Jump to content

ryland_moore

Members
  • Posts

    1684
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Posts posted by ryland_moore

  1. As one who works with farmers in the Yakima, this is a unique situation where you had an illegal immigration 'bust' occur just before the picking season occurred, coupled with the fact that alot of those orchards are not off the beaten path and right on main highways. It is difficult for the illegals to get away from ins or sherriffs offices and easier for them to be picked up if they are picking in orchards right on the mcain highway. This is why some orchardists are flush with workers and others struggle to get their apples picked.

  2. Joesph, I would take it a step further. There is a problem with both illegal employers and illegal immigrants. You cannot say that it is not the fault of immigrants who come here illegally. It is their faults just as much as it is the people who employ them. If I said to you, I will give you $1 million for free, but it was stolen from a bank, dboes that mean it is o.k. for you to accept the money? or is any less illegal? I think businesses who hire illegal workers should be fined and the penalties should be high enough that it would deter most businesses from doing so, but untithe penalties for hiring illegals far outweighs the cost savings they reap from paying lower wages, then it will not have much of an affect.

     

    I am also calling B.S. on the post that illegal immigrants do jobs that Americans "won't do". I personally know of two people in Louisiana who were fired in the shrimping business becasue they were being paid $10/hour and the company started hiring illegals to pay them $4.25/hour. Yes, there are jobs out there that most americans won't do, but there are also jobs that American citizens are lossing, then do not have the job skills to go after mor lucrative jobs. Almost every highschool drop out in America will be competing with aaaillegal immigrants for these jobs. Maybe not jobs that you or I would ever want, but definitely low-paying blue collar jobs that do not require a degree.

     

    I also have a friend who owns a landscaping business, and his two top competiutors in gresham are oupfits that are owned and run by illegal immigrants. They charge less for the jobs, do great work and pay no taxes. Not even registered with the Sec. of State or incorporated. He estimates he has lost 20-25% of his business to these two "businesses".

     

    I think we need more stringent security at the border. I think implementing a guest worker program is awesome and we need to provide better opportunities to those who do want to move here and make it easier for those to obtain citizenship.

     

    Anyone who wants to move here and not become at least a dual citizen, learn our heritage, learn the english language (not necessarily using it), pay taxes, and become a citizen of the US is more than welcome to do so. All others should be kept out except for short visas (3-6 months max).

     

    I also have another friend who was in the Peace Corps in the Phillipines, got married to a Phillipino and has, for three years, been trying to get her to move here and become a legal citizen. They are married! And yet, she still is required to go back to the Phillipines every 3 months! they have an immigration attorney, have racked up over $60,000 in attorney fees and still she has not been granted citizenship ashile being married to an American. How is this fare?

     

    This is not about left vs. right. I belive in global warming and would consider myself a conservationist, work for non-profits, and even voted Kerry and Gore in the last two elections. But our borders do require more security. This is not about hispanics vs. white americans. It is about illegal immigrants coming into the country undocumented. You see thisno where else in the world.

     

     

     

  3. I don't think she died with a lot of money. The fortune of her late husband is being battled in the State Supreme Court right now. She was awarded around $400 million several years ago, but that was overturned, so it is still in probate. I think mosat of her money that she has been living off of was from her show on E!

     

    The father is either her attorney or her ex-boyfriend a photojournalist. Sad for her daughter though.

  4. I like you virendra7, I don't really understand you, but would love to party with you. Who is that on the sax, Coltrane?

     

    I believe everyone has there own "God" and should be allowed to define them how they want. My "God" or whatever, doesn't require that I convert anyone or go to church. It, he, she, requires me to go climbing more than 100 times a year, hiking, respecting nature, etc.

     

    Coltrane had "A Love Supreme" for his God. And his god was ok with him shootin smack, I guess.

     

    coltrane was into hinduism and found or was found by 'the ' 'god' after and thru his addiction.

    i have made a solemn vow of manual celibacy therefore must pass on your sweet offer.

     

    Virendra7, didn't you just come to CC.com during the Hood incident? Damn, 844 posts already? Watch out Dru, you've got competition!

  5. Stewart, I don't think you are wrong.

     

    Tvash, yeah, that is what i was taking from it. But again, that was what he, as a man, was saying, probably from his individsual point of view, but he would not go so far as to say that he could speak on God's behalf and that she would not reach heaven if she acted on her feelings. I would not agree with her pastor here.

     

    Also, any of y'all check on the video "First Ascent"? Really cool movie, but one of the best climber's in the world, Didier Berthod is a devout Christian . He also seems to have a really cool perspective on climbing and what it means in his life. I highly recommend it.Not your typical 5.15 sendfest of a route that has been beaten into submission all for the glory of appearing on a climbing vid with your favorite track playing in the background.

