Alex

Banff is two hours drive closer than Hyalite from SEA, if you go 90 then through Cranbrook.

ah yes, Duncan. geez some things never change.

glad you got some, looks like itll be slushy shortly, strange year!!

nice

There aren't many, but some of the better places for beginners in WA (when in...) Rainbow Falls area Leavenworth (when in and not threatened by icicles from above...) Devil's Punchbowl Banks Lake (when in...) Fugs Falls Vantage and Umptaneum Falls near Ellensburg If you really want to have a good excursion and are ok with a weekend trip, best bang for the buck is Marble Canyon and Rambles in Lillooet, BC

Yeah Pat you are right sorry for some reason I thought the poster was already skiing just wanted to get used to b/c gear.

I actually don't think a resort is a good place to go, the conditions are not "real", and the patrollers for one might not be very happy with you if you are toodling around during business hours. I would offer the Crystal backcountry, eg the uphill track heading out of the lot on the N? side to go into Buillon Basin or the track to get to Hermann Saddle next to Table Mountain as much better exercises in travel with skis even for the beginner. These are relatively safe, well travelled winter backcountry corridors. And once you are ready, you simply drop into the other side, eg into Gold Creek or Buillon Basin, or back side of Table, for real turns ...

I hope you are selling because you replaced them all with Turbo Express screws?

kudos for some great pics and a nice experience! Star filled night on Rainier is hard to beat, but the Christmas lights are a comeup for sure

These are my def of easy, YMMV... Cascade Pass Gothics with a nice view of Del Campo et al. Vesper with good views to Big Four Cutthroat Pass Get into Fisher Basin, or get to Wing Lake under Black

thanks for the report!

I also have used a similar product made by Mammut, which is kind of a contraption really, and I found the Gigi and Reverso/ATC Guide better than the Mammut product.

I bought a GiGi after Gene busted it out a few times back about 10 years ago, and I agree for guide mode its ok but the lack of versatility made me go reverse/ATC guide eventually, I really only want to carry 1 device.

Baring in the center.

whoever is charging you 250 for that Panasonic is minting money. Its worth 50$ at most. If you are patient with craigslist and start refining your searches, you can find really excellent bikes for reasonable sums.

nice effort nick. im sure mark and colin would get a kick that they helped you, but always remember the fire comes from within!

The ice floss is great for really long multi pitch routes where weight is at a premium, or complex mixed routes where there might be a lot of rope drag. Polar Circus, Murchison, Trophy Wall, that kind of stuff. But I tell you what it's very stretchy and pulling it on long rappels gets very tiring! Its so small diameter it's harder to grip and so stretchy that at the end of the line even with 2 strands its extremely bouncy. If you are just buying a cragging rope(s) I honestly would opt for thicker strands these days.

I just posted a reply to your PM. Basically, the Smart Car will make it to Lillooet. Just make the call when there whether to go up the Duffy, or not depending on the snow condish in town. If no Duffy, go to Marble.

you don't do any winter/alpine climbing anymore? It's a trick. Just like your red pants that day beneath Dragontail!!

I'm finally getting around to revising and adding a bunch of info from the last number of years to wastateice site. By my count there are 40+ new routes the last 3 years alone, and trying to keep up with them and my kids was ill-fated. But anyway, the revisions and updates (do/will) include but not be limited to: * Some links to fun ice-climbing videos * Bunch of better quality images and image updates all around. * Ellensburg and Coleman Falls online. * large Strobach revision, new routes. * large Leavenworth edits and revisions. * the 800-pound Gorilla: trying to get Alpental online * hopefully much more! If you browse the site and see missing stuff or errors, pls give me a shout. Thanks, Alex

full disclosure, I don't have a sled anymore, still want to go?

thx for the update. I will head in in next two weeks and see what happens.

Housing isn't too hard. And you will have no trouble whatsoever meeting people. If you can find work, there is little if any downside.

Nice!

very cool, that reminds me of slab ice climbing in new England, thanks for sharing!