JasonG

I think if commercial outfits are abiding by the typical wilderness regs (party size, mode of transportation, etc.) then they shouldn't need a special permit. Basically I don't see how a human powered, commercial group in the wilderness is any different from a group of unruly climbers hooting and hollering their way up a route, scaring the wildlife, and drinking whiskey. Not that any of us have been known to do that. However, if said commercial groups are using roads for a car commercial on federal land, closing it to traffic, etc. then I would agree with you. I think the USFS has heard loud and clear that they need to narrow and clarify the rule. They overreached, and are getting beat back appropriately.

I guess I should have prefaced my response that I am pretty much against any permits/fees for wilderness areas. So, I don't expect you to agree with me, but thanks for the attempt at clarifying your position.

Interesting on the helis, I don't remember any back in 1998. That would be really annoying. All over the park? There isn't anywhere off limits?

I disagree completely. You think we need more regulation on federal land? For something as benign as taking a photo or shooting some video? What about the guy who just shoots a bit to supplement his gear closet? Or someone like Scurlock who takes photos from the air of wilderness? IMO, it is a completely ridiculous regulation and I hope they don't waste their limited resources attempting to enforce it. There are more than a few roads and trails that need the money for maintenance.

You should set up a tolling system Darin. Now one of the most climbed alpine routes outside of WA pass and da Toof? I better check it out before it gets too polished.

Love it! You have certainly earned the time off, the ID program sounds intense.

Now that is what I need after a long weekend. Thanks for the tip.

Some local cops told me that most of our meth is now cooked in Mexico. If only we could outsource the addiction too.

Thanks for that, I love Glacier! I spent a summer scrambling and rambling around the park when I worked nearby for the USFS, and it remains one of my best summers. My copy of the Edwards guide is well worn.

What sort of glasses are you using to read the TR Mike? i need to learn me some inside jokes

The East ledges are always horrific. Nobody should go down that way, stick to the west ridge.

Legendary, indeed. Thanks for the report! I need to make it to Pickell Pass one of these days. Rad: http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/sew/forecast03.php

That's why you carry the #3

Most of the time photos don't display is because of a broken link to a photo hosted outside of this site. It would be nice if everyone uploaded TR images to this site, but that may be too much to ask.

Oh man, that's terrible Scott. As you are painfully aware, such a long haul in there!

We were down in the fog and wind on Observation rock on Monday. I was wondering what it was like up high, thanks for the report! That is an accomplishment this late in the year.

Thanks for the reminder that I need to go back and do that trip again. So scenic!

Damn. That is hard to comprehend, Marc. Thanks for writing it up!

Rad- When you work around bears long enough, you'll find that isn't always the case. Sometimes you catch a bear on a bad day, and that really sucks for both you and them (eventually). I'm not sure why browns/griz tend to have more bad days than black bears, but that has consistently been my experience. Kit- well said!

I'm with you Kit, but it won't bring your ski pole back.

This is kind of like arguing religion.... But, I'm certainly with Pete on this. IMO we have more productive ways to spend money in less controversial areas. Road and trail maintenance immediately comes to mind. Knowing the feds, I sense a lot of money is going to get spent on scoping grizzly reintroduction into the North Cascades with very little to show for it.

I'm always curious when the discussion turns to reintroducing large predators how many people have had a bad experience (charged, mauled, stalked, etc.) with a brown bear/griz/cougar. Seems like perspectives often change after you or a companion have had a close call, esp. one involving serious injuries. Or, maybe others have a different experience? Though I don't support predator eradication efforts, I can understand why they were often hunted to local extinction.

Nice work Peter! Glad you had success, I seem to remember that this has been on your list for some time.

But, but...... those bear canisters are so unwieldy!

Dave- There were quite a few grizzlies out here before we shot them all. Read the journals of Lewis and Clark, or talk to the area tribes. http://westernwildlife.org/grizzly-bear-outreach-project/history/ But I'm a selfish bastard, and prefer dealing with the much more predictable black bears.