nierman

Budget constraints are probably right on. They say they close it for the winter, but obviously they have a pretty liberal interpretation of when winter starts and ends if you have noticed the opening and closing dates the past few years.

Hmm, I guess it depends on who is your company.My wife and I just got insured this past yearand climbing is not a risk activity. After twofull years of coverage we can even commit suicideand the policy will be effective. I guess shoparound till you find what suits you. Doug P.S. This isn't what we shopped around to find,just our first try. ;-)

I've heard the same format before donkeyhung but it was 25 lbs and a tavern jacket!

Thanks for all the feedback guys!Plenty for me to get started with/spend a lifetimeplaying around with. Cheers, Doug

Hello, I'm looking at moving to the greater Sacramento area. Any advice on good crags with 2-3 hours? Any farther than that and I guess I should just head to the Valley. Trad preferred, but feel free to mention anything. Thanks for the advice. Doug

A buddy of mine told me he saw a team rapping down damnation at Castle last weekend removing some old pitons. I was under the impression that most people consider it proper etiquette to leave these relics in place, and was just wondering if anyone knows what is up?

Hey, anybody been into Ingalls that cares to share what the approach/route conditions are like? Thinking of heading up midweek with a buddy to jump on the ever popular 5.4 climb. Cheers, Doug

I have heard that in order to be able to say for sure if they tick is a carrier of lyme disease you need to take the tick with you and they can send it to a lab to have it analyzed. Also, I'd add prompt care seems to be key. Symptoms can appear and then be dormant for a very long time making you think you are safe. Hopefully kill it in the beginning with the treatment from the doc's and not have to worry about it later. Anyone having more information please add your two cents as my knowledge to add is general at best. Cheers, Doug

There has been a bit of mention about the condor route. Sounds like it is about 7 pitches and 5.10ish. Can someone post the location/approach so those of us interested can get a look? One other thing, the route description for dan's dreadful direct in the leavenworth guide reads desperate climbing with marginal gear. Hopefully the guys retrobolting know what they are up to, and are not destroying someone elses legacy. In this case the FA by Dan Davis and Pat Callis in 1963, and FFA by Dan lepeska, and John Stoddard in 1985. Not finger pointing, just trying to add some information. Cheers, Doug