pvnisher says:
"BaronVonBergschrund"   Wire gate carabiners are inappropriate for that application.

If the gates are opposed and opposite, why is a wire gate inappropriate for carabiner braking?
I don't plan on doing any of that, it's just worst-case, but I like to have the capability. If they wouldn't work in the worst-case, then I'll go with solid gate instead, but since the rope doesn't press on the gate I'm curious as to why the wires wouldn't work.

Jim Davies says:
"saxmotor"  I don't remember the exact details but I know backpacker magazine rated Pikes as being a statistically dangerous hike due to late day hiking crowds heading up into bad weather.
I recall we all got a good laugh out of that one.

Statistics would be better than handwaving, but lacking that I'd guess that Little Bear has been the most dangerous per-climber in recent years. I can recall four climber deaths since 2003 (none in the hourglass, btw).

Brad Snider says:
Keep your eye on avy conditions that time of year!

http://avalanche.state.co.us/index.php

- Brad

Brad Snider says:
I climbed Grays as my first 14er on a windy November day, and I was very under-prepared: http://www.summitpost.org/trip-report/183581/Lessons-Learned-Part-1-My-First-Fourteener.html

I would recommend July for the wildflowers and not having to worry about snow conditions. I returned a couple years later to hike Torreys in July and watch the sunrise from the summit. Definitely start well before sunrise to beat the crowds, as this is a very popular place that time of year--and of course to beat the thunderstorms. Good boots, sunglasses and plenty of water should be the main pieces of "gear" you have to worry about that time of year.

Have fun!

- Brad

glacierPaul says:
Hey Baron, Shaggy says "Zoinks", damn meddlin' kids anyways! Time for a Scooby snack.

bohlsen says:
I think it would be cool if there could be some kind of recommendations page on 14ers.com. I just got done reading a book ("Merle's Door" an amazing book, a must read if you have a dog and like the outdoors) that was recommended on one of the forums here. It took me a while to actually go out and get the book though and I had forgotten what it was called. It was a bit of a pain trying to dig back throught the forums to try and find one post. I was thinking there could be a page that allows users to update a recommendation list and have a variety of categories (books, gear, restaurants, etc.) so its easy to find what you're looking for. Just my two cents.

Doug Shaw says:
I heard a rumor there was some sort of problem with the accelerator?

droidly says:
"g"  Aaahhhh......! Hopefully TGC just started a new Olympic sport!

He pioneered the sport of Post-Holing at the X-Games...I think they call him "The Flying Olive"...

rory_veronda says:
Hello
I am looking for a climbing partner for Wednesday morning around 7:30-8:00. I would like to go to Silver Plume or Clear Creek area. This is my first year for ice climbing, going at least once a week and loving it! I have all my own gear and would like to join someone with experience. Only looking to do a few hours.

Rory

Koy says:
I generally don't get cold feet, so maybe I'm not the best person to ask. In general though, they're probably fine for the spring. My winter boots are the la sportiva nepals, and the kayland apex xt. If you want a boot that you can use year-round, go with the XT's.

droidly says:
"JB99"  I should add as the person who took that picture that it was taken for the intentional effect of making that look as sweet as possible. It definitely exaggerates the exposure. There are several pictures in that trip report with both Trevor and myself on that move that give it a more full perspective.

wow! what lens is that? i need it for my elbert summit!

misirlija says:
Good job Jim!

Dancesatmoonrise says:
I'm beginning to learn what a lot of those who have gone before me already know...


Anyway, I now have information to share.

TR will be up in a couple days.

nancyb says:
I have a wolf/Malamute/siberian husky hybrid that is awesome! He can go 20 miles and be ready to go farther. I hike alone at times and wanted protection as well as company. He only barks if there is someone he perceives as a threat. They are pack oriented so socializing is important and it is hard for them to be alone at home for a long period of time.

My boyfriend had a hybrid that had more mountain sense than most people--she trained my dog as a pup in the mountains and now he is in his prime at 4 years old. They seem to know what rocks they can climb and what to avoid. He has never had any trouble with altitude--did his first 14er at 3-4 months in the winter--Lincoln.

The hair when shedding is beyond belief, but they are bred for the winter and the mountains...would do it again in a heartbeat...

