mattp

Yes, I'm still looking for projection equipment. I have some good slideshowers lined up, but we could use more entertainment. In light of current events at Index, it'd be appropriate to look at slides of Index Town Wall and get stoked over our dreams of purchasing it for climbers, but anything that is generally in the spirit of "lets get excited about climbing" is pretty much in order. And lets talk about this gear swap. Who has good stuff for sale?

I talked with the rangers yesterday and put an information page on the Washington Climbers Coalition website this morning. www.washingtonclimbers.org See link on front page.

I received a call from "security" indicating that someone in What-the-F*** in What-the-State was using my car number last week. Apparently, they made a charge within a half hour of when I did, here in Seattle 2500 miles away. They have computers looking for this kind of stuff. Thanks, bank! (I don't think I would have ended up paying for it but I wouldn't want to have to mess with the process of refuting a charge!)

I rarely participate in these "tribute" threads but this guy was tops. I'd like to say something touching or eloquent but that is really all there is to it. Stimson was often out there and if you climbed around here a lot you probably ran into him once in a while - at least in the last few years - and had a good interaction with the man. I'll miss him next time I don't see him for a while.

I met Lloyd and his wife and they were cool! Not only that, but their place was cool as well. I don't know how early it is snow-free but the Klipchuck Campground has always been my favorite of the Forest Service campgrounds in the area. It is on a south facing slope, away from the road, situated amid large pines, and relatively low on the east side of the pass. I've never favored the Early Winters campground because it is right next to the highway but I've camped there for early season ski trips and it might be a good choice for a ski-in because it is the first one to open. If the campgrounds don't work out, there's got to be somebody else with vacation property or maybe a back 40 in the area!

Yes, but the Pinnacles are near Dryden, not Peshastin. Maybe somebody thought "Dryden Dumplings" wasn't as appealing a name as "Peshastin Pinnacles."

Standoff on Classic Crack, posted by mattp 4/20/2009

Before anybody fires of letters to the PUD, I'd recommend a little more research. I don't disagree with the skepticism that is expressed above and I think Hulk is correct about the current road closure but the latest public documents from the PUD indicate that they intend to maintain the South Shore Road beyond the Static Point turnoff, whereas the prior proposal from the DNR was to close that road and close it even to mountain biking. Some information is found at www.washingtonclimbers.org. Select "Current Issues" and "Update re: Spada Reservoir Planning Process." I have not contacted anybody directly involved with long term planning regarding the Spada Reservoir area for over a year, but only relied upon public information. Additional inquiry into the long term management process and priorities would be welcome in my opinion.

My buddies are climbing on Sunday. Family points for me if I climb tomorrow instead. I'm looking for a generally moderate day.

Howza, posted by Mike Layton, October 23, 2004

Well, last year there was some pretty good stuff that got traded, too. This year I might bring a barely used, Western Mountaineering -40 degree bag as well, but that is not the stuff of gear swaps. I will want real money for that item. For folks who have larger ticket items, maybe some advance posts here would help but then again they may have already thought they ought to get around to listing on craigslist some day...

I have a bunch of old rock gear that somebody might make use of and I might come up with some other goodies. What do you have to sell? Bring it to the picnic on April 30 and come looking for goodies to fill out your closet.

In many ways, there is truth to this assertion. Certainly, NPR presents as "anti-establishment" or something like that when they present a package that is "alternative" to the traditional news media and often includes commentary critical of the government but on balance the overall NPR narrative clearly supports US governmental policy while proving that we are an "open" society which "allows" dissent. Take any of the major issues, whether it is the TARP program, the various war efforts, tax policy, or healthcare. We hear NPR commentators spew spirited critique from the left and the right but the bottom line is that the American way is right and our President has done right. Republicans complain that NPR is liberal media but, when they stole elections and invaded Iraq and outed Valerie Plame and ran up the deficit and trashed environmental regulation and allowed the banks to become "too big to fail" while deregulating them, NPR never really made it clear when our government was lying to us even though, some times at least, the lies were exposed but only in a way that listeners could easily walk away from the story dismissing the accusation of lying as wacko conspiracy theories of the left. Just as they didn't really present the deceptions of Bush or for that mater Clinton, I don't think they'll take on Obama, either. and while I admire lots of what he stands for I am afraid he's not all that different from the alternative; he'll use NPR just as his predecessors have and show that "this is America" and we tolerate dissent while he props up big money and does little or real benefit for the rest of us.

