Alisse

Have you heard of the Roadless Rule? Kind of a catchy name. I hadn't heard of it until an email from a list..https://www.outdooralliance.org/blog/2018/2/23/threats-to-the-roadless-rule-put-backcountry-recreation-at-risk : "Right now, policy makers are taking the first steps to dismantle the Roadless Rule. If you’ve never heard of the Roadless Rule, you’re not alone. It’s an important conservation tool that protects many of our most valued backcountry recreation areas. Senator Murkowski (R-AK) recently introduced a measure that would eliminate protections for roadless areas in Alaska and the state of Alaska has filed a petition with the Department of Agriculture asking for an exemption to the Roadless Rule. These actions set the stage for other states to seek exemptions from the Roadless Rule, putting backcountry recreation at risk. National Forests provide lots of resources to Americans, including timber, fresh water and clean air, and access to outdoor recreation. Right now, about 50% of our National Forest land is open to drilling, logging, and mining; and 18% of is protected as designated Wilderness. The remaining 30% of forests are known as Roadless Areas. These remote landscapes are treasured by our community for the backcountry recreation they provide. These backcountry landscapes are governed by the Roadless Rule. The Roadless Rule was established in 2001 after enormous public outreach and was intended to “provide lasting protection in the context of multiple-use management” for the 60 million acres of roadless areas on our National Forests and Grasslands. What this means is that we cannot build new roads or harvest timber on these roadless areas, but they are still open for a range of recreational activities, including climbing, hiking, mountain biking, paddling, and backcountry skiing. While these areas are protected from new development, they are less restrictive than Wilderness areas in terms of what you can do there." I'm trying to find the latest ruling/decision but no luck so far..

I haven't seen surprise -- but why not act concerned? Should we not be concerned?

I am looking to add to my list of partners for adventures in the mountains! I've realized how different and great it is to get out with other women, so that's who this partner call is for I started sport climbing in 2011, quickly started traditional climbing, and then into some moderate glacier climbs and the volcanoes, some ice climbing, one aid pitch, and this is my third season backcountry skiing. I'm stoked about skiing!!! The objectives I'm most excited about are...climbing the North Ridge of Baker then skiing the Coleman-Deming, the Mary Green Glacier route on Bonanza, skiing Mount Deception and the surrounding area, exploring more off the Mountain Loop highway, exploring more of the Pickets (Inspiration? Challenger?), more off the Middle Fork, more in the Olympics... I live in Seattle. I have weekends off work and can usually take random days, too. I have a car that gets good gas mileage. My route finding skills aren't the best (although I study hard). Send me a message if you are also looking for new partners!! Alisse

Awesome! Looks like a great day, nice pics! Maybe I'm just not seeing something, or the photo was taken at a weird time, but I want to learn: In the last photo, I'm wondering why you didn't clip the blue sling with the red biner along with the silver one. In this moment, I can't figure it out. Halp! Thank you :-)

Yes! I love the shot of the person covered in snow with a big smile! I got out that way this past weekend for the first time. Amazing place, so much to explore! I will be back...

<Sweet pic of Arie with a grin on his face in the middle of a turn through cold powder> Windy Knob didn't live up to its name yesterday (thankfully) but it didn't disappoint: the snow was great and the skiing on moderate slopes we did was fantastic! Not a ton of other people, either. We encountered some small pockets of shallow, soft windslab alternating with scoured sections. On the way up, we dug a pit (so fast with such a low snowpack) but weren't entirely confident about interpreting the results of our tests so we stuck to conservative terrain. No avalanche activity, whompfing, or cracking was witnessed and we only saw evidence of a slide (small crown) on a far-off mountainside. East-side snowpack was so shallow, felt like early early season. Luckily the rocks were mostly covered and the biggest threats were sticks, logs, open creeks, and a skin glue issue.. A great day in the blue skies and sunshine!! I'm sad my photos are currently inaccessible.

Beautiful shots!!! All the peaks dressed up in their finest white...

Snow snow snow!!! Anyone been up Jolly this winter? How is that Sno-park? (Will it be outrageous on a weekend/holiday?) Some info online and in the books, but it's more fun if you can share your story and pics!

