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I agree Matt. We're in there now. It'd be even more of a crime (and create a bigger mess) to cut and run now. Committed. So suck. I read an opinion piece the other day about how the GI's are getting screwed. The writer was in Vietnam and he made the point that in Vietnam kids were sent over there with a one-year time limit on their service. If they survived a year, they got sent home. According to the writer, this gave some hope in a hellish situation. Each day you didn't get killed, you checked it off on a little calendar, and were that much closer to salvation. The guys in Iraq have no such guarantees. They just have to wait around there with basically no idea of when the terror of getting picked off is gonna end. That's pretty harsh. Just the other day the paper talked about the national guard and reservists getting their terms extended to "at least" spring. That's right, no max date, just "you gotta stay longer". I'd say that the powers that be oughta do something about this, but, shit, I can't think of what they could do, short of starting up the draft. Which would of course be so suck. Nasty situation.

When I heard the news this morning, I figured that was the first time I can remember when I've actually felt truly affected when a show business person I don't know died. Here's to you Johnny . ETA agreed Greg. Poor choice, lyrics removed.

I think they're called "The 11c on the left" "The 12a with the roof" "The 13", ... etc.

Hehe guess you gave up on this one. Had to fall back on your old standby since you got nothing worthwhile to spout. By other countermeasures I assume you're talking about anti-missle missles, thus my comments on Patriots. Big ol' carriers are risky. One lucky missle and it's a jillion dollars down the drain. I think it'd be smarter to be diversified and stick with smaller ships packin' cruise missles.

Yeah right, an F-18 is gonna knock down a missle . Patriot missles are a sham. Public relations to make us feel safe. Or should I say, make us feel happy about sending our sons and our neighbors' sons out into the fray under nebulous pretenses.

I think they might be needing another one of these down the road as its supposedly pretty easy to f*ck one of these jillion dollar babies up with a missle or two. They're pretty good though when you're pummeling some little shit country without any gizmos.

Oxymoronic troll or simply moronic? Discuss.

Grand Wall (even though not in the best style) Complete N Ridge Stuart (even though we bivied on top) Dragging the family on a successful backpack trip (even though it was only a mile from the car)

For only $5.95.... aw what the heck, I'll tell you how to do it for free. I set my number of posts per page to 23. So there, you annoying pagetoppers!!!

This sh*t is not interesting if the called shots are anonymous! Please eschew PP's poll and sign your name next to your weekend ambition! thankyouverymuch BTW, as for me, some pitches on a mountain, possible FA but probably only virtual FA.

Oh wait, I get it now. PP, you sure turned into a sh*tty typist as of late!

I believe there is shared blame on this one. First, the driver who is in the wrong lane. Second, the usually confusing Washington signage doesn't help. Third, the self-appointed nazi f**khead traffic enforcer that won't let one car into the lane ahead of them. I think the third SANFTE is at least as much to blame for holding everybody else up.

Yeah! C'mon Klenke! I know it's difficult for you to "pony up", but give it a try!

Trash guys come tomorrow. Put out your trash.

Well, yes, but they are worried that some clueless driver might get mad at them if they switch from vehicle to pedestrian mode. Actually as a cyclist, I'll be in that right turn spot and get the feeling that maybe the car behind me wants to turn right. I look back, and if they got their turn signal beeping, I move it onto the sidewalk. If they don't, I don't.

Thank you, thank you one and all. This thread completely kicks ass on all thirty seven of the Bitch-at-Beck threads combined! I can't believe how much climbing got talked about after just one longwinded obnoxious request. Let's all do this again come Mon-Tuesday after this forthcoming unprecedented simultaneous occurence of weekend and good-weather window (whood a thunk it !?). If you wish to be specifically named in next week's "What-did-you-climb" query (sorry AlpineK ), then call your shot now! That's right, pre-chestbeating is being solicited. Also for those tempted to dredge up past stories, no worries. A "What did you tick this year?" thread will be appearing sometime in late October.

I think you guys might like the Roosevelt-Kaleetan traverse , but the weather looks iffy on the West side. West Ridge of Stuart as already recommended is probably a good idea, though it might be crusted with rime! Might take longer than Bug's time if you're doing belays with a rock-inexperienced person. It probably wouldn't happen to you; but, the route is somewhat legendary for route-finding-induced unplanned bivies. How much trouble would that get you in? If the West side is looking OK, you might also consider Little Big Chief Mountain (Up Dutch Miller Gap trail) or Foggy Peak (Monte Christo area). Little Big Chief is mostly hiking and scrambling with two 20 feet sections of probably-want-a-rope territory. If you take the East Face version, there is some clean 4th class (probably-want-a-rope) for about 2 pitches. Foggy Peak (N Ridge) has 3-4 pitches of clean granite 4th-verylow 5th on an airy ridge. Fairly quick and easy approach (if you have Mt bikes) with one fairly short section of steep bush. You can descend easily via the SW route.

7. waiting at a four way stop until the approaching car comes to a complete stop. 8. pulling up to a light in such a fashion as to block the entire lane instead of staying far enough left to allow someone to squeeze through on the right and make a right on red.

I climbed that route [...] It looks fairly stiff for 5.8 either way. It's 5.8+! Good one fer sure. That and Gorilla My Dreams, good Grand Wall training.

You're one to talk!!!! Latona Tavern ring any bells?

Mattp! No, thank you for contributing! I do enjoy a nice hike! Scotty my man! Excellent chestbeat! 9 hours , saaah-mokin' ! I will have to try that one day! E-Rock thank you for your sarcastic rhetorical question! I hope it helps root more climbing tales! Do exclamation points lose their value if every sentence in a post ends with one?!

Iain! I think this is a fine piece of conceptual art. Conveying well the "hook up with Erik" zeitgeist

Erik!! Way to go! You are a one-man climbing website savior!!! Let's get some more of you to do your part? Do you guys want people to think of you more as Rush Limbaugh or Conrad Anker!! Dittoheads or climbers!? It's up to you!

I was in the aforementioned group of 6 year-olds. We climbed at Roto Wall. My daughter was the one with the incorrect knot. She got up about 50 feet and called down "Daddy, I think my knot is coming untied" "HOLY SHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIT" I thought. LeeJams got pretty wide eyed and Bug got the word. I asked them if they could hold the rope for me or do something else and Bug (Da da daaaaaa!) quickly sprang into action (his shoes) and soloed up to my daughter. As I hoped, it was only the keeper knot that unraveled and all was well. Phew! Then Bug stayed up there and coached her up the hard part at that top. My daughter was stoked and worked two more offwidth 5.3's . Bug ! Seriously. Thanks again dude. So Fern, were you part of this romantic interlude thingy at WA Pass which you referred to on rec.climbing?