Wopper

Speaking of International Men of Mystery - What is Conrad Anker doing in the newest Koflach ad? My guess is he just woke up from his alcohol induced slumber and has the hangover goofies. That picture was probably snapped right before he crashed again to sleep it off.

Don't forget to go to Chapel Hill and check out all the young hotties.

I don't know how much Barrabees is asking but my price is $75.

Anyone interested in a DMM Predator, bent shaft adze w/ leash?

Someday, I hope to climb Rodchester's mother.

I own both leathers(Montrails) and plastics(Koflachs). I would not wear my leathers ice climbing, likewise I would not wear my plastics on an approach trail. I believe they both have their distinct areas where they perform well. I am sure there are others that would disagree with me. Regardless on what you decide is right for you, go to REI, find the type and size of boot you want to buy and then visit sierratradingpost.com (as commented above) or REI.Outlet.com There is a good possibility you will find the same boot for a lot less $$$.

I read nothing but Krakauer.

I briefly met JK at a slide show Alex Lowe put on a few years ago. I found JK to be a humble guy who did not seem to be real comfortable when put in the spotlight. As for his writings, I found Into the Wild to be an interesting story that he pieced together well. It has been a few years since reading Into Thin Air, but if memory serves me well it was an interesting story. Like all controversies, there are many sides to the story. He was merely recounting the facts as he saw them or understood them. I don't think there is any harm in that. We all have opinions and not everyone is going to agree with them. For the record, I did not like Eiger Dreams, I found most of the stories to be boring and monontonous.

Rodchester - No suit of this type has been brought before a jury. Out of curiosity, do you have any idea how many have settled out of court? Understanding that climbing in itself is inherently risky, what about the lawyer that finds bolts to be an attractive nuisance? Not arguing, just asking. If there is no true lawsuit risk and those stories are old wives tales, someone should educate the property owner.

aws - I do not know the exact weight of the tool. It handles just fine. It has been used but is not thrashed and has a lot of years left. Though I am not taking up golf, due to other commitments I am giving up ice climbing.

Caveman - I suggest a simple non-scientific test. Have a buddy climb a 10' stepladder and drop rocks on your head(no helmet). Gradually increase the size of the rocks he is dropping until it starts to hurt real bad, draws blood or knocks you unconscious. If rocks this size or larger are going to be in the area you are climbing, wear a helmet. On a more serious note - Helmets are like a lot of things in climbing. A lot of it is based on personal experiences. I confess that I do not wear a helmet 100% of the time but I probably do 90% of the time(except Vantage - all the time there) I have a Petzl Ecrin Roc and it is comfortable to the point where I don't mind it. If you're not going to wear a helmet, understand and accept the risk.

While climbing on Sunshine Wall at Vantage last spring I knocked a rock off at the chains. It was a smaller rock but fell about 70' and landed right on top of my wife's noggin. Luckily, she was wearing a helmet. I doubt it would have caused serious damage but at a minimum would have hurt real bad and probably needed stitches. I know it would have ended an otherwise pleasant day of climbing. Moral to the story = We are the dorks wearing helmets all the time.

I agree with Pope - Go to a state college and use the extra 20k/year to buy a nice big rack.

No kidding. Brian - Don't lower your standards. Hold out for the blonde nympho that likes to bivy.

Haven't heard this one in a while....Off to the Battlecage!!!

Okay - People are already thinking and talking about ice and I have a tool for sale. DMM Predator - 50cm, bent shaft adze with pick, leash and case. A good tool in good shape. $75

I understand about the ad campaign, Koflach's are so comfy you wear them while lounging around the house.....that's not the question. Texplorer - If Conrad is sleeping why does he have a Tecate in his hand? That is called passing out, not sleeping. Dru - Go Red Wings!!

What exactly is the International Man of Mystery, aka Conrad Anker doing in the new Koflach ad? Does anyone have any insight? My guess is that he got all liquered up on his Tecate, passed out, spilled some, the gal is trying to clean up the mess and startled him.

It is in the northeastern corner of Oregon bordering on Idaho. About 5 years ago an old girlfriend and I spent a week backpacking through the Eagle Cap Wilderness Area. Beautiful area without crowds. They also have 84 kegs of free beer!!

My wife and I went to Swauk last summer and I was underwhelmed as well. We started out by taking the wrong trail, heading up the big sandhill, realizing it, backtracking and heading in the right direction. Got to the base of one of the climbs(I forget the name), scoping and thinking it was sketchy but deciding to do it anyways. We got racked up, flaked the rope and it started to pour on us. Waited for 10-15 minutes, packed up and walked back to the truck in the rain and drove home. I won't go back either. There is a reason it is not a very popular place. The bolts look manky and the routes wander all over the damn place. Charlie - I do not believe you can see it from the road. The turn off is right on top of Blewett Pass on the north side of the road. The road then wanders down into the valley.

mtnrngr - Keep your hatchet sharp and your head down. Best of luck to you and all your bros in the batts.

My buddy and I are planning on climbing Burgundy Spire this week-end. We are still looking for lots of biners, stoppers, cams, runners and ropes. If you would like to sponsor us please Fedex us the above gear so that we can do this climb. Thanks.

Don't forget to go surfing at Cape Hatteras and drink lots of beer at Chapel Hill.

Why don't they play poker in the jungle? To many cheetahs.

David Parker - I just looked it up on Barrabees and that is the one. I can't compare to the other packs mentioned in this thread but the Jetstream works real well for me and I like it a lot. [This message has been edited by Wopper (edited 09-13-2001).]