  6. Defining specific sections within a religion is next to impossible. I greww up thinking all Southern Baptists were snake handlers who spoke in toungues and were not allowed to danceor have fun. I grew up thinking Jerry Fallwell was crazy ( I still do). So, labeling someone as Christian and having the same or similar beliefs may be totally off base. I would considersomeone who believes in Christianity and someone who labelsthemsleves a fundamentalist Christian as two almost completely different things. Same as I would label polygamists and mormons astwo totally different things (in present day)

  7. I guess I was trying to make it more general for others. In Christianity, yes, you can make it to heaven if you accept Jesus as your Saviour. There was a great documentary on last night about a teen lesbian who was Christian in the south somewhere and was being ostracized by her church because she came out of the closet. She actually met with her pastor and confronted him with som e of the issues she was dealing with in regards to her faith and with being gay. It was pretty impressive to see the pastor's response. he said, "I am not the one who judges you, He is." So I interpret to mean that all people regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or beliefs can all go to heaven.

  8. I am not sure about areas. I grew up in the deep south and was raised in the Episcopal church, but now would consider myself a non-denominational Christian. Do I believe in a higher power? Sure. Do I believe in all that the Bible says? Not necassarily. Especially when dealing with wording on Creation.

     

    However, in regards to other issues such as the gay and lesbian community, aboration issues, etc. in the end I believe you will either be accepted into heaven (whatever that is) or not. You will be judged based on how you live your life. Will I get there? Who knows. I've done some pretty stupid stuff in my life. Everybody "sins" whether you are Christian or not. So, it is not like Christians can say that they are going to heaven becasue they are hetero and those that are gay are not. To me it just isn't that simple. Also, it is tuff for me, becasue I do not necassarily believe being gay is a choice. And so there are a ton of gay Chri tians out there who are totally trapped. They can live their life in a Christian minner and not necessarily go to heaven because the Bible says that God is against it. In the end though, I believe we will all be judged, whther it is by a God, on a spiritual level or some other level. I would not pretend to have all of the answers, nor would I ever push my beliefs on anyone else. And finally I do not think others are "wrong." They just achieve their spiritual needs i a different manner. Maybe that is not being a true Christian if there is a definition, but that is what I choose to belive.

     

    As an aside, there is a relatively new Christian church that just started up in Portland that focuses on the environment and protecting the environment, and being in portland, they already have a ton of new members.

  9. I doubt the manufacturer eats it, since it is REI's policy to accept someone's retrurn when nothing is wrong with it mechanically. But I do see your point. Or maybe REI is the big box wal-Mart of the outdoor world, where, becasue they do so much volume from the manufacturers, they can dictate to the manufacturers what to do with returns (ie. eat the cost, or we will not carry your product anymore).

     

    In that case, then buy 3 or 4 sets of tools, take them all out at once, whack them to hell and return all the opthers that you don't like. Good to keep in mind.

     

    Has anyone ever refused to buy gear just to use it for the weekend and then returned it when finished? I say you could outfit a whole trip like this with ropes, pro, gear, or a week-long kayak expedition up in the San Juans, or a big bike tour somewhere. What would prevent anyone from doing something like this and returning everything, except for a guilty conscience?

  10. REI accepts returns on climbing gear!? This only reaffirms why I never shop at REI. I wonder if they have the same policy for biners, cams, ropes, and harnesses? I am sure everyone else has opinions on this, but I would never buy ss"used" or even "pre-sold" climbing gear from anyone. This includes buying used tools.

     

    I guess tools are less likely to have failure issues, as well as crampons, but most places will not take any climbing gear back. remember the guy that was trying to sell a once used ice axe on cc.cm a week or so ago, becasue he bought the wrong length?gear stores typ cally do not take this gear back, nor would I ever buy climbing gear from a store that does.

     

    That is cool that the place in Banff rents high-end tools. I still think the best way to try them out is to go to a climbing comp like the one they used to have in Lillooet or check out Ouray or Bozeman, or just go climb with a bunch of guys with different tools.

  11. What your title to the thread states and what you discuss are two different things. I think I can justify that almost all aspects of climbing are a bit contrived. I may agree with you a little more that dry-tooling a sport route without any ice is more contrived than say, putting up three sport routes within ten feet of each other, but to say that ice climbing is contrived and then discuss dry-tooling a sport route, then I think you may have missed it Kevbone.

