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Post by FrostG1anT on Jan 15, 2009 22:50:42 GMT -9
Bring your microspikes, yak trax, crampons, or ice axes and gear for a quick icy wet morning get-together.
The camping trip had to be rescheduled due to extreme weather in the local area (high winds 80+ degree temperature change in the last week and possible avalanche danger). Due to this we will have a Slush Mob gathering at the trailhead instead of a camping trip this weekend. The camping trip has been rescheduled for Feb 21, 2008. Instead we will have a "Slush Mob" event at the trailhead at 10:00am for exactly 15 minutes. We will meet at the overlook area North of the parking area for a quick hello, snack, photo and then go our own ways. The parking fee will not be needed as long as you are only in the area for 15 minutes as the first 30 are free. The new coords are:N 61° 06.300 W 149° 41.080
See you on Saturday
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Post by tinman4x on Jan 16, 2009 7:35:07 GMT -9
Just a quick sidebar here: I was out checking on one of my caches this a.m. and I've never had a more valid reason to own ice spikes (yak trax, ice diamonds, shoe grips ect)
Our local F.G. Meyer has them all on sale right now for 40% off at the midtown location. I was picking up some fishing items last night and saw the sale, I almost picked up another pair to keep as spares.
The trails are really bad right now even for hard lug sole type boots, they are cheap insurance against earning the "cacher needs maintenance" merit badge.
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Post by saidbystacy on Jan 16, 2009 22:18:02 GMT -9
FrostG1ant said: I was going to contact you FrostG1ant because I was speaking with a co-worker who is an avid backcountry skier/hiker/camper and he said the avalanche danger is through the roof right now with the high winds and an extremely unstable snowpack in the higher elevations. Not to meantion he's been totally bummed about not being able to ski for the past few days Tinman4x said: The trails are bad right now?! My parking lot at work is an ice rink. You can't even "penguin walk" to your car - you go sliding right past. I am SO going to Fred Meyers first thing tomorrow morning and getting a pair of those thingies.
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Post by FrostG1anT on Jan 17, 2009 0:09:34 GMT -9
If you are looking for "ice grippers" of some sort, Kahtoola Microspikes are the best thing going currently. They are about $50 for a pair and are very easy on and off and they grip ice and snow. REI and AMH both have them, REI upstairs next to shoes and AMH to the North of the counter. If you feel the need for serious grip check out running crampons. AMH has a a good selection and REI has several of the serious ice climbing variety.
If it keeps this up we will have green grass in two or three more days.
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Po1ar
Silver Cacher
Posts: 122
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Post by Po1ar on Jan 17, 2009 18:47:05 GMT -9
Thanks for the slippery fun, FrostG1anT and LBK. It was great seeing all of you. ( All 5 of you guys) LOL!
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Post by FrostG1anT on Feb 16, 2009 19:12:34 GMT -9
There is an overnight camping trip/event this Saturday for those who want to experience a whole new element of geocaching. We will be meeting at the Glen Alps parking area at 10:00am on Saturday (2/21/09) morning and hiking to Hidden Lake and setting up camp for the evening. Breakfast will be provided on Sunday. If you do not have a 4-season tent REI rents them and has plenty in stock currently as it is their off-season for tents. If you have to work and cannot meet us at 10:00am for the initial hike, then meet at the Glen Alps parking lot at 5:00pm and join the group who will be coming out after work.
It will be a fun filled two days. We should be back to the parking area around 2:00pm on Sunday. Grab your warm gear and come join us for some fun on the snow.
Our reporter friend will be making the hike and joining us for a night under the stars in a beautiful alpine valley, lakeside, and perhaps under the watchful glow of the aurora.
Come join us for a snowball fight or a game of Frisbee golf in the mountains. Hope to see you all there.
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Po1ar
Silver Cacher
Posts: 122
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Post by Po1ar on Feb 17, 2009 17:44:50 GMT -9
Is anyone interested in just hiking out with everyone and then hiking back out the same day? I'd like to do that if anyone else is interested???
