Bailey Range Update

[Mark Griffith]

Hey.

Its March already. 3 months away! Hope your getting ready and getting
in shape. I'll be sending out regular updates.

Dates are July 20th - 26th 2008 (Sunday through Saturday) here :

http://www.niffgurd.com/mark/parks/washington/olympics/baileyrange/content.html

I did the first route this evening. From Whiskey Bend to Dodger Point.
Our longest day, 15 miles (whew) and 5400 feet. The first day will be
a doozy, but everything from there will be pure beauty.

Cheers
mbg

--
Mark Griffith
http://www.niffgurd.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/niffgurd/

[Joe Rudd]

Thanks Mark. Any forecast on the snow and ice conditions for the route
this year? Need to get ahead of the equipment needs so if I need to
purchase anything, I can spread it out a bit. I even did my due
diligence and read several articles and viewed several videos about ice
axe use and arrest.

[Mark Griffith]

So everyone is learning one mistake at a time that when I send mail
out to the list if you reply it goes to the list. ;)

I'll reply to the group because I think Joe's questions are relevant to all.

1) Snow. This year we have had a lot of snow, more than normal. So I
expect the melt out to take longer this year and there should be "more
snow" than usual. However the areas we are traversing are high
ridgelines with the option to scramble up to peaks that have snow, but
no crevasses. I don't think we'll be needing crampons, but an ice ax
is recommended.

2) As for other gear I am trying to recommend going as light as
possible. Given the elevation and distance its one of the few ways
(besides your fitness) to make the trip more enjoyable. Its why I
recommend bivy sacks vs. tents, and a beta-mid or two for coverage if
required. Its why I just bought an alcohol stove :

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/vargo-titanium-decagon-alcohol-stove.html

So I am not saying you have to replace gear with light weight stuff, I
have stuff folks can borrow otherwise (like pocket rocket MSR stove),
and sleeping bags and pads and stuff. Don't over buy (like I do, I
have a gear problem :) ).

So to recap. For sure you need an ice ax, (and I'd highly recommend
poles, they'll help the legs) everything else is about trimming down
your weight and should be optional per budget and strength. :)

Cheers
mbg

[Barentsen, Scott]

Thanks for the update Mark. So did I read this right - you did the
entire 15.6 miles from Whiskey Bend to Dodger Point in an evening? Wow.

I'm thinking about equipment too, particularly shelter - considering a
bivy sack. Who's planning on using one? Gotta love new gear ;). Joe -
thanks for getting me thinking about the ice axe . . .

[Eddie O'Neil]

I'll definitely be carrying a bivy -- the one I use is a Bibler (now
Black Diamond) and is here [1]. I've used it a few times and have
generally had good luck with it; on the trip Mark and I did in the
Enchantments in 2006, it was _awesome_. Light and perfect for the
weather there in August with plenty of room inside for a change of
clothes and sleeping bag along with enough space to read at night. In
super cold conditions, I've had it ice up on the inside, which was
miserable, but I've learned a lot about where to camp with one since
then as well.

Anyone have ice axe recommendations? Preferably something really
light. Mark, are you thinking that the ice axe style would be
"walking" style like [2]? Might as well fuel my gear addiction. :)

Eddie

[1]: http://www.bdel.com/gear/tripod.php
[2]: http://www.rei.com/product/736533

[Mark Griffith]

Scott :

No I have never been out to Wiskey Bend or Dodger Point. Its a long
long drive just from my house. :) The only thing I have done that far
is run to work

http://www.niffgurd.com/mark/blog/2008/02/small-feats-of-endurance-of-middle-aged.html

:)

As for biivy sacks, I am planning on using mine.

Cheers
mbg

[Mark Griffith]

Yes you don't want a ice climbing ax ;) I have this one :

http://www.rei.com/product/684755

Its nice and does a fine fine job.

cheers
mbg

[Eddie O'Neil]

Damn -- I was hoping for justification to buy a couple of cool /
curvy / carbon ice axes! I'm sold on yours as it's 18 grams lighter
than the one I sent. ;)

Thanks for the link.

Eddie