TimL

I've had no problems with all my pairs. How long do you expect a pair of socks to last? For regular use, a year is a fairly long time for a pair of socks to last.

Sweet! Thanks Specialed!

I'll be traveling to Spain in a week and will have some free time to rock climb. I was wondering if anyone has information about climbing in Spain. I am primarily looking for locations around Madrid. Also, I am also looking to see if anyone has information on the Picos De Europa. Primarily, easier routes up the Naranjo De Bulnes. Thanks for any and all beta.

I friggin luv the Gunks

On what I would consider my short-term tour of East Coast crags, I just visited the Dacks last weeks. I would reccomend going to Pok-O-Moonshine. Its much like the Lower Index Town Wall and offers a variety of good crack routes at about the same rating difficulty as Index. For 5.8 trad, I would say climb The Sting and Gamesmanship. Both are awesome 5.8's. If you keep going down the trail to the climbers right from Gamesmanship, there are a number of bolted 5.10 face climbs. There is a good campground right below the cliff that will enable a five minute walk to the climbs in the morning. I also climbed at the Spiders Web which was really good. Much better than Pok-O. The only thing about Spiders web is there are only a couple quality, 5.8's and 5.9s. Most of the cracks are hard 5.10 or in the 5.11 range. I'd reccomend Mr. Rogers 5.8 and Esthesia 5.9+. If you really want a good crag, I'd say make the drive to the Gunks. I just came back from there this past weekend and I think it, besides Index, is one of the best single crags I've ever visited. Have fun. I might actuallyt be in the Adirondacks next weekend for the Walface.

Hey Rat...when did Yosemite become part of Europe? I know plenty of routes that have fixed lines on the approches and descents. West Face of Leaning Tower ring a bell? GregW...really, no offense, but WA Pass is just another rock climbing crag right off the road.

gear to 3 maybe 3.5 for the fist crack leading to chimney, then small TCUs. Wasn't it rated 5.8 in the older 11worth guidebook? I've always thought it was a super good 5.8! Awesome route, its one I try to do a least once a year.

So who named the Girth Pillar and why

The ironic, obvious quote that I've heard many times "That climb was easy except for the crux."

I guess the way I see it, climbing is a first come first serve basis. If you want a route that bad, then get there earlier. In regards to beginners, we all started at one point, have a little friggin understanding rather then bitching on the internet about something. A $10 chain is worth less then someones life. As for places to take people, everything is open, although there are some areas better suited for beginners. And whats with this assumption that everyone started climbing in the gym!

the bigger question is the condition of the east ledges descent.

Yes, I did see potential

Nope, just off route. Our stupid mistake.

Just a couple notes on Chianti Spire: - I'd consider this climb to be a good wide crack climb. It has some of the most sustained wide crack climibng I've done in the Cascades. Super good shizzle. - We stated directly under the corner in a wide crack with loose blocks in it that eventually pulled a small roof on cool face holds. Good protection. Felt like 5.9/10a. - The eight inch crack will take a Metolius Yellow and Blue cam on the inside after the #4 tips out. Go left side in and climb face holds and ninja style offwidth technique. Little heady, but not very hard. - With 60 meter ropes we combined pitches 2 and 3 with about a meter to spare. - On the headwall offwidth pitch, there is a crack about 3 feet right of the OW, that will accept smaller gear. - When rapping, rap from the summit block to the headwall rap station. From there rap down past the station on top of pitch four, blind 5.8 reach around corner, directly down to a single bolt and slung flake. From there two more rapes will bring you to the glacier. Note, only the upper raps follow the climbing route. The last couple go straight down to the glacier. In early season leave an ice axe at the base of the rap route or bring shoes because the raps leave you a couple hundred feet away from your pack and a little steep snow to climb in rock shoes.

Scholar with a Dollar 10c - Lower 8 Mile Buttress The Nose 10d - Castle Rock MF Overhang 10c - Castle Rock Easter Overhang 10c - Midnight Rock Z Crack 10c - Alphabet Rock Iconoclast 10c - Snow Creek Wall Debs Crack 10d - Debs Crack All super good routes for the grade. I think there is some good climbs at Pearly Gates, but I don't know the names or grades off the top of my head. Have fun.

Thinking about heading out into the mountains on Thursday if the weather is ok. Interested in climbing Clean Break, Colchuck Balenced Rock West Face, Baker North Ridge or maybe Slesse as day routes. I'll lead all crux pitches if not the entire route. Looking for a partner that can move fast in the mountains. PM me if interested. BobbyPeru? Alex?

Partner found. Thanks for the save JJA.

Climbing partner bailed, unbailed, then rebailed. PM me if you want to climb at WA Pass. I'd also be into other stuff. I'll ropegun. Just make sure your competent and can follow fast 5.10- in the mountains.

tape your ankle....I'll ropegun really, thats a bummer about your ankle

That sucks Ken. I'd be into doing Chianti and Clean Break, but up for other things as well, although I'd like to get the best bang for the buck and WA PAsss sounds money!

My partner had to bail for good reasons, so looking to do something in the mountains. Was thinking of something like Clean Break and Chianti, or a long rock ridge traverse or something snowy/icy, but I'm open to anything. I could maybe take Tuesday off as well. PM me if interested.

Pete, I know pad people are a lower form of life then alpinist, but Distel is an alright kid....maybe even some day with the right guidance, he can become a proper alpine climber....

WTF - Slappyhappy asked a legit question. When did it become a rule that you have to be nice all the time. Certainly confrontation adds a little spice to life. Frankly, if your going to moderate a question, even if its not in the tone, then you should moderate the spray reports that are recorded in this forum?

its a bit of a walk, 20 miles or so, to break her into mountaineering. Plus, I think the route has a 5.9 OW I think. With all that in mind, you might be walking out alone.