DPS

Does anyone know how much snow is left at Snoqualmie Pass? Is Red Mountain still skiable for example? Thanks, Dan

I used a Wild Things Belay parka on the West Butt. Worked fine. Also, don't bring a plastic spoon. I sat on and broke my only spoon.

Thanks. That is Jason Martin's Web site. We went to school and climbed together back in the day.

I am taking some newbies up Rainier this summer. All of them have limited climbing experience. I want to take them out on a relatively easy climb where we will have an opportunity to review ice axe arrest and other skills before we try Rainier. I was thinking of something like Mt Ruth, but I would like to have a bad weather plan somewhere on the east side of the mountains. I was thinking of Colchuck, but it is permit season and I worry that I might not score a camping permit. Also I don't want to completely demoralize the group by making them walk the road. So, what are your suggestions for mellow snow/glacier climbs that would be a good two day trip and would allow for ample time for skills practice? Suggestions for both west and east side of the range would be appreciated. Oh yeah, we all live in the Seattle area, so something within a couple hours drive would be just ducky. Thanks!

Roboboy and I did this route as a day trip last year. I think we hit the approach just right because it was surprisingly not bad at all or at least not as bad as I had expected. Nice work!

I have the 15 degree Western Mountaineering Apache Super Dryloft. I have had it for 10 years and it is an excellent bag. I have used it for 4 seasons in the Cascades, in May in the Ruth Gorge and June on Mt Hunter. Very versatile.

I eat a lot, and I am not thin by any stretch of the imagination.

I'll bite: Mon: Swim 4,000 yrds, run 8 miles, climb in the gym Tues: Lift weights 75 min, bike 40 miles Wed: Swim 4,000 yrds, run 8 miles, climb in the gym Thur: Swim 4,000 yrds, bike 40 miles Fri: Lift weights 75 min, run 8 miles Sat: Swim 4,000 yrds, 3 hour trail run on Tiger Mt Sun: Bike 60 miles, easy 90 min run up and down Mt Si Rest: What for?

Exact same setup as mine.

I believe the setback is 5 feet.

Not on purpose.

The first time I climbed Outer Space it poured rain all night long. Woke up the next morning and the route was dry. My guess is you should be ok unless it is actively raining on you while you climb. I have found having extra pieces in the #1 and #2 Camalot sizes is helpful, but not absolutely necessary. Hexes in that size range work well. Shoes are nice to walk off in.

I was just talking to a colleague yesterday who mentioned he was able to get up most of the way to the trail head but there was some blow down blocking access all the way. He said the snow line was surprisingly high, around 3,000 feet.

I think it would go. As I recall the climbing was not too difficult, but it was a tight squeeze behind the chockstone, all on rock with good features. A lean guy like you should be able to do it.

Alex, Matt Perkins and I tried the right hand finish. There was a chockstone that we were unable to tunnel under so we downclimbed and took the left hand finish. http://www.mountainwerks.org/alexk/climb/TRNEButtressCouloir.htm

I have a FF Widgeon with Epic fabric that I used on Denali. I thought it worked fine, shed spilled liquids well and allowed perspiration to escape.

The best climbers in your state live in Washington.

Sounds like fun. I will run it this summer.

I think the fellow who mentioned that it is important to choose a good surgeon is spot on. I know a fellow who had a very minor version of the same surgery I had who can barely walk following his surgery. In my case the disk had ruptured, became infected and the adjoining vertebrae also became infected. The surgeon said the L5 and S1 vertebrae were the consistency of cottage cheese when he operated on me. He had to remove half each of the two vertebrae, bridge the gap with a piece of femur from a cadaver and screw it together with two steel plates and 8 large screws. Today I run ultra marathons, climb, ski, swim, and bike. The surgery has not held me back at all. If you decide on surgery, or just want a really good second opinion, I would highly recommend Dr. Reginald Knight at Orthopedics International in Kirkland. He is certainly one of the best spine surgeon in the PNW. Good luck!

I had an L5-S1 lumbar fusion. I was back to all normal activities within a few months and all pain is gone. Good luck.

Yes

That is what Alex told me after I broke my leg. how bad did you break? The break was not bad, it only took 6 weeks to heal. The sprain was much worse, 4 months later and I am still back to full activities.

That is what Alex told me after I broke my leg.

Les Schwab does front end alignments I think. I have always had good service from Les Schwab.

Same here in February 2000. I came back a few years later in April and we found the crux ice couloirs well iced. The route we did the first time was significantly more difficult than the standard route.