JasonG

Wait, they were on an old road?? That could be an honest mistake, as it is a bit odd to have roads (even old grades) in a wilderness area. Sort of defeats the whole "untrammeled by man" thing....

I hope you got license plates at the TH/road end (and photos of the sledders/sleds)....without that, enforcement can't really do much, if anything. Even if you did get plates, I think the courts need law enforcement to witness the transgression (where there isn't direct evidence like good photos/video showing the location of trespass) to throw the book at them. For example, with poached fish and/or game, enforcement needs to find an illegally retained dead animal in someone's possession in order to prosecute (if they didn't catch them in the act of poaching it). Without direct evidence, and assuming they can find the folks in question, the authorities could at least issue a warning, or keep and eye on the access in that area though. Thanks for turning them in!

Located in Mount Vernon, Wa.

-Ski mountaineering tips and tricks? We have some seriously experienced folks around that could make this enlightening. -Second the article on kiddos and climbing/outdoors stuff -Climbing and high quality photography. Garrett Grove? -Tutorial on some of the online weather products available thru the UW Atmos dept.?

WOW! What a great turnout tonight for the show. Thanks again to Steph and John for coming out and dazzling us with great stories and images. John signed and sold every copy he brought, for good reason- it's incredible. Buy John's book!!!!

Was it as warm as it looked? I'm jealous, my winter experiences high on Rainier were filled with cold suffering. Nice work, and way to take advantage of the window!

Hey everybody, this it TOMORROW night! Hope to see a bunch of folks there. If you already have a book, feel free to bring it for John to sign. Books will also be for sale at the show, with proceeds going to benefit the Skagit Alpine Club.

Wow, that is cool. Your photo?

Have fun guys!! I will need to get back out on the rock with you all once the ski season starts to wane. . ..the pull of the snow is too strong right now.

Also a very reasonable position... and honestly how I tend to look at things also. Maybe I'm being optimistic. I think each LO is a case by case basis for whether or not locking will lead to more or less problems. For example sled accessible areas like Park Butte and Winchester likely would see damage as there are just a lot more folks around them in the winter. On the other end of the spectrum, the NPS locks the Sourdough and Desolation LOs and doesn't seem to have folks breaking into them (though they are quite difficult (esp. Desolation) to access in the winter). Which kind of makes me wonder why they lock them in the first place, considering they are a public resource and aren't really used as fire LOs anymore.

Here is what a combination of friends use, though nobody has this exact setup. This is the all star line up, and will not disappoint. Skis: http://volkl.com/ski/skiis/models/nunataq Boots: http://www.dynafit.com/product/shoes/tlt-5-mountain-tf Bindings: http://www.fixation-plum.com/detail-article-fixations.php?idproduit=30&lang=en Better buy a lottery ticket.

There are much easier ways further south, especially if you have skis

Good points Lowell. I hadn't thought about overexposure as a result of my TR, as I thought most folks already were in the know as far as which ones were open and such. But, the internet has a way of popularizing things that otherwise wouldn't be and it probably is a good idea to keep 4th season use of these structures quieter. Pretty photos have a way of attracting a crowd. I think behind the scenes conversation is probably the best, and I am sure all of the individuals and organizations that maintain the LOs would welcome all the help folks could muster. I encourage folks to seek out the volunteers and make contact with them. I know the SAC would welcome help with the Park Butte LO, which we maintain.

Lots of traversing and rolling terrain are a pain on a splitboard, so snowshoes or skis are often better for approaching mountaineering objectives. If you are ice climbing, most climbing boots are be better suited for snowshoes. Often if it is good climbing conditions, the ski conditions are terrible anyways. I have mitigated the downsides of splitboards somewhat by buying AT boots and plate bindings. It reduces the downhill performance a bit (you get used to it though), but the skinning and climbing is way better. Plus AT boots are more comfortable (and warmer) for long days skinning than most (if not all) snowboard boots. I am still waiting for a split specific hardboot, I imagine they won't be far off.

Snow shoes????!!!! Are you kidding me? No, you don't want to even bother carrying a snowboard on your back.

I've used the Voile for more than 10 years and am on my second board. I agree, for the price they are hard to beat, and they work well. Probably not the best, but I'm on a budget and the board has never held me back from my objectives. I've taken it on as long as an 8 day trip to the Wapta, and many, many shorter trips. It is a good system that is time tested. If you want to get into ski mountaineering though, learn to ski. I wish I knew. Splitboards still aren't as good as skis for a lot of terrain.

Wow, getting better all the time! Thanks much for all of your efforts on this site, Gmaps4 is now my go to resource for mapping. The GPS interface just makes it that much better. Much appreciated!

The exception would be ham radios (I think they bounce off the atmosphere), but otherwise I believe you're right.

On the other hand, a friend had a sat phone on the wapta a couple weeks ago and they are pretty incredible (great to be able to call for a weather report at any time). Relatively small and light nowadays also. The key thing is to spring for the extra $$$ and get one that is hooked into the Iridium network (phone is around $1K). The competition is pretty weak in comparison (I know a comm. fisherman that has one and he isn't real excited about it) b/c there are lots of times/places when they don't work. Iridium works 24/7, anywhere on the globe. Sound quality is amazing, like talking on a decent cell connection, but it isn't cheap at around $0.75 a minute or so.

What about a real PLB like the McMurdo FastFind? A $250 one time charge and replace the battery every five years for around $100 or so. If you don't want to be sending or receiving messages, but rather want your ass saved in an emergency, I think this is the best way to go. http://www.mcmurdo.co.uk/en/products/2-plbs/2-fastfind-210-211

Thanks for the Terray quote! I will have to remember that one, especially those last couple sentences.

Maybe, or one of those two times a season when you fall tree skiing could kill you. I used to think along your lines, but I have lost too many experienced friends in the mountains to think otherwise. You can stack the odds in your favor, and think you are doing everything "right", but there are always odds.

Everyone falls, I don't care how good you are or how well you are skiing "within your abilities". Seriously?

Now that is awesome, thanks!

Thanks for the nudge to contact my electeds regarding SOPA and PIPA....I needed it .