Looks beautiful! I had to look hard to find Don on runout slab... 👍

Great trip report, nice photos! Keep those TRs coming! I wouldn't be so quick to assume the worst about the lone snowshoer!

That's really great to hear. I ran out of one part of Aquamira on a trip last year, didn't have extra fuel to burn, and was pretty concerned about getting giardia. I was selective about the water I drank but it was probably just good luck that (to my knowledge) I didn't pick any bugs up. I was going to post a photo of my partner drinking straight from a lake with a SPEED CUP but I don't think he wants his photo here.... He didn't filter or treat any water at all last year and didn't get any symptoms of anything amiss. He's had giardia before, so I guess he knew how the world would sparkle if something did happen.

What's record for number of Tooth ascents by one person?

Hello! I have little aid experience, but I was just wondering how you found CascadeClimbers. Google?

That trailer... Wow! ... Why weren't they wearing helmets? It must be a joke? Maybe?

Great day out there today. Lots of fluffy snow everywhere!! Not a lot of people, either.

Did you go check it out? What did you find? (I guess this belongs in Oregon trip reports) I hope you had a good time!

I upgraded my boots so I'm selling an older pair of Scarpa Magic Boots. Mondo 25.0 with great condition Vibram soles. Tech binding compatible. I re-learned to ski on these, good boots, good condition. A bit narrow for my feet, but I never heat molded them (I believe they were heat molded before I bought them, though). Message me if you're interested. I am in Seattle. Alisse

I want: OK snow OK weather No more than 2.5 hours from Seattle Where?!

😁 definitely! My goals #6 and #7 were intricately linked, hopefully you understand 😎 PS Many of best friends and best climbing partners have been cis dudes.

Happy New Year!!! Thank you for your work on this site and the invaluable and hilarious forums, Olyclimber! And to you, JasonG, thank you for all of the inspiring and wonderful photos you always include in your trip reports... My goals: Post more often here and on the TAY forums! Not die in an avalanche, car, or bike accident Do more yoga to keep the ol' sciatica in check Improve my skiing form and transition time Climb the N Ridge of Baker, then ski the Coleman-Deming Make a concerted effort to lead trips with less- and similarly-experienced people to get lost/improve my routefinding skills Climb and ski more often with other women/people who aren't cis men Go to more hot springs Go back for a third Oregon Volcano Fest with Andy and carry it into California to ski Shasta and Lassen Lose fewer socks (I wanted the guitar-playing one but this'll do.)

I know you can rent it from Scarecrow in Seattle...seems like Darrington may be more convenient for you, though.

Upgrading my AT setup including boots! Anyone selling a new or like-new pair of ski boots for tech bindings, mondo size 24.5? Let me know, thank you! Alisse

I don't feel very motivated about writing this, but I told some guys we met on the way in that I'd write up something... Last weekend, Joe and I went to check out the Gerber Sink on Dragontail, but after talking with the two parties coming out and then seeing it in the evening, decided on Triple Couloirs. "Be prepared for long runouts.. good thing you brought pickets..." Yes. We brought pickets..screws...pins...rock gear. Heavy packs! Approach was pretty uneventful, stashed our road shoes and switched to our boots once the snow got deeper and more consistent, about 2 miles in from the gate. We speculated about when the road would open and what all the Enchantments permits holders would say! Walked across the frozen lake and camped on the south end in chilly yet calm conditions, good stars out! Lots of snow up there! Unconsolidated snow, seemed more like March than April. Unsupportable crust with 1.5-2'ish of powdery/sugary snow beneath. The direct trek up to the base of the route was ridiculous -- took us three times as long as we expected, post-holing our way up. We weren't stoked or fit enough to hurry on up the nearly unprotectable slog/wallow in deep snow and also feel good about the sunny forecast/avy conditions for the way down Aasgard. So we turned tail and hiked out. Ah well... it was a good fitness camping trip!

Still looking for a pair of collapsible backcountry ski poles. I don't care if they're beat up, as long as they won't collapse when I'm using them... BONUS points if one is a whippet. Also looking to upgrade my heavy axe with a PETZL SUMMIT or SUMMIT EVO, 52 cm. Thanks, Alisse

Bump... $50 OBO!