Jump to content

Gerg

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    115

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Posts posted by Gerg

    War

    in Spray

    Posted

    "Are you seriously saying that the US should not pick and choose the which international conflicts it should get involved with and to what degree? Are you really serious?"

    Often, it is worth it to take arguments to their logical extreme. Personally, I would prefer that the US picks and chooses its battles. I certainly do this to avoid wearing down my resources. It would be foolish to do otherwise. There are consequences in picking your battles (as there are for choosing to participate in every fight). As such, the US must decide where its values lie. What attempted to convey earlier was exactly this. To date, I have been consistantly disappointed in which battles have been fought and which have been overlooked. We must remember to think before we act. We must remember that there is a consequece for whichever action or inaction we decide to pursue.

    "Here a quick one: compare and contrast US vs, USSR aims in Afganistan and how the convergence or divergence of aims affects how the USSR experience should be viewed. Obviously you brought this up because you know something. Educate me please without delay I have a meeting to head off to."

    This point was brought up only to illustrate that brute force is not always the best way, independant of the aims of the US vs the USSR. It didn't work for the Soviets and others before them. I'm questioning if force is the best method. Sure I can force a square peg in a round whole but it doesn't mean I have chosen the best method.

    We all know the saying "You can bring a horse (or camel in this case) to water but you can't make it drink". America often thinks that imposing democracy (or really a repulican state) on other countries is in their best interest. We often forget that this is not neccessarily what they want or need--ever play SimCivilization or its equivalent?--there are cultural developments that are necessary before changes can successfully occur. I'm not arguing that the Taliban is the best government or that it should stay in power. I am aruguing that even if we impose/encourage a democratic government, this doesn't mean that this is in Afghanistan's best interests. It could, in fact, bring about further enragement in the Muslim world, being seen as another example of American imperialism and an puppet government, even if it this is not the aims of the US.

    Panther--My hat is off to you for having served. It is people like you that make this country as great as it is. I do not claim that being married to someone in the service was the same as having served. It does give me a different perspective, however, and that is all I meant to illustrate.

    My beef is with US foreign policy and its seeming contradictory nature. I've always been a person who wants to do something right so I only have to do it once. Too many times the US does a bunch of half-assed nation building, doesn't do its homework before sending people in harms way, or ties one military hand behind its back in an effort to avoid bad publicity. Every action has a consequence. If the US leaders would think, do it once, do it wholeheartedly, and do it right, I would have no room to gripe.

    gev

    [ 11-12-2001: Message edited by: Gerg ]

    [ 11-12-2001: Message edited by: Gerg ]

    War

    in Spray

    Posted

    It's easy to say kill em all, send in the military, etc. It is an entirely different thing when it is your life on the line as a serving member of the armed forces. Put your money where your mouth is. If you are so gung ho about having US troops involved, why not join the services?

    If the US is going to designate it's armed forces as an international police force (whether other countries want it or not), then we should treat all events the same. As Alpine Tom pointed out, there are so many events in the last 20 years that were not "justifiable" to enter because the US had nothing to gain. Either the US is the international police force or it isn't. Picking and choosing "favorite countries" and which fights to enter will lead to more unrest and irritation with US foreign policy.

    I abhore terrorism. But it is also important to make a well thought out response. Gee, the Soviet Army bombed Afghanistan for years and years and didn't make any progress. Maybe there is a better way? Brute force does not solve all problems.

    My wife and a lot of our friends are in the Army. Maybe that gives me a different perspective than someone who doesn't know any soldiers. For now it's a free country, think whatever you want.

    gev

    best ski area in cali

    in Climber's Board

    Posted

    Mammoth Lakes is one of the best places to ski in CA midweek. Weekends can be crowded on the more popular runs, more so than in WA, but there are so many lifts and skiable acres there it can be avoided if you know where to go. June mountain is often overlooked in favor of Mammoth as it is a bit more family oriented. June is definately less crowded, so that is a big plus in my mind.

