JasonG

Shhhhh, Bronco. We have those oil hungry Canadians framed. Still, I like the ramp idea, it's an elegant solution. I'm not sure my Civic could muster such a jump, but you never know until you try.

Oh.....that's right! Sorry Kerr, you're alone.

I thought climbing WAS a game.

Ah, the dude who writes Thug Kitchen . Makes sense now.

CAPT'N CAVEMAN REINCARNATED?

And I got a chuckle out of this. Of course, I suppose subtlety is lost in spray. And ALLCAPS, KEEP UP THE PLAY BY PLAY!!!!

I wouldn't plan on the Glacier Creek Rd being fixed before the end of the summer, if then. It is a sizable washout and, as I understand it, the FS has no money to fix it. I would imagine that some political pressure may be needed, but those folks are pretty busy with I-5 right now.

Dan!! Good to hear from you again! I agree, a longer axe is very nice for the majority of the route and true to the Daiber style of the FA. Of course that ascent was in September, and I doubt they even had 12 point crampons. True hardmen!

Actually Joseph, in better photos you will see that the orange areas aren't primer, but where the top coat of paint flaked off when the beams bent. At least that is how it looks to my eye. I drive on the bridge a lot (or used to), and I didn't see any primed splotches in the last couple of weeks, nor crews working on it in some time. Great ideas Scott! Are you a consultant for WSDOT now?

Is there a news story about the LR avalanche?? I hadn't heard about that. And, glad you made it down safe and sound! My kids are too young to go on big climbs yet, but I have found myself in situations similar to what you describe with my wife years ago. In hindsight, it is easy to see how close to disaster things were, but it was easy at the time to keep on trucking. Live and learn, I guess. Of course, I've had a couple close calls (and the death of friends) in recent years that make me wonder if I really do learn..... or, how safe alpine climbing is.

Date of this climb??

Wow, Raindawg, that's some font jujitsu you got going on.

If cost is no object, you can't go wrong with Hilleberg. I think both the Nallo or Nammatj are excellent, depending on your needs.

Yes, in the last week. From talking my FS employee neighbor, it sounds like it is in the canyon, before the road crosses to the LB of Glacier Creek. In this section, the road is fairly level, very narrow, with at least one historic washout. Sounds like the river cut the toe of the slope and the almost the entire road prism failed into the creek, quite a ways below. It is likely to be closed for a long time, even if the FS had money to fix it, which they don't. I'd imagine talking to your electeds would be a called for, but I guess we can wait and see what the FS assessment says. The failure may not be done yet.

Only if you forget the Dex! Cut the rope! Cut it!

Excellent weekend Brett! Thanks for the reminder that this is something I need to make happen once again, post kiddos, with my own wife.

Really? Every time I have been up Hood in the last 10 years the Hogsback has been in the same spot. I just thought that the Old Chute was easier way to go in the last couple of years, probably due to the glacier thinning above the 'schrund, making the entrance to the pearly gates a bit trickier than it was decades ago. To get to the old chute you traverse west off the line of the hogsback, or at least that is the way it was last time I was up there about a year ago.

You may not like what Kurt wrote, but he's a damn fine guide and climber. And, more importantly, Kurt is a great person who loves the mountains, and teaching people new skills. Just like almost every other guide I've met.

Excellent day, eh? We were taking a break at the col when you came zipping by on the descent. Now you will know the Grouse Creek path for an easier go of it next time. Once you have it dialed, it goes quite fast.

Wow, it is melting fast!

I've always thought that MEC branded stuff was tough to beat for the money: http://www.mec.ca/shop/mens-waterproof-breathables/50089+50796/?h=10+50089+50020+50106+50022

Those be leashes.

Trip: Mt Baker - Coleman Deming Date: 5/7/2013 Trip Report: I thought folks might be interested in a conditions update for this popular locale. You can drive to about 2700' up the Glacier Creek Rd., still ~2.5 miles or so short of the TH- see reply below for more recent info. There is still some road walking, but it is mostly skinnable. Grouse Creek is in fine shape for skiing/skinning, though the snow was slow on Tuesday afternoon. Glacier is well filled with solid bridges over the few crevasses that you do need to cross. We found perfect skinning conditions (no crampons needed) with a 0730 start from the road, and I think it took us about 9.5 hours RT with breaks. It was t-shirt weather for most of the day with almost no wind at the summit, perhaps the best weather I've ever had on Baker. Such a great destination to have in our backyard! The Objective Scott skinning with Thunder Gl. behind Catching our breath after moving fast through the danger zone at the col. 8000+ feet above the car and Kit is ready to get off the pain train. A meeting of cultures on the summit. I love this view of Colfax Gear Notes: we brought glacier gear and boot crampons, but didn't need any of it. Approach Notes: skis, we saw deep post holes from those without.

I finally got around to adding captions. I would be especially interested if someone could identify the peak with the ski jump cornice near the top.

I know, Darin sets a high bar for us dads! Nice work, I need to get down there, preferably with Casey as my ropegun And, as usual, the images are fantastic!