dberdinka

What is the "Beast Couloir".

So are you saying that where you use to leave the quarry road and follow the old-starting-to-overgrow road towards the sisters, that road is now graded with a bridge over the shallow creek? Anyone try driving up the Blue Mountain Road? Thats been gated forever......

The chimneys have been skied, though the summer route would probably have at least one and maybe a couple very steep, exposed traverses on what are normally narrow trails across ledges. The rest should be up to 50 degrees(?) Everytime I've done the summit (all of twice) in winter the last bit (a pitch) is steep, flaky rime ice. Fun stuff not really protectable. No cornices on route.

Somehow my Blue Patagonia Puffball Jacket w/ Hood did not make it home with me after climbing at Marble Canyon on Sunday January 13th. Lots of people there, if someone picked it up give me a holler! 360-734-0392 or dberdinka AT gmail DOT com. Thanks so much.

Just received a CD of photos from a trip that feels way to long ago. Wine Spires in late June of 2007. Sun, warmth, dry rock. June, thats only five months from now. I can't wait... Rebel Yell Ramp-Rage Action Potential

For anyone planning to ski the East Face Couloir my thoughts would be that it would very difficult to find it in good condition in mid-winter. The lower half has a funky weird double-fall line that gets hammered by ice, snow and rock peeling off the east face. It bakes in the early morning then goes into shade quite quickly. We found a breakable ice crust over looser snow which would make for horrible skiing. Maybe best in the spring or after a warmer than average dry spell? Other than that the angle probably isn't more than 45 with plenty of width.

A pic of the unclimbed ice route mentioned above, ~600' vert I'm guessing.

I've got some ancient ropes, exhausted packs and frayed harnesses sitting in my basement. Does anyone know if it's at all possible to recycle this stuff or is it just destine for the landfill?

Not Shuksan. I'm sure Klenke's stood on top of this thing, though I doubt he approached from this angle...

Hmmm. Either no cares or everyone's stumped. Hint #2 It's within a few miles of the Mount Baker Highway.

No. South of the Border...

Ooooh! Oooooh! Can I play this game?

Bellingham is sweet. Unfortunately there is no local cragging to speak off. Index, Squamish, D-Town are all about 90 miles away. Erie is better than generally thought (I think) but it's still at 45 minutes away. The Y-wall does not compare to a real gym....WWU is for groms. Lots of mtn biking, hiking and kayaking to do right on the edge of town. Ski area is an 1hr 15min out of town and the N Cascades are about 2 hrs.

GREAT MOVIE! I find it amusingly ironic that in reality Chris McCandless was essentially trying to get as far away from Sean Penn as possible and look what happened!

Harris Street Cafe in Fairhaven (corner of 11th and Harris) is a great breakfast spot. In downtown B'ham along Railroad the Old Town Cafe is popular with granola eater's. The Little Cheerful on the corner of Railroad draws a crowd as well. There's always the Bagelry when you don't feel like waiting for a table. Burgers and Beer = Boundary Bay Tequila + Burritos = Casa que Pasa both on Railroad La Fiamma has amazing pizza bit more family oriented though

Someone must have an old pair of Silvretta's gathering dust? Hook me up! PM or e-mail to dberdinka AT yahoo DOT com. Thanks!

Dude, I'm sorry but you must be ..oh forget it. All that "complex" formula says is temperatures decrease 3.5 degrees per 1000' of altitude. Rerality can vary considerably from that.

Araya turned 16 months yesterday. She's been walking strong for almost a month now, hiking trips with her have become that much more fun! It's amazing the patience you develop for your own child . Excelsior Ridge Trail on Sept 12th, 2007

Cool Trip. Can you post more photos of the climb?

So what's the carbon footprint of all the hikers driving to the Pilchuck Trailhead? Maybe they should just close the road in Granite Falls? What a lame bunch of arguements, seems like they should focus on the noise pollution aspect....

I think that would be fine unless you want to haul some 4' sections of 4x4 up there.

Just checked it out at the local magazine shop. Beautiful full page photos..couldn't bring myself to shell $13 out for Alpinist though.... Nice work John!

I've always preferred mine shorter as I can always pound them to the hilt in a much greater variety of cracks.

I so want that.. but I'm sure there is someone out there who could put it to better use....

Wow! I can't imagine the desert SW has anything on that. How tall and how wide at the base is that thing?