[pct-l] Re: ice axe - risk - New Army Pass

[blovis@lycos.com (bill blovis)]

If you want to do it, go for it.

If you haven't done it before, do your homework.

We could argue all day about whether something is foolhardy or heroic when it's obvious that these terms are subject to the opinions of whomever is using them. I admire people who let it all hang out; other people think letting it all hang out is stupid. 

As far as carrying an ice-axe up Forrester: TAKE ONE, for goddsakes, and learn how to use it sometime before you get to Crabtree Meadow.
--

On Wed, 27 Feb 2002 18:21:55  
 Bighummel wrote:
>Don writes:
>> but because I think they are what I will need, based on my knowledge of what 
>> the
>> conditions will be and an assessment of my abilities and, more importantly,
>> my limitations.
>
>Hmm, Don do you think your knowledge of what the conditions will be is clear?
>
>Having done technical ice climbing in the High Sierras and on Mt. Rainier I 
>WOULD NOT attempt to cross Forrester Pass (remember 13,200 feet!) without an 
>ice axe before late August in ANY year.  Perhaps my limitations - fears - 
>reservations are greater than yours, but I'd have to say, IMHO, you must be 
>highly confident on steep ice with deathly exposure to make this statement.   
>
>
>The ice cornice - wall at Forrester Pass in 1977, the lowest snowfall year of 
>record, was several feet taller than I am, probably around 10 or more feet.  
>Even if steps have been cut into the vertical ice, you have to figure out a 
>secure way of climbing up, and consider the exposure of 300 to 400 feet below 
>you should you fall.  AND you have to get your pack over also.
>
>I don't wish to scare anyone, however, don't make rash judgements about 
>conditions or your capabilities without a complete understanding of what you 
>MAY encounter . . . and conditions often change.
>
>Greg "Strider" Hummel
>
>
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