jblakley

Perhaps I was too easy on Harsh Realms dude and too hard on crazyjz. It sounds like this guy is in need of at least a little contructive peer ridicule. For his benefit and those around him I hope he is climbing for reasons other than to enhance his image. Sorry if I was a bit of a prick crazyjz. Humbly, Jim

Crazyjz, Dude that was a little harsh. Everything is relative. He has a right to be proud of whatever he does. If he wants to put up a website that's also his right. I'm sure you have never told anyone of your accomplishments in any way. I bet you're one of these silent hardmen who never ever toots your horn. This form and level of ridicule should best be left in high school don't ya think? Jim PS if you're still in high school disregard :-) [This message has been edited by jblakley (edited 04-28-2001).]

Check out his Harsh Realms web site. Angela sure is a hottie! Scott why do you want to climb a cold distant mountain when you have her at home...LOL Funny how I climb much harder and more often when I'm single. Wonder why that is..LOL

The most satisfying part of seeing the Mariners do well is that they are doing it without their former "big money" players. Other than that I tend to like watching more individual sports such as bike racing or F1 racing. I draw the line at Curling however. :-)

Hey I was just over at www.ellensburghoneys.com and ran across this article "Warning: College Student posing as climber in order to cop feels". Charlie I think they're on to ya. I would switch over to your gynecologist scam til' the dust settles. Jim

That is indeed very good news. Just out of curousity does anybody know how it happened?

Zenolith, Dude you blew my cover!!!

I have a pair of Grivel G12's that work great. Easy to put on when it's cold and they have lots of bite for probably everything short of waterfall ice.

I've got it! Extreme hiking. Do dangerous things such as venture off trail occasionally. Or leave the water filter home on purpose. Deal with Giarda on it's terms. Hike with a honey suit on in bear country. Ok sorry I know this was a serious question. I get sick of the whole media blitz on so called extreme sports. Maybe we could move a humorized version of this over to spray. Jim

Another tidbit of information to add to the fray. A buddy of mine is in Seattle Mountain Rescue and he recently told me that if a Military MAST chopper is called in to pluck somebody off a peak, it is written off as a training exercise. The dollars are already there and are spent whether it's a training mission or an actual rescue. It torks me off that the media plays off climbers as foolhardy and expensive to the taxpayers. Jim

Perhaps we could organize some sort of public forum in which all are welcome to come. We all know enough climbers collectively that perhaps we could get a broad cross section of the WA climbing community. If some can't make it fine. If it doesn't go over well the first time fine. I think the important thing is we get somewhat organized at least in our ability to communicate our opinions. I don't live in a vacuum and I quite regularly change my views based on the information I am given. Also talking about this on the internet is one thing. Looking the person in the eye while making your point is a whole different level. Thought? Thanks Jim

LOL Thanks DPS, I was starting to wonder whether I was a super wuss cause I'm not fond of grounding! I get out quite a bit and I must confess I have not run across these super hardmen who refuse to use bolts. Of all the climbers I've met and talked with I have never heard this kind of disdain for even responible use of bolting before. Go figure. This is a head scratcher. [This message has been edited by jblakley (edited 04-19-2001).]

Stefan, I certainly respect your opinion. Even though we all enjoy climbing we all have different ideas on how it should be done. It would disturb me for instance to see a crack line bolted or to see bolts thrown up every 3 feet or with thoughtlessness or abandon. Chipping also bothers me. What also bothers me is when someone attempts to sell their opinion as THE opinion and takes it further with some sort of action (i.e. chopping bolts without a consensus from other climbers). I am by nature an irreverent person and that is why I identify with climbers well as a group. We all seem to shun authority in some form. I don't follow the ladder analogy unless you are referring to a closely spaced bolt line in which one could etrier their way up. I enjoy pretty much all types of climbing. I love Index and I love Smith equally. So I'm assuming that you don't enjoy or understand sport climbing. Hey that's cool with me. There are enough different types of climbing to keep us all happy. Take care and have a good one, Jim

Thanks for breaking that down W. You pretty much mirrored my own opinions on this issue.

Where can I get me some o' them super sticky hangers?

Just curious. Exactly what fees are we talking about? The fifteen bucks for Rainier for instance? I would be interested in knowing where EXACTLY this money is going. If it's going at least partly to fund rescues then I don't have a huge problem with it. If it's going to campaign funds for instance, I do have a problem with it. Also if we as climbers start battling this by just not paying for it and then getting caught we are going to do more harm for our cause than good. Jim

Stefan, When I face climb I do climb at my own abilities. In other words I may fall or hang in the process of working for a redpoint but I am not aiding. The bolts are there to keep me from decking. Are you 1. suggest that nobody face climbs or 2. that we face climb but only on top rope or free solo? I love both trad and sport and understand the need for restraint but if I'm not mistaken you want to do away with a whole type of rock climbing. Please feel free to correct me if I have taken you out of context.

Plus Galaxy ain't got no quality snow step kickin' in it..LOL

Damn. Jon was countin' on that money to buy that Linux box to serve up streaming porn on this site. Oh well I guess we'll just have to settle for stupid climbing pics. By the way I've got a lap dance coupon for Rick's I'm willing to part with for the right price... Disclaimer: this e-mail was merely a lame attempt at humor. Anyone offended by this can e-mail me at eatshit@lame.com :-)

I think it's cool we all have opinions. Part of being human. So here's one of mine. I have no problem with anyones opinion as long as their opinion does not escalate to actions affecting others adversely.. i.e. the Holocaust, the Crusades..ummm bolt chopping. Well perhaps they do not belong in the same category. I actually wanted to see how much shit I can stir up. <evil snicker> There is obviously a big grey area here. If the majority of climbers hated bolting the resulting peer pressure would probably limit it. All ethics in climbing are just opinion..uh in my opinion. If anyone finds themselves thinking "I am in possesion of the only valid ethics set and I will smite those who disagree" you might want to perform a simple in home ego check. Or become an Amway zealot :-) Ok enough I'm starting to choke on my own spew. You'all have fun out there in them there mountains.

XGK all the way. I'm too much of a hack cook to appreciate simmer anyway. I'm on my second one in about 8 years and love it. plus it's a great way to wake up your climbing mates in the morning..lol. Also keeps bears away.

PW, You quite eloquently summed up how I feel about the issue. Well said!!

Jon you ARE the man!! You're a regular Sherlock Holmes. I can't believe one dude is that bored that he would want to stir that much shit up. He should try climbing..LOL [This message has been edited by jblakley (edited 04-16-2001).]

I'm not sure I understand why there is so much conflict between "trad" and "sport" climbers or why someone goes out of their way to identify themselves as one or the other. I enjoy climbing..period whether it's on a face or up a crack system. Being as face climbs are a little hard to protect I would think bolts would be a good idea eh?

Hey Jon, I believe that hold is from the John Holmes Signature Series. Their company motto is "Yank On This!!" LOL