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Post by saidbystacy on Feb 18, 2009 18:50:55 GMT -9
www.adn.com/outdoors/story/694614.htmlThe weather folks are calling for "extreme avalanche danger" right now. I know I was the harbinger of avalanches last time, but I just don't want to see any of my favorite cachers injured or worse.
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mtboy
Silver Cacher
Posts: 139
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Post by mtboy on Feb 18, 2009 22:37:27 GMT -9
The area they have chosen to camp in should be relatively safe from avalanche...but yes, please use caution. Stay off the steeps (and not so steeps, most avalanches occur between 25-45 degrees)... none the less, it isn't worth the "cacher needs maintenance" button you would earn. The wind on Monday was crazy up high. I climbed flattop in 60+ knot winds with blowing snow of biblical proportions. A good time was had by all as we clung to the summit like spiders being sucked down the drain ;D So expect anything with a western aspect to be wind loaded.
I wanted to make out on this trip but i forgot this weekend is my training weekend with ridgeseeker...we will be seeking out avalanche terrain of our own down in Seward. Have fun and be safe.
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Post by FrostG1anT on Feb 19, 2009 19:12:15 GMT -9
Due to unseasonable warm weather and the Extreme Avalanche danger warning issued yesterday this event will be postponed again. It will now take place on Saturday March 28, 2009. I hope the weather cooperates this time and work schedules allow for those who want to come out to join us. This should be a good time. This weekend, while it would most likely be safe and fun will be wet, warm and possibly filled with unneeded danger. I hope to see you in March. Cache On!
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Po1ar
Silver Cacher
Posts: 122
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Post by Po1ar on Feb 19, 2009 20:36:16 GMT -9
Bummer that it got canceled again! But maybe with proper planning this time I'll get to go in March.
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Post by ladybugkids on Feb 20, 2009 6:05:49 GMT -9
While Hidden Lake should have been a safe haven as noted by MTBoy, the slopes above on the flanks on The Ramp may have presented an avalanche hazard depending on snowloading and other factors. However, the event may have finally moved to a date when I may be able to attend, so I'm looking forward to it. The next eight weeks are my favorite time of year to be out and about in the backcountry.
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mtboy
Silver Cacher
Posts: 139
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Post by mtboy on Feb 24, 2009 9:59:35 GMT -9
picasaweb.google.com/hull.darren/Movies?feat=directlinkHere is a link to a movie that I made from this weekend. For some reason it lowered the quality of the photos...Ridgeseeker sent me a bunch of the photos he gathered from everybody, and picasa made the movie. Enjoy. If you think it is a nice area, check out Ridgeseeker's Godwin Glacier Overlook cache or the top of tiehacker. The views are similar without the ropes and glaciers.
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Post by FrostG1anT on Feb 24, 2009 16:12:42 GMT -9
Wow, that looks like a good time. Great photos too.
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Post by Forum Admin on Feb 24, 2009 21:16:34 GMT -9
picasaweb.google.com/hull.darren/Movies?feat=directlinkHere is a link to a movie that I made from this weekend. For some reason it lowered the quality of the photos...Ridgeseeker sent me a bunch of the photos he gathered from everybody, and picasa made the movie. Enjoy. If you think it is a nice area, check out Ridgeseeker's Godwin Glacier Overlook cache or the top of tiehacker. The views are similar without the ropes and glaciers. Awesome!!!!!!
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Post by ladybugkids on Feb 25, 2009 1:06:24 GMT -9
Nicely done, MTBoy and Ridgeseeker!
Did someone finally conquer that last pitch, or did it thwart the group? Oh, so close! But a most excellent looking day, nonetheless.
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mtboy
Silver Cacher
Posts: 139
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Post by mtboy on Feb 25, 2009 11:23:36 GMT -9
The last pitch ended up being our undoing...it is killing me now as I run it back through my head. However, we spent nearly 2 hours trying to place pitons or any other rock gear to protect it. There was nothing. The rock is rotten. The one piton Ridgeseeker's son placed in the rock pulled out when he pulled on it when he got ready to down climb. It will be quite some time before somebody summits this one.
We stopped less than 50 feet from the summit:(
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