Craig

Here's the original Seattle Times article that was mentioned above.Here's a follow-up Seattle Times article. [ 11-06-2001: Message edited by: Craig ]

Yeah, Gothic Basin. Del Campo is many people's favorite scramble in Western Washington. Gothic peak is pretty simple compared to Del Campo. Take a helmet if you've got one.

Nothing better than a couple bomber handholds. Hey, maybe her husband wanted to do some bouldering with a short approach. Or maybe she wanted to do some solo climbing close to home. Regardless, I wouldn't mind tackling the summit block. Anyway, I'm guessing these photos were taken "after": [This message has been edited by Craig (edited 07-08-2001).]

If you could use a little laugh on this subject, then check out: http://www.alpenglow.org/themes/subalpine/brush-ratings.html [This message has been edited by Craig (edited 06-21-2001).]

To Funinthemts: Getting permits for the designated camp sites around the Wonderland Trail sounds like a problem. I'm sure the Park is doing the best they can. Probably explaining to them the "hole" in their system would be better than exploiting it. Anyway, one easy way around this permit problem is to use "cross-country" permits. Yes, this is an actual thing. There are special "cross-country" permits that you can get instead of permits for the designated camp sites. They may have more restrictions than this (ask the Park), but to use "cross-country" sites: (1) You need a permit, (2) your group must be five people or less, (3) you must practice minimum impact, (4) camps must be at least 1/4 mile from any trails, (5) camp on rocks and snow instead of meadows, and (6) avoid getting waste in water-ways, duh. Doing it this way pretty much means you can go at your own pace, and without huge/sucky permit problems. The only drawback is a little off-trail navigation, and a 1/2 mile of off-trail hiking per day. If you do a little planning (which it sounds like you have), you could even pull off "view" spots. (Reference: First 20 or so pages of Ira Spring's "50 Hikes in MRNP") Have fun. [This message has been edited by Craig (edited 06-21-2001).]

Click on the "Climber's Wall" link in the top-right corner of this page, then under "Route Reports", click the link for "Oregon Cascades". This is the spot where posts like this belong. [This message has been edited by Craig (edited 06-12-2001).]

What's everyone talking about? Why would anyone need help carrying their load up to Muir?...there are bathrooms right at the parking lot!

Yeah, yeah. Judging from my prior two posts, you'd think I was Dave page incognito. I've heard negative things about Dave Page too, but that's not the norm. It's sort of like supply and demand. If a small company does awesome work, then they get referrals and press, and then they're swamped. To cope, they increase size, but with growing pains. Then they get negative referrals and press, and they shrink a little, until they reach an equilibrium. Every company has negative feedback, or else they'd take over the world. I broke off a shoelace eye (closest to my toe) on my mountaineering boots...I caught it on a rock...I actually had a hole in my leather. Also, some stitching was wearing away, and the leather was separating near the heels. Anyway, I took them to Dave Page, and he (or one of his staff) gave me a new eye, bombered all the stitching, new insoles, and new shoelaces for $15 I think. I thought that was a pretty good deal. The next time I used the boots, the new eye broke off. I went back in and showed it to Dave Page, and he said the person who fixed it put the rivet in crooked. He said he'd personally fix them for free, and he did. He put in a more solid eye, and now they work awesome. So you shouldn't base your decision on bad work and complaints, but rather on how those complaints and bad work was resolved. It's all in the customer service.

Oh, I forgot to mention... Fremont is just north of Seattle. Also, if you take your boots/shoes to a store to get them fixed, then they just send them to Dave. I know he does all the REI repairs, and many other local shops too.

Dave Page, without a doubt. He's located in Fremont. He only does outdoor shoes, mountaineering boots, rock climbing shoes, etc.. The prices are even cheap. You can even mail them...he gets a ton of boxes every day in the mail. His web site is "www.davepagecobbler.com".

If you're renting ice axes: Everyone in the group should have practice self-arresting with an ice axe, so practice the night before if you're car camping or along the route if you're not. If it's slick enough to require crampons, then self-arresting knowledge becomes a must. Actually get in the snow with a pack on and practice it. If you're renting crampons: Crampons can be fussy, and a perfect fit is key. So you should take everyone's boots to the rental place and make sure they fit before you leave. Have fun.

The big earthquake in Seattle a month or so ago got me thinking...was anyone climbing during it, and what was it like? Was there any rock or snowfall? Just curious.

You guys are all way too cool for me. I buy the NW Forest pass, and I'm proud of it. I also sign TH logs and follow permit rules. I think that's a responsible way to act. If I was on a climb with people I didn't know, and the leader was arrogant and didn't have a park permit or sign the TH log, then I wouldn't trust my life to him/her...I'd turn right around and head home. I also volunteer occasionally thru the WTA, and receive a free daily park permit for each day I volunteer. You can trade in 2 of them for a free NW Forest pass. I'm proud that I give something back. I guess I'm the only one in this entire thread who's not selfish. They're going to build another Tacoma-Narrows bridge, and I hear they're going to put a tollbooth on it and change drivers. Good. I firmly believe that if you use it, then you should pay for it. I never take that bridge, and the last thing I want is to have my taxes go up and to pay for that damn thing. Let the people who use it pay for it. Period. The same goes for Forest permits. The money has to come from somewhere. If it's not from permits it's from everyone's taxes, and I don't expect some Joe Shmoe who has no plans to ever step into a forest to help pay for it. I'm not totally in support of buying permits, but I don't mind paying for what I use. If they take away permits, then I wouldn't mind if my taxes went up. Either way it's fine to me. I just don't expect to have my cake and eat it too, like the rest of you.