Hey...Very nice report! I live in Ferndale, WA. We've been up there a few times. We can see it any day its clear too and always makes me want to do some climbing, just seeing it. Congradulations.
V Islander:
Like I said, we were up there last Fall, trying for the South Twin (did not make it). What was a surprise is the road access now form the North Fork Nooksack road that the Olivine Mine uses, now the branch off toward the old logging roads was open. Looks like something else is planned??? for the area??? Have you been up there before this climb and notice access difference? Anyway, again, I enjoyed your report.
We were up there a couple weeks ago and luckily the ravenous females weren't in full force yet. Also I've found that sometimes unintentional glissades can be more fun/exciting than the planned ones.
Highly recommended climb. Maybe go a bit earlier to avoid the mozzies. Or maybe in Sept once the first frosts have killed a few of them off. Not that they're that much of a problem and none at all once you're on the ridge proper.
What a brilliant report!! You really have a talent to tell stories! Ever thought of writing for money?
Anyway, I wish I could go with you the next time. It seems to be a really good time. Go on!
Cheers, Ulrich
"Eschewing MountaingirlBC’s and others’ heroics on the obelisk as the domain of those who have not yet discovered the meaning of mortality,..."
HAHA!
Schlepping the bike up is worth it though, because the ride down does a lot to erase the memory of the wearisome roads. Also, I think managing to find the trailhead without getting lost on those roads is a bigger accomplishment than reaching the summit...well done! :-P. Thanks for your nice TR which brought back memories of the area for me too.
Many thanks. I've enjoyed reading about your daring-do exploits in Europe too.
The roads are probably easier to navigate than they were. Matt Gunn's guide (linked in the TR) was spot on every step of the way. Not difficult at all. For me the crux was downclimbing the north face. I can't believe that some bum-slide right off the top! But they do.
I used to think that the midges in Scotland were bad but it sounds like your friendly insects are worse. Our one advantage is that the midges don't like wind, any sort of a breeze and they are grounded. I've had some bad experiences with the midges on Skye but luckily once away from the campsite on the hills they disapear.
cheers Johnnie
Hi Dr J. I've had plenty of experience with midges on Skye is my youth. Thought they were bad until until I broadened my horizons. Our mozzies make midges seem benign. It's quite routine on Vancouver Island to hike/climb with a mesh headnet on your cap/helmet ready to pull down as soon as you stop moving.
Hi there,
my daughter is into parasitology and is always warning me about west nile, lymes disease and not to forget malaria. I hope you managed to escape all these in your brushes with those nasty beasties.
The last time I went to Skye, I took a mosquito net that I bought for a trip to Brasil but it was no barrier, the fiendish mozzies waltzed straight thro' it.
Nice TR, I am planning on making an attempt on north twin before the season is out and your pictures are great for seeing the terrain that'll be encountered
Norman - Jun 6, 2007 11:52 pm - Voted 10/10
N TwinHey...Very nice report! I live in Ferndale, WA. We've been up there a few times. We can see it any day its clear too and always makes me want to do some climbing, just seeing it. Congradulations.
vancouver islander - Jun 7, 2007 2:10 am - Hasn't voted
Re: N TwinAh Ferndale - home of the last Super8 before the border when we've missed the last ferry.
Thanks Norm. It was a great route and, boringly arduous as the approach was, it made a nice change from an Island bushwhack.
Logging roads??? Good grief, they'd pass for freeways in BC.
Norman - Jun 7, 2007 12:28 pm - Voted 10/10
N TwinV Islander:
Like I said, we were up there last Fall, trying for the South Twin (did not make it). What was a surprise is the road access now form the North Fork Nooksack road that the Olivine Mine uses, now the branch off toward the old logging roads was open. Looks like something else is planned??? for the area??? Have you been up there before this climb and notice access difference? Anyway, again, I enjoyed your report.
Sonnik - Jun 11, 2007 7:58 am - Voted 10/10
top reportGreat job on the climb and bloody well written too.
