JasonG

The magic Skagit! I've lived in MV for the past 21 years and quite enjoy it, but I'm a middle aged dad type now and not getting after it like when I was younger. Still, I lived here during my "storm" years and did notice how central is was to a lot of good options for climbing. That said, it is western WA so the climbable days are a lot more limited than the east side. For me, it hit the sweet spot between work commute, recreation, and cost of living. There is a small community of climbers and we all seem to know or know of each other. The Skagit Alpine club has a small core of keen younger folk that like to get out. You could ask some of them your rental question, I really don't have a good idea. Everyone seems pretty friendly and it is laid back around here, at least compared to areas north and south. But, it certainly seems to be getting on the radar of people, and the housing prices are going up really fast. As @dberdinka likes to say, Bellingham is ruined now.

It is most certainly not a clear cut. There are some good examples in the Stillaguamish where I have worked with the USFS on veg mgmt. After a year or so, it is often hard to tell that any timber mgmt occurred. Most timber harvesting around here is on state and private lands, which are managed quite differently than under the NW Forest Plan. That's great that you let them know about when access is most valued. That is exactly the specific type of info that they need!

Thanks @rat for bringing in a little bit of detail on the proposed alternatives. Maybe it's because I grew up around here (and often work with timber companies), but I don't mind some logging. Especially since a lot of the overstocked, monocultural USFS units could benefit from some timber management, post NW Forest Plan.

Damn. I will try and ping you if I get my head above water. I've been voluntold into a new position at work and it is trying to kill me. So awesome for you!

Nice work guys! Sounded almost casual, considering you're talking winter up there. The descent of the Ingraham can be quite nerve wracking in the winter, so I think you made a good call in reversing course.

Super cool! I appreciate the details on the self-belay system. Not because I'll ever use one..... just because it is something new (to me).

This sounds so pleasant!

This, for so much in life. Guile is lame.

Yes, for sure! Glad to hear that it went off without a hitch, relatively. What a day out there.....

There are none! No summit, no party.

Those look pretty cool!

Attention all you hardmen and women....the table is set and the DEATH climbs (death picnic, death banquet, death smorgasbord, death fondue, death BBQ, etc.) on the North side of Table Mountain are served..... Don't worry, there won't be a wait to get a table.

Climb the South face of Lundin and post a TR about it @underscore_child! Here is a bit more info on the aspect of your desire: https://www.mountainproject.com/route/119738692/south-face https://www.mountainproject.com/route/119617555/south-face-2001-variation There is maybe another route on the face per Beckey, or maybe they found an easier start to the "2001 variation" back in 1975.

Great, thanks for the report from Shasta! It is still on my list, though I am thinking a spring ski might be the ticket, given the long drive (for me).

Yep. I think this is true. A lot depends on how the storm exits, and that is pretty nuanced. Like you said, they always come in windy on the big hills but it is a roll of the dice what the final few hours of snowfall look and bond like.

Hahahaha. Thanks for the bump @olyclimber, and thanks to @rat and @lunger for doing what nobody else seems able to do, and surviving to write about it!

Ask and ye shall receive! (It is just hidden, so if you really need it back, just let me know)

Grundens?

Great, again! Thanks for doing my homework @bedellympian!

Fun read, thanks for all the gory details! And, you'll want a pair of these if you're going to climb PNW ice.

Well, the mountains around here are pretty much getting loved to death these days @Indygraham22, so thus the lack of details online about some of these places. The weekend crowds are getting crazy! I will tell you that you are in the right ballpark though. You'll need to go off trail, however, to reach that particular tarn (just a generic name for a small alpine body of water). If you don't hike much, going off trail isn't super straightforward here in WA. There is a lot of steep terrain, brush, and changeable weather just looking to ruin your day. That said, I'd recommend downloading a mapping program like Gaia and the map for the particular area you are hiking. That plus a full charge should help a great deal if you get turned around. If the topo map is Greek to you, here is a good source for reading them: https://blog.gaiagps.com/how-to-read-topographic-maps/ And, for your home research, check out Caltopo: https://caltopo.com/map.html#ll=46.76409,-121.72993&z=15&b=t&o=n&n=0 You can toggle between the topo and the aerial and find that tarn you're looking for! In the process, you'll figure out how to get there from the nearest trail. Good luck!

No, I have Anderson, Carrie, Tamanos, and Alta yet to do. I haven't exactly been putting it very high on my to-do list. It might take me a few more years at the rate that I'm going!

Well, there is that. It is an entirely defensible position.

The plot thickens. But it also reminds me why I prefer the lonesome brush to the crowded crags.

I do, but those fish weren't interested in my advanced techniques. Well one was, but I'm pretty sure something was wrong with him. It is probably the only lake in my life where I have seen spinners outfish flies by that margin. Sure, they're easier to fish with in many lakes, esp. with vegetated shorelines, but this was flat out ridiculous. You couldn't keep them off the spinners, it was practically every cast. And these were not small fish either! Meanwhile I am switching flies, sinking vs. floating lines, etc., etc. and NADA. @Trent had the record I think for fish hooked/landed on consecutive casts with a single spinner- 13??!!