JasonG

This route is probably in good nick right now.. Of course the weather is due to crap out tonight......

I think it does, if as only as it relates to the duration of the fight. Having a foe that welcomes death as a matter of destiny is not so easy to deal with. ISIS fully expects to be whittled down to 5K across the whole globe before Jesus comes back to march with them to victory (Yes, I typed that right). Not quite as easy to re-program as the Nazis or Khmer Rouge.

I think for much of human history this is correct. But I also think ISIS really believes they are carrying out the will of Allah If you haven't read the Atlantic article linked above, it's pretty chilling. We're in for it.

The markets don't seem to agree that we're heading to WWIII. I have to admit I've been a bit surprised at how they've shrugged the past few weeks' events off.

Cool! Thanks for the conditions update and nice work on these short days.

This is the problem. Within the US, about all you can do realistically is put significant restrictions on immigration from areas where radical islamists are common- something you are already seeing happening. Of course that doesn't protect against home-grown whackos as was evident in Paris a week ago. No easy answers, you can't exactly bomb an ideology. Our experience over the last few decades in the Middle East is more akin to Whack a Mole. I view calls for us to whack more intelligently with a hefty dose of skepticism.

Impressive, and painful looking. Thanks for the great read!

I've found that two packs will get me through most overnight options, whether they are technical or kid oriented. My normal pack for 2-4 day technical outings is something in the 50L range. I have an older BD pack, but something like this would work well for Rainier (and for long backpacks sans kiddos): http://blackdiamondequipment.com/en/climbing-packs/mission-50-pack-BD681154_cfg.html#cgid=packs&start=1 For week long technical trips (or trips where I am carrying the whole family's gear), I have a pack in the 75L range. I have an older version of this Gregory Pack and love it: http://gregorypacks.com/en/GM748_cfg.html?dwvar_GM748__cfg_gmp_color=basalt_black#start=7 Given how light and small modern gear is, you can really get by with a much smaller pack than you used to need. Of course, this may mean upgrading your sleeping bag, pad, and insulation layers as well. But a 90+l pack just seems like no fun to me. Something to think about is how much the actual pack weighs, empty. Those huge expedition packs are usually tanks, not something you want to be hauling up to the summit of Rainier.

If you're looking for off the beaten path FAs and ranges, you should probably do your research in past AAJs and not listen to any of us armchair mountaineers. If you're looking for classic mountain trips you really can't go wrong wandering around New Zealand, Patagonia, the Cordillera Blanca, Nepal, etc.

Don't forget Pete Doorish.

This is why I tune in to spray every once in a while. Carry on.

There is a big difference between a climbing "ranger" and the front-country LEO types, no matter what the park. I think when you see the word "ranger" used in vain in the previous conversation, it is referring to the latter, not the former. These are separate positions. Gator did a great job overhauling the program down in MRNP, although climbing rangers are typically great no matter the park.

For some reason, this makes it seem ever more likely that Trump will be the GOP nominee. Glad to see that T-line cares about winning.

Thanks guys. Just due to the ease of use, I'm probably going to get Gaia. It looks pretty sweet and I won't need to fiddle with anything to get it to work well. Jason- I already have a PLB and I'm not looking to get something that I can text with. I did check out the InReach at NSAW and was impressed. I can see why it could be a popular option. But I'm a cheap bastard and don't want to pay the monthly fee....

Well, that is what I'm talking about, made by Avenza. I prefer seamless maps for trips where I'm jumping quad boundaries, though for single quads PDF Maps works fine. But maybe you're saying there is a way to look at USGS and Canadian topo quads seamlessly with (Avenza) PDF maps?

While it sounds like Ron and his monkey wrenching compadres are fighting the good fight.....For the rest whose gut reaction is to treat someone like an idiot, I think it is time to move on from ranger-ville. I have no doubt that most would succumb to a similar fate if placed in their shoes, but that doesn't mean I have to enjoy being talked down to. But really I'm just hoping I'll get harassed by a ranger (off duty, of course) at an alpine club meeting like the last time I piped up about the NPS. That was a lot of fun. Seriously!

Undergrads! The nerve of those uncouth masses.

Thanks for the entertaining background story Marc, good stuff! I think you have a future in writing if you ever slow down. You'll have more than enough material by then.

That ranger interaction is pretty funny. You can have a lot of fun with how seriously they take things- take my climbing partner's explanation on the proper use of "brown falcons" to the ranger while we were getting a permit. "I know how to deal with waste, ever heard of a brown falcon?". That was good for another 10 minutes of education on proper LNT waste disposal.

Thanks Luke, that's a big compliment coming from you.

And that it's "natural" that Oklahoma is the second most seismically active state behind Alaksa

WOW, how did I miss this? Nice work Marc, I was sweating reading the story (which was quite well written and photographed).

I think you found him exactly what he was looking for! Stylish.

An able alternative to the R1: http://www.mec.ca/product/5026-604/mec-t3-hoodie-mens/?f=10+50089+50122+51005 The above, coupled with a windshirt I've found to be the ticket for nearly everything active in the colder months. I think the key is to make sure the windshirt doesn't have a membrane of any sort, just DWR coated.

Based on Dallas's accident and death a few feet from the true summit on this route (five years ago last month), I would hesitate to say casual. Quick, perhaps, but with significant dangers lurking behind some of those blocks. But I'm probably being overly sensitive, folks have died on many routes that I otherwise wouldn't think of as dangerous. Dallas's death hit way to close to home for me though. Thanks for the TR, and I'm glad you guys had a good (and safe!) trip.