This site is useless without pics.

I didn't know about the secrecy thing in the NW US. Is that really a big thing? Serious question. I didn't figure there were enough people out there that it would be an issue but Im probably being naive.

I don't mind putting up pictures and maps and routes. Some of the routes I put up are already in maps or guide books (eg Baldwin; Coast Mountains or Whistler Backcountry Map or Matt Gunn's Scrambles in the Coast Mountains). Some of the routes i put up I know people simply won't go for many reasons.

but there are some routes where I don't give locations or ever put up TRs so i guess Im guilty of the locals only mentality sometimes.

Actually I like the TAY substance without BS Trs. Most times i just put up teaser shots and link to my own site because I put up shots according to my own format and lay out trips to a template. Plus I put up lots of panoramas which blow up browsers sometimes.

btw - i also post at TGR and TTips but TTips annoys me a hell of a lot more then TGR. I guess Im just thicker - skinned

Lee - I think you put your finger on the secrecy thing. In other words, at least for my part, it varies by tour.

I will happily describe detail of tours that are either already well known/described (thoughts on return route from SW chutes on Adams, for instance, a well-known route but this bit of detail is interesting to bat around a bit) and/or aren't w/in <60 minute drive of a major metro area (e.g. west face of Earl in spring which perhaps only coincidentally started seeming a LOT more crowded in the few seasons after I first started reporting on it and nearby tours, but in that case I was fine with it...). All that said, I'm also willing to at least let folks know that there IS in fact sometimes good skiing in the Snoqualmie area, and I'll share some conditions info and perhaps photos that don't give away locations I'd rather share in person than online to the hundreds of lurkers that appear to read each of my cryptic reports. Let 'em do their own exploring in the near hills and find something new (at least to them), or get to know these areas by personal introduction (which I'm happy to provide, following Ron Jarvis' Stashworthiness Protocol of only passing it on in person and the rule passes along with the intros).  And I at least attempt to share sometihng that may be of use to someone after many of my tours, even if I don't have time or energy to write erudite prose or process a batch of photos (e.g. telemetry only hints at things like tree bomb status or whether an aspect is wind cooked which can have a big influence on tour choice). I'm not telling anyone that they have to like it, but just being honest about my own thought process.

Powdherb - welcome to the site and looking forward to some choice contributions. Set a example to follow!

I will happily describe detail of tours that are either already well known/described (thoughts on return route from SW chutes on Adams, for instance, a well-known route but this bit of detail is interesting to bat around a bit) and/or aren't w/in <60 minute drive of a major metro area (e.g. west face of Earl in spring which perhaps only coincidentally started seeming a LOT more crowded in the few seasons after I first started reporting on it and nearby tours, but in that case I was fine with it...).

I know what you mean, Jim.  I seem to always try to check in with myself and ask, "why am i posting?"  I, too, started posting the Teanaway about that time as well.  My specific motivation was to get skiers actually OUT THERE.  Sounds a bit weird, maybe, but before the approach melts out and shortens in early May, highmarking snowmobilers are out there (there is a limit to how much "dirt-biling" they will do by May).  They were of the thinking that no non-motorized users ever ventured that way.  I always made it a point to tell them they were just not seeing us.  From the top of Earl I've occasionally seen them do routes around the summit like: Stafford to Hardscrabble to Fourth to Beverly basins (major Wilderness encroachment issues in this case too).  This is usually when we still have to go in overnight from 29 Pines or the Stafford junction.  I also felt that by Spring it is easier to divulge corn snow more than a mid-winter powder stash.  This is somewhat consistent, I think, with some of the Cle Elum valley tours I post, overnights farther from Seattle, or the more touring oriented areas of out of Snoq.  I try to maintain some standards and ethics, I want to think mostly I am trying to get some pertinent info out to someone.  As you said, telemetry, weather forecasts, avy reports only give so much info.  But I'll admit I ocassionally just want some folks to know I've been getting out, too.  Hopefully to spark some interest in partnering up the next time.  Somehow, as incomplete as a keyboard and screen is to true human relationships, I kinda consider TAY a community.
Eh, some thoughts anyway???!!!
John

Lee Lau posts his ski trips on almost every "outdoor" site on the internet, be it hiking, biking, skiing or climbing based sites. He leaves pics, maps, GPS, snow science, etc. for anyone to follow. I'm not sure exactly why or how he does this. My best guess is that he is trying to start a backcountry revolution of some sort, or he is extremely in need of ???. I hope it's the prior and I hope it works. At least the skin tracks will be in when you show up at your favourite tour.

I would like this site to allow more than three pics per TR. Make the limit at least 9. Most people have high speed internet and if you're still dial-up, and concerned about load time, you can skip over the pic filled TRs.

Also, don't rip on Lee Lau. I appreciate his posts on this site and TGR.