mattp

C'mon, Klenke - picture Jim Forman, standing in the Paradise parking lot with his hair blowing about his face, holding a flashlight. Unless, maybe, the rangers ask them to do so, they don't withold information so much as they don't have much information to present; to make the story more exciting they have him stand out in the storm. That's all. It's classic TV news and it can be kind of amusing.

I'd say the Klipchuck Campground on Highway 20, the second weekend after they open Washington Pass, would be a good choice. There are tours of all ability levels off Highway 20.

Fairweather, I'd have to go back through the threads to see if you stated this or not but it has been stated here that the comparison of Saddam to Hitler is accurate and that appeasement now is like appeasement in 1938. Obviously, for the reasons that pointed out, that is not the case. Most notably, there is nobody advocating or even practicing appeasement. Had a coalition of European powers kicked Germany out of Poland after they invaded, destroyed Germany's infrastructure, and maintained a presence there for most of the next eleven years in order to prevent Germany's rebuilding their infrastructure, would you or anybody else here argue that Germany could still have perpetrated WWII? Any effort to compare this situation with history should look at our efforts to accomplish regime change. Clearly, in its weakend state Iraq poses little immediate threat to us or our allies and we are going there to replace the government. This is much more like Afghanistan, Kosovo, Vietnam, or Chile than it is like WWII.

I once saw Shasta and Rainier at the same time, from the top of S. Sister.

Is that Doctor Don on Canary???

Dwayner - You indicate dismay that I would suggest that you said we have no right to comment on the Bible. I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I sincerely asked what it was that you had intended in your prior post. In that post, you had offered your usual proffessorial remarks and the message seemed to be that nobody could validly comment on the meaning or relevancy of the good book unless they were willing to complete a scholarly study of theology. I enjoy reading your remarks, Dwayner, but if you are going to be pedantic and put down others' comments as uninformed and random, while exhorting your own as studied and balanced, you really have no right to complain when someone takes offense.

Death triangle or not - what does it matter? I understand the vector analysis, and I agree that we should where possible avoid the American death triangle but the danger imparted by the additional forces placed on two anchor bolts incorrectly slung is completely exaggerated. If there are two bolts, or two trees or whatever, back it up as you see fit and then put a locking carabiner on it. You're good to go for a toprope.

So Dwayner - What are you saying? That cc.com sprayer's have no right to comment on the bible? I am not a biblical scholar, and I wouldn't profess to be able to argue with you, but what are you saying here? Eating shellfish may have been a bad idea in biblical times, and pigs may have been difficult to herd. But what about homosexuals? Is someone who scoffs at the biblical prohibition on homosexualty or someone who deems it a historical oddity incorrect? Or is it simply your position that none of us have a right to comment on the Bible? Please tell us, Your pal, -Matt

The current forecast is for snow above 3,000 or 4,000 feet, and it may be enough to make nice skiing. Winds are predicted to be moderate, and from the South. Look for some kind of avalance hazard on open north-facing slopes, but the skiing may be good on a variety of aspects at the higher elevations. If it is not too windy and if the snow falls with steadily falling freezing levels, it might be a good weekend for backcountry skiing.

Brian- I have repeatedly noted that I routinely carry a 24" picket but almost never use it in the Cascades. For a belay in firm snow, I just about always kick, stomp or dig a ledge big enough that I can feel comfortable without the picket. For intermediate protection, I almost never feel secure relying upon one and look for other alternatives. I still carry it -- don't get me wrong -- but I can't remember the last time that I hammered in a picket and thought "thank god - I can relax now." As far as the cable? I think that in our snowpack, pickets are probably most useful buried deadman-style where the cable is obvously most suited. Alternatively, just put a 'biner on the top (or at snow-surface level if the picket doesn't penetrate all the way), and run the cable through the 'biner.

Fairweather- I believe you are right that if we (the U.S.) had not threatened to use force, the inspectors would not be there now. Does that mean that, as George Bush says, time is up? Should we invade right now or what further circumstances should occur before we do? Prey tell.

Yo Fairweather: Down boy. I could be wrong, but I believe you have propounded some pretty heavy assertions about the motives and agenda of the gutless liberals on this bulletin board who want to deprive you of your liberty. If Alpine K is wrong about your position on the War, tell us about it.

No. It's those anarchists I'm worried about. I think they've taken her somewhere and are probably doing terrible things to her....

Can somebody go check on Muffy? It's awfully quiet.... too quiet.

You are correct. I can only speculate what the facts may be.

If I had all the facts, I bet I would be LESS likely to support the current war.

I agree that it is difficult to place pro in the crack when using lieback technique, but it is a bit of an overstatement to suggest that one should never do it when on lead. I certainly use lieback technique more when I am following than when leading but, as Dru said, it can be easier and quicker than jamming.

Somebody dial 911. I think the anarchists have kidnapped Muffy and taken over her computer.

What? Have they now turned agains the Oregon Country Fair, too?

In fact, you folks down there are actively cloning them, aren't you?

We're not talking WTO here.

Trask - You misunderstand the situation. The rally is on the Honey-Do list.

Muffy, I am hurt that you would say I am boring you. You are right that a large group of emotional fanatics is not safe, but most of the poeple who have attended peace marches at any time since the Vietnam era have not been in any kind of emotionally charged state. It is fair enough to express your concerns and I wouldn't expect you to want to be some place where you might feel at risk, but I was responding to the statement that "peace marches often turn violent" and I believe that is completely untrue.

Good point, Muffy. I should perhaps take such polls with a grain of salt. But allowing for some error in the analysis, it still amazes me that ANYBODY could believe those things. You may think it it time to go into Iraq, but how could you think Iraq was responsible for 9/11 if you have been reading the newspapers - even the most conservative ones - for the last two years? Apparently, we here on the West coast are living in an isolated enclave. Some guy on NPR was saying just yesterday that opinions in the hinterlands and even in the socially liberal Northeast are very different from those held on the West Coast when it comes to this war.