JasonG

I wonder if it really is though? Granted, practice and proficiency are never a bad thing, but the bad glacier whiteout experiences I've had have been truly disorienting. I was always with others and even when they were directing me from behind (with map/compass/gps while fixed in place) I couldn't walk in a straight line (while trying very, very hard). Even if you are good, when you can't tell sky from ground and the wind is pushing you around, I don't see how any solo person would be able to navigate over distance without some significant error. But, it sounds like you may have had those exact conditions (solo as well) and been able to pull it off, or are you just guessing?

Faced with high winds, precip, steep terrain, and whiteout- AND solo, I don't agree. I think Joseph hit it right on that on the bigger mtns. around here it stacks the cards in your favor to pick an adequate window. As noted above, there are lots of resources to help you get a good idea of the size of the window. Once you are caught up high in bad weather, handheld tools aren't certain to keep you out of trouble.

So true, there is a scene in "Strange Brew" that speaks to the power of the videotape (unfortunately I can't find the actual video of this scene, but you have to believe me that it does exist). Claude Elsinore: And I'd like to point out that these tapes have not been faked, or altered in any way. In fact they have time coding, which is very hard to fake. The Judge: For the benefit of the court would you please explain "time coding." Claude Elsinore: Well, uh... just because I don't know what it is, it doesn't mean I'm lying.

I think the UW Atmos site run by Cliff Mass's lab is probably the best tool around for detailed precip and cloud predictions (specifically the 4km runs). Of course, the models are often wrong, but major features are rarely missed completely. http://www.atmos.washington.edu/mm5rt/rt/gfsinit.d3.html

Wow. That is some seriously crazy riding. Thanks for the link!

Where did Loomis go?

This is getting good. On a serious note, that is a sobering accident write up Mr. Finley. The Balfour High Col is something that I've treated with respect, but that accident is still a bit unnerving, and a good reminder to not think too highly of one's abilities.

I just wish they made a "Light" version of the Eldorado. After spending a week in a HiLight in the Pickets, I agree that they aren't very comfy for folks in the 6' 4" range. If it is rainy, the head and foot of your bag are going to be soaked. And, I'm not arguing with you Pete.

Nevermind, partner found.

Anyone interested? Send a PM....

"In the summer of 2002, after I had written an article in Esquire that the White House didn't like about Bush's former communications director, Karen Hughes, I had a meeting with a senior adviser to Bush. He expressed the White House's displeasure, and then he told me something that at the time I didn't fully comprehend -- but which I now believe gets to the very heart of the Bush presidency. The aide said that guys like me were ''in what we call the reality-based community,'' which he defined as people who ''believe that solutions emerge from your judicious study of discernible reality.'' I nodded and murmured something about enlightenment principles and empiricism. He cut me off. ''That's not the way the world really works anymore,'' he continued. ''We're an empire now, and when we act, we create our own reality. And while you're studying that reality -- judiciously, as you will -- we'll act again, creating other new realities, which you can study too, and that's how things will sort out. We're history's actors . . . and you, all of you, will be left to just study what we do.''" http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/17/magazine/17BUSH.html I missed this the first go around, but I think it helps explain the difficulty that Rove (senior aide quoted above) had with accepting the "reality" that Obama won. Wow.

Depends if you are part of the "reality based community" or not. Sounds good to me as far as the ads go. It would be great if we prodded some more folks to add some TRs/posts. Of course, there are always ways to block ads too for those who don't want to see them.

We were the other party, and certainly had a similar experience. Luckily we had some beer back at the truck so all was not lost. That was one of the more unpleasant wind/snow combos I've experienced in some time. Rowdy!

Wow! That is a steep looking line.

Wow, strong work! I've only been to Spring Mtn. once, but that roof left an indelible impression on me. Glad to hear that someone finally cast off above the slab to find out what was above. Now, I wonder what it would go free at?

Though I never met Austin, I will miss him, he was such a remarkable man. Thanks for the information John, and I'm very sorry to hear about the passing of your friend. I had the good fortune of climbing Asa Peak last summer, a summit that was first ascended by Austin's dad (Asa). Austin was the second ascent, almost four decades later. Through nothing more than a simple register entry, I felt I got a glimpse as to what a great person Austin was.

I went with a lower policy amount. While it would be nice to leave my wife and kids a million dollars, I opted to go with a policy that would pay off the house and buy her a newish car (much less than a million). With SS survivor benefits the family will do OK, but it will mean that my wife will have to work if I die before her. Sorry honey. Also, as Jon and others have said, it pays to shop around. You may be able to get around some of the exclusions by holding multiple policies with smaller dollar amounts. Sometimes you can get policies thru work that pretty much have no exclusions (and no physical) if you keep the dollar amount somewhat modest (< 150K).

Just heard about this recently as well....very good news from my perspective!

Dallas would be proud Brandon, that sounds like a great project! I can put you in touch with a few folks that would know a lot more than myself, look for the email.

This is my personal favorite for weather, though it may seem confusing at first: http://www.atmos.washington.edu/mm5rt/rt/gfsinit.d3.html Not very user friendly, but the 4km runs are where I usually spend my time. Either the column integrated water or the 1 hr. precip are a good start. Lots info here for the weather geek in you.

That photo above looks familiar....East ridge of J'Berg?

The sailor speaks the truth....November is the best month to get out of the PNW, build up points with the family, or get indoor projects done. That said, there is always the weird year where mixed routes come into shape for a spell, and you'd best be ready.

MOUNT RAINIER RECREATIONAL FORECAST NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SEATTLE WA 351 AM PDT SAT NOV 3 2012 .SYNOPSIS...A DISTURBANCE IN THE STRONG WESTERLY FLOW ALOFT WILL CAUSE PRECIPITATION TO INCREASE ACROSS THE AREA TODAY. EXPECT THE PRECIPITATION TO DIMINISH TONIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY AS HIGHER PRESSURE BUILDS OVER THE REGION. ANOTHER DISTURBANCE WILL BRING MORE PRECIPITATION TO THE AREA LATE SUNDAY NIGHT AND MONDAY. && .TODAY...RAIN OR SNOW. SNOW LEVEL 7500 FEET. .TONIGHT...RAIN OR SNOW AT TIMES. SNOW LEVEL RISING TO 9500 FEET. .SUNDAY...RAIN OR SNOW LIKELY...MAINLY IN THE MORNING. SNOW LEVEL 10000 FEET. .SUNDAY NIGHT...CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF RAIN OR SNOW. SNOW LEVEL 11000 FEET. .MONDAY...RAIN OR SNOW LIKELY. SNOW LEVEL 10000 FEET. && TEMPERATURE AND WIND FORECASTS FOR SELECTED LOCATIONS. TODAY TONIGHT SUN SUN MON NIGHT SUMMIT (14411 FT) 14 19 23 25 23 W 48 W 47 W 40 W 46 W 48 CAMP MUIR(10188 FT) 30 30 35 34 34 SW 50 W 27 W 25 W 35 W 33 PARADISE (5420 FT) 45 37 50 40 52 W 15 W 16 W 12 W 15 W 11

Strong work Jon, thanks much for all the work you do to make this site a great place! Much appreciated, and the background photos are simply stunning .

But in the spring you wouldn't be skiing as much by headlamp. Where's the fun in that?