DPS

I was openly critical of a hiker who, against posted leash laws, took her dog on an exposed summit unleashed. The dog chased a mountain goat and fell and was injured. A couple posters (KirkW, Num1Num (I think) accused me of 'being mean to dogs'. I am not mean to dogs, I own two dogs and love them dearly. I think it is unreasonable for dog owners to expose their pets to unnecessary risks while ignoring posted leash laws that would have prevented the accident.

Generally speaking, these types of tents aren't meant for storing gear to save weight and space on tiny ledges.

Mine says "Wag more, bark less". You know, because I'm mean to dogs.

Are you expecting to use this as a two person tent? It was marketed as such in my Mountaingear catalogue, but from your photos it looks really tiny, smaller than my ID MK1.

Be aware of the objective hazards: used syringes, used condoms, human feces, and weirdos dressed up in superhero costumes hitting each other with foam bats.

What is the fabric like? A laminate or more like the BD Firstlight?

Started out dry but turned cold and wet, about 140% to 150% of normal snow pack. Much of this snow is late season snow (we had the wettest March in 62 years). http://www.nwac.us/data/CLISNO

Thanks.

Just out of curiosity, who made the custom vestibule? ID does not offer one for the MK1.

Big difference in weather after July 4th vs May-June.

I'm guessing that was spring, as most Lib Ridge Ascents occur May-June.

That's pretty speculative to assume the hikers/climbers did not know how to dig a snow cave. It may be that they dug great snow caves and are still there. I'd say there is a huge difference between mid winter and mid July, having climbed Rainier multiple times during both periods.

Here is a generic article I wrote about getting into alpinism: http://www.summitpost.org/alpinism-101-an-introduction/756518

This guy is either a nut or a tool. Can't figure out which.

This baloney has a first name and its N o B o l t s.

He must be funning the locals.

While climbing NF of Chair in winter for the first time I was belaying my second from the top of the first pitch. This was right after Nelson and Potterfield's guidebook came out so there were a dozen parties on the face. One guy leading, about 100' above the 'schrund leans back on this tools and simply falls off the face, hits the slope and keeps sliding. About six climbers cued up walk over to him, pick him up and carry him out.

Is this a joke? Using a nut tool as a sky hook then expecting the company to pay for your medical expenses? This must be a joke.

I wondered about the ATC comment as well. ATCs must be about the most popular style belay device used. If there was a problem with them I'd expect to hear more ATC related accidents.

Thanks for the positive feedback. I wrote it to answer the questions that seemed to come up repeatedly.

Spire Rock at Sprinker Park in Spanaway. http://www.co.pierce.wa.us/pc/services/recreate/spirerock.htm. I used to boulder there when I lived in T-Town. Come for the greasy climbing, stay for the ambiance.

Here is a link to an article on SP.com I wrote that you might also find useful: http://www.summitpost.org/so-you-want-to-climb-mt-rainier/507227

I think a lot of new climbers wring their hands over what to carry on the Big R because it is one of the few variables they have control over. One can also train appropriately, but one can't control the weather, objective hazards, conditions on the mountain, or their physiology and reaction to altitude. Also, taking time off from busy schedules, flying across the country, etc costs more time and money than driving from Seattle so non locals want to stack the odds in their favor as much as possible. Not to mention non locals do not have the opportunity to work out their systems on lower but similar mountains like Mt Baker.

Deadmanned trekking poles work well in snow or with rocks piled on them in dirt. One approach is to bring all the gear to the trailhead and make a decision on what to leave behind based on recent climber/ranger reports, current weather forecasts, conversations with returning climbers, etc.

FWIW, never use a shovel to remove snow from the tent itself. Small burrs can catch and easily tear the tent wall. Use a gloved hand or arm to sweep snow off.