JasonG

Trip: Coleman Pinnancle - SW ridge Date: 2/12/2017 Trip Report: The rain certainly has put a damper on ski conditions out in the hills right now. It is hard to believe just how perfectly OK things were on north facing slopes this past Sunday. But the pictures and smiles staring back at me from Lightroom don't lie so I figured others may need a little encouragement as we're heading into a less than stellar weekend, ski-condition wise. If you're casting about for a peak to shoot for on a nice winter's day, you really can't go wrong skiing out towards Coleman Pinnacle. In our case, we even had the whole area to ourselves, which was an unexpected bonus (it's pretty popular out there on nice days). As Lowell told me years ago (I'm probably paraphrasing), "There is a big difference between a few tracks and NO tracks". Here's to the days when you the only track you cross is from someone in your own party...... Gear Notes: Skis, my good man, skis! Or a splitboard. Snow shoes are not allowed outside of Bagley Basin. Approach Notes: Park at Heather Meadows and follow yer nose.

Love the full report on the blog! I really miss these types of adventures with my wife. Kids have changed her risk tolerance, especially when both of us are on a trip. Hiking and backpacking now instead of glacier and multi-pitch. But enough whining, how late in the ski season do you think that descent goes? Winter and early spring only?

Trump is going to replace Obamacare with message boards like this where we can get widely divergent medical opinions from caring e-mountaineers (with apologies to Iluka and Sol, I know you guys are actual medical professionals).

Calcium! Have to say I've never heard of that, nor tried it. Will do and report back. Thanks!

Check out Tim Matsui's IG page for current Flow Reversal pic.

There is no perfect device and the best insurance is to not get hurt in the first place. i.e. Your SPOT/InReach/PLB shouldn't change your risk tolerance or decision making in the hills. If you are so badly injured that you or someone in your party can't trigger the device then you've typically got little chance of a successful rescue, especially if your loved ones wait a few hours to make sure your track doesn't come alive again. However, I suppose I can see your point if you primarily travel solo (which I almost never do). And, from what I've read, the satellite network is typically robust enough that terrain blocking of a PLB is quite rare (slot canyon?). The battery fires for 24+ hours, giving ample opportunity to link with a satellite.

I hate running too.

Impressive!

Yeah Josh, TR!

Uh, we're not a-non-a-muss 'round these parts? Sam, say it ain't so!

“Probably everybody in this room voted for me, but I will not ask you to raise your hands if you did,” Mr. Trump said. “We’re all on the same wavelength, folks.”

Tape and drugs (or whiskey). But mainly tape. And a PLB.

Your partners probably would like you to take the WFR course.

Thanks Lowell! This is a great service to the climbing community. We're fortunate to have your eye for detail and history keeping tabs on these ascents.

For sure, COLD! You'll notice the ice in Kit's beard.... Yep, we left from the Heather Meadows lot. Scott, like Charlie Sheen, has one speed- GO! Glad you liked the photos!

Hey Kurt- did Dan tell you about False Idol after his ski descent? Nicely done, way to continue to develop the backyard in all seasons!

If Gordo would've joined us, it just might have broken the internet!

Trip: Mount Ann - The Path of Powder Date: 1/2/2017 Trip Report: I've noticed that there is a dearth of the fresh summit views on the site of late. That's to be expected, of course, given the season, but we do live in a remarkable neck of the woods with year-round peak-bagging opportunities. Take Mount Ann, for example. It is nothing much to look at in summer, not much more than a bump on the ridge south of the trail to Lake Ann and the Fisher Chimneys. In winter, however, it is transformed into a fine ski outing with great fall line descents and hard to match views of Mount Shuksan in its rime-encrusted splendor. The crowds of summer disappear and you have the powder, views, and valley to yourselves...... Gear Notes: The full backcountry ski kit. No need for whippet or axe. Approach Notes: skis, naturally

I guess the mods haven't gotten things fixed yet.....this is a known issue with cutting and pasting TRs into the site. Please PM Olyclimber to get it posted. Thanks for being patient, I really want to see your TR!

That's a helluva first report! Carrying skis the whole way up that thing??!! Wow. Please keep the reports coming!

My Mammut ropes always seem to be having the best time. And so punctual, you know those Swiss. Never have an unplanned bivy again!

This is a great way to start my holiday weekend, thanks Bill.

Damn. So great that it's hard for me to comprehend!

I want to see a TR from some of these adventures Dan. Sounds character building, to say the least. I'm too much of a weather weenie to offer any firsthand tips or techniques.