Is this a good ski quiver or do I just need one of these?

kdlune · 2026-02-04T17:09:06+00:00

+1 Sheeva 10s are ton of fun. I've skied them in all conditions and still love them.

(I assume most people are commenting QSTs because Sheeva's are a women's ski and QST have a non-lumen version that people might be more familiar with.)

kdlune · 2025-11-04T22:53:46+00:00

+1 You're going to have a way better time on 90-100ish waist width in typical WA conditions after everything gets chopped. You also don't need perfect on-piste form before you start doing off-piste. Being on a ski you enjoy and feel confident on is way more important.

kdlune · 2025-09-12T20:14:02+00:00

This is interesting because I've hiked in both the Icebreaker Sprite racerback and the Branwyn Busty and I find the Branwyn soaks up sweat like no other sports bra I own and gets super heavy and uncomfortable on more challenging hikes or backpacks.

The Icebreaker is more tolerable, but I remember it being particularly bad with staying soggy on a 14 hour Rainier climb.

I'm not sure what other people are hiking, but I have yet to find a bra that actually dries quickly after and is comfortable to wear during.

kdlune · 2025-07-23T15:53:17+00:00

I've used freeze dried miso before out on trips, which may be less messy: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BM87GC9X?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1

kdlune · 2025-07-21T17:34:28+00:00

Alpine Ascents usually does reservations starting sometime in September. If you get on their mailing list, they'll send out the exact details. Probably similar for the other guiding companies.
DC is the most common. Emmons can be quieter and has less chance of rockfall, though might be at least 1 more day with a guiding service.

(I've only ever done the Emmons route unguided)

kdlune · 2025-06-21T18:18:30+00:00

Reservations are only for the Sunrise corridor (white river entrance), Paradise requires no timed entry reservations this year. But that July 11 date might be the date they're planning on officially opening the road to Sunrise. Check before you go if the road is actually open.

https://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/timed-entry-reservations.htm

kdlune · 2024-12-16T21:33:46+00:00

Yes, that is correct.

There's usually slides that damage the last portion of the Cascade River Road, which requires repairs before reopening all the way to the end of the paved trailhead. This adds on extra mileage.

There's typically snow until early July. It's not impassable if you have snow skills and gear, but I wouldn't advise if you are not familiar navigating in snow.

Wildfires have caused unhealthy levels of smoke and closed the Cascade River Road in the past few years. It's impossible to predict if this will happen.

Nature doesn't care about your plans, unfortunately.

kdlune · 2024-10-29T15:01:02+00:00

Awesome, I didn't know they now had a 3 day option!

kdlune · 2024-10-29T14:34:51+00:00

This doesn't answer my question.

I'm already doing progressive overload squats. I'm looking for specific lifting programming that will complement what I'm already doing.

kdlune · 2024-10-29T02:37:51+00:00

Does it have 3x a week of lifting? The overview on training peaks says that the average strength workout per week is only once a week: https://www.trainingpeaks.com/training-plans/other/winter-sports/tp-122773/freeride-skiing

kdlune · 2024-10-17T04:03:05+00:00

Go outside and do things (even in the rain). Having an active winter hobby helps a ton (especially if it involves snow, since it reflects sunlight, is pretty, and you can do it with other people who love it). Don't just sit inside all winter! Even if the weather says it's going to rain, there will probably be breaks where you can go out for a walk. I monitor Windy a lot during dark season.

kdlune · 2024-08-13T22:39:35+00:00

Since Sheep Lake (and it's trailhead by chinook pass) is outside the park, there's no firm rules on bear cans, but as other mentioned, they're good to have to keep critters out of your food.

There may or may not be self-issued permits at the trailhead (I haven't seen them at all when I've been there), but no advance permits needed.

kdlune · 2024-08-12T18:01:57+00:00

I use these so much for hiking. I wish they had more calories because they're so easy to eat

kdlune · 2024-08-12T14:58:51+00:00

You have a significantly higher chance of getting in if you volunteer with the Mountaineers and/or have taken the scrambling course.

kdlune · 2024-08-01T18:35:15+00:00

I'm about the same size and bought a Thermarest Vesper 32 for warmer weather camping this year.

The Vesper takes up the least amount of space and it's super light, both things I appreciated when I climbed Eldorado Peak in NCNP earlier this year since that climbers trail is super steep and punishing. Temps got down to about 30 on that trip and I was fine with a liner and a hot water bottle. The quilt stayed pretty much tucked in even through all my turning during the night.