In some ways it may actually be better not to hide it under a rock. I don't know the biology or rotting poo in that environment but my guess is that it will stick around a lot longer if hidden under a rock. A better thing to do might be to stir it with some sand or dirt but then somebody is likely to step in your mess. Obviously, better yet would be to use blue bags and carry it home.

I think most of it has to do with the basic premise that the nations of the world must learn how to cooperate with each other and that the U.S. cannot simply dominate.

Greg: if you want to discuss the philosophical questions as to whether someone should climb Mt. Baker after heavy snows, do it elsewhere. Choada Boy started a thread on the Climber's Board for this purpose. We support those who want to contribute trip reports here and try to keep the trip reports forum for discussing climbs, posting pictures, and similar material. The ethical discussions or critique can take place in separate discussions.

Yes, Mr. Choada, it may be a worthy discussion. I have my doubts, but it could well prove "worthy." However: we have a very clear and nearly consistent policy for trip reports on this site. We discourage if not delete the kind of criticism and commentary that you and others may feel is compelling but which is not just critical but judgmental to the point of being rude toward the the original poster. (I realize you may disagree about the "rude" pronouncement but that is how I saw it.) Why do we do this? We actually want people to post trip reports without worrying that to do so is only an invitation to criticism. You may think it is your "responsibility" to "respond" when somebody posts something you think is not "responsible." I'm sorry, but we decided several years ago that trip reports should be respected and ethical discussions or arguments about judgment should generally take place elsewhere. As you've apparently figured out, we'll allow the discussion of whether it is appropriate to climb Mt. Baker after heavy snows or whatever that you may feel is important to take place .. within limits. I'm not a moderator of this "climber's board" forum, but I can assure you that if you want to discuss the rationale behind climbing major mountains after heavy snow you will be allowed to do so.

Nice post, Mr. Plaisir. The crap talk is a little repetitive at times. VantageFrenchman's Coulee is a piece of crap though. Maybe I'm just an MF 206'er, but I feel comfortable saying there are lots of better places to climb in Washington. However, it is pretty out there, the weather is usually good, and I always have fun when I go. You've honestly never pulled off a hold or had a foothold blow when you didn't mean for it to happen? What kind of good luck piece are you carrying?

First ascent of Cosmic Trigger at Vantage, posted by Sexual Chocolate, May 30, 2006 Another item I may need help with is lighting. The picnic shelter is a lot more inviting after dark if it is lit. Anybody got some halogen clamp lamps we can point at the ceiling?

I realize that some people like to see a circus sideshow but I sent it to the trashcan. Sorry, but there is a spray forum for that brilliant commentary and we'd like to see people post their trip reports without fear that they are going to be made into a target.

What is your argument there, KK? We don't see Yemeni pirates attacking ships in the Gulf of Aden, do we? I can understand it if you say that we shouldn't spend our resources trying to help some poor people half way around the world because we need to spend those resources here at home. If that is your argument, I agree. But there may well be something to this idea that pirates can only operate from Somali bases because it is a failed state, and if you agree with that idea you have to ask if the crisis there can be remedied by political and police force alone or if economic development is essential, no? It might in fact turn out to be in our own self interest to help make Somalia a better place to live -- as much as the idea of helping a poor nation may go against your basic instinct.

Thursday might work for me.

Mt. Rainier, posted by Le Piston August 31, 2008

Here's the new flier: