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DPS

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Posts posted by DPS

  1. I went up to Cascade Pass this weekend to attempt an alpine route. Unfortunately, our chosen route was not in the condition we had hoped for so we spent the day climbing waterfalls. All along Cascade River Road there are a number of water falls anywhere from 1/2 to 2 miles up the road from where it is gated at mile 20 (parking lot for Eldorado approach).

    The particular waterfall we climbed was at about mile 21.5 up an obvious avalanche chute. The waterfall cascades over hanging slabs forming alternating vertical pillars and curtains and 60 degree thin ice slabs for 4 pitches. Belays were good and rappels went off of trees (one rock anchor rap). I saw two other waterfalls up the same drainage that would make a trip in there totally worthwhile. Temps were a bit warm and the waterfall was melting as we were climbing. Difficulty was probably a stiff WI 3 with more difficult variations available.

    I think access most years is easy until January, when deepening snow makes the drive up the road increasingly difficult. As it was we barely made it with a high clearance vehicle and chains (no 4WD). I am not sure if the park service ever plows the road but it is obviously maintained as several trees that had fallen across the road had been cut and removed recently. The snow that is currently falling may spell an end to easy access. However, it is just a matter of parking lower and skiing farther up the road. There is potential for perhaps 20-30 pitches of ice within a 1 1/2 hour approach from the gate.

  2. The Yashica T4 and the Olympus Stylus Epic are both good choices. They quality point and shoot cameras that are weather proof and light weight. Cost is 150.00 and 100.00 respectively.

    FWIW, I would not bring an SLR on another climbing trip. Trying to focus and frame, set exposure etc, is very difficult while climbing. Its worth the weight in the hands of a talented photographer, but for me a point and shoot takes better photos with much less weight.

  3. On Sunday I climbed NE Buttress and saw Colin soloing the north face. He said it was in fine condition. NE Butt was ok, the weather since then should bring it into better condtion. Tried the NE Slab of the Tooth on Saturday. It did not go for us. Found 2-3 inches of rotten ice overlayed by snow. If this weather pattern persists, the conditions should improve.

  4. Black Diamond Express screws are widely regarded as the best around. 17 cm seem to be the most usefull length. Having one or two shortys (13 cm or 10 cm) for thin ice and a long one (22 cm) for V-threads and belays are also nice to have.

    I have used Grivel and Smileys as well as Black Diamond and found them to be decent screws but not as nice as Black Diamonds. (The finish on my Grivel chipped and corroded quickly). The BD Express screws were much easier to place than any other in cold, hard Alaskan ice.

  5. Black Diamond Shrike ice tools. I bought these to replace an old pair of CMs. The weight is not concentrated in the head so they lack 'punch' for waterfalls, the head is incredibly uncomfortable to grap in cane mode, the adze is ridiculously small and has a stupid shape, the rubber grip is easily damaged and the picks are not as durable as CMs.

  6. I tried on all of the belay parkas out there; Golite's 6 Month Night, Marmot's Belay Paka, Patagonia's DAS, Lowe's. The one I liked best (and bought) is Wild Thing's Belay Parka. The cut is great, much better than the Marmot, and is more stuffable than the DAS or Golite. It is very simple and light with only the features you need; a couple of pockets and a hood big enough to fit over my lamp shade like helmet. I am most impressed with the fit and finish. At $260.00 it is the same cost as the DAS and only a little more expensive than the Marmot.

  7. In response to EPB's post regarding moldable liners for climbing boots: the answer is yes. Intuition makes the Denali liner specifically for plastic climbing boots. Essentially a lower cut version of their ski boot liners. The price is 148.00. I have ordered a pair for my Scarpas for an upcoming Alaskan trip.

  8. How often do you suggest doing pullups? Everyday? Every other day? Currently I do two weight lifting workouts a week, (pullups, bench press, triceps extensions, wrist curls, biceps curls, hamstring curl, leg press, leg extension.) Should I be doing pullups on the off days as well?(On the off days I do staremaster, situps, trailrunning, climbing, etc)

  9. You are asking a lot from this BBS to be forgiven for ignorance. I will suggest that the NE Buttress of Chair is more likely to be in good nick than the North Face, ONCE AVY CONDITIONS SETTLE DOWN. I know that route was climbed this time last year. I feel it is a much higher quality route, with more interesting climbing and better protection than the North face.

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