Search results

I've done this years back. We found several pitches of moderate water ice requiring a rope and belay followed by a long snow climb. It's a beatiful climb if conditions are good. Possibly some of the ice may be covered by snow this late in the season. We saw lots of avalanche debris at the...

Every time we've camped at the Uphill Brook Lean-To in winter, we've been visited by the local marten(s). Just make sure he doesn't steal your food and gear when you're not watching! :D

The only solution that has worked for me is contact lenses. I don't use them for anything other than winter hiking/climbing. For day hikes they work fine, overnight trips are less fun but still workable (need to keep your chemicals from freezing).

Thanks for the replies. Sounds like Calkins Brook will work nicely and I'm glad to hear there are some good camping options. I'm sure we'll have fun and with some luck we'll get to visit 3 new peaks.

Hi all, We're planning our annual 3 day backpacking trip for the end of February. This year we're targeting the Seward range where none of us has been. We're looking at the first day being the approach to basecamp, the second day up and back to the summit(s), and the third day back out to...

I've done that route a bunch of times in winter and always found it frozen. It does tend to be pretty windy and cold out in the open there I think it's a much easier route to the Lake Colden area than the summer trail (no ups and downs) as well as very scenic.

Boots that are too tight can cause this also. I had this happen years ago when we did some climbing in the Cascades and used our plastic boots for the approach hikes. My big toes were numb for several months afterward but eventually recovered. I believe the pressure point wasn't so much on...

We used some on Rainier, but I've never seen them in the Whites. I think in general that there are enough terrain features in the Whites that you can keep yourself oriented without wands.

I'm not 100% sure it's legal, but usually they plow a large area on the North side of Route 3 across from the East end of the loop road (I believe it's right at the Trudeau Road/Route 3 interesection). I've parked there several times while winter hiking the Twins and Galehead without any...

I've had a Feathered Friends -25 bag for about 13 years. It's light and stuffs quite small. At the time I shopped it against Marmot and Western Mountaineering and I think FF was a bit less $$ (although all of these are certainly pricey). These days I only use it 2-4 nights a winter, so I...

I sure wish I lived/hiked somewhere where that was true! :D

Dennis is exactly right, at least for a few years back when I was up Scar Ridge. Following these basic directions from LEP I found an old axe blazed route that was really quite easy up to the ridge and then it was no problem following the ridge to the summit. I would have to think this was...

I remember one fatality that was similar to this scenario with an out of control slide on the slabs. I don't remember whether it was summer or winter conditions. I'm sure it was more than 10 years ago, maybe 15.

I own a previous version of the Clark book from probably 10+ years ago and it's served me well. It's the best guide to the park and trails that I'm aware of.

Dave, That's an excellent site with lots of useful info. I'm still skiing my old XCD-GTs ... maybe I can blame my lack of descending ability on the skis, not my talent! :D

You can't go wrong at any of the parks in Utah. And don't forget, the areas outside the parks is often just as nice or nicer than the official parks. For a great intro to the possibilities (and more excellent hikes than you can do in a month), I highly recommend the book: Hiking the...

Cathedral Pines is a lovely campground if you decide to camp. I'd recommend one of the lake side sites if they're available.

I've stayed at the Terrace Motel several times. It's basic and affordable. No complaints. I believe they have a breakfast buffet available in the morning.

There's a 50 hikes in Mt. Rainier book that's very useful. I'd highly recommend the day hike to Comet Falls and then up to Van Trump Park. Awesome waterfall, then beautiful flower filled alpine meadows w/ great views of the mountain. One of the 10 best hikes I've done anywhere. Really you...

I've used a pair of Salewa "Messner" step in 12 point crampons for almost 20 years. These are the scissors type design and are not completely rigid, although I've only used them w/ pretty stiff plastic boots. They've worked well for hiking and moderate ice climbing. I like them so much, I...