JasonG

You aren't lying, well done! Here's to little Colton, I hope he pulls through.

Wow, the write up on his injuries and hospital experience sounded pretty rough. Hang in there Josh!

Another strong outing Eric, thanks for the report! How was that trail out the South Cascade River? I don't think it has been maintained in some time.

Cool area! Thanks for reminding my why I only go to those east side peaks in the spring and fall, hellish sounds right.

Interesting trip Curt, recommended? You need to go back and climb Cruiser if you haven't already!

seems plenty level and secure.

I meant an honest to goodness, literal sponge bath! Guy standing buck naked in the middle of the lookout, woman (fully clothed) scrubbing him with a washcloth and bowl of warm water. I'm not sure who was more shocked. Sure enough, after a minute the door swung back open and they invited me in like nothing was out of the ordinary. It was almost like I had imagined it. It was a bad/awkward situation. November, darkness descending, snow storm in progress, and no tent on my part. I apologized profusely and sheepishly told them that I was staying the night. They were surprisingly nice about it. So, there is one more reason why it is a good idea to carry a tent up to a lookout!

About 15 years ago walked in on a woman giving a dude a sponge bath in the Hidden Lake LO. I certainly didn't mean to walk in on them. I knocked on the door with my ice axe, but it wasn't latched and swung open. A round house kick by the woman slammed it back in my face, while she screamed "just a minute!!". One of the funniest things I've seen in the hills. You just never know what you are going to see when you visit a lookout.

Thanks guys! As my boys get older, I hope to get more involved with the SAC in maintaining the Park Butte LO.

By Feb, I think the glaciers will be pretty broken up, but I guess a lot depends on how the season is progressing. I would highly recommend the SE ridge on Aspiring if it wasn't melted out. You can heli in and out, making two days doable. http://climbforhope.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/aspiring.jpg Do some bouldering at Castle Hill. Scramble Mount Owen. Climb some of the easy routes (sorry, forget which ones) out of the Homer Hut (if you get the weather). Do the Copeland crossing from Mount Cook Village to the West Coast. My experience is that most of the alpine climbing in NZ is more serious than the Cascades (i.e. not what most think of as a "honeymoon"). But, the tramping and huts are fantastic, so don't worry too much about climbing cool stuff. Hiking around and taking pictures will be memorable enough!

My Canadian buddies do that all the time. I'd be happy to have you ship stuff to my place in Mount Vernon (which is farther, I know). Will PM my address to you....

Glad that everyone is enjoying the photos! Believe it or not, they actually don't do the larches justice. They were stunning, maybe some of the most intense color I've seen. Also, I forgot to mention that an added bit of interest on this trip are the rock glaciers in the vicinity. There is a photo of the one on Oval, a few images from the bottom. I believe there is also one on Star that you can see from the summit of Oval. Cool landforms that I'm not sure I've seen before, at least up close. Ivan- they've read too many of your TR's

Trip: Star, Courtney, Oval - The easiest way possible Date: 10/6/2014 Trip Report: The first week of October is known as the "Golden Week" for a very good reason. The larches in the alpine are typically at their peak, and often the window is narrow between peak colors and fall storms. This year, everything aligned (on a weekend no less!) and a few of us Skagitonians had the Fish Creek Pass area mostly to ourselves (save Joe? from Ballard on Star). Summits were obtained, whiskey and chocolate consumed, fuel loads reduced, and far too many photos taken. Fall perfection in the North Cascades. Gear Notes: Halen, Hunter, Hops Approach Notes: West Fork Buttermilk Trail

That is Spray, and the internet, in a nut shell. And that's the way we like it!

I seem to remember reading that there aren't many private parcels on the ridgetops around Mazama. Thanks for the legal clarification on covenants.

Interesting and good point, Rad. County staff would have had access to the covenants, but undoubtedly interpreted it differently than the judge. One of the problems of vaguely worded covenants. Bronco- pretty good looking ski terrain right out your back door! But, I know that the long, hard days can/will wear on you. That was my take home from living in the bush for a couple seasons in AK. "Fun", but not terribly sustainable for me either. We have it pretty good here in Western WA!

I don't know how big the parcel is that the hut sits on (i.e. other options for placement), but I would have to agree that it wasn't placed to “minimize the visual impact”, as detailed in the covenant. Oh well, it was good theater while it lasted.

As in the cycling Greg LeMond? Cool. And, you should post up a pic of the house you built for yourself over there, I haven't ever seen it.

Same architect, but I suspect you knew that.

I kind of like it, architecturally. Having driven by it lots of times, I have a hard time seeing what all the fuss is over. In the end it comes down to perspective, I guess. I imagine that the animals who live (or used to live) on the valley floor aren't all that pleased with the development at the lower elevations, even if it doesn't offend the "locals".

Shapp- Keep those emails coming! I didn't know Tyler, but I'm getting a better sense through everyone's posts. Thanks,and condolences to of you who knew him.

You've done well Rudy.

I don't know about the absolute rates of death quoted in Tremper's article, but I do know that I've lost four times as many partners to alpine mountaineering than to backcountry skiing. Small sample size (five deaths) on my part, I know, but I would tend to agree that prudent BC skiing is safer than alpine climbing.

I imagine that this is forecasted danger rather than field measured? I often go out on days rated "Considerable" and ski various aspects/elevations and find mostly "moderate" conditions (based on skit cuts, hasty pits, natural activity, etc.). Of course I sometimes find touchier conditions than forecast, but it is usually the other way around. But, maybe we get off easy with our rapidly stabilizing coastal snow pack? Fascinating analysis though, thanks!

I got my first BB gun when I was six, but I certainly wasn't traveling the world climbing pointy things. Damn. Kudos to you for making it happen, that's quite the impressive family outing!