Live, Ski, Repeat
Finding the balance......
Finding the balance......
Located in the spectacular Boston Basin in the North Cascades National Park, Sharkfin Tower (8,120') isn't the biggest, baddest peak in the neighborhood, but it is a fun mountain to climb with plenty of challenges, great positions and awesome views. Here are some photos from a recent ascent of this North Cascades gem with Jim D. and Jack M.
Sharkfin as seen from the lower camp:
A few weeks ago, I was riding an Amtrak between New York and Boston with my wife, our 6-month old son and my wife’s uncle, a professor emeritus of economics. Between diaper changes (no small feat in the bathroom of a moving train) and packed in tightly between the business commuters, we discussed the benefits and costs of industry certification.
This is a trip we have talked about running for years and when a group of friends from Bellingham contacted us about the trip, we got to work making arrangements. The trip takes place in the Tyrol region of Austria, just north of the Swiss and Italian borders. In fact, its easy to look into the Ortler range of Italy, or the Bernina group of Switzerland from numerous high points in the Silvretta region.
Current Conditions
The backcountry ski season around Washington Pass officially started with the big storm that hit the Northwest at the end of November. This storm laid down nearly two feet of new snow at Washington Pass and closed Highway 20 for the winter season.
Being able to perform an effective rescue in the vertical environment is a skill every climber should have in their bag of tricks. Both Larry and Jeff have spent a lot of time teaching these skills to both guides and recreational climbers alike on AMGA guide training courses and NCMG High Angle Rescue Courses. One of the "knots" that climbers tend to struggle with is the Mule Hitch.