DPS

I'm just curious, what routes are you guys doing that you find hauling features so neccessary? I've found that between the advent of mixed climbing becoming a 'thing' and the ubiquituousness of 'light is right gear' very few objectives need to be hauled other than the odd tight chimney. I like the bright, contrasting straps idea, now that I think of it, they are always black regardless of the main sac color. I have a pack that you can pass the strap through the top pocket making an effective lumbar pack, but I've only used it that way once in many years.

Also, make it in 80's Eruo trash neon pink or yellow. Not enough bags available in those colors anymore.

Feathered Freinds, Marmot Mountain Works, Pro Mountain Sports. Hey, I've coined a phrase!

Take this backpack and add an external crampon attachment (straps or pouch between the ice tool holders) http://promountainsports.com/index.php/packs/20-45-liters/balance-light-40.html

Don't get me wrong, the Price Glacier is perhaps the most significant summer alpine ice route I've done in the Cascades. We experienced significant rock and ice fall that was too close for comfort. I expect earlier in the season it might have less objective hazards in addition to being technically easier.

Just curious, who is your guide? Not that I want to go back and climb it again mind you, once was enough.

Have fun. In mid August it was full on. Mid June should be more reasonable.

This kid has some outstanding mountain scenery on his website: http://www.joshklewis.com/index.php

Saw a guy hiking up Mt Si with a plastic lawn chair strapped to his back with a kid who must have been like 8 sitting in it. I'm sure some sort of bet had been involved.

I've found Patagonia to fit very well and be more durable than other brands. I also like Wild Things and Marmot for their fit and function.

My worst time crossing the border was to go to Squamish to rock climb with my daughter when she was 8. I had her birth certificate and ss card. The guard wanted a notarized letter from her mother indicating it was ok for me, her father, to take her across the border. I explained her mother left when she 15 months old and has not been able to be located as she kept moving to avoid paying child support. We were detained and separated, my daughter interogated to make sure I was not kidnapping her. Around the same time a female teacher kidnapped a student, carried none of the kid's identification and was not challenged at the border. Gender profiling at work.

To answer what I think you are asking, yeah, nobody will be happy seeing crampon marks and enhanced holds on Outter Space, but if the ice forms up you shouldn't be damaging the rock anyway. Perhaps I lack imagination or fail to climb M at any reasonable level, but the smooth slabs and hand side cracks don't really invite full on dry too fests.

A lot of my partners like to smoke grass while climbing.

My dogs workout so hard sometimes when I walk them they throw up. But I think its really because they eat grass.

In this country (Bremeton) a sexually abused boy brought this mother's boyfriend's loaded handgun to school to protect himself and accidently shot a classmate. It was the 9 year old kid who was charged with a crime, not the parents who allowed access or the uncle who was sexually abusing the boy. That's how it goes down here.

Good suggestions Gene. Colchuck Lake (Dragontail and Colchuck Peaks) would be a totally worthwhile trip on a hot day. Colchuck Glacier can be icy - take axe and crampons. From east of Leavenworth drive south on HWY 97 to get to I-90 South Face of Ingalls would be a pretty easy day trip, not more that 10-12 hours even for a slow party me thinks.

Early July might not be too hot. I've climbed there some july 4th weekends when it was downright chilly. Depends on how early in July and the year. One can reasonably follow the shade and climb early in the morning and late in the afternoon and go swimming during the hottest part of the day if it is an issue.

Geezus, DPS, what the hell happened to you?! I noticed those short little legs on your dog in the photo--impressive for the little guy. You didn't kick him the whole way, did you? I don't kick the little guy, but I have to carry him sometimes. He's getting a bit long in the tooth. I'm *recovering* from a serious illness. Being out of the hospital and off of IV pain drugs is big step forward. Walking the dogs is like an expedition.

You better rest up after that, Bud. (but you can probably climb a hell of a lot better than I) I can barely climb off the couch right now. 2 1/2 miles is a big deal for me and my short legged dogs.

I walked the dogs 2 1/2 miles.

Vantage will likely be very warm, and kinda sucks anyway. Leavenworth would be good and has a good variety of moderate single pitch sport and trad. You can find shade if its hot. Viktor Kramar's guide book to Leavenworth is standard http://www.amazon.com/Leavenworth-Second-Edition-Viktor-Kramar/dp/B000U69294/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1330828879&sr=1-3-fkmr0. Dave Whitelaw's 'Weekend Rock Climbs' http://www.amazon.com/Weekend-Rock-Washington-David-Whitelaw/dp/0898869846 is a good one also and covers other areas. Index in July is pretty great, but you should be pretty solid at trad 5.9 if you want to climb much there. Sky Valley Rock by Daryl Cramer covers Index. http://www.amazon.com/Sky-Valley-Rock-Climbs-Skyomish/dp/0967853109/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1330828948&sr=1-2

Wow, great idea Dan! Thanks, Dan, I sure thought so. Wow, great idea Dan! Thanks, Dan, I sure thought so. Hey thanks Gene, I sure thought so.

Wow, great idea Dan! Thanks, Dan, I sure thought so.

A hardshell should fit over all the layers you plan on climbing/moving in. Your belay jacket should fit over all of these.

I'll attest to that. And a girl who fills out a pair of Carharts nicely at that.