NMS Links
The following links are spots that we find useful when planning our trips or are places that we have enjoyed or want to support.
Weather, Snowpack, and Avalanche Links
NOAA Weather Forecast for Leavenworth, WA »This is the forecast we start with when looking at the weather for climbing or skiing on the East side of the central cascades.
NOAA Weather Forecast for Marblemount, WA »
This is the forecast we start with when looking at the weather for climbing or skiing on the West side of the north cascades.
NOAA Weather Forecast for Mt. Adams Climb (9800') »
This is the best weather forecast for those climbing Mt. Adams.
Northwest Avalanche Center Detailed Weather Forecast »
Northwest Avalanche Center Detailed Avalanche Forecast »
Equipment and Clothing Links
CiloGear »A few years back John received a CiloGear pack as part of work he was doing reviewing equipment for Alpinist Magazine. When he pulled his 65L Worksack out of the box it was love at first site, and we have been working with CiloGear ever since. Bomber, simple, functional, reasonably priced packs....great stuff.
Patagonia »
Patagonia is the official apparel sponsor of the Northwest Mountain School. For years Patagonia has led the industry in support of environmental issues. Patagonia donates at least 1% of its sales to environmental causes. NMS has a long history with Patagonia and we are very proud to use their products.
Petzl »
Petzl is the official hardware sponsor of the Northwest Mountain School and provides us with much of the climbing hardware we use in the field.
Sportiva »
Sportiva takes good care of all of John and Olivia's footwear needs and helps us determine what will be the best shoe for rock climbing, ice climbing, and expeditions both high and low altitude. Italian made footwear of the highest quality from a very solid company.
Leavenworth Area Links
Stevens Pass Ski Area »
Stevens is our home ski area. Massive snowfall, great in bounds and slack country skiing as well as the departure point for many of our most popular local backcountry tours. There is now also a great summer mountain bike park. Stevens has a cult-like local following that is well deserved.
WenatcheeOutdoors.org »
is the best regional resource for monitoring the snow conditions and weather of Central Washington. Also their backcountry skiing guidebook has descriptions and maps for over 100 different tours and is the best compilation of backcountry ski tours around Stevens Pass, Blewett Pass, Mission Ridge, Chelan, and Entiat. Many of these tours are appropriate for less experienced backcountry while many others visit complex terrain (both from a navigation and snow safety standpoint). We’d be happy to guide you along any of these routes.
Sleeping Lady Resort »
This gem of a spot is located at the mouth of Icicle Canyon and is a great place to stay or eat when visiting Leavenworth. For those on a budget we recommend O'Grady's Pantry located on the grounds of Sleeping Lady and a common meeting point for many NMS programs. If you want to meet an NMS guide on their day off, they are likely relaxing at O'Grady's in between climbs.
Run of the River »
This is our favorite Leavenworth area Bed and Breakfast. The breakfast must be fantastic because many of our clients call and push back the start of their rock climbing days so that they can have a second serving.
A Book for All Seasons »
John has a degree in English Literature and has a soft spot for really great independent book stores. We are lucky to have such a good book store in little Leavenworth. A family run establishment, these folks also run a small inn and a winery. Check em out!
Boudreaux Cellars »
Long time climber and Jack of all trades Rob Newsom started Boudreaux Cellars on his land out in Icicle Creek. Somehow he wrangles the finest grapes from places like Walla Walla and the magically creates some of the best wines you will ever taste. John and Olivia were married at Boudreaux in 2007.
Climbing and Ski Shops
Feathered Friends »Feathered Friends is probably one of the best all around shops for people looking for equipment for extended expeditions or lightweight climbing and ski gear. Ask them for a 10% discount and tell them the Northwest Mountain School sent you.
Second Ascent »
Probably the best store we have ever seen of its type. These guys sell a combination of new and used equipment and is always out first stop when we have a last minute equipment need that needs to be filled on a low budget.
Leavenworth Mountain Sports »
Adams and Cheryl are good friends and they run a great shop right here in Leavenworth. A small, family owned shop in a small town that boldly carries a great selection of outdoor gear. LMS provides all the rental shoes for our Leavenworth programs and is a good spot to stop before or after a NMS rock course. Great folks that will appreciate your support.
Other links
Treasure Mountain Inn Park City, UT »TMI is a mid-sized Park City, UT hotel run by our good friends and adventure companions, Andy Beerman and Thea Leonard. Over the years they have housed and fed us so generously that the least we could do was link them to our site.
WildSnow.com »
Lou Dawson's backcountry ski website has the best collection of backcountry ski gear reviews on the web. We run into Lou each year at the big gear show in Salt Lake and he is generally about three steps ahead of everyone with what is new on the gear scene.
Off-Piste Magazine »
Dave Waag is a friend from Oregon that runs an excellent ski magazine called Off-Piste that keeps tabs on the Pacific Northwest Ski scene and backcountry skiing in general.
Anya Zolotusky, Web diva Extraordinaire »
Anya produces the Northwest Mountain School's website and lives in the Northwest corner of WA with a pack of wild chickens and dogs. A climber herself, Anya got her start working for mountainzone.com
Photographer John Scurlock »
John has spent many years flying around the Cascades in Winter and building a library of the most amazing photos of Washington's mountains we have ever seen. Simply stunning.
