Rodchester

"Munoz had planned to board down this route, and return to the summit the same way." But then why would he leave "all of his climbing equipment, including his helmet on the summit ...?"

He did it...that is cool. Too often people assume others can't do it, if they can't do it. One thing climbing has tought me....is that often others can do it...even when I can't.

Usually August and into September are best. Dry and clear.

Hey b-rock: Let us know how they treat you on returning the rope. I have used Maxim ropes for years and been happy with them...but I have never really had to deal with CS...so I am curious.

Lowell: What is your position on this?

The Mountaineers are going to mad at you guys. Tisk tisk tisk.

just getting this up there...any one?

"Buy your Forest Service Pass at REI and then return it next year." I can see it now...Um...it doesn't work any more....one day it just stopped working. I'm not satisfied with this product. Ok ok I'll accpet store credit.

Clean the material inside and out. put seam grip on both the inside and out. Put duct tape over the inside section, while the seam grip is wet. It will last a long ass time. I have a pair that is older than dirt and with a few of these repairs....they have not peeled at all.

Aether 60 Has anyone ever used thjis pack? I am looking for some feedback on this pack. Looking to use it for a general alpine pack, want it big enough to do two - three day volcano mountaineering trips, but light/small enough to use on shorter lighter trips. It seems like a good balance between pack weight, pack size, and ability to carry loads. Any info appreciated.

And the view from the lower saddle crapper is nice....

Hmmm...since the road is still snow covered I think I'll pass with this group. Maybe in a few more weeks. I am open to any suggestions for a easy climb (low fifth class with some snow or even a good fourth class scramble with some snow) that allows an easy approach when camping. You know the kind of one day climb if your in shape and have your shit together but with a group and newbies You know...two days is a nice pace and within a few hours from Seattle. Any help is appreciated.

Thinking of taking wife and a newbie friend up this thing. Never been in the area. Any general route beta would be appreciated as well as any beta on approach and access. Can you camp in or around the ghost town?

Ecuador is fun. Chimbo is one of the better BIG mountains. Coto is fun...fairly easy, and straight forward. If you have the technical ablities and are looking for a more remote peak, try El Altar. El Altar is pretty much the crown jewel of Ecuador. I liked Ecuador, but Peru is better. The peaks in Peru are just unbelevably beautiful. Mountains...as opposed to volcanos.

Trask: I tend to agree with you. Some of the Ultra-lightweight stuff you see now-a-days seems almost like one time use stuff. You fart next to it..and it tears open. Maybe if you were running a cross-country style race and did not intend on using it over a long period of time. Trial running, again might work. The trick for alpine climbers seems to be finding the balance between weight, function, and durability. A hard combo to find in one package...or pack. I also agree that the Kamsin 30 and 38 are a damn good balance of the three. Especially the 38, for alpine climbers...the 30 is a bit small.

PMS/Nelson carries these packs. PMS/Packs

One of the better books I have read along this topic line (who made the first summit or lieing about the summit) is called the Grand Controversy by Orrin H. Bonnie. It is about the claimed first ascent of the Grand Teton. If you are familar with the Grand and have climbed the Owens Spaulding route it is a very good read and eye opening. I must admit it REALLY made me belive that there were others that reached the summit prior to Owens. It is very well written, researched, and dcoumented. Basically, others had summited the peak many years prior and didn't think much of it, they reported it, but didn't thump thier chests. Owen then (about twenty yeras later) sets out to be the first. (Many had forgotten about the others' claims because they didn't pump themselves up). After many attempts Owen summitted and then set out to trash the other claimed summiters in order to have it be known he was first. This Owen guy was a real piece of work and represents everything climbers of today try not to be (majority of us anyway). Good read, pick it up.

2 cents: Just because tracks weren't seen doesn't mean they wern't there. People get really focused and walk right by things all the time. Glaciers/snow fields are white and often have contours that while small, can join to camafloge tracks and other marks. The tricams are said to be there...don't believe it? Go see if they are there or not. Then talk shit. Good climbing Colin. And you even left some mountain booty for some lucky climber to pick up.

Ok Ok Ok Erik...and others, you are right. It is in bad taste. Yes I did chuckle, and I am sorry. But taken in the context of the spray that others have dished out and others have endured, I'm not so sure the moderators should supress it. Some here have dished it out and said fuck off now seem offended. No harm meant from me to those special people.

No Comment [ 05-15-2002, 04:56 PM: Message edited by: Rodchester ]

That is good to hear. I have always been very happy with BD products and service. True they have put out some junk, but more so than most any other company they make bomber stuff and they stand by thier gear with good service.

Troy Moss: I agree it is a good route. It needs to be inshape and can turn into a bowling alley. Early in season is best.

I went up with a few buddies on Sunday. Yes it was a circus...but I think that is the point. Just a group gathering, skiing/boarding down in dresses to celebrate our moms. The conditions were great. The skiing down rocked too. I took my skis of at the parking lot. Anyone expecting a wilderness experience on Helens is high on crack.

Look again, Dan Larson is your man on this one.

I also think this is not a clear D or R issue. Clinton, and many if not most Ds in congress, backed the fee demo plan orginally and again the extend the testing period. This is the politicians' way of not having to do what we elect them to do, manage the budget, balance the books. Cantwell SAYS has concerns? So what. She isn't going to change her mind to go against it because she is a D. She is going to vote such that she risks alienating as few people as possible. Climbers and hikers that disagree with the fee demo are few, when compared to the masses anyway. Fight the power puddy