mattp

CC.COM posters Fairweather and KK will be delighted: their antichrist is going to step down. ABC News: Fidel Castro To Step Down

You might also consider Smoot's book, Rock Climbing Washington, but I'd look at the list above and second the recommendation of Weekend Rock. Weekend only goes up to 5.10, by design, but it will get you oriented all around the state (I don't think it covers anything east of Banks Lake and it doesn't include Beacon Rock). Weekend Rock is both more up-to-date and accurate than Smoot's book because David was able to actually visit all the areas presented as he was in the process of writing the book. Smoot covers more climbing areas but the "better" areas are largely served by their own local guides (for the comprehensive information) or Weekend Rock for the introduction. In addition to those listed above, area-specific guides for places like Erie, Little Si and Exit 38, Tieton and Vantage are very helpful. For Darrington, my site will get you started: new URL. For the more in depth Darrington (Whitelaw) CD, select "about" and "resources" and send David an e-mail. The Leavenworth guide is by Viktor Kramer.

The most skilled ice climber is the one who can dash up WI-hardman without even working up a sweat. And that is a great standard to aspire to. It will also come in handy on harder climbs. But most of us want to climb with the one who enjoys climbing, whose partners enjoy combing with him or her, and who generally gets up stuff. That is the “better” climber. We