     

    Everyone will argue what they feel is right, but yes, as a mediocre ice climber, I would have to say that what Gadd did was contrived. Now with that said, I would think sport climbers would have more of an issue with what he did than anyone, especially if it scarred the rock or changed holds on route. I see dry tooling on established areas/climbs as bad juju, but I also see a place for dry-tooling just as I see a place for gym climbing.

  12. JH, do you mean "Religion" in an organizational way or in "Religion' in the belief of a God way? I think you should differentiate. If it is the former, then I can see where you might have some issues. If it is the latter, then I would feel sorry for you.....

  13. I doubt there is anywhere that has all of the nicest tools for you to try out or rent. If any shops even have one set of ice tools, I am sure they are old skool x-15s or the like.

     

    Also, if you buy them, I am sure they are treated like all other climbing gear and are not returnable. Ice axes are not, nor are crampons.

     

    I think your only chance is to go to an ice comp where you can demo gear or go with friends who have different tools to try out....

  14. Just drove back from Tri-Cities and there is a lot of ice around Ainsworth. There is a line to the right (west) of the main Ainsworth lines that is fully connected and "looked to be in" and about 3 pitches long. Sorry Glassgow if I offend you with this comment on being "in". Maybe I should clarify: I would go check it out with tools and gear if I had the day off tomorrow morning.

     

    There are also lines on the east side of the Ainsworth face that I have never even remotely seen come in like they are. The main lines of Ainsworth are not fully connected. Mist is in on the lower right, but would be pretty wet underneath, and there are a few other long lines past Biggs that might be climbable. There may be something "in" to the right of Mist as well, but hard to tell from the distance.

     

    Wish I could go out again this weekend, but got the Hall Pass the last three weekends in a row.....

     

    Caveat: I could not tell how thick the ice was, but the ice around Ainsworth was white and not opaque if that helps....

  15. Thanks Alex. Yeah, we thought we were on Second on the Left. That first pitch is great! Looks like you could top rope that climb too if you came across the ledge from 3rd on Left for those not wanting to lead WI4. We also rapped off of a fir tree to the left of the climb tying a 70 meter and 60 meter rope together. Two 60s should work as well.

     

    Also, that second pitch looks like it would definitely go for a hardman! The right side of the column looks like it would make it a little easier, but not sure if it will hold on much longer in the sun. It was still really cold, but the rock may warm that upper pitch up beyond it being able to hold on.

  16. Trip: Strobach Ice -

     

    Date: 1/27/2007

     

    Trip Report:

    Me and four buddies headed to Strobach on Saturday looking for ice after reading various reports over the last two weeks. We scored a sled for the long 6 miles in and left Portland at 4:30am. It took us longer than we estimated to get to the FS road and arrived around 8:30am.

     

    100_0221web.jpg

     

    We geared up and tried to figure out how to fit 5 guys plus gear on one sled. We were able to make this work by having the driver wear his pack and two others on each side standing on the rails while pulling two skiers. Amazingly this worked very well.

     

    100_0222web.jpg

     

    At the junction of FS Rd. 570 and 1201 (and after missing 570 completely and realizing our mistake at the junction of 1202 and Tieton Rd) we stopped to consult the map to make sure we were turning onto Rd. 1201. When we went to get back on the sled, it would not go. We thought the breaks were on, messed with the drive train, and even bled the break fluid foregoing breaks in hopes to get the sled to go but to no avail.

     

    100_0223web.jpg

     

    Finally we got the bright idea of checking the tread to see if it had frozen, and of course that was the problem. At least we knew it was cold enough for the ice to still be around!

     

    We headed on up and after taking FS Rd. 1201 to the end and realizing our mistake again, we doubled back to Rd. 609 turn-off and headed up to the end, but not before blowing the belt on the sled. Luckily we had a spare (although it was an old one). We slogged in for about 45 mins. and finally reached the ice. Being that it was now 1:00pm, we decided not to head too far into the motherload and jump on the first ice that looked appealing. We decided on a nice line going at WI 4+ and a full 60 meters, that looked to have a serious second pitch of around WI 5+/6 and slightly overhanging pillar at the bottom.

     

    100_0225web.jpg

     

    I think this may be "Second on the Left". Even though the guidebook says "unclimbed" I am sure someone has done this first pitch, because it was so classic. It starts with fairly steep ice and only eases back one time until finishing with a steep and completely vertical section for about 40 feet to the top of the ledge.

     

    100_0229web.jpg

     

    Tim Garland led it in style and Jesse Woods and I followed.

     

    100_0236web.jpg

     

    100_0250web.jpg

     

    Meanwhile, Matt Wills and Scott Kastengren were climbing First on the Left. They did the first pitch and did not have time to venture up one of the various options for the second pitch.

