dberdinka

I'm guessing every big grotty north facing low elevation peak looks pretty much like that right now. Think lower half of Big Four, Hall Peak (Silverton Sickle is probably fat along with 100 other lines). Wish I could but every day there's something that gets in the way

Found this image on NW Hikers Lake 22 Headwall its 2600' tall!

Les MacDonald did numerous really cool climbs on Mt Shuksan during the 50's and early 60's as well. A 20 pitch climb on Lake Anne Butte, the Labor Day Wall on the summit pyramid and maybe most impressive of all a horseshoe traverse of Nooksack Tower, Nooksack Ridge and Jagged Ridge. Burly! He also climbed the Colehead Wall Direct with Hank Mather during the same time. I think some of that stuff was as hard as anything being done in the Cascades at the time. He's my hero.

correct. short ones. 1 each of #1, #2, #3 and #5 should suffice for everything. Or just a #2 and a #5. LAs can be nice too. I like the #5. Bring a baby angle too. There, 4 pins that should pretty much have you covered.

As driveable as it gets. Sounds like you can drive within a 1.5-2 hr walk of the peak.

You've exceeded the picture limit Justin!.....but to anyone interested NOW might be the time to go get some. The amount of ice you'll find could be questionable but you'll definitely be able to get there.

Nice....thats a great mountain for winter climbing and I don't think there are to many periods when the road is still almost driveable to the end. Might have to get in there...

Thats plenty close as I recall. Where you climbing?

Salish is an amazing climb. The rock quality is top notch and the scenery is just incredible. Definitely one of the top ?10 alpine rock climbs in Washington. "animals" ha! I don't think that adjective has been attached to my name before. Come on people, gene, offwhite, all you sprayers, post up! Nothing wrong with a little on topic content.

Errr.... no, at least not anytime soon. I hear the locals will let the air of your tires and deficate on the hood of your car if they hear any outsiders tinking away on a hammer. Though I always thought the arete/crows nest line on Squire Creek Wall looked so beautiful.... Lots of granite, gabbro and greenshist closer to home just screaming for someone to come out an violate.

There's a huge and healthy population of cougars in Washington. I've seen extactly one in 35 years and it fully intended to be see. While plenty of people see cougars (when allowed too) when was the last time someone found the remains of one? Large predators don't leave a lot of evidence behind it seems.

Fess up Billcoe. You've got a crate of them sitting in your basement.

I'm gonna bump this a couple times....

Several

20% of any one item at REI outlet right now Could get an Edelweiss Sharp 10.5 x 60m for $144 ($260 rope) or a Blue Water Accelerator 10.5 x 60m nondry for $104 or a Maxim 10.5 by 60m for $100 Wish I hadn't alreay bought a bucket of new ropes a couple months back...

That sounds like a hell of a good day.

The Sphinx - North Ridge - II 5.9 The Sphinx is a relatively small granitic peak located in the remote and lightly traveled heart of Garibaldi Provincial Park. Gettingg there is every bit as appealing as the climb itself and involves a long but straighforward approach through forest, meadow, volcanic moonscapes, high passes and multiple glaciers. The north ridge is a short but highly enjoyable rock climb on sound granite. The climbing gets progessively more difficult and ends with a spectacular pitch of vertical to overhung jam cracks (5.8+). See SW BC Select Guide for more information. Approaching the North Ridge Mid-5th class slabs low on the North Ridge The Sphinx & Garibaldi from high camp

Guidelines One route per person No duplication Short Description 1-3 good photos Spray elsewhere

Thats badass. I wonder if it isn't the first true descent of that line. The "first" descent by a snowboarder back in the day started below the traverse you describe and while I know some skiers who have done similar I've never heard of anyone punching it up through the gut to the Hanging Glacier. More pics!

When I voted for Obama I was hoping (HOPING!) for a bag full of quarters, seems like a few pennies might be all we get.

Bit of a long shot but...If you've got one sitting around collecting dust let me know. PM or e-mail. dberdinka AT gmail DOT com

I scoped it quicly this fall by climbing the standard route. The first pitch is packed with greenery but otherwise looks pretty good. The last pitch ends with 40ish feet of face climbing on what is poor quality granite for the area. I wasn't left feeling overwhelmed by the potential qualityof the climb.

So...can we start from the top..... ..why is it you hate people with nice tents? Does it extend to cars, boxes of cereal, phones... ...or is it just tents?

I'm interested. Where are you? Going to Sausage Fest? you could e-mail at dberdinka AT gmail DOT com

Please keep it that way!