JasonG

Good idea Curt! I encourage folks to find the stewards of the LOs and volunteer. SAC has an annual work party at the Park Butte LO, which we maintain. You can check our website for details.

Especially since the LO is already rebuilt and in place. More harm would be done removing it than just leaving it be. Having talked with people on the MBSNF on this issue, including Peter Forbes, they have certainly learned their lesson. Removing the LO will accomplish nothing. If the LO had been remodeled in place, the judge wouldn't be calling for its removal. So it seems crazy that when the same endpoint is reached (albeit by not following the letter of the law) the judge is calling for it to be torn down, after significant tax monies have gone into the restoration work and legal defense. It really doesn't make any sense, but I guess judges can't be flexible?

WHAT???!!!! Common sense is dealt another blow.

Yes, it was May of 2002. I climbed Liberty Ridge a couple days later as they were helicoptering the bodies off. It was a sobering reminder. If I remember right, after the cave collapsed two of the three died after wandering and falling into a crevasse.

Agreed Dan. My experiences with bad weather in January and July on Rainier are very, very different. Summer "storms" are miserable, but winter storms are downright terrifying.

Wow.

Three to four days is just about right for most folks, if you can spare the time. Racing up and down Rainier as quickly as possible may work, but it usually isn't very fun, except on skis. Depends on your motivation I guess. Similar to Matt, I like to spend as much time as possible in the hills and enjoy it.

Given the early summer time of your climb, AL crampons could save you a pound, depending on which exact models you are talking about. For summertime glacier slogging around here I never bring steel, even on Rainier unless I am going for a steeper route.

Maybe you are already planning on being flexible with the exact dates, but teams coming from out of state often press upwards with a bad/so-so forecast. More important than any gear is going when the weather is stable. Also taking three days instead of two will make it much more enjoyable (and maybe successful considering you will be better acclimated). But maybe you already know all of this, by your gear choices you don't need a lot of help on that end from us. Have a good trip!

The Wapta, on the other hand, will be in primo ski shape. If you are fixed to that week there is surely something to keep you busy up there.

I've waited 10 years for this location! Oh the humanity!

They don't call it Rumble Gully for nothing.

So going forward folks will be able to put a pin on the map for a TR, sort of like you can do with Picasa? That will be cool to get the old TRs on the map also...

Dallas would be proud that folks are carrying on his legacy of work at Mt. Erie. Thanks for organizing this Calvin!

Screw climbing. This looks like a forecast for POWDER I would suggest a hut trip in BC. Lots of options, depending on your budget.

As much as I hate to agree with Dubya, you often have to go with your gut with folks. 10K years of hunting and gathering has made us pretty good judges of character in a few seconds/minutes. Contrary to PC dogma, we all don't get along, and it is often best to move on and not over think things too much. There are plenty more cool folks out there to spend time with.

It seems like a lot of the air support for rescues on the west side is handled by the Navy or JBLM (of course, Hi Line and King Co helos shoulder a lot of the load also). Are the Enchantments too far for military to operate? Or is it a jurisdictional issue?

WOW! You guys were camped there the whole next day and the party never returned. That is something you typically only hear about on 8000m peaks when things have really hit the fan, never heard of that in the Cascades. Incredible, if you guys hadn't of been there, the story could have had an entirely different ending. Well done, I'm sure Craig was grateful.

Great story Alasdair! I'm a little confused though, did his partners just continue on and never check back?

There is a bunch of snow so following the trail would be a problem. Probably best to climb up to the road from the lot and follow it near reflection lakes. If you are doing it anytime in the next week or two, bring flotation.

Given the forecast for the next 10 days I'd say those depths are due to increase significantly.

RSQ Pete hauled us out of the Luahna area after we found TJ in 2009 . A great pilot for sure, but you must mean get him back doing short hauls? He seems to still be flying rescue missions, post 2001. I did watch an ER doc get drug through the trees on a rescue mission on Yellowjacket Tower in 1999 so I can imagine that Chelan county might not want the cost or liability of short hauls. I'm not sure if it was Pete or not flying, but it was a bit scary to watch. I have also flown with Tony and agree that he is first rate! Too bad he is going to have to retire one of these days pretty soon....

That Osprey does look like a good pack, they didn't make one when we were looking a few years ago. I think stirrups are key, whatever pack you buy, although the kid may driving you crazy by bopping up and down. Keeps them occupied and their legs from falling asleep, however.

I think this is one of the best options: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0045UAN3A At least we have been very happy with it for our two boys. We started doing overnights when our oldest could hold his head up (6 months?), and did quite a few that first summer. We had my wife carry the kid, diapers, and other kid stuff. I carried everything else in a 75L pack, it was good training. That all came to a halt when #2 came along. Now we go car camping and do day hikes, much easier with two wee ones, including one who is too big to be carried any longer. When the youngest gets out of diapers we will try and go back to overnights.... Bring strong alcohol, it's better for everyone.

I agree that 90L is a pretty crushing load... For long (6+ days) trips I have used this pack for 7+ years and love it: http://ca.gregorypacks.com/products/view/24 Size large is 75L. If you can find it used somewhere it is a really, really good pack- too bad they don't make it anymore. Why do companies mess with success? I have found that the Makalu Pro carries more than enough to get you way out into the middle of nowhere, even on a climbing trip.