JasonG

GAIA it is....thanks for all the input!

You did them a favor, we all have to grow up some time.

Yeah, we all know that Colin is an heir to that Brown & Haley Almond Roca fortune. Thanks Mr. Cheese, that is some interesting info.

Ah....now this is starting to make more sense. Still terrible, but not quite as baffling as the slope I was thinking it was.

The same slope we skied a few weeks back?

OK, back to the subject at hand. We miss you Doug!

Sounds like a terrible accident, though I don't really have any details. NWAC is sending staff up there today to investigate, so hopefully we know more soon. The scary part is that many (myself included) thought that the rain had taken care of the PWL. Condolences to all involved, and their friends and family.

Glad it worked out and you got to climb some ice! But..... did you scare yourself?

Not the climber's memorial, but should be good nonetheless: Doug Walker Celebration of Life Friday, January 29, 2016 Benaroya Hall (downtown Seattle, 200 University St, Seattle, WA 98101) 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm The program will begin at 6:00 pm. Reception to follow.

That's completely ridiculous!

Petzl will send you a new buckle free of charge, which "fixes" the issue for a good while. I would have taken the helmet off your hands, too bad you tossed it. Personally I think it is the best (though certainly not the prettiest) helmet I've ever owned though I agree that the buckle could be changed for the better.

That's why we need to make America great again.

I've heard the same from those in the ski industry about things like AT boots. Economies of scale are a real thing, and there really aren't that many climbers/backcountry skiers out there compared to many hobbies (golf, fishing, water skiing, etc.). It doesn't hurt that many weekend warriors have good jobs either. Non-dirtbag climbers tend toward white collar work, and companies often charge what the market will bear. Arc'teryx for example. I would be interested to hear from a company like BD what proportion of their gross sales are through prodeals, and if they are taking a hit on any items. My understanding is that they are selling gear direct to climbers for the same price as they do to retail outlets. So I think that it is a bit of a stretch to say that their profits are being cut into by prodeals. Retail outlets? Certainly. But the internet is a bitch, as Loren already pointed out with his recent purchases.

Cool, thanks for the update! Glad he is alive and well, the couple times I've run into him in the hills have been inspiring. Hopefully our paths will cross again.

This is a really good point, and something I've wondered about with all foam helmets. I think it is potentially a major drawback for glancing blows, but I've not seen any data one way or the other.

If Pro Deals were that good, they aren't any more. 30-50% off is more typical, especially on hard goods. Cost, or cost plus a little bit are more the norm. When you add in shipping, it often isn't a lot better deal than shopping around on the web or heading up to MEC. But it is usually still a better deal, or so I've heard

And if you do want to go with a guide, hire Chris (or Kurt Hicks). You won't be disappointed.

OK, so he is scralping the gnar in the Olympics or Vancouver Island? Or maybe surfing in Hawaii?

It is very straightforward with minimal crevasse hazard. The only thing that might give relatively inexperienced climbers pause is the summit ridge, but that is often pretty beat in by August. You can always protect it with picket running belays, up and down. That said, I haven't roped up on Eldorado in many years, and have felt comfortable every time. I think most folks that have done some climbing and are familiar with crevasse rescue could do it without a guide (you really should rope up though). You'll want to be fit, it's a grunt! And it is worth the effort to camp at the base of the East Ridge, one of my favorite campsites in the state (complete with toilet). Not a bad view:

I really miss the insane reports he used to regularly post around these parts. I hope he is alive and well! This page goes dark after 2013: http://www.summitpost.org/dan-helmstadter-ski-resume/434097

What does it matter if it is generally safe below 9K, when the summit is over 11k? If you're going to the summit in the winter you are going into avalanche terrain and you'd be well served to have some knowledge of risk assessment. True, sometimes the upper mountain is mostly bulletproof, but you often won't know that until you walk up there and check things out.

C'mon Pete, I only asked for gas money to the Bugs last summer. And, I'll have you know, I sent the West Ridge of Pigeon exactly as planned! This is the new face of climbing!

Josh- the internet is also a good resource for advice from jackasses such as myself. Have a good trip.

Diepj gave you the polite response, but I think you may need something a bit more blunt. Seeking advice from the internet for a winter climb several days out isn't a great plan. The forecasts are quite prone to change this far out, and may change right before your eyes on the mountain. It is the winter, after all. And, if you didn't already know that....

First time in winter, or first time? If it is the latter, I'd suggest waiting until spring or early summer. And yes, NWAC is the place for up to date info. BUT, avalanche forecasts are typically for much lower elevations than the summit of Hood. You really need to have a basic understanding of what to look for in the field and not blindly follow a report. I'd suggest getting Tremper's book and taking an Avi Level I course. As Water said, El Nino means nothing as far as risk assessment on a particular trip. It is all snowpack structure and weather.