JasonG

This rack was a bit large for our old CRV and was used only once. It is impressively sturdy, and in great shape. I am including an appropriately sized cargo net that has also only been used once. I can drive it to the Seattle area for a serious buyer. Fits 2" hitches. $120.

Trip: Darrington - 3 O'clock Rock - Silent Running Date: 10/15/2013 Trip Report: Don't put the skis on just yet! Despite the gloom that has been hanging around for much of the day in the lowlands, Indian summer is in full effect up in the hills. The Darrington crags are in fine, dry shape right now and temps are perfect for D-town slab dancing. This past Columbus Day, Kit, Steve, and myself finally got around to ticking off the classic Silent running and weren't disappointed. We had the entire area to ourselves and the weather couldn't have been better. I'd highly recommend the 7th bonus pitch also, and felt that it wasn't much harder than the other "9+" pitches that preceded it. Well protected too. Either Dave's or Matt's topos (we had both) are great, so there is no need to worry about gear or route finding. A fun route! We finished the day with a bit of climbing in the afternoon sun at the Great Arch. Given the forecast, D-town looks to be great for another week! Do we go for the bonus pitch? Yes!! Exfoliation Dome looks to be in fine shape as well right now: Gear Notes: Standard D-town rack to 2" plus 10 draws Approach Notes: Clear Creek Rd to Squire Creek Pass trail. Silent running starts right where the trail hits the slab.

Good points E. What I was getting at is that I get tired of people blaming teachers for poor student performance. I'm not a teacher, but seeing my kids' classrooms, I have a good idea of the hand some teachers are dealt. The teachers try their best, but some kids aren't going to succeed given the circumstances. That isn't to say we shouldn't hold teachers to a high standard, but the harsh reality is that failing students don't necessarily mean failing teachers/schools. However, I don't disagree that maybe the approach (as discussed above) for some kids/schools could be changed to be more effective. I just wonder if the push to mainstream everyone in the same classroom/curricula is really the best way forward.

I have no idea, but I don't get paid to think of these things, and am not that smart anyways. Just curious if anyone has put forward any solutions. I suspect that schools being surrogate parents is about as good as we can hope for, considering the state of the nation. Rob- thanks for the link, pretty fascinating. Maybe our lackluster schools here in Mount Vernon aren't such a bad deal after all....

Is that what I said? I'm mostly wondering what we are doing outside of the schools to deal with increasing parents ability to raise children better. Touchy subject, I know. Or, maybe you'd rather deal with the damage after it's done?

So we are expecting schools to raise our children now, in addition to teach them? Do we just ignore failed parenting because there is no solution?

No, Nate, skis ARE far superior for BC travel. I used to have the deep powder fun high ground, but stinking early rise tips and fat skis are making that argument moot. I liked it better when skiers didn't ski like snowboarders. Learn to ski. I need to take that advice too, maybe when my sons learn.

Once you get to a point where you can crank a huge GS turn on a field of untouched snow in the glorious sunshine, you won't care about winter climbing. Skiing (or in my case, splitboarding) is certainly the most pure fun I have in the mountains. I only go winter climbing when the ski conditions suck.

I guess their definition of assault doesn't match mine. "Passive resistance without a physical assault on a ranger, flight without physical assault on a ranger, evidence of a failure to comply or uncooperativeness without evidence of a physical assault,...." etc. Talk about cooking the numbers. Sheesh.

the end

Imagine how fast he could go if he was in shape.

To be clear, I have never run into a ranger where I was in the wrong (e.g. camping without a permit), but I sure have been treated with condescension and suspicion on more than one occasion. And from talking with many other local climbers, I am not alone- This is what myself and others are getting at. It goes way beyond overnight permit enforcement. But I think you've hit on the exact issue- I expect rangers to be a lot more easy going (and less hard-assed cop) than you do. This isn't Compton. Heavy handed anchor removal only adds to the Gestapo image.

I'm glad you've had good experiences in NCNP. While the majority of my ranger interactions haven't been negative, the ones that have certainly stick with me. I'm sure it is an easy rut to fall in when dealing with yahoos all day long, but treating people like idiots or criminals will never win you friends.

Great photo! Such a spectacular spot, it's on my list.

Which road would that be? Thinking of Boulder or Shannon ridge roads? Some friends skied up on Baker (easton) last Friday and reported no road issues.

So what is the latest on the AALP? I haven't heard much lately....and assumed they faded away to try again in another 10 years.

Wait, what do Crocs mean again?

We hiked up Stetattle Creek into the park this weekend just fine, but we didn't have to start from NPS ground (parked in Diablo). The cordoned off parking areas along the highway were a bit over the top, apparently the posturing isn't limited to DC. Is the NPS worried that we might not notice that they aren't working?

As long as the government is shut down, it will be closed, guaranteed.

Thanks for the reminder, my wife filled this out today. Good luck with the study, and please post the results when you finish. Thanks!

Well, I won't argue that the tweakers stay close to a road or dirtbike compatible trail, but for somewhere like Rainier, that is a lot of real estate to lay waste to. As much as I think it is stupid that the NPS has to tell its employees to go home, if they didn't lock the gate on the way out it would pretty much be idiotic.

Super small scale?? I'm going with Pete on this one. Say what you want about the NPS ranger corps., but parks like Rainier are WAY cleaner/less messed with than nearby FS land. As someone who spends a lot of time on FS land outside of Granite Falls/Concrete/Darrington, Pete is not off the mark. If you can get near it in a truck or dirtbike, the methheads/rednecks aren't to be underestimated.

Watching Scott wear them choss dogging over the past few years, I would expect them to wear about the same. They're crazy light though, as you know.

I know, if only Indian Summer was in full effect. Boston Basin rave!