DPS

Chris posted a nice trip report about a ski circumnavigation of the Twin Sisters range that might have some useful info. http://cascadeclimbers.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=569646

I am selling a new and unused Back Country Access Traverse EXT Shovel. http://www.mountaingear.com/pages/product/product.asp/imanf/Backcountry+Access/idesc/Traverse+EXT+Shovel/Store/MG/item/114036/N/0 Asking $25.00. If interested please email bighurtbob@hotmail.com

What do you want to use the tent for?

Does Steve House remind anyone else of John Foggerty?

There are campgrounds up Icicle Creek Canyon (8 mile camp ground, Bridge Creek camp ground).

I used to do most of my climbing as day climbs, mostly because I was a single parent and it was hard to get more than a day off. Now I really enjoy camping, I look forward to bivis. I did Rainier last September and we could have easily done it in a day, but instead we enjoyed hanging out at camp Muir, drinking tea, and chatting with folks and acclimatizing for an easy summit day.

Hello, I have been into spray park in early spring a number of times to climb Ptarmigan Ridge and to ski in spray park. That time of year I have been able to drive Hwy 165 to where it is gated at Paul Peak trail head. Does anyone know if Hwy 165 is drivable to Paul Peak trailhead in mid winter (February/March) or if it is too snowy? TIA

For those of you who advocate taking skis: do you wear ski boots or ski in your mountaineering boots? I camped next to a couple of guys who brought both.

I was really impressed until I found out it wasn't Allen Steck.

Bush flights have increased in price a lot in the last couple of years. TAT is charging $560 to Kahiltna Glacier. There is also the $200 climbing fee, the cost of the shuttle to talkeetna ($100)

Is it too late to change your tickets? Change them to correspond to the days before and after Presidents Day. Seriously.

I have used skis on every Alaska trip I have done and recommend them except for Denali. We ditched our skis at 11k too, and I felt it was not worth it to schlep the skis through the airport and incur the $50.00 extra baggage fee for a couple of days use.

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Does anyone care to venture a guess as to what this warming trend will do to the snow pack/avalanche conditions?

Trango 2 is plenty big for 2 people. I used one for a Ruth Gorge trip where it stormed nearlly every day for two weeks. It was very liveable. Yes, bring an extra stove. XGK is a good choice. Just bring your Black Diamond shovels.

I was wearing Scarpa Tambos, a light weight 2 buckle boot. I bought a new set up with taller, stiffer boots that I hope to be able to ski on next weekend.

Hello, I have skiied for a long time but not often enough to get very good. In bounds I can comfortably ski diamond runs albeit while displaying a stunning lack of grace and form. I would like to improve and wonder if taking a lesson would be helpful or if spending the money on lift tickets and practicing more would be better. My main interest is ski touring and easy ski mountaineering. Opinions? TIA, Dan

Can't go wrong with Feathered Friends or Western Mountaineering bags. I have the WM Apache Super Dryloft, rated to 15 degrees. It has been a great bag for me for the past 11 years.

Mtnguide's advice to watch the weather and go when you get a decent forecast is probably the best strategy. If you don't have that much flexibility I would recommend planning your trip around President's Day weekend, a time period when we often enjoy a high pressure system that brings stable weather. Perhaps come out for the week before and the week after President's Day. And come with the idea of flexibility and the willingness to go where the weather is best be it the Enchantments, Stuart Range, Mt Hood, or B.C.,Canada, Bring skis and ice gear to give yourself some options if the high peaks have bad weather.

Most likely the weather is going to be too poor to climb, but then again it could be great. If you do make the trip, make alternate plans in case the weather on Rainier is bad. Weather is often better on the east side of the crest and there are some notoble winter climbs on Dragontail, Colchuck, and Mt Stuart.

I have Jan 1-4 off and want to do something - anything; ski something that will not get me killed, climb something, hike something. I have no plans just want to get out. Let me know if you want to get out. Bring ideas. If interested, please email bighurtbob@hotmail.com Thanks, Dan

I've seen a trip report on this site for that climb haven't I? I think I'll pass.....I like adventure as much as the next guy, but that might be a bit much for me. Sorry to focus on numbers....I'm happy to climb 5.4 or even 4th class routes that are fun, but I need to limit the search somewhat in order to recieve helpful answers. Otherwise people will suggest 5.10 routes I can't climb and glacier slogs I'd rather not travel for. That's all. Thanks for the help though, everyone. These are some really good ideas. ok - i wouldn't dismiss it out of hand b/c of me though check out the various tr's on it here - it's not dangerous, just very easy to get to, very long, very exciting, very scenic and spectacular, and generally a climb that anyone who drives up the rd to cascade pass must dream about doing, given its instantaneous and spellbinding effect on the first glimpse - it's a mix of vertical forest, steep heather slopes, rock-scrambling (the crux is a 1/4 pitch chimney that's more realistically 5.8), then steepish glacier (in short, every kind of challenge the cascade's can throw at you rolled into one big mountain route - doable in 2 days) And its even better in winter!

For more remote climbs look into routes on Gunsight Peak, Inspiration Feak, The Chopping Block, and Mt Triumph. These are not really remote as they can all be done in a long day from the car but otherwise fit your criteria: Prusik Peak - West Ridge Dragontail Peak - Serpentine Arete Mt Stuart - North Ridge or West Ridge Sherpa Peak - North Ridge or West Ridge Forbidden Peak - North Ridge or West Ridge These are not at all remote but are still excellent climbs: Liberty Bell - Beckey Route South Early Winter Spire - SW Rib Burgandy Spire - North Face

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Hello, I am looking to upgrade my AT ski set up. When I bought my Silveretta 400s they were the only game in town, now there are many more choices. What do people like: Dynafit, Fritchi, Silveretta, Marker, Naxo? I ski a little bit of everything; ski mountaineering, touring, groomed runs. In general I want a binding with better release capabilities and one that offers better control when skiing steeps and also is easy to change into and out of touring mode. TIA, Dan