As promised, I will be leading a climb up good old Mt Defiance this coming Saturday 2-14-2004. For those of you who don't know, Mt D is a very good training climb. With 5000 feet of elevation gain in approx. 6 miles, this is one 12 mile round trip that makes you feel it. This is basically a non-technical climb, with the only specialized equipment needed being snowshoes for the top 2 miles or so. A short side hike from my regular route shows you an awesome little lake which will undoubtedly be frozen over.

We will accomodate all levels, just be physically able to climb the distance. I suspect we will have 2 groups, the +/- 6-hour round trip and maybe a group that bolts it out in 3-4 hours. We will all start together and see what happens. We will only seperate if someone who knows the routes, wants to lead the second group (hint, hint volunteers??)

The facts:

What: Lung busting climb to the highest point in the Columbia River Gorge (Mt Defiance)

When: Saturday 2-14-2004 Start time 10 am.

Where: We will meet at the Starvation Creek Trailhead. Carpools available from Portland, just ask.

Mandatory Gear:

• Pack
• Hydration for 6 hours of heavy exertion
• Food for 6 hours of heavy exertion
• Technical clothing (expect all conditions from heavy wind and ice to snow to drenching rain, the heavy exertion will make you want a good layering system)
• Snowshoes (postholing denies you a summit, plus it gets real slippery up there)
• Whistle, Space Blanket, Matches/Lighter, Tinder and Mirror (MANDATORY!!)
• Gloves
• Hat
• Sunglasses (MANDATORY!! Think Glaringly Bright)
• Sunscreen, Lip Balm
• 1 Locking Carabiner

Optional:

• 1st aid kit (optional) (I'll have a complete kit to cover most all occurances)
• Tow system (to be towed or to tow)

Anything you feel you need to train well and have a comfortable climb in all conditions.

RSVP MANDATORY! You must RSVP for this training trip - let us know if you would like to shuttle from Portland as either a passenger or driver.