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Does anybody know how the early season is shaping up? I have a friend coming to town next weekend and we are looking to climb some moderate routes in decent shape. The first two that came to mind were The Tooth and Chair Peak. I saw on Cascade Climbers that Chair Peak is still pretty thin. Can anybody over here chime in? We were also thinking about climbing the North Buttress Couloir of Colchuck. Does anybody know what the conditions are like in the Enchantments?

In general we're looking for mid-grade ice and/or mid-grade rock. I am out of Seattle.

I do want to thank ExcitableBoy for his great tick list here (http://www.summitpost.org/phpBB3/n-cascades-winter-climbs-for-mere-mortals-t60567.html)

-Jon

A friend just climbed NY Gulley on Mt Snoqualmie, a very conditional route, so the other routes you mentioned should be fine. South Face of the Tooth is almost always climbable. I would expect Chair peak to be pretty reasonable. The NE Buttress, although technically a wee bit harder than the North Face, comes into shape earlier and is generally better protected (pitons, nuts, cams, screws, plenty of long slings for trees). North Buttress of Colchuck got climbed, albiet in early season conditions.