JasonG

First hand account of the accident on NWH

Great article on Franklin in today's Herald I'm disappointed I never ran into him, he sounded like a remarkable man. Condolences to the friends and family.

Thanks for the detail guys, I appreciate it. I'm not well versed in the letter of the law, and this is helpful. It is unfortunate that the polarization in politics extends all the way into the backcountry, access is certainly suffering as a result. I'm beginning to see the wilderness through the eyes of my young sons, and it isn't easy to find solitude on well maintained trails any longer. Use is getting concentrated on fewer trails, closer to the cities. Such is life I guess, but it certainly has me writing to my elected reps more frequently to increase trail/road funding to the NPS and USFS. I certainly appreciate everyone's efforts to restore historic structures like the Mebee pass LO, and hope to lend a hand with my boys one of these summers. Keep up the good work!

One last thing. I would be in support of an amendment to the Wilderness Act specifically aimed at preserving historic structures and maintaining trail systems with motorized equipment (w/o road building). The STIHL amendment? Maybe I'm way off on this though- what do you guys think of such heresy?

Those statistics are pretty interesting and jive with my reading of the comments on things I'm more familiar with like the Suiattle road repair EA. The militant wilderness faction is often good at using the courts to their advantage, but we shouldn't treat their opinions as commonly held.

I prefer packs with dedicated crampons patches and straps, usually between the tool attachments. In my experience, crampons don't lend themselves to efficient stuffing.

Sounds like the followed the skiers out the typical Grouse Creek approach. This is the typical approach when the terrain is snow covered and you are on skis, but the summer trail is farther east.

A co-worker once found a road-killed mountain beaver and hid it in our walk in freezer. He brought it out for the Christmas party in the form of a white elephant gift. I thought I was in a David Lynch movie.

I wonder if the guy with the old Swallow's Nest van in my parents neighborhood (Crown Hill/Ballard) was one of the partners described from the early days? I don't know his name, but I believe he was the or one of the owners when it closed for good. The van's paint job is faded and peeling, but still legible. I've been driving by it to visit my parents for over 20 years.

Perhaps "most boats" is a better way of putting it.

I forgot to mention that the cable crossing IS the whole trip. We plan to bivy several times on the cable, whatever it takes. We hear water is not an issue.

No argument that a boat of any sort is the best way to make the crossing. However, we are a Catholic wilderness group looking for a unique form of penance. The wasps could add a special touch.

Great idea on the short lengths of chain, I like it!

The NPS is often good at deliberating. 7 years is impressive.

I can see your point. Should be an interesting finish, either way.

That is one of the issues with a family/job/etc.- ample time to research, not enough time for doing. I know I'm over thinking this, but thanks for humoring me.

Well, that's why I was asking about the pack. But perhaps you didn't understand that there is an upper cable to hold onto (but it does have cones and balls you have to clip past, via ferrata style). Sorta like a graduate version of a NZ walkwire. You're not balancing on a single cable the whole way! That would certainly not be the ticket.

Thanks for the info, sounds like walking may be the ticket. Did you hang your pack off the main cable and drag it? I imagine that the cable with the balls and such is a smaller diameter than the lower one that folks Tyrolean? Interesting tip Pat, but I suspect your are right about just clip and go. And, I wasn't worried about the cable, just the wear on the biner from dragging my fat ass across.

That is probably smart Matt. I have access to steel but I really don't want to carry one thru the range if I can burn an AL one on the cable. Was planning on carrying a couple to back up the weighted one & hang my pack, so I wouldn't be trusting my life to one. I ran across a TR where they said that AL worked, but that you would retire it once across. I guess I could suck it up and hike a big steel 'biner over Tantalus from Sigurd Creek, but I'd rather not. Thanks MC, I guess I will try and get a bit more detail on the exact dimensions. A typical belay 'biner will accommodate 7/8th but not >1".

Thinking of a Tantalus trip this upcoming summer. I know of the options, but the Tyrolean seems like a fitting part of the whole package. I've heard you need a few "large" carabiners, but mainly I'm wondering what the diameter of the cable is to see if I need to search around for some to burn or if what I have will do. And, I'm not sure if I am man enough to walk it. Thanks for any info!

Excellent! After the show, could you write up a TR? Would love to hear the story.

I'm glad you recognize which forum you are in. It is a good day.

So, maybe this will give it away, but did you make it??!! I won't make the presentation, unfortunately. That mountain is incredible and it looks like you had some good weather. According to this, it sounds like no woman had ever gotten to the tippy top (before this summer?): http://fiveten.com/community/blog-detail/11917-devils-thumb-via-the-east-ridge-mark-smiley

No, unfortunately, but I have a scan that I can see if the Kloke family minds if we post up somewhere on cc.com

I know, but I couldn't resist. He does like to pretend that he owns the land sometimes, but it is hard to argue with a free lift.