max

So Gene: what's the "best" way to back up a rappel? prussik above the belay device? autolocking device above the belay device? Rappel deaths seem to have good "gear" solutions if you know the right gear and configuration. Dave

Not to sound like a dumb-ass (oops, too late), but is that Tonasket?

ah yeah, Nooksack ridge. My mistake. last winter (and for several before that) an easy crossing on a log jam.

I'm not sure which crossing you're talking about... at the end of the (summer) driveable road (to get to second half of road/trail), or at the end of the trail/just before entering the cirque (to get to Price Lake/Nooksack Ridge)? At the end of the road, last winter there was a log jam immediately down the trail from the parking lot. Gets you onto a big sand bar, then (sometimes requires) another log jam to cross a braid that shows up in high water. Overall, chill. Last time I was up the trial, I saw some flagging right at the wilderness boundary sign (recently smashed by a snag and (I think) put back up) that (I think) marked a route to a snag across the Nooksack. But I can't remember that part. Know I saw some flagging. But that's only if you're trying to cross the Nooksack to get to Price Lake et al.

Those customizations make my iphone 4 on 3G choke like NOTHIN! The original kantola graphs worked 100% of the time and quick-like.

oh yeah! I'm following this because those graph WERE awesome, especially on a low-data phone.

Nice colors.

I think the Spring guide books ruined many hikers for many places, scaring them off with rants of rude and out-of-control bikers. I always find these places empty. Bonus.

I haven't heard anyone talking about this issue and I bet no one is. Ignore the whole issue.

sent a PM

Good video. Sobering.

Not sure what your looking for (distance/days) or where your looking (basically, how far you're willing to drive) but here are some routes I have had good luck with: 1. Wells Cr Rd out of Glacier is currently gated at mile one and continues passably another... 14 (?) miles to the Cougar divide trail head. Really neat river scene at mile 4-ish, great views of Baker soon after. Zero traffic guaranteed. 2. I suggest it mostly because of its location: There's a network of USFS roads NW of Darrington I've ridden that get you into some cool forested/(and deforested) areas. Not much majestic vistas, but neat places none the less. I made a loop from Darrington clockwise along FR18 to FR 17 to the Concrete- Sauk River Rd and back to Darrington via Hwy530. 3. Smith Brook off of Steven's pass will have traffic the first 3-4 miles, but once it drops over in to Lake Wenatchee, you're golden. I'd suggest starting at Hwy2/Smith Brook, riding over to a campground in the Little Wenatchee River, then back the next day. It will be hot. Welcome to the suck. 4. Speaking of lake wenatchee, Check out the Chumstick/Maverick Saddle/Entiat ridge/Eagle creek loop. Starts near Freund Canyon (Bikes and Brews place), Heads north towards Plain, veers NE to Maveric Saddle on Entiat Ridge, south along the ridge, and back west/south to the car via Eagle creek. GREAT views of the area, long climb/descent, overall very high quality road surface, and I bet you see 10 cars off the paved portion (approx 10 miles of pavement, 35 miles dirt. 5. Ok, even one more east. The Big Hill cabin can be accessed via Entiar River Rd/Shady Pass rd, or from Lake Chelan/25 Mile Creek. Both routes involve significant grinding (though really huge terrain), but Big Hill is a pretty amazing location. Again, embrace the heat as part of the environment. Honestly, I'd suggest opening your criteria to "open rds" too. In my experience, if the road is at all remote, the traffic is minimal. Cascade River Rd is the busiest rd around, and I've ridden it (lame) and it was pretty quiet overall. I'd suggest an overnighter if this is your first bike camping trip. Its just a great way to shake down what you need and don't really need. The less I carry, the more I enjoy the ride! If you don't like smoke, consider checking the the O-W national forest website for fire info. Please report back on what you end up doing.

Safe? Sure. 99% of the "falls" on a glacier just aren't falls, they're slips, and the forces involved are 1/20 those involved in even top rope climbing. Your rope won't snap. A good rope for a glacier? Doubt it. Admittedly, I've become more of a gear snob, but even a moderate size crag rope is too fat, too fuzz, too long, and primarily too heavy for a glacier rope. Safe, but not preferred. I have an old half rope (8.something by 100') that's been my glacier rope for a while now. But, as they say in tonasket, "run what ya brung."

Nice work, Sean!

BOOM! FUCK YEAH! Glad to hear it.

hanging by just the waist band sucks! In my opinion, you've got to have your legs supported too or your waist gets strangled.

two words: trucker's hitch

geosean: sent you a PM. Dave

My buddy is a land surveyor and he mentioned a not-so-new technology being used in commercial surveying these days. It's basically LIDAR (using a LASER to scan distances from above' like a fish finder but pinpointed), but position on the ground. The surveyors set up on a station, the devise does a 360 scan (scanning both horizontally and vertically, records distances from station. Then the surveyor sets up on another station, repeats the scanning, then moves to another station.... Using CT technology, the data from the different stations can be squashed into one 3d model. For the land surveying, they generate the model, then a technician views the data on a computer and keys up the model ("that's a tree, that's the edge of the curb, that's a hydrant...." My guess is these google goodies are created using this sort of technology. http://www.landairsurveying.com/3d-laser-scanning/ I think radiohead has a video out that was created using this tech.

It's important to know when you need to turn around (and head back up)

Anyone want to join me for a regular evening session at the Bellingham YMCA rockwall? I'm not that interested in what level you're climbing, more that you are willing to commit to a weekly session and that you're an attentive belayer. Give me a shout if your interested davidmichaelbrannon on the google email. Now all you haters can stop laughing b/c 1. Vital stinks. Literally. 2. I get a better workout at the Y b/c I climb more there. Vital is fun, but I end up "resting" so much! 3. I enjoy the "longer" climbs. 4. I enjoy the more quiet atmosphere at the Y. Just FYI. Flame on.

Found this just over the north side of goat mountain (Nooksack). Simmond hyperlite something something with montrail stickers. If it's yours and you want to pick it up in Bham, call me. Dave 360-319-3050

Hey d: Regarding camping near baker: check the hannegan pass rd. it has a good variety of designated and dispersed campsites. If leaves hwy 542 just after the shuksan WSDOT station and just before the hwy starts to seriously climb towards the ski area. It's signed. The road is about five miles long with most of the camping options early, but over half a dozen sites in the road end. I think this time of the yea you'll find something good. Regarding fisher chimneys: I don't think anyone can give you anything beyond a. Insignia report and you can search and browse that better than anyone can reply. My suggestion is go see. Bring your A game and e ready to turn around if you're in over you head. If you end up turning around at Annie's slide (the first real steep snow), you'll still have gone for one hell of a hike! Good luck

More data about this situation: Mt Ruth snow anchor failure A single anchor is no where near "fail-safe", let alone a single snow anchor!

Try the new east side approach. Starts with the elbow lakes trail approx 10 miles up the middle fork rd. Only the most oblivious will miss the signage from there. Doesn't get to the North Twin; move on.