Sharkfin Tower

Paul Butler
Submitted by Paul Butler on

Located in the spectacular Boston Basin in the North Cascades National Park, Sharkfin Tower (8,120') isn't the biggest, baddest peak in the neighborhood, but it is a fun mountain to climb with plenty of challenges, great positions and awesome views. Here are some photos from a recent ascent of this North Cascades gem with Jim D. and Jack M.

Sharkfin as seen from the lower camp:

Certified. Bonafide?

Joshua Cole
Submitted by Josh Cole on

A few weeks ago, I was riding an Amtrak between New York and Boston with my wife, our 6-month old son and my wife’s uncle, a professor emeritus of economics. Between diaper changes (no small feat in the bathroom of a moving train) and packed in tightly between the business commuters, we discussed the benefits and costs of industry certification.

Silvretta Tour - March 29th- April 4th, 2014

Larry Goldie
Submitted by Larry Goldie on

This is a trip we have talked about running for years and when a group of friends from Bellingham contacted us about the trip, we got to work making arrangements.  The trip takes place in the Tyrol region of Austria, just north of the Swiss and Italian borders.  In fact, its easy to look into the Ortler range of Italy, or the Bernina group of Switzerland from numerous high points in the Silvretta region.

Death of the Avalanche Danger Rating

Jeff Ward
Submitted by Jeff Ward on
I guess a more appropriate title for this post would be "The Death of the Avalanche Danger Rating (for educated backcountry travelers)".  For years, as a guide, I've struggled with the difficulty of having to classify a particular avalanche problem or problems as being Low, Moderate, Considerable, High or Extreme.  To me, it always felt like a very blunt tool to describe a very complex situation.

How to Series: The Mule Hitch

Jeff Ward
Submitted by Jeff Ward on

Being able to perform an effective rescue in the vertical environment is a skill every climber should have in their bag of tricks.  Both Larry and Jeff have spent a lot of time teaching these skills to both guides and recreational climbers alike on AMGA guide training courses and NCMG High Angle Rescue Courses.  One of the "knots" that climbers tend to struggle with is the Mule Hitch.  This hitch is an essential tool that gets used over and over again in high angle rescue.