My understanding wife, a sustained binge of high pressure, and Mike Arnold’s impending aspirant alpine exam have all come together to buy me another few days in Boston Basin, in the North Cascades National Park.
By the way, did you know the North Cascades National Park is the second least-visited in the lower 48? Strange–it’s awesome up here and more climbers should come get some. Or maybe not. OK, leave it alone, that’s fine…
Anyway, my buddy Mike is headed this way in prep for his aspirant alpine exam through the American Mountain Guides Association.We’re gonna head back into Boston Basin, where there’s a high concentration of good climbing to be done. I had a few days there with Martin Volken a couple weeks back, so hopefully I can do a few more lines that he and I didn’t get to. Stay tuned for pics.
I’ve been trying to invite myself over to see the gang at Outdoor Research, but they sound busier than usual so I can’t give you any sneak-peeks of upcoming product. Let me just say, though, their spring ’13 and fall ’13 stuff looks awesome, so be patient and I’ll try to score some of their more innovative stuff. There’s a hybrid shell coming out (the “Enchainment,” $199), featuring Schoeller stretch panels in key areas, hard-shell material across the shoulders and hood, and breathable, burly double-weave soft-shell material in the body. Looks cool and like a great ice/alpine shell. They also make a cool-looking piece called the “Alibi,” with hem-to-armpit venting, and potentially useful two-part hood: one’s an internal stretchy job to under your helmet, while the other is a soft-shell outer hood. The Alibi is already available, but gets an update for the new season, I think. Worth a look.