     

    We rapped off just as night was falling and we did not make it to the woods after the boulder field before we were turning on the headlamps. We made it back out to the sled under clear skies and a nice bright moon. Tim and I skied down while the other three rode the sled. We made it back at the same time as the sled (due to the sled not having breaks and missing the turnoffs and having to turn around each time) as you can ski the entire way down with only minimal polling. I never had to take the skis off once.

     

    We made it back to the car around 7pm and to some really cold beers.

     

    100_0251web.jpg

     

    We loaded everything up and headed to Naches for some Nachos (Mexican food and beer) and rolled back into PDX around midnight.

     

    Thoughts on the Trip:

     

    This place is amazing with a ton of lines in right now. These routes collectively blow Leavenworth out of the water and are on par with Banks Lake. There are a lot of climbs close together and there is a ton of area yet unexplored.

     

    We will be going back, with a sled, and will stay for a weekend at a minimum.

     

    Even if we had been dialed in and got to the area sooner, we likely would have stayed until dark, so the trip time would not have been shorter, we just would have climbed more ice.

     

    We ran into a group of two climbers in the parking lot who were going in on foot. They had turned around after the first mile because they said it was just too far to get in there and climb. I would have to agree. Unless going in for a weekend, or if you really have the trip dialed and are fast, it would be more enjoyable over a weekend. Or simply take the second appraoch mentioned in the guidebook if going in on foot.

     

    Notes on Ice and conditions:

     

    The ice we saw and climbed was amazing. Sun did get on 2nd on Left and Third on Left and other climbs closer to the woods like Primus Sucks. There appeared to be a new line not mentioned in the guidebook between Primus Sucks and 3rd on the Left. There is also a shorter line that came in between 2nd on Left and 1st on Left, but very short. It's second pitch would be a wild mixed line.

     

    The first pitch of Second on Left was awesome. The ice was very plastic and was a little deteriorated at the very top, where it gets the most sun. The deathcicles looming above on the second pitch did not let loose (except a little when the sun first hit it) and were dripping with water until the sun set, then abruptly stopped and were likely re-freezing.

     

    Matt and Scott reported ice on First on Left a little different. They reported very hard ice that dinner plated even on face ice and took 3-5 strikes just to sink the tool and to clear the few top layers of ice. Matt, who leads WI 5 comfortably, stated the ice was in layers and very brittle as it never sees sun. When Scott got on the TR, the whole line shuddered and settled at which point they both quickly got off and cleaned the route and headed back.

     

    All in all, this was as much an exploratory trip as anything else. We learned a lot about the area and will be back again. It is in an awesome setting, you feel totally removed from anything and the views over to Rainier are incredible. We had stellar High Pressure weather and it remained cold the entire day. This ice should be around for a while, especially those on the right side of Separation gulley, which did not see sun the entire day.

     

    I would say that a day trip from Portland (20 hrs. for us) can be a little much and a full weekend would be perfect for this place. Plus, there is so much ice we would not have left if we had the gear.

     

    One note to Alex and Jason. The route description of Second on Left states, "Climb a short, low angle flow to a steep pillar above." I would say that this first full rope-length flow is neither short nor low-angle. It is solid WI 4 and fully vertical at the top as you can see from the pictures. Either that or we have no clue what we were climbing! I would say this is an accurate description for Third on the Left.

     

    Finally, go get out there! It does rival almost any other ice climbing area in the Pacific Northwest! Thanks to Sobo and Alex for quality beta.

     

     

     

     

     

  17. It has to make you wonder if the only reason we are seeing so many new first ascents this year is because of the unusual amount of precip we got back in November/Early December or is it just more people out there exploring. I'd have to say that I think the unusual amount of rain we got has helped a lot for the desert climbing as this place was cold enough the last two years (when the Gorge was going off) but the drips just did not have the amount of water they do this year. I think Eastern Oregon and Washington have always had the potential, but it may just take the right combination of moisture and temps. The desert usually does not have the moisture component. Sm exception would be ice in the Wallowas and Elkhorns near Baker City. You can try to PM Terminal Gravity from this site and see if he'll give up the beta on existing climbs. Another place that is probably rarely explored during the winter is the Snake River Canyon on the Oregon side around Imnaha and the Steens Mountains. Owyhee Canyon as well? Grab some BLM maps and head out there.

     

    Note: There are disclaimers on all public lands maps that say they may not be accurate. I found this to be the case while hunting ove by Fossil, OR. Trust signage over general maps.

     

    Yes, I bet there are a ton of climbs out there on public lands. I have seen a ton of potential on public lands when bird hunting for chukar. Heck, I saw more ice then I ever have on highway 84 on Saturday!

×
×
  • Create New...