Weegie5 says:
"BaronVonBergschrund"  Long answer: Why do you need them? Do you not already have a trad mentor to show you how to place them safely? If you are inexperienced in placing trad gear I would suggest either a class, a guide or a trad mentor to help you along your way. Typically a new trad leader will climb on another climber's rack until they know for sure what pieces of gear they need to buy next. The fact that you are asking this question makes me wonder if you are ready to lead trad.

I have a mentor, but we can't climb together as often as I'd like. In between climbs with him, I'd like to make some progress on my own.

Bullwinkle says:
If purely for acclimatization and an enjoyable, scenic hike you might try Chacaltaya at about 17,800'. It is an easy walk-up, and easy to get to.

Barry Raven says:
Doable, probably about like the Keyhole route on Longs, except you'll be hiking on a road for part of the way. August can be iffy weather wise in the Crestones, but the same can be said of Longs too.

lordhelmut says:
non-14er related, but Buffalo Peak in the eastern Gores above Silverthorne was decent this weekend. The snowpack was anything but stable on the North, East and South facing slopes, so a constant analysis of conditions is a must, but it was a fun day nonetheless with some great, deep powder (in spots). The snowpack is also abnormally thin for this time of year, which presents coverage issues(in unexpected spots).

fletchersteel says:
I can do any thursday evening. It'd be great to meet up with you guys! Brit, 630pm sounds good to me, and why wait. We can always meet another date too.

lordhelmut says:
I remember putting some items in the "basket" and could see the dividend balance when "checking out". You can also get a vague idea of your balance on December's statement (if you own a REI Visa). Its probably less though, depending on whether you used it for every purchase or not. Last year, it showed up mid Feb, but I imagine it differs from year to year. The letter in the mail showed up weeks later, so if you are impulsive and impatient (me), its worth it to incessantly check on a daily basis around those dates. They usually have a sale soon after, so if your projected purchase isn't already on sale, it might be worth it to wait a little.

Kiefer says:
Cool! Looks like there's 5 of us set for Missouri, Iowa and Emerald!

travis19877 says:
Some of these photos just take my breath away. What a beautiful place to live..

emfortin says:
To everyone--

I'm looking for a partner for Capitol, Bells (no traverse), and Wilsons (+El Diente w/ traverse) once snow is melted. I cannot commit to a date until the actual date gets close but don't want to go solo if at all possible. I have 4wd (don't mind driving) and have every other Friday off so I'd really like to get some of the looser ones with fewer groups on it. If anyone's interested, shoot a PM and I'll keep it handy for the summer. I'm no trail runner but do do prefer a "faster" pace when possible. I had a really rough last summer and plan on using this summer to catch back up on some of what I missed out.

Eric

mattpayne11 says:
Hello,

Looking at doing some snowshowing around Ouray this week (Thursday). Anyone have suggestions on a trail or easy summit? I'm aware of the avalanche dangers in the current conditions.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Tim McMarmot says:
Check out OR's Expedition Crocs. I fit them over my fat feet's pac boots and my insulated pants/bibs for winter hiking/hunting. My regular Crocs wouldn't come close to closing over that much stuff, but the Expeditions do just fine.

mattpayne11 says:
Sounds good. I may be doing some snowshoeing/climbing in the Ouray area on Thursday with some Ice climbing on Friday/Saturday.

BillMiddlebrook says:
No problem at all.
I made that change without testing it under some specific versions of IE - I should have known there would have been a problem.

KansanClimber says:
"bjohnson17"  As I paged through the book at the store I noticed chapters with other climbers names. Does each chapter talk of working with different people or did I look at that incorrectly.

No, but it's not an absolute pattern. He often climbs with partners, so it would make sense that a lot of famous names would be flying around. He climbed Nanga Parbat with Vince Anderson, and The Soviet Direct with Mark Twight. He mentions (briefly) Tomaz Humar. But he also climbed K7 solo so he didn't talk about other climbers. it varies...

Jim Davies says:
Yes, but why hike from Silverton, rather than Purgatory? No car?

slopestyle says:
For summer I'm usually in shorts, but I do have a couple pairs of cheapo nylon pants as well. For winter I use my marmot ski pants. They are almost identical to what the Helmet described for what he uses: internal gaitor, thin fleece liner, and even inseam vents with a mesh cover to keep the snow out. They also have some nice cargo pockets to keep things close. Some people might think they are a bit baggy but I'm kind of long legged so the extra room is nice. I don't usually wear any type of base layer under them and have not gotten cold after 3 years. Not sure if they still make them though...