Re: Snow levels on Mount Shasta
Posted: Tue Jul 16, 2013 11:47 pmclmbr wrote:sfgfan10 wrote:On the "knowing what I'm doing part": I just got back from a 2 week trip on the Nelchina Glacier in Alaska. . .
Bad argument. I've heard about three guys who just climbed in Alaska Denali and (2 of them) disappeared without a trace on Mt Hood. One was found 2 weeks later in the snow cave.What I meant is that between having patchy snow on a glacier and having the glacier completely covered with snow, I'd rather have patchy snow. That way I can just stay to the ice, where I can see all the crevasses from a distance. I recognize that it's worse to be on steep ice than steep snow if I fall, but that's a matter of keeping good footing, not putting myself in a dangerous position, etc. If the only choice is between a little snow covering the whole glacier and a lot of snow covering the whole glacier, then a lot of snow could be better because at least if I do step onto a crevasse, then the snow bridge (if there is one) might be able to hold me. If it's between patchy snow and snow covering the whole glacier, tho, I'd rather have patchy snow that I can just avoid.
Your explanations sounds like you are a troll or very inexperienced (glacier wise) and have no idea what you are talking about; otherwise, you would not even talk about that stuff, definitely not that way.
On the first one, you're right, it is a bad argument. I just can't think of a better way to demonstrate experience on a forum.
As for the second one, I'm just saying I'd rather be in a situation where I can *see* all the dangers from a distance. That way, I can make a more accurate risk-management decision based on the terrain in front of me. If you disagree with anything I've said, just let me know why (such as why you'd rather be on snow than ice) and I'm happy to take it under advisement. You seem to be a more experienced climber than I am, and I'm always happy to receive constructive criticism.
Also, to be clear, I'm not saying that I'd like to be on ice so that I could jump across large crevasses (obviously a dumb idea), more that I'd like to be on ice so that I can easily see and go around them.