Bronco

Part of the "facade" of owning your own home is perpetuated by the mortgage and real estate industries which each have purdy active lobbys in both the state and federal levels. Bankers too. That being said, if anyone is interested in a 1,750 sf, 3 bed 2.5 bath near Monroe on 2.3 acres with a trout stream running through it, send me a PM. Seriously, I need to sell this place.

The best route is the one having the most fun

Try to avoid buying your boots over the web unless you tried on the boots locally. I'd recomend a full leather boot with a pretty stiff shank. If you're going with synthetic, I'd recomend a going with a goretex liner but you still need a stiff shank. I really like my Scarpa Matterhorn's for mountaineering but, they're not made anymore. Any of the full leather, rigid shank boots made by Scarpa, La Sportiva, Garmont, Vasque, Technica or Richle(sp?) are going to treat you good, you just need to get the one that fits the best. Plan on trying on around 10 different boots, eliminate the 7 that fit worst and make a decision from there.

How much do you think you paid in interest in that time? Let's say interest rates averaged 8% (just a guess) from '85 - '00 and your loan balance averaged $75k you probably paid around $6,000 per year in interest. You still came out ahead, just not as much as you were implying. Still need to deduct maintenance and stuff. The interest was deductible. Throughout the time I lived in that house, I was able to get back much of it in tax returns. The maintenance costs were pretty low. I never needed a new roof and any other work I did myself (Including a kitchen remodel), so the majority of maintenance expense (labor) wasn't an issue. There were some minor expenses I didn't factor in (which is why I included the 50% reduction provision you didn't include in the quote), but I still walked away with a considerable gain. The other varialble you glazed over was that you paid the principal down $20,000 yet included that in your ROI. I guess my point isn't to get into a battle cage with you, but, suggest that home buying is not as lucrative as some would imply. Most real estate agents are guilty of this as well. In the early 90's it was understood that with the mortgage interest rates at 8-9%, you could rent, invest the difference between a mortgage payment and the rent payment ($300-400 per month) and come out ahead of where a home buyer would be in a few years considering a modest return. With rates headed back up in coming years, this may become a reality again. Problem with this theory is you have to be disiplined enough to invest the money instead of buying new ropes and boots and parkas and ice tools and...

I think your typical 5'8" 150lb climber would see quite a bit of benefit from putting on 10 - 15lbs of muscle, especially in the alpine. It's pretty rare to see a climber who has so much muscle that it's working against them, I wouldn't worry too much about it.

How much do you think you paid in interest in that time? Let's say interest rates averaged 8% (just a guess) from '85 - '00 and your loan balance averaged $75k you probably paid around $6,000 per year in interest. You still came out ahead, just not as much as you were implying. Still need to deduct maintenance and stuff.

Oh, right. My mistake. I guess I didn't realize you were so tall.

It sounds like you were only about 3' off the ground up to this point in the TR. Did I miss something? w00t?

Screwdrivers are aid.

You may have accidently entered your waist insead of your wrist measurement.

The rest of you conceitful bastids can compare your body to the greek standard here: http://www.sandowmuseum.com/ideal.html

Probably of greater interest to those interested in their bicep measurement, the old rule of thumb for an asthetic male body was for the circumfrence of your neck, bicep and calf to each measure approximatly 50% of your waist measurement. Same goes for your thighs/chest. It seems like this was the proportions most Greek sculptors used.

Quit with the late night Jazzercise sessions.

I am aware that this thread is quickly headed to spray but, thought I'd mention one piece of advise David Parker posted here a while back that has stuck with me. "Most accidents in the mountains are caused by a series of mistakes or bad decisions." Just try to be aware of when negative factors are compounding into a downward spiral. Luck helps too.

I've had bad luck with nylon windshirts. I abraded the hell out of a marmot dryclimb the first time I wore it and managed to do the same thing with a standard nylon windbreaker from gi joes. Maybe I'm sizing them to small, but they seem to be sized for stickboys. I have had good luck with the stretch fabric stuff though like schoeller. I realize it's quite a bit heavier and bulkier but, I can usually climb one grade harder with it, even if its just riding in my pack. Schoeller Nylon

Go for it dude, that would be a good, light combo.

Radar detector has paid for itself many times over.

Did you notice the newest member? HI dad!

Depends on the forecast, I have a Cloudveil Cascade Jacket (Schoeller Dynamic, no hood) and a Patagonia Dimension jacket that get's taken most often. I run a little warmer and sweat more than my partners so I don't do hardshells. I'd look at a lightweight (and cheap) top like this: http://www.sierratradingpost.com/xq/asp/base_no.14096/dept_id./qx/product.htm and then get something with a hood to put on when the weather is crappy.

Wrong. Moderators and Admins (this includes you btw) ban people for being complete assholes, and one of them happened to be your friend. Get over it already, sheesh. Don't you have a super secret bannerators forum for discussing this kinda stuff?

2 more months...

1 - Coalition Provisional Authority. 2 & 3 - I don't care and I doubt the Iraqis do either.

Woke me right up. I looked out the window (facing North) and didn't see anything. Sounded like a loud series of popping in the Monroe foothills, like a bunch of big trees breaking.