Rodchester

SOLD!!! [This message has been edited by Rodchester (edited 04-27-2001).]

Steve C, What do you mean when you say a "summit" pack? To me a summit pack is small, lightweight, and compressable. The idea is to fit it into a larger pack, when needed, and then use it with a light load to push for the summit, or to use it as a day climb pack. If this is what you are looking for, check out this pack. It is a Lowe Contour 40. Simple, lightweight, and fairly compressible. It is great for cragging as well and I have done some one-night soloing in the North Cascades with it. It has two ice axe loops and the ability to add more space by using the shove-it type pocket on the outside. It also is a decent ski pack. Volume = 2400 cu. in. Weight = 1 lbs. 14 oz. It is likely the best deal for the cash right now. It is on sale through Campmor for $49.97 at: http://www.campmor.com/webapp/commerce/command/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=8933&prmenbr=226 From the packs that you mentioned, it sounds to me like you are looking for an alpine climbing pack. These are usually around 2800 ci to 3600 ci, and have a light or simple frame (single stay or framesheet). These are great here in the Cascades. I have a TNF Jetstream that is 3300 and is a great alpine pack that is no longer made, very similar to the BD Ice Pack. If you want to go really small and light Arc'Terx makes some kick ass new packs. Also the BD "Bullet" pack is designed to be worn while climbing, it rides high on the back and is designed to stay out of the way of your arms as you climb. The Bullet can be easily hauled as its Ballistics cloth stands up to any kind of abuse. Weighs 480 g (1 lb 1 oz) volume: 980 cu in (16 L) Good luck!!! ------------------ Have a nice day. [This message has been edited by Rodchester (edited 02-22-2001).] [This message has been edited by Rodchester (edited 02-22-2001).]

The Mountain Madness course also puts much emphasis on field work. Sounds to me like these two course are pretty similar. ------------------ Have a nice day.

rafael, The biggest problem with a VBL sock liner is that it holds the moisture in and it could lead to trench foot. This really sucks. So be damn sure you air out your feet and use plenty of foot powder to dry your feet. ------------------ Have a nice day.

I have taken Gary Brill's course and it was excellent. Gary is very well known and is often called by many of the so called avalanche experts. Many in the park service and forest service refer to Gary as "Mr. Avalanche." When you are known as such, the word "professinal" lacks impact. It is true that Gary's course focuses more on "backcountry" danagers faced by backcountry travellers, skiers, snowshoers, mountaineers, etc., and less on how to "trigger" or "control" an avalanche near a ski area. Put simply...if you want to be an avalanche worker take the NAI course. If your focus is backcountry travel...go with Gary. Those with the most knowledge seem to start with a course like Gary's and then grow by personal study, reading, field experience, and interaction with others who are knowledgeable. Good luck!!!! ------------------ Have a nice day.

There is a guy in Cincinnati Ohio, beleive it or not, that sells lots of odds and ends for climbers that you can't find elsewhere. I know he used to carry a VBL sock. I think it was made/distributed by Climb High? His name is Larry Sickman, and he runs a shop called the "Self-propelled outdoorsman." I am sure if you called 411 they would give you his number. Good luck.

Anyone been up to the Snoqualamie pass area in general, and Red Mountain in particular. Thinking about heading up to the area for a little jaunt this weekend. Any recent info is appreciated.... ------------------ Have a nice day.

I have used the Trango ice clips and I think they suck. I junked mine. A good bent gate biner and some rubber from a bike tube work just fine. The BD model does look like it would work well. ArcTerex makes a rubber band type thing that holds a bent gate in place....they rock. ------------------ Have a nice day.

