JasonG

Just got my book for Christmas, and it is something every North Cascades Connoisseur needs to own!!! Fantastic work John, even better than I thought it would be. I'll bet the first printing sells out rather quickly.....

Ha! Now that is funny. The squeaky wheel.....

Interesting....so are you carrying all of your kit on your back when riding? Did you end up pushing your bike a fair bit on the climb to the Thorung La? I seem to remember it as fairly steep, and at a decent altitude. How much of the circuit is now overtaken by road? I have heard that it is pretty much a waste of time anymore on foot....looks like maybe a mountain bike is now the preferred method.

Ah yes, they did mention the selling of vehicles to support their mountain habit. It is Russian way, no?

Trip: Unicorn Peak - Standard Date: 12/22/2011 Trip Report: FWA of the 2011-12 winter!! The long spell of unusual December weather continued through the first full day of winter this year, and a Smoot/Nelson ticking party was organized for an assault on Unicorn peak (via the standard route). I had last climbed it in the summer more than a decade ago, so it was pretty much like a new mountain for me. WBK and NTM came along for the fun (or rumors of summit babes?), and made sure that things never veered towards the serious. Well, maybe until the last couple of miles slogging on the road back to the car, whereupon WBK got chewed out for pissing on a snowbank. Pretty funny actually ("Could you at least scrape the yellow snow away?"), considering Mr. Anal wasn't even a ranger. There is a first time for everything, I guess. Slogging in on the Reflection Lakes Road: Unicorn Peak, the objective for the day: Climbing up to the col south of the peak: NTM at the south col: WBK and NTM pause to admire the view and fuel up: Approaching the summit block. We climbed right up the middle: WBK on lead: Steep and fun!: Summit! Tick, tick: NTM on rappel: Did I mention that you have fantastic views of Rainier all day?: On the deproach, WBK with Mt. Adams behind: Interesting lenticulars kept us company on the hike back: Gear Notes: Axe, crampons, half rope, small rack. The rock was pretty clear of snow and ice, so other winter ascents may find it more challenging. For us, it felt like a short bit of mid-fifth. Approach Notes: For once, snowshoes were the ticket. Ski conditions were absolutely terrible. Follow the summer route from the reflection lakes road, parking at Narada Falls.

Certainly not me! I have a lot of respect for the local hard lines that got climbed awhile back during the winter. Nelson and Lewis's Slesse NE buttress climb stands out especially. Compared to that, maybe the pup wouldn't be bad for some hardperson?

Good point about signage....even if it is in the park, they need to sign it. Good luck, and please post back with the outcome.

Given how frequently it normally snows around here in the winter, I would suspect that the system is easily exploited by contractors unless folks speak up (contractors could bill for every storm, but only plow every other, etc.). I find it hard to believe that Dan could have visited a Snopark all winter and NEVER found it plowed if the system wasn't totally screwed up. "Um, I plowed that lot at least 10 times this past winter....please pay the attached invoice" It is unlikely that the state is verifying every bill that comes in for plowing. Sounds like they are relying on complaints to tell them when things aren't getting plowed. I think the OP's call to report unplowed Snoparks is right on the money.

The head ranger has an opinion/interpretation of the law like the rest of us. When it comes to gray areas, the "truth" lies in the court's interpretation of the legislation. Of course, if the pullout is state park land, which it appears to be, then the legislation is pretty clear that you need a pass.

You have to zoom way in before the parcel lines show up. . . . If you click on the parcel with the pullout, it lists "State of Washington" (aka state parks). If you try and click on the ROW on either side of it, it doesn't hyperlink, which is typical in my experience for highway ROWs (at least on SnoCo's website). I don't know why.

Actually, if it is the pullout just west of the rock, the parcel map makes it look like it IS part of the park. At least according to the link I posted above....

I think the state parks map is misleading. Look here to see a more detailed view, including parcel lines. Much of the 14 ROW appears to be controlled by WSDOT and not state parks. There are some irregularities though, and it looks like state parks does control some of the highway. I am not sure if this is an official parcel map though. I found the page linked to the Skamania County Assessor's site.

I think it hinges on whether or not the pullout is in the park, though. If it is outside the park, you would be accessing the park via foot/bike and wouldn't need a vehicle pass, correct?

Please fight it. I would bet that the state highway ROW is not part of the park. The parcel layer could tell you for sure, I don't know if Skamania couny is online with theirs or not. This could save you time in the long run if you check it out. As Ivan said, if it is WSDOT property and not state parks (likely) then you are in the clear and should prevail in court. And, whatever you do, don't ignore it.

Brawndo....It's got what climber's crave!! I had two liters along with me on the climb. Funny you should mention it, Scott was telling us he thought Brawndo would be in good shape right now.

Fun looking route, I will have to add it to the list!

Trip: Mount Harvey - North Face Ramp Date: 12/12/2011 Trip Report: After DCC's excellent heads up, I don't need to tell people that this is in quite good shape right now. I had last been on it 5 years ago in much snowier conditions, and there wasn't much climbing involved (though still fun). What a difference lean conditions make- certainly some climbing involved now, and it is quite fun. One that deserves a repeat every year, if only for the views. Take a look: The ramp is obvious: Trent: Howe Sound: Dramatic scenery en route: Fun, rambly ice: Harvey's Pup! The scenic summit ridge: The Lions and lowlands from the summit: Howe Sound wide view: Descending the SW ridge: Trent and Sepultura are that Extreme! Gear Notes: stubby screws, couple of pickets, nuts, second tool. Approach Notes: McLane's guide has an excellent description to the base. Follow the hiker path down the SW ridge.

Filmed locally in Darrington, but finding a copy may be hard. I haven't actually seen it, but it looks to give Vertical Limit a run for its money.

For a mostly trail ascent to a spectacular viewpoint, I would put a plug in for Ruth Mtn. Very easy glacier travel, to the point where most don't bring a rope. You will want an ice axe, however. Medium day. For something that you probably won't even need an ice axe for by August, how about Crater Mtn.? The old LO site is accessed via a trail that gains 6200'. Some scrambling near the top. Long day. 2nd the Black Peak suggestion. Also, for a good scramble near Easy Pass, try Kitling Peak (~8000'). You won't find that name on any USGS map, and will need to get the Green Beckey book. As a matter of fact, you should probably pick up the green and red Beckey books and look at them this winter before going out. Here is a good mapping site where you can turn on topos, satellite photos, etc.: http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4.php?ll=41.310824,-102.041016&z=4&t=m And lastly, you can probably get the views you are looking for without ever leaving a trail. Try: Sourdough, Sahale Glacier Camp, Hidden Lake Peak, Hannegan Peak, Mt. Pugh, etc., etc. Pick up some used copies of the 100 hikes series (north cascades, glacier peak region) by Harvey Manning and you are well on your way. Have fun, just don't show anyone back east your pictures upon your return!

Here, here! I have really enjoyed climbing the fruits of your labor, Chris. Many thanks!

Wow, that is an impressive solo!

Did you go? The only beta I have is look climber's right at the waterfall. A great winter scramble!!

Cool! Hood is in pretty good nick right now, eh?

I just checked on my machine. Picasa will rotate .mov files just fine.

I think you can rotate videos in Picasa, also free.