JasonG

I tend to agree based on my long experience with ranger behavior in NOCA (not ALL, mind you, some great staff interactions over the years, including with some of the current staff). The weird part of the NOCA experience, for me, is that other parks tend to have a much different vibe towards climbers/off-trail types. The Tetons, notably (and they deal with a LOT of unruly tourists). So I don't feel like this is a NPS-wide thing. And like all things, it will change in time with staff turnover. And us dinosaurs will need to keep an open mind.

Of course. 😂

I have not seen this to be true in WA, esp. with regards to NOCA. My guess is that @Fairweather has similar observations and that is the reason this discussion was kicked off. And, of course, because he likes to liven things up around here.

Love it @Stefan. Let the spraying continue!

I don't think anyone is advocating for logging parks. I think the question is whether or not NPS or USFS is the better manager of wilderness (of which NOCA is mostly comprised). Better is entirely subjective, of course, which is why we are spraying here. What say you @jdj, based on your experience with both management regimes?

The heat wave cometh

Maybe small compared to overall visitation, but there are a lot of people in the backcountry of most of the NPs these days. So much so that it has fundamentally changed the character of backcountry areas I never thought would get busy (think Terror basin, Luna col, etc.) I have been surprised at how this has surged over the past 10-15 years, despite the hardships that come with remote "trail less" destinations. For trailed areas in the NPs, the crowding is way more acute. Thus the ever increasing limitations that @Fairweather cites above.

Also, I just noticed how gnarly that 'schrund is getting on Nooksack Tower. No wonder I haven't seen a TR in a bit for that.

That could be a really good TR!

Anybody have Nooksack Tower on your summer list?

Well, that sounds worse! Pulling for you tomorrow in surgery.

Well, glad you are able to get into surgery this week. I had to wait 11 days with my very angry and displaced thumb (there's a shortage of good hand surgeons locally). I sometimes wonder if that is why it still isn't right. I'm sure it will be a lot better after surgery! For me it was a night and day difference once it was back in the right spot.

Yikes! Post up a TR please!!!

Coastal backpacking season is here!

It is currently still winter up high so hard to say what is going to happen in the next few weeks...spring has been slow to arrive this year. But I would expect to use skis to approach for whatever you are thinking!

I picked a bad week to go to DC with the kiddos!

Thank you for the update and the work keeping this road open @Otto!

Jasemba:

Our friend got thru to ACC clubhouse at 0700 on the morning they released the dates. I was just the beneficiary of his hard work!

I can help distribute/display!

Worked for me!

Yeah @seano- I think you'd love it up there. So much can be done in a long day from the Asulkan hut (or road, or Wheeler hut). I really shouldn't have waited so long to visit in winter. Thanks @Trent for adding some photos of yours truly- you weren't slowing me down any!

https://www.recreation.gov/activitypass/4280e9ae-d010-11ea-8e82-82c0c22bed90 Looks like you have to buy something to climb Adams now? I didn't know this.

🤣. I'll make sure whomever gets them!

Trip: Asulkan Hut Ski Week - Youngs Peak, Sapphire col, Ravens, Forever Young, 7 steps to Paradise Trip Date: 03/15/2023 Trip Report: It is better to be lucky than good, and last week we were definitely lucky up at the Asulkan Hut. Much thanks to @wbk for organizing the madness and bringing such a strong crew to the trip, including @therunningdogand @Trent. I felt a bit old and weak with the crew assembled, but that was entirely a good thing. Pretty inspiring to watch the younger guns charge hard all week! We skied in just before a significant storm and warm up, content to lap the trees below the hut on our first full day in. As the week went on, the weather and stability improved significantly, allowing us to ski classic lines like the Seven Steps to Paradise, Forever Young, The Ravens, and Dome Headwall. Seven steps, in particular, the group skied many, many times. So much good terrain up there, it is quite impressive! I think that there are few huts that can compete, even those that you fly into. I caught myself marveling nearly every day at our good fortune, but I suspect that it is often pretty good up there. I had stayed away from Rogers Pass for many years, scared of the terrain and avalanche paths. Maybe this was warranted, maybe I was too timid. Regardless, this trip was proof that mortals can indeed safely ski up there- if you take it easy. Just remember, this isn't a coastal snowpack! Gear Notes: skis, avy gear....brought ropes and such and never used Approach Notes: Asulkan valley, go up!