The guy running the show at Nanutak is former Feathered Friends employee. The gear is slowly building a very good rep. You may want to consider a -5 to 0 degree, just because you can do it all in the Cascades with a 0 degree, winter, spring, summer, and fall. If you want a summer bag, consider going with 30 - 40 degree bag. Very light. I have a -5 down for winter, spring, and fall and a superlight 40 degree bag for summer. It is the way to go. 20 degree bags tend to be not warm enough for winter and too big and warm for summer. My two cents ------------------ Have a nice day.

http://www.bivouac.com/casbc/ice0001.htm It has been good and cold so some stuff may be in. Good luck. ------------------ Have a nice day.

Reconsider down. It is the best!!! Obviously, if you know you will get wet stick with synthetic, but if you just have the normal concerns about the wet PNW weather, go with down. Marmot and TNF both make good lightweight down sweaters and TNF makes a puffier parka with a hood that is still relatively lightweight. Down will last sooooo much longer than any synthetic. NO COMPARISON. ------------------ Have a nice day.

Whew...can you keep us informed on them. And ask them to post a trip report. Sounds like an epic. ------------------ Have a nice day.

While I tend to agree with you...why not just not use the bolt? If you want to use it, if you don't, don't. Let everyone choose for themselves? ------------------ Have a nice day.

What brand are the down bibs? ------------------ Have a nice day.

oops [This message has been edited by Rodchester (edited 02-13-2001).]

Nice tent...I used one of these once and I really liked it. Great mountaineering tent for the cascades. Light is right. But I already have a bibler. You should sell it fast. ------------------ Have a nice day.

Back in the day many people used conduit to pound into ice as pro. These were often left in place until the spring melt because they were a bitch, if not impossible, to pull. These were used on water ice as well as apline ice. It makes sense that a "tubular" picket like that shown on the web site would drive easier and give more holding power in rotten apline ice, bit I agree that if the water ice is that rotten you shouldn't even stand under it, let alone climb it. What it comes down to in my mind....this thing is just another picket. I have cut 3-foot SMC pickets into 18 inch pickets and made a pointed end on each section and used them without any problems. ------------------ Have a nice day. [This message has been edited by Rodchester (edited 02-09-2001).] [This message has been edited by Rodchester (edited 02-09-2001).]

D-elvis, Are you guiding for Mountain Madness or being guided by Mountain Madness? If you are being guided, are you doing a custom trip? If it is not a custom trip, I believe that M2 usually does the Adams Glacier route. ------------------ Have a nice day.

mant helmets are made of closed cell materials, such as styrofoam. Other than that...hmm? I just don't have any idea. ------------------ Have a nice day.

Go to Canada...Liloeet...Marble Canyon area. Closest good place to top rope ice....no avalanche danger and cheap hotels. ------------------ Have a nice day.

The funny thing is...if Twight was a little more...ok ok, a lot more humble, people wouldn't be trashing his actions, like his trashing Denali. I guess what I am saying is that if you live in a glass house, you should shit in the basement. Twight seems to have shit all over his glass house while telling us all to shit in our basements. Sure he is an exceptional alpinist, but so what. Sure his book is full of usefull and insightfull knowledge, but so what. He can do what he wants...just don't expect me to praise an ass that smells like shit. ps these postings should not require perfect puntuation or spelling, this is not a professional environment, but a social one. ------------------ Have a nice day.

I completely agree on the lexan....junk. I have had a Voile for 4+ years now and it does fine. I have seen some bend, and a couple of handles break. Short of a titanium version (imagine the cost on that), it is the best out there, when you consider the weight of steel. Just my opinion... ------------------ Have a nice day.

Classic....

I have one BD Android leash. I have used five other types of leashes, two BD types, one DMM (sucked), Grivel, and one charlet moser...... BD Android wins hands free...so to speak. Easy, quick, but somewhat expensive. It does take some adjustment and is not good for alpine. Just my view.... ------------------ Have a nice day.

and Washington has the highest use or participation as well. Agree the AAJ in pretty much the difinitive catalogue on accidents in NA Mountaineering. Another source is ask the NPS at each park. This will only give you data within the park and is almost always included in the AAJ data. Good Luck.... ------------------ Have a nice day.