Also glad to hear of your upholding the proper decorum of "ablutions and oblations to the local mountain gods".
vancouver islander - Jun 11, 2007 11:52 am - Hasn't voted
Re: top reportG'day Sonnik and many thanks. Always nice to see one's efforts appreciated.
gimpilator - Jun 11, 2007 11:42 am - Voted 10/10
Sweet Report!We were up there a couple weeks ago and luckily the ravenous females weren't in full force yet. Also I've found that sometimes unintentional glissades can be more fun/exciting than the planned ones.
vancouver islander - Jun 11, 2007 11:55 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Sweet Report!Many thanks.
Over a week on and my bites are still itching. I swear they were going right through the deet!
Didn't detract from a great trip though.
klwagar - Jun 11, 2007 11:25 pm - Voted 10/10
Cool reportOne of those routes I would like to do sometime.
vancouver islander - Jun 12, 2007 12:03 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Cool reportThanks mate - and for the kind vote too.
Highly recommended climb. Maybe go a bit earlier to avoid the mozzies. Or maybe in Sept once the first frosts have killed a few of them off. Not that they're that much of a problem and none at all once you're on the ridge proper.
Little_Mole - Jun 12, 2007 6:52 am - Voted 10/10
Brilliant!What a brilliant report!! You really have a talent to tell stories! Ever thought of writing for money?
Anyway, I wish I could go with you the next time. It seems to be a really good time. Go on!
Cheers, Ulrich
vancouver islander - Jun 12, 2007 11:31 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Brilliant!Ulrich, what kind and generous comments. Thank you.
As might be obvious, I enjoy writing. However, I think doing it for money would spoil the fun. I do it mostly for friends and family.
Thanks once more.
Cheers,
Martin
Ps If you enjoyed this story try those I wrote on "Around the Houses to Everest" or my Elkhorn TR
mvs - Aug 11, 2007 4:04 pm - Voted 10/10
nice tr :D"Eschewing MountaingirlBC’s and others’ heroics on the obelisk as the domain of those who have not yet discovered the meaning of mortality,..."
HAHA!
Schlepping the bike up is worth it though, because the ride down does a lot to erase the memory of the wearisome roads. Also, I think managing to find the trailhead without getting lost on those roads is a bigger accomplishment than reaching the summit...well done! :-P. Thanks for your nice TR which brought back memories of the area for me too.
vancouver islander - Aug 11, 2007 4:56 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: nice tr :DMany thanks. I've enjoyed reading about your daring-do exploits in Europe too.
The roads are probably easier to navigate than they were. Matt Gunn's guide (linked in the TR) was spot on every step of the way. Not difficult at all. For me the crux was downclimbing the north face. I can't believe that some bum-slide right off the top! But they do.
Keep those European TR's coming.
Cheers,
Martin
DrJonnie - Jan 20, 2008 6:08 pm - Voted 10/10
ParasitesI used to think that the midges in Scotland were bad but it sounds like your friendly insects are worse. Our one advantage is that the midges don't like wind, any sort of a breeze and they are grounded. I've had some bad experiences with the midges on Skye but luckily once away from the campsite on the hills they disapear.
cheers Johnnie
vancouver islander - Jan 20, 2008 6:31 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: ParasitesHi Dr J. I've had plenty of experience with midges on Skye is my youth. Thought they were bad until until I broadened my horizons. Our mozzies make midges seem benign. It's quite routine on Vancouver Island to hike/climb with a mesh headnet on your cap/helmet ready to pull down as soon as you stop moving.
Even worse are the leeches of Nepal, Australia etc and the worst of the lot, in my experience, are the sandflies of New Zealand.
DrJonnie - Jan 21, 2008 5:37 am - Voted 10/10
ParasitesHi there,
my daughter is into parasitology and is always warning me about west nile, lymes disease and not to forget malaria. I hope you managed to escape all these in your brushes with those nasty beasties.
The last time I went to Skye, I took a mosquito net that I bought for a trip to Brasil but it was no barrier, the fiendish mozzies waltzed straight thro' it.
cheers Johnnie
PeakBeggar - Sep 3, 2010 1:46 pm - Hasn't voted
Sweet!Nice TR, I am planning on making an attempt on north twin before the season is out and your pictures are great for seeing the terrain that'll be encountered