geordie

And in this priceless photo you'll note the large head has no adverse effect on his indoor climbing skills.

check it out - you be the judge? Is this a big head?

As highway 20 will open soon I'm getting excited about WA pass. Anyone have favorite moderates at WA pass that seem to have been overlooked by Nelson or badmouthed by Fred?

Help me make an early season alpine tick list- what alpine routes should I get on when there's still some snowpack? Redoubt/Spickard? Rainier - Tahoma ?

anyone have suggestions for headphones they like when running, skiing, slogging? I switch btw two sets - the "ear bud" type seem to be annoying on longer adventures but the "normal" headphones bounce around too much when running. ideas?

Ahh- Borealis ridge aka "thunder ridge" -good fun. If you don't know what dog hair is- you will. For those headed this way don't plan on snow on the Borealis if you go late season in a low snow year. We went a few years back and wished we had some ice screws. We just stared the at nice blue alpine ice that was there instead of the 40-50 degree snow slopes we expected. Pickets were looking less useful than ever. A beautiful spot - definitely a wilderness experience. Why is there a bridge over thunder? Because McAllister Camp is there and the "creek" is moving fast and deep through a little gorge there.

Erik- I gotto go with you on the Ween front. I remember a near brawl at Blue Lk parking lot last summer when I rolled in blaring the Pod. Apparently I ruined someones parking lot experience - he couldn't hear the highway noise over the music. If it's too loud...

There will be quite a posse down there. Spring break right? Ask around at Skull Hollow. I plan to be there for a week or two if the weather's decent.

skiied two feet of powder at Bridger Bowl yesterday. I guess there are a few alternatives here in Bozo when it's too nasty to drive into hyalite..

Damn that G-E-O-R-D-I-E..

Matt- I think you have the right idea and I appreciate your hard work. I think this site can be a valuable resource that gets overlooked by many because of its notority as a haven for spraylords. thanks- g

So what does a guy like me have to do to earn a few more stars anyhow? Erik, Cavey, VonSpanker... (I just wanna be cool..)

RE logging on Federal Lands: Let's remember there's a difference between National Parks and National Forests. While the funding issue is complex, lack of funds for National Parks has nothing to with logging on National Forests. My real comment though is a reminder for people to be active each and every November. The people in DC and Olympia should be representing our views and needs. In addition to impeaching Eyman, we need to give our public officials the boot if they can't make parks a priority. If you don't or won't vote, whine all you want, but realize this is all your fault.

I love my Blizzard. It's quick to get in and out of with crampons and too many layers. It has a nice fit and I think it's even lighter than the Bod (not the alpine bod).

Spent the last few weeks up north. Oasis and Tangle Falls are in good shape for TRs, albeit with some wet spots. Balfour Wall and Haffner Creek are doable, but not as nice. Linda Ice Nine, Melt Out and and Wet Dream are all nice WI3 outings (we stopped early on LIN). Lady Wilson's is day to day - too wet with large holes the day we went. Midnight Rambler is rumored to be in nice. Spent a day adventuring in Sunwapta Canyon. The 1st climb looked more like 3+ than WI2. The walk in is a winter slot canyoneering adventure. Start early - a 1k walk along the river is a bit misleading. Back up next week. New Years at Lake Louise. See y'all up there.

ncascadesranger= Kelly Bush, Wilderness District Ranger (Geordie's Boss)

Looked at doing the Kloke rt. Lots of flagging from the trail down to the creek. Creek isn't too bad these days. Some quality 'schwacking up to the rib - we only found the dry creek bed on the way down. We scouted the creek crossing the day before - but still didn't feel good about the time needed for the climb. turned around near the rib- didn't see the glacier, didn't see the rock. Bring your superhero cape for this one..

I went up from the middlefork Cascade River and found it too be reasonable by local standards - no icefall issues. Unfortunately, it was early season and avy danger was unreasonable and the route was snowcovered. Plan to head there again in the next month or so.

THE ROAD IS OPEN!!!!

The Cascade River Road is slated to open July 20 or so. The road crew is making decent progress. As far as the route up Boston Basin - it's a route not a trail and doesn't receive regular maintenance. The road is open to mp 21, the second gate. "Ranger Bob"

After 7 hours from the second gate we were on top of Forbidden. Didn't seem like that much of an ordeal, though wouldn't like to try it at night..

It's been a while since BB has filled up. Seems to me you guys should be up here climbin' not schemin'. (Cavey was here in the rain... and even got a permit.) "Can't we all just get along?" R. King

Latest is July 19 - cross your fingers..

The planned opening date for the CRR is July 22. If anything changes I'll post it here. Asking about the road every few days isn't going to undo all the avy debris... Ray- Are you still threatening to do that top secret route on Sahale... It's madness!! -g

It's only a 10 minute walk from the road to the Shannon Ridge TH these days. Solid snow starts at 3000'. Lots of big groups, so a good bootpath going in. Didn't get on the route, but parties who summited reported solid snow conditions and lots of ice early Saturday morning.