JasonG

That's a pretty bold descent with the warmth we've had the past few days. Glad you had a safe trip, and thanks for the report!

Yes, terrible news: http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2014/05/14/3642522/seattle-mountaineer-missing-after.html?sp=/99/101/102/ The avalanche cone above Price Lake will not be a safe spot to recover a body, hopefully nobody else is harmed in the process.

Heard through the grapevine about a possible fatality on the NF of Shuksan today. Anyone have any details?

Most likely those runnels are from wet snow slides from above the crux. Rain typically doesn't gouge a bobsled track.

That was one the most enthusiastic blog posts I've read, and good writing too. Thanks! The only thing you missed was running into Bjork on your last night in town.

Ah, to only have a sled and a truck.....Thanks for posting these adventures Sol, great stuff! Ulrich's has been on my list for some time but I haven't been willing to do the road slog in early season when it's in good shape. You certainly demonstrated the proper approach.

The Nepalese government (and my guess is that it is a few officials with connections) has the highest profit margin on Everest climbs- i.e. the government doesn't provide much for the size of fee it collects. This type of high fee/poor service/widespread corruption arrangement is the way things go in Nepal, despite the Maoist uprising that was an oblique response to such abuses. Old habits die hard. Even at the new reduced rate, the fees charged by the government are probably the single largest expense on any expedition: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/14/nepal-slashes-cost-climbing-mount-everest

Ah yes, the Maoists. When we hiked up into the Khumbu during their revolution a few years back, they shook us down for a "donation".....at gunpoint. They did provide us with a receipt though, which was nice. We were able to show it later in our trip when another group of Maoists asked for another "donation". The funny thing was that the suggested "donation" varied by nationality. US citizens were asked for the largest "donation", and sometimes were given a bonus beating as well (happened just before our trip according to the State Dept travel warning). We were Canadians for a few weeks until we left the rebel controlled areas. Sullen youths with AKs were more unsettling than I was expecting. There is a lot of anger in Nepal (much of it justified), not very far below the surface. The average tourists aren't the ones to blame, however.

This has taken an interesting turn. PSA indeed.

It's true, we're alpine snobs. The best part of the Little/Big Beaver loop is a couple miles of large cedars at the middle/bottom of the Big Beaver. I found the Little Beaver to not be very interesting. On the loop, you won't get much in the way of mountain views unless you leave the trail and hike up above Beaver Pass. Of course in June, there often aren't much in the way of views on the west side anyway. The Hoh is pretty cool, but mainly I liked going from lowland old growth to glaciers and back. If you never went up Olympus/snowdome, it probably wouldn't seem quite as interesting. I've heard the Enchanted Valley is also quite a nice early season jaunt. Not sure if it has big trees, but the location is right for them.

Buck Creek/Spider Gap Loop info on WTA.org: http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/trip-reports/trip_report.2013-08-13.2260548157 Water taxi info: http://www.rosslakeresort.com/transportation.html You need to arrange for a pick up in advance, or get lucky. I suggest the former, since the lake isn't as busy as you'd think. I think on that far northern section of the PCT you may find water scarce after mid August, but a lot depends on the weather this spring and summer. I haven't walked that particular section late in the season so I don't know for sure. The Winthrop ranger station would be a good source of info.

Ah ha! So there is something special going on. I guess I need to have Gordo get his guide's permit and make it official. So how do the guides fight it out for those limited reservations? Battle Cage in the back of Chom's?

There may be something special going on, but I do know that you can get them 24 hours in advance, and I've heard that the guide services will send folks up the day before. Also, they try to have their trips run during the week so as not to hog the popular spots on the weekend. During the week permits are usually not too bad to get in the park, perhaps with the exception of BB. I'm sure Kurt, Chris, Forrest, etc. can correct me where I've gotten it wrong.

Most excellent!! I can't believe you never have been on top of Hood before. Way to tag it in good style, while threading the needle meteorologically, and familially. Classy.

Sort of. It involves Fred loudly interrupting someone's slide show to discuss with his female companion the need to get pickles on their way home. I think Fred has a thing for certain foods, raisins included. I don't know anyone who has spent more than a few hours with Fred that doesn't have a good story or two.

Took my boys climbing on Friday and one of them dropped the Cordalette. Went back to look for it a couple hours later and it had been picked up. If you found it, beer's on me!

1. Typically last week of July and first week of August, but depends on elevation and which side of crest you are on. A head net isn't a bad thing to bring, but if you go high enough, and stay away from lake basins they typically aren't terrible. 2. Just about average up high, with below average snowpack down low. West side will be fine in early August on most trails. 3. All your choices will take a lot less than a week to ten days, even if you move somewhat slow- you could probably do two out of the three. Devil's Dome and Copper ridge will have better views, but permits for the latter can be hard to come by. Don't need permits for Devil's Dome. Beaver loop is more of a forest walk (though with beautiful old growth). For a true week long trip I would highly recommend going up over Buck Creek Pass, over to Image Lake, and back over Cloudy Pass and Spider Gap. Would only entail a bit of road walking. Or walk the PCT north from Rainy Pass to Castle Pass, then west to Ross Lake and Desolation Peak. Catch a water taxi ride back to the highway and hitch back up to your car. 4. There is lots to see up here in the North Cascades (you don't have to be in NCNP), and on the trails outside of the park you don't need permits. If you are flexible, I wouldn't worry. Also, it isn't a bad idea to have an east side back up plan. The PCT option above is more on the east side, and I would also recommend Horseshoe Basin up on the far east side of the Pasayten. You are picking the right time to come. The last week of July and the first week of August are the driest of the whole year. Looking forward to the trip report!

. When your device is on your harness, it is hard to get a full 180 bend in the rope as it comes out of the device- your body is in the way. Putting the device on a sling gives the space you need to get a sharper bend in the rope, thus more friction. When I've done it, the reduction in effort needed to stop yourself is pretty noticeable.

Did you bring the pickles?

Interesting, I hadn't seen it before either. Looks like once you get the hang of it, it is pretty easy to clip.

Glad it hit the spot. That is a fast time, nicely done.

Was your companion a dog, perhaps?

In light of the amount of action the HRT saw during the most recent Steelhead Haven Landslide, I hope that SnoCo is trying to figure out a way to fund them long term. Relying on donations from the public seems problematic at best. Helos aren't cheap.

Finally!

Depending on the spring, that is a bit early for the rock routes up here on the wet side- at least if you want them in their best (driest) condition. Shuksan and Baker should be in good shape if you get the weather. NE ridge of Black may be as well. WA pass, or the Stuart Range, will likely be climbable in if it is gloomy on this side.