Jump to content

JasonG

Moderators
  • Posts

    4939
  • Joined

  • Days Won

    242

Everything posted by JasonG

  1. This is bare bones, but for around $200 will get the job done (digital, 3 antennae also). Pretty good deal on sale at quite a few places online.... http://www.ortovox.com/avalanche-transceivers/patroller-digital-2 Or, my personal favorite, the Mammut Element Barryvox (more money and a better interface/features): http://www.mammut.ch/en/productDetail/231000370_v_1012/ELEMENT+Barryvox.html
  2. I think the key is also if there is any sort of open slope above where things can get moving. I haven't ever seen avalanche carnage (busted or damaged timber)on slopes that were heavily treed all the way to the ridgeline. Also I think Gary and other's comments on TAY match my experience skiing trees on higher danger days. If the canopy is closed, and there aren't open areas, I haven't ever seen anything dangerous kick off, even during major avi cycles. Where there are openings, however, watch out.
  3. A question for Kurt- Is the 6mm cord you use for your alpine cordelette the standard (i.e. non spectra) type? And if so, do you find that it is strong enough to use for anchor building purposes (as opposed to rap anchors only)? Thanks for any info!
  4. So is it the use of the dyneema that causes the fast wear, UV, or do they degrade quickly over time regardless?
  5. Blake brings up some good points. I do think though that on easy alpine objectives (blocky mid fifth class), a cordelette comes in very handy for a couple reasons. One, it is super fast to sling a big block or horn (often too big for a double sling) and bring the second up with minimal fiddling with a gear anchor. Two, this frees up the leader to have the full amount of gear for the next pitch. On these climbs the rack is often meager, and using up gear at the belays can limit the leader on the next pitch (or shorten an upcoming simul block). That said, I could probably ditch the daisy....old habit I guess.
  6. My experience over the years is that often times "considerable" forecasts turn out to be overly conservative and the stability is much better than predicted. Of course, it is that one time that gets you.
  7. You have the dog working on it too?
  8. Whoah. Strong work! And, like Ryan, I think the name is fitting and clever. Lowell is going to have to work to keep up with your new descents!
  9. Maybe I missed it in all the mayhem, but did anyone link to Steph's analysis? Although she has some interesting conclusions, my personal experience that alpine climbing is significantly more dangerous than driving.
  10. I have to say I was surprised to see the odds of death by suicide. A lot higher than I expected.
  11. Be careful, it doesn't look like there is a window during your dates: http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/sew/get.php?wfo=sew&pil=REC&sid=SEW
  12. Wait, they were on an old road?? That could be an honest mistake, as it is a bit odd to have roads (even old grades) in a wilderness area. Sort of defeats the whole "untrammeled by man" thing....
  13. I hope you got license plates at the TH/road end (and photos of the sledders/sleds)....without that, enforcement can't really do much, if anything. Even if you did get plates, I think the courts need law enforcement to witness the transgression (where there isn't direct evidence like good photos/video showing the location of trespass) to throw the book at them. For example, with poached fish and/or game, enforcement needs to find an illegally retained dead animal in someone's possession in order to prosecute (if they didn't catch them in the act of poaching it). Without direct evidence, and assuming they can find the folks in question, the authorities could at least issue a warning, or keep and eye on the access in that area though. Thanks for turning them in!
  14. -Ski mountaineering tips and tricks? We have some seriously experienced folks around that could make this enlightening. -Second the article on kiddos and climbing/outdoors stuff -Climbing and high quality photography. Garrett Grove? -Tutorial on some of the online weather products available thru the UW Atmos dept.?
  15. WOW! What a great turnout tonight for the show. Thanks again to Steph and John for coming out and dazzling us with great stories and images. John signed and sold every copy he brought, for good reason- it's incredible. Buy John's book!!!!
  16. Was it as warm as it looked? I'm jealous, my winter experiences high on Rainier were filled with cold suffering. Nice work, and way to take advantage of the window!
  17. Hey everybody, this it TOMORROW night! Hope to see a bunch of folks there. If you already have a book, feel free to bring it for John to sign. Books will also be for sale at the show, with proceeds going to benefit the Skagit Alpine Club.
  18. Have fun guys!! I will need to get back out on the rock with you all once the ski season starts to wane. . ..the pull of the snow is too strong right now.
  19. Also a very reasonable position... and honestly how I tend to look at things also. Maybe I'm being optimistic. I think each LO is a case by case basis for whether or not locking will lead to more or less problems. For example sled accessible areas like Park Butte and Winchester likely would see damage as there are just a lot more folks around them in the winter. On the other end of the spectrum, the NPS locks the Sourdough and Desolation LOs and doesn't seem to have folks breaking into them (though they are quite difficult (esp. Desolation) to access in the winter). Which kind of makes me wonder why they lock them in the first place, considering they are a public resource and aren't really used as fire LOs anymore.
  20. Here is what a combination of friends use, though nobody has this exact setup. This is the all star line up, and will not disappoint. Skis: http://volkl.com/ski/skiis/models/nunataq Boots: http://www.dynafit.com/product/shoes/tlt-5-mountain-tf Bindings: http://www.fixation-plum.com/detail-article-fixations.php?idproduit=30&lang=en Better buy a lottery ticket.
  21. There are much easier ways further south, especially if you have skis
  22. Good points Lowell. I hadn't thought about overexposure as a result of my TR, as I thought most folks already were in the know as far as which ones were open and such. But, the internet has a way of popularizing things that otherwise wouldn't be and it probably is a good idea to keep 4th season use of these structures quieter. Pretty photos have a way of attracting a crowd. I think behind the scenes conversation is probably the best, and I am sure all of the individuals and organizations that maintain the LOs would welcome all the help folks could muster. I encourage folks to seek out the volunteers and make contact with them. I know the SAC would welcome help with the Park Butte LO, which we maintain.
  23. Lots of traversing and rolling terrain are a pain on a splitboard, so snowshoes or skis are often better for approaching mountaineering objectives. If you are ice climbing, most climbing boots are be better suited for snowshoes. Often if it is good climbing conditions, the ski conditions are terrible anyways. I have mitigated the downsides of splitboards somewhat by buying AT boots and plate bindings. It reduces the downhill performance a bit (you get used to it though), but the skinning and climbing is way better. Plus AT boots are more comfortable (and warmer) for long days skinning than most (if not all) snowboard boots. I am still waiting for a split specific hardboot, I imagine they won't be far off.
×
×
  • Create New...