JasonG

Ah, the good old days- when middle class folks could own 1800' of waterfront. It is hard to not subscribe to the crotchety Manningism that it all went downhill as soon as they built the Space Needle. Of course the tribe I work for would push that date considerably farther back

C'mon guys.... :kisss: Maybe back to Layton's questions?

As matt pointed out, early to mid December is typically a harsh time on the mountain. On average, between Christmas and New Year's is somewhat better but the best weather of the winter is typically in late January and early February (days are longer also). Here is an graph of average precip in Olympia that explains the trends better: http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/psd/cgi-bin/data/usclimate/city.pl?state=WA&lane=fast&itypea=1&loc.x=166&loc.y=191&.cgifields=itypea Of course, this being a La Nina year, all that could go out the window. The main thing is to keep an open mind and not be afraid to pull the plug (and don't try and force a poor forecast). Generally it takes folks a few tries to bag a winter ascent of Rainier (for me, 3). Good luck, and be sure to post a TR (even if it isn't successful)!

To bring it back a little more local, there aren't really any resources worth extracting from non-wilderness lands in the North Cascades except timber, correct? At least it seems like everybody lost their shirt in the whole mining thing.... But maybe my impression isn't correct?

I don't know (from my limited experience, it is important whether or not we are talking about wilderness or not), but I do know that you can do surprising things if you have the mineral/gas/oil rights. I would imagine that most resource right holders would love to get incorporated into a national park, as their blackmail price has probably increased significantly. In-holders have whomever over a barrel, thus the extraordinary sums agencies pay to consolidate ownership. No matter the details of how a right is developed, that fact that it is developed in a wilderness area or national park, is the bigger deal in my opinion. Less bad is not good. This is still a thorny issue on NPS controlled land: http://www.nature.nps.gov/geology/oil_and_gas/ http://www.nature.nps.gov/geology/mining/index.cfm Of course, I have no idea how many resource claims are in the lands proposed for the Legacy project. We wouldn't want facts to get in the way of this debate....

Interesting article, but it doesn't matter who holds the land in the case of mineral right inholdings. NPS would be in a similar boat, mining interests are like the RR- they pretty much hold all the cards as they were there "first".

I know, I know. Old grudges are hard to let go of, and the FS was certainly in the business of whacking and packing for many years. If the Forest Service went back to such a model, then the Legacy proposal would make a lot more sense. I just don't like the scare tactics.

Another article that helps illustrate the current culture in the NPS: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/10/science/earth/parks-chief-blocked-plan-for-grand-canyon-bottle-ban.html?hp Taken with the debacle that transpired down at Rainier recently, I really start to wonder why this agency is looked upon more highly than the FS by NCCC.

Just because Trent is over in Afghanistan doesn't mean you can use his name in vain! I'm sure he can serve up some extra pain upon his return.

Great TR and photos! A few corrections: Garibaldi= Shuksan Three Fingered Jack= Three Fingers

Interesting....it will be awhile before I can afford a new set up so it will be fun to keep an eye on things in the next few years (maybe a splitboard specific hardboot next?). Regardless of preferences, I think it is really cool that there are getting to be more and more options for splitboarders. Similar to the situation back 25 years ago with regular snowboarding. Of course that means the BC won't get any quieter. It is amazing how many more folks you see out compared to just a decade ago....

Wow! A proud looking line and a great story, thanks for an inspiring TR!

John Scurlock keeps in touch with him.....

I agree that both roads need to be realigned and would support redrawing of wilderness boundaries to make it happen. I have written my reps in support of such a change, and I encourage others who feel the same to do so also.

Voile Mtn. Plate binding, I have the same setup with Scarpa Matrix boots. No need to DIY. However, I think that the new Spark boots and bindings look like the way to go if you have a lot of money to spend on a new set up. AT boots ride OK, but I really miss the soft boot feel. They do skin and traverse quite well though...

Lots of great suggestions, here are few more to add to the list: -That prominent gully (from the Highway) on Whistler Peak between Rainy and WA passes. Great fun, easy descent. -East Face of Mt. Angeles (Olympics) in the winter. -NR of Baker -Adams Gl. on Mt. Adams -NF Buckner -Frostbite Ridge on Glacier Peak -NF ramp on Harvey (BC) Whatever you do, do not take her on the NF of Graybeard. Were you serious Fred??

Can't someone summon the Caveman out of retirement for this important thread?

Exactly. Glad to see that I'm not the only one who feels that NCCC would like to lock the young, old, and relatively unfit from some of the prime NC wildlands. Rebuild the roads already! Until they change their tune, I am firmly against the Legacy proposal.

Great suggestions all! I have tried various types of duct tape over the years and it doesn't seem to stick as well as athletic tape. In my experience, liner socks seem to bunch after a lot of skinning and they rarely are long enough to cover to the top of a ski boot (at least the ones I have seen typically). I will try and seek out some higher quality tape and will try the Benzoin also. Thanks for the quick feedback everyone!

Just wondering if folks have a certain brand of tape that they use for taping feet when using thermo liners (which don't appear to breathe). Normally my boots are fine for a long day out in the hills, but sometimes when I have had to walk a few miles on trails (think exit to Garibaldi Neve traverse) I get some raw spots. The standard athletic tape seems to sweat off rather quickly...but maybe I've just been using the wrong stuff? Have others had this issue, and what have you done? Other than getting out more to toughen the feet that is. . ..

Yo, Cheese Head, surely you jest. Moderators have a sense of humor too....

Good to know, thanks! Given the weather we may be headed into ski season anyway....

Is this the same route we climbed in this TR from a few years ago? We were stopped a body length from the summit by a snowy slab, but had a blast on the ridge itself (the couloir was just a slog in the spring). Nice to hear that it is a good climb on the other end of the summer, and thanks for the blog post!

Kurt's new route linked to this TR that I must have missed years ago. Sounds like a fun route (maybe skip the true summit and descend the way Kurt did?)...recommended? Best in autumn after some melt/freeze?

I thought I had seen it all on cc.com, but this is a first. Tent anchor fetish? The land of Lincoln breeds some interesting characters.