was great, it was hard to enjoy because I was in such a hurry and thinking about rationing my water. Methodical climbing interspersed with dizzying handiwork to take down/build anchors and the occasional gulp. I was soon climbing by head lamp, resigned and in less of a hurry, and only the last pitch fully independent of the sun.

    DSC_0695.jpg.66057ffbccb79be83357672b0c3477a5.jpg

    Those summit views!! Thirsty but happy.

    DSC_0697.JPG.3718cbf72e3bdfc3f86ea636f77a69c1.JPG

    The descent down the East ridge was mentally taxing. Nothing like wading through stunted conifers, grabbing onto them, leaning far looking down, and seeing only bottomless black before trying another likely dead-end. Compass and map were very useful.

    I did 3 raps. Found anchors the first two; for the last I left behind a locker and some cordellette. Note: if you find an oval locker up there that says "compromised"... it's not, that's just how I mark my gear.

    Drank a ton of water at the basin, then made it back to camp (saddle above Ed's lake) where friend had made my bed 1:15 and thankfully was sleeping, not worrying. Lovely hike out the next day!

    DSC01239.jpg.2d59ac0c297df04295b3b5b410764702.jpg

    Gear Notes:
    Metolius blue to BD blue, tricams, many nuts, DIY 60 liter backpack (shout out to Stitchback gear!). Could've been a bit lighter.

    Approach Notes:
    What's with those weird ass rocks with star-like patterns?
    • Like 1
    • Rawk on! 2
  4. 9 hours ago, kadyakerbob said:

    The HW itself is not technical but is a really long slog up although it’s a beautiful side of the mtn that most of us rarely see.  

    No kidding, couldn't recognize it's Hood in some of your sweet pics!

    How important did the rope feel for glacier wandering? I heard crevasses are opening early this year.

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