    Tahoe has lots of great areas, my favorite of which is Squaw Valley. If you time it right, you can get a ~2.5 mile run as your last run of the day! They picked Squaw as the host of the winter Olypics about 40 years ago for a reason.

    There are a couple of so-so places in southern CA, not too far from Josh, if you have to get some runs in or want to let your hands heal for a day or two. Snow Summit and Bear Mountain are in Big Bear, CA (about 1 1/2 to 2 hours from Josh). Mountain High is about the same distance but on the back side of the San Gabriel mtns. There tends to be a lot more man made ice, er snow, at these two spots than in Tahoe or Mammoth.

    Since you'll be down in CA, you should also check out the climbing at the high desert areas and the devils punchbowl. Williamson (45 minutes from Pasadena) will probably be a bit too cold this time of year, though is worthwhile to visit if you are in the area in the summer

    gev

    [ 11-05-2001: Message edited by: Gerg ]

    Dynafit Tri-Step vs Tour Lite Tech binding

    in The Gear Critic

    Posted

    Anyone have experience with the Tri-Step binding or know anything about it? I've seen some info on the web about it but haven't seen one first hand.

    I guess my biggest question is what are the differences between it and the Tour lite Tech binding. For the past couple of years I've been thinking about plunking down for a randonee rig and the Dynafit system is by far the lightest out there. My size 15 dogs (32 mondo) also limit me, to my knowledge, to the Dynafit bindings.

    Since I have less than perfect knees, a releasable binding is key. The adjustable DIN on the Tri-Step sounds appealing. Any one have useful input about these two bindings?

    gev

    Maniac Thru-Hiker

    in Climber's Board

    Posted

    Over time, the trail evolves to do such things as go around washed out sections, go to new bridges, avoid habitat sensistive areas, let old sections of the trail "heal" themselves, etc. This causes changes in the mileage.

    So Dru, you are right, some years the trail is longer or shorter than it was before, all of which is dependant on the above. 2000 miles was the original length and is kept as the offical length rather than remeasuring the length every time there is a change to the trail.

    Maniac Thru-Hiker

    in Climber's Board

    Posted

    Looks like the ATC is with chucK.

    From the official Appalachian Trail Conference web page: http://www.atconf.org/hike/thru_hike/after.html

    The Appalachian Trail Conference officially recognizes those hikers completing the entire trail, either in one season or in sections through the years.

    "2,000-Miler" DefinitionThe ATC confers the designation of "2,000-miler" on any hiker who reports he or she walked the entire length of the Appalachian Trail. We use the term "2,000-miler" as a matter of tradition and convenience — that's the original length of the trail, and changing the designation each time the length changes would be impractical.

    Our recognition policy does:give equal recognition to thru-hikers and section-hikers,

    Our recognition policy does not consider:sequence, direction, speed, whether one carries a pack.

    Red Rocks beta

    in Climber's Board

    Posted

    Tunnel vision is a fun 5.7 multi pitch. There is quite a bit of chimneying involved, but there is also a healthy bit of face and easy crack. From my recollection, the most difficult moves were the first 15 feet getting off the ground. Approach was about 30 minutes or so and made for a nice afternoon. The climb doesn't get too much sun after lunch, which might not be a good thing this time of year.

    greg

    Petzl harnesses

    in The Gear Critic

    Posted

    The new Petzl harnesses are pretty damn sweet. After enduring an unpadded harness for 7 years, going from an BD alpine bod to the Corax was such a good choice for me, though YMMV. The Corax is a lot more comfotable, especially at hanging belays and aid climbing. It has held up quite well, in my opinion to the significant amount of abrasion I've given it during multiple pitches of chimney's. I've even taken a bit of a whipper or two on it with not a bruise (from the harness) to show for my efforts.

