JasonG

Simple solution Jake- buy used gear or make your own if you are really that hard up and don't want to "subsidize" others' climbs. And quit whining. The gear companies certainly don't care.

I've heard that there will be a climber's memorial for Doug, if anyone has the details please post them. Nice remembrance of Doug in the ST

True, it isn't like you went heli-skiing. A better "A" word would be adventurous, very adventurous. I bet the beer tasted good.

Not nearly as awesome as yours. thanks for that!

Good, on north aspects. Not amazing, but good, settled powder. I suspect that the inversion did a number on it the past couple days though. FL was supposed to hit 2700m! We missed you!! Skiing better in AK now?

I thought we just liberated resources?

Kim Jong-Un is an even better ladies man [img:left]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-L4F9R2pcMq0/VogMWPIRmUI/AAAAAAAAE70/7J7KdAOFPHA/w530-h327-p/Kim2.jpg[/img]

Yeah, last time we were in there there were large sections of rotten ice (water at the surface) which made the ski across a bit more exciting than I would have liked. A few days ago, we cut holes with our ice axes- the ice varied from 2-4 inches thick within a few hundred yards of shore. From Panorama ridge, it looked much thinner near the Burton Hut and Sphinx Bay, though the whole lake was frozen.

I heard second hand that there were "40-50 mph" winds on Granite near the time of the avalanche, which would easily build windslabs pretty quickly.

....and former Board member of REI, etc., etc. But for any of you that knew or crossed paths with Doug, he was first and foremost the most energetic member of just about any outing. His enthusiasm was contagious and will be sorely missed.

We've lost quite the man. RIP Doug My condolences to your many friends and family.

Answer: Sort of, at least as of yesterday. You'll want to be lighter than me though. Too much cracking for my comfort level. Of course, the ice is likely thicker today. I don't know how fast it gains thickness . . . .

Wondering if anyone has first hand info....Thanks!

Excellent point Dru, I guess I hadn't bothered to look how close in elevation the two peaks are. This photo, taken from the summit of ABP, speaks to it:

Excellent, thanks for the report!

Thanks for the kind words guys, glad you liked the photos! I think this was one of the more unexpectedly spectacular trips I've been on. Pretty wild back in there, and lonesome.

EPS (BD Vapor) helmets are very different animals than EPP (Sirocco) helmets. EPP helmets are rated for multiple impacts (and pass the more strict UIAA testing) and are nearly as tough as my old Erin Roc, in my experience. I've stood on mine with no apparent issues. Technology is an amazing thing. Interestingly, I've read that the EPP products absorb energy better than multi impact helmets, but that doesn't do you much good when another rock is on the way.

SIROCCO FOR LIFE! [img:center]http://e.invodo.com/media/lib/46/video/ACEB6UNA/480x270_pre.jpg[/img]

It is a fox, just a bit shrunken around the face. Scott picked the hat up in AK over 25 years ago and happened to pack it along this past weekend. I laughed really hard when he pulled it out of his pack along with the Hunter! Never a dull moment with the Skag crew.

A couple of our boys picked that up in Alaska, Valdez if I remember right. I heard reports of a "shrine" to the Hunter. Alaska is obviously the promised land.

Well, I guess Miss January arrived a little bit early. Merry Christmas everyone!

Miss December: Stayed tuned for more Women of the Skag....

Sorry I missed it!! Tim, post up the diagram- or, are you bringing it up to the Skag tomorrow?

That's impressive candor, Senator Graham.

Just because it is that time of year. Merry Christmas!