AlpineK

Backcountry skiing involves the uphill part and the downhill part. You can learn the downhill part at a ski area. Spend some time and money on lift tickets. You should buy some gear that you'll use for tele/AT in the backcountry and ski at the area on that. Stay off the groomers. Either ski the powder on the edges of runs or look in the trees off the run. If they have pseudo backcountry runs then ski on them. For the uptrack go through a guide and pick out an easy and short tour. At first you should try and go to popular spots where other skiers have packed an uptrack. Hopefully you know or can learn how to do kick turns. Once you've done this come back and we'll talk about trail breaking.

Tony sure is looking all over the board for something I'd think about it if I knew where this Mt Rainer was.

I'd be careful Tony. There are a lot of climbers here that lack knowlage or know much about this Mt. Rainer.

WHY ARE NONE OF YOU PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT SPACE ALIENS

It's so close. Cold snaps are cool.

I can go on Friday.

DILLIGAFF

I'm investing in cigarette lighter companies. I hear that when the recession really hits folks will be burning stuff.

This discussion is kind of interesting. I don't have any kids, but I grew up in a house with a bunch of pictures of my dad off on some crazy glacier up in Canada. I used to love looking at those pictures, and as a kid it inspired me to think, "when I get big I'm doing that." I started my climbing by hiking then scrambling. I think the first things I ever climbed were Mt. Ruth and Mt. Daniel at about age 10 or so. Crag climbing was always presented to me as something to do to train for the real thing that being mountain climbing. Anyway things are different now. It's nice to see you folks taking your kids out climbing at a crag or wherever.

There sure is some cool skiing down in Central OR. I'm sad to say I've only skied at Bachelor back years ago. One of these days that will have to change.

I got into the mounties with parents permission at age 14, but that was in the 70s. As things stand right now I don't believe they will accept 14 year olds. You might look into other groups.

Once again that's some great stuff Sherri! I'll be happy when I put some new windows in my place, but that's simple compared to the stuff you're doing.

I'm new to the whole helmet thing. This winter I've been using a Leedom Prophet helmet. It fits goggles just fine. I have Smith goggles. The thing has some vents in the top that open and close. It has ear flaps. Right now it can be a little too hot on the uptrack. I wear it when I'm doing something sketchy no matter what. I have no idea what it will be like in the spring since this upcoming spring will be a first for me.

Contact Off White here. He can fill you in on his property, and Fossil Rock. He has folks over to climb on Wednesday evenings at his place. I've never climbed at OW's, and I've only been to Fossil Rock once. Fossil Rock is south and east of Ft Lewis. It's up some gated roads that you can either walk or bike to. The rock there is very similar to the rock at Smith. I don't believe that anything is more than half a rope tall. The main advantage is it would be close to Olympia and it has nice views of Rainier.

The closest climbing I can think of is Fossil Rock or OW's place.

I thought I'd post some pictures from skiing, The snow was pretty nice up by Chair Peak this sunday. Skiers in the East Bowl of Chair Pk East Face of Chair Pk Tracks above Source Lake

I went to the memorial service. It was a good event. It started with some chanting and then some Sherpas talked about how much great stuff Ed Hillary did for their people.

They've got Moon Boots for sale here. :lmao: :lmao:

Have fun, but the skiing sucks in J Tree ---> I wouldn't want to be there.

Tempest! Tempest ruled.

I'd like to hear some opinions on the Canadian topo system.

I'd like to hear some views on this subject too.

That's some hard core stuff Erden's doing.

Yeah yeah. I'm more interested in the local debate Tvash vs KK/Fairweather or others.