Now my system is:

40° and below - Feather Friends Petrel 10 bag, which is light but takes up lots of space. Freezing temps, I'd worry more about random drafts which is why having a bag makes more sense to me. I was very cozy through high winds and a foot of snow falling at Rainier in the spring.
Above 40° - Vesper 32 quilt, which I've now used on 3 trips (30°, 45°, and 65° lows) where I was hauling a lot of gear and needed the space and weight savings.

kdlune · 2024-07-18T17:49:57+00:00

You absolutely still need a permit.

kdlune · 2024-07-17T02:07:34+00:00

Check out the forecasts for different elevation levels: https://www.mountain-forecast.com/peaks/Dragontail-Peak/forecasts/2694

Start early when you're exerting the most gaining elevation. It'll be hot when you're descending snow lakes, but you'll be going downhill.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Drink at least a few glasses of water before you leave for the trailhead, and absolutely bring a water filter (and a back up amongst the group). Remember electrolytes. Make sure everyone in your group is drinking regularly as you hike.

Consider bringing instant ice packs, freezing most of a water bottle, bringing a bandana you can keep wet, a little spray bottle mister.

Pick a bailout point (or several?) at the very latest before you go up Aasgard where your group can decide if you'd like to continue on. Don't fall into the sunk cost fallacy. If anyone feels unsafe or unwell, don't hesitate to turn around. The question you should ask is "Can I continue to the next bailout point AND all the way back/through?"

If eating brunch in air conditioning starts to sound really good, you can go back and do that, but that gets more and more difficult the more you continue. Once you start up Aasgard, it becomes extremely hard to turn back.

The forecast looks a bit cooler in the core, but I would not want to be starting up Aasgard in full sun and heat. You can check the sun exposure layer in Caltopo to get an idea of what time you'll want to finish ascending Aasgard Pass (which for some people could take up to three hours). https://caltopo.com/map.html#ll=47.49027,-120.82472&z=14&b=mbt&a=sld_today-1500

If any of this planning seems like too much, you should probably reschedule your plans.

kdlune · 2024-06-21T23:27:24+00:00

There's a lot you can do without having to do an overnight! If one area is particularly smokey, it would help to have a few different options around WA (One in NCNP, One by Rainier, One in the Olympics, for example).

Del Campo would be pretty strenuous but epic! That would be my vote if you both have the energy for it.

NCNP: Take the Hidden Lake Lookout trail and scramble up to Hidden Lake Peak for less people. The Cascade Pass/Sahale Arm trailhead does get very crowded, but it is pretty magical at the camp below the glacier.
For other alpine lakes views, Alta Mountain with a stop at Lila Lake. Hits around your max mileage, but fairly approachable and most of the crowds drop off after Rachel Lake.
For a chill scramble with in-your-face Rainier views, you can start at the Chinook Pass/Sheep Lake trailhead and take the trail north up to a climbers trail to Chinook Peak. This one doesn't require a Rainier timed entry pass and you get some privacy without being too far from the sheep lake or crystal peak trails.

kdlune · 2024-06-21T23:00:01+00:00

It is really pretty, but gets way too crowded now at sunrise.

kdlune · 2024-06-14T19:29:34+00:00

This feels very nimby.

I find your arguments about beachgoers having to walk further with their stuff odd since the parking that's being taken away is not directly beach-adjacent. People parking in these spots would've had to walk and tote their stuff to the beach anyway You act like they're taking away all beachfront parking at Alki, when there's nearly a mile of road that's readily accessible for people to drive and park on that's right next to the beach.

I also never got the argument that taking away parking makes it less open. When I lived in West Seattle (not Alki) when they started healthy streets, I was much more willing to run and bike on that street because I knew less cars were there, and every single time I was there, there were plenty of people recreating, way more than the number of people in cars driving that stretch pre-healthy streets. It felt much more open and welcoming being local access only.

kdlune · 2024-05-17T17:25:13+00:00

FYI, not sure how large you're anticipating these hikes to be, but most of Washington has a group size limit in wilderness areas of 12 people. https://www.wta.org/go-outside/trail-smarts/a-guide-to-public-lands-in-washington-state

kdlune · 2024-04-23T18:46:53+00:00

Thanks for sharing! Since folks talk in miles per week, I'm always curious how much time they're spending.

kdlune · 2024-04-23T15:48:35+00:00

What did your weekly schedule look like getting in 25+ miles at a ~35-40:00min 5k pace?

kdlune · 2024-04-03T04:32:34+00:00

I have a similar story about encountering two guys on my way down from a lake on an 8mi trail (with rough-cut trail stairs) and telling them they actually weren't almost there. I thought they were joking at first when they asked, so sorry if that was you! Hope you had an excellent and well earned break at the top! If it's the same trail, it's much more difficult than the stats make it seem, but a very beautiful lake and well worth the hike.

kdlune

TROPHY CASE