[poopoopoo]

Greetings. I've seen the TNAB's posts. I've seen you guys in action. I've held my tongue 'cause generally your references are to hideously overused routes anyway (although certainly an argument could be made against the ethics,or lack thereof,of sending twenty-five people and associated dogs all at once up a trail like Little Si). Then, I stumble across this posted intent to cluster-hike Russian Butte,doing more damage in one day than that route sees in ten years...What exactly are you guys all about? You post photos as if you've appreciation for the scenery,but what about respect for the resource itself? P.S. If you do the Butte as planned next week I suggest you ford the Middle Fork to save time rather than go in from the campground.

[moosefish]

The Russian Butte reference is not a serious proposal for a TNAB trip. A little tongue in cheek. However, if you know a way to get up Russian Butte in just two or three hours I'd love to know.

[gone]

An ethical issue with putting 10-20 sets of boots one night a week on "hideously overused routes" that see thousands and thousands of visitors a year? poopoopoo, if that's really your name, you're joking, right? So does this mean we have to reconsider our "cluster-hike" over the Russian Butte to pee in the Gifford Lakes? I hope not because I was really looking forward to the wanton destruction and the despoiling of these hidden gems. [Lest this be misconstrued, I'm just kidding. I only pee in alpine lakes.]

[Schmidt Altitude]

[meandmyaussies]

Another great trip. That was my first time up MBP - it was tough but not nearly as bad as I had expected. In fact, if it had not have been dark when we got back I might have gone back a second time...

No flats spots on this one - especially down low.

DNR taggers?

Magnum chillin on MBP

[cmurph]

Awesome pictures everyone! I really wish I didn't have to miss this one, and I'm out of town for the next couple of weeks too , but can't wait to get out on some more TNAB hikes.

[runningbird]

ewb Thanks so much for hanging out with Cubbie. She totally appreciates having friends around. I know she's not real cuddly but she loves you guys alot. Mark, Thanks for the great trip, as always you do a great job of organizing and setting the great mood for each of these after work hikes. Can't wait to for the Pratt this Thursday

[meandmyaussies]

[Shadow]

[Yet]

Of course you are! Never mind the over-achievers.

[moosefish]

[yukon222]

I took the fork to the right too. That is the way I had remembered it from last year. Then just cut back to the left a bit as Moosefish described at the big X. Worked just fine. Might be slightly more mileage than the left or straight up trail. I know originally there was a "left" trail left of the standard "straight up" trail. Not sure which trail is which now. Just go up and you'll be fine.

[Malachai Constant]

[GaliWalker]

As I remember from last year (I haven't been up Mailbox this year) there are 2 splits in the trail (don't know about the dots). - On the first one the left fork goes up more steeply and is joined by the right fork almost immediately. So, a non-issue - any option is fine. - On the second one I would recommend the left fork. The 2 join up just before you move out of the denser forest into more open terrain. In snowy conditions the right fork can sometimes be a pain to follow after it moves back towards the left fork. (At one point this was the more popular way up.) Now the left fork is the 'main' way up: smoother and more efficient; it can be muddier, but less less blow-down to worry about (except for one large tree). Edit, 5/24/08: Looks like the large tree down on the second left fork is no longer there, but the mud still is!

[Schmidt Alti-Dude]