DPS

Thanks for the updates! Back when I was keen on winter ascents up at Cascade Pass I took to carrying a McCulloch 350 chain saw for the numerous blow downs.

Does anyone know if the Cascade River road is still drivable to Eldorado Creek trail head? How much snow is up there? Is it too early to ski up to Sahale? Thanks, Dan

Thanksgiving evening I decided a needed a new haul pack for cragging and bicycle commuting so I ordered one from Mountain Gear on teh internets. I was not in a hurry so I opted for the free shipping option. By Saturday (48 hours later) I had the new haul pack in my hot little hands. Hard to believe they filled the order and shipped it that fast over a holiday weekend! Nice work Mountain Gear.

Looking for a partner for a hike or easy climb in the Snoqualmie Pass region. Granite Mt, The Tooth, Guye Peak, or whatever. If interested please email bighurtbob@hotmail.com or call 425-392-2054 Dan Smith

I like amber.

IPod Shuffle

Systemic fungal infection followed by systemic staph infection.

I can understand that. After a long illness, a month in bed and the last week in the hospital I was able to walk the dogs around the block and was plenty happy to be able to do that.

The force is strong in this one.l

Trail shoes have improved lateral stability, harder soles, stiffer cushioning and a more agressive sole pattern for better traction. I find a big difference in running in road shoes versus trail running shoes. I have rolled my ankle trail running in road shoes but never while wearing trail shoes.

Novemeber is perhaps the worst month for the Cascades. As bstach mentioned the weather ususally blows and there is not enough snow to ski. Smith Rocks could be decent though.

Actually I own what would be called a mcmansion in a nice neighborhood (you couldn't afford to live there) and I have a child.

This is an interesting idea, certainly the size home one owns has an impact just as the size and efficiency of one's car. Neither of these choices, however, has anywhere near the environmental impact as having children. If the US was serious about limiting environmental impact we would eliminate tax breaks for having children, or better yet implement tax penalties for having children.

The trail is pretty steep coming up through the forest, were you able to run that section or did you speed walk it?

I have used a Betamid for four season use for the last 5 years, in fact it is the only tent I have used for the last five years for climbs in the lower 48 and Canada. I am impressed by its space to weight ratio and how weather proof it is. I use it above treeline all the time and it has with stood some stormy conditions (wind to `35 mph, snow, rain). I actually think its ideal use is in winter when you can stake it out with skis. It sheds snow very well. That said, I have had a number of partners who were less impressed with it because it allows breezes in under the bottom. Some cons: Condensation is an issue and in very hard rain storms small loops sewn into the shelter to allow internal and external guylines wick water into the shelter. The poles that support the shelter serve as chasity poles so you can't get too close to your sweetie.

>Can one camp on the dirt at lunch counter? Yes. >Is there water there or do you have to melt snow?? Probably have to melt snow >Is plastic boots the best option?? I would go with leathers >How long a drive is it from Seattle??--Im thinking 6hr?? About 6 hours. >I also heard there is major construction on I5 going ??south??, >there's only 1 lane open for traffic--does anyone know where >that is. It is in downtown Seattle.

Somebody climb with Rob, he's cool. I would go if I wasn't so ill.

Wow, I thought my best time of 2:15 was fast, but sub 2 hours is very impressive.

Hello, I am a Sammamish Club member as well. I have not climbed in a very long while due to injury and illness. I will be getting back into the gym hopefully in September and would be happy to trade belays on weeknights. Feel free to email me: bighurtbob@hotmail.com

Just to parrot what has already been written, the apporach via El Dorado East Ridge is fine. The SW Buttress of Dorado Needle offers a lot of route latitude. Mark Bunker and partner were ahead of us and took a direct line up the center of the buttress. We followed a line of weaknesses that wandered back and forth across the buttress. While the quality of climbing was not stellar IMHO, the setting is spectacular.

I tried to do it once in August. Rockfall was continuous throught the rock pitches. We listened to it all night long then hiked out the next day.

I put Intuition liners in my Scarpa Invernos after the stock liners packed out. They actually are sloppier now than before.

For smaller stuff (Mt Hunter, Ruth Gorge) a 15 degree Western Mountaineering Apache Super Dryloft worked out well. For Denali I used a -15 degree Feathered Friends Widgeon.

Burt Bacharat's greatest hits. Seriously.

This is my recollection as well.