    A couple of gripes though--the droppable leg clip in the back comes off pretty easily, the plastic gear loops are not large enough for larger trad rack (when I don't feel like wearing a gear sling) though they work fine for sport, and just because I wear a size 2 waist for my beer gut doesn't mean that my legs are size 2 too (as such, my leg loops sag a big more than I like). I haven't been motivated enough to see about buying replacement leg loops of the right size though, so maybe this is an avoidable problem.

    I usually wear my chalk bag on a seperate belt, so no place on the harness for the chalk bag didn't bother me. No haul loop was a bit of a draw back, but it hasn't bothered me to date and is a nicety that doesn't make or break the harness in my opinion.

    If it is a good fit for your body type, then I'd rate it 4 out of 5 stars. If they were to improve on one or more of my gripes, then it would be a near perfect harness.

    -gev

    Dream town?

    in Climber's Board

    Posted

    Bishop kicks ass, even if it is in CA. If you watch the weather at on the local channel at night you'll get the weather from Ted's porch in the SW part of town. No joke. If I could, I'd move there in a heartbeat. Close to Mammoth and June Lakes for climbing, skiing, fishing and other outdoor fun all year round.

    Greg

    www.acmeclimbing.com

    in On-Line/Mail-Order Gear Shops

    Posted

    The sales guy from acmeclimbing.com wrote me back. While the brass nuts are not on the web page, they will sell them to you--set of 8 for $29.95. If you are ordering other stuff from them, include it in the comments section. If you only want brass nuts, and who doesn't, email scott@acmeclimbing.com and he will figure out how to get you your brass nuts.

    Greg

    www.acmeclimbing.com

    in On-Line/Mail-Order Gear Shops

    Posted

    Anybody know anything about this site?

    They have some killer deals on Rock Empire cams ($27 each) shocked.gif The catalog also had RPs, but I couldn't find them on the web page. Rope prices looked good too. Selection is limited, but it appears that what they have is cheap. They do have unslung hexentrics too for those of you who are looking for some.

    Info from anyone with first hand knowledge of this site would be appreciated.

    gev

    [This message has been edited by Gerg (edited 08-09-2001).]

    Metolius Easy Aiders

    in The Gear Critic

    Posted

    After using them some more this weekend, I've come to the conclusion that I don't really like the adjustable aiders that much for leading. They tend to get more tangled/snagged than standard aiders. Also, it requires an extra biner to be connected to the piece you are aiding on. If you put the wrong "foot" in first, it is difficult to get out. If you do get it out, the other biner pops down putting an uneccesary shock load on the system. A great idea at first, but the reality of the implementation leaves something to be desired.

    Like I said before, they are bitchin' for jugging, but my conclusion is that jugging is the only reason I will keep these aiders.

    Adjustable daisy is a similar design, so I would hazard a guess that it will probably have the same issues. I use a standard daisy so I can't comment to that end from first hand experience.

    greg

    [This message has been edited by Gerg (edited 08-09-2001).]

    Booty on City Park

    in Climber's Board

    Posted

    I'll think about it.

    Went back on Sunday and aided up the first pitch of City Park again. Since I was with a guy who was passing through on his way to Leavenworth, there was not enough time to do the other pitch(s). I was much more cautious this time and decided that I don't care for the adjustable aiders that much.

    Hopefully my ankles will strengthen up so I can start free climbing again too.

    greg

    Running Groups?

    in Climber's Board

    Posted

    Wouldn't mind moving from slug to roach speed myself. My wife can probably most guys, certainly myself, and at least be comfortable setting the pace and making sure we wouldn't over train. Weekends are probably better for us as she has the joys of Army training every day and wouldn't be up for evening runs too I would guess. We too live on the east side for now. We're up for bike rides too.

    gev

    Booty on City Park

    in Climber's Board

    Posted

    Paul C,

    Things are healing up fine, thanks. As far as "Have I considered submitting this story to Accidents in N. American Mountaineering?" Yes I have thought about it, but only in passing, and I will probably not submit a report.

    Greg

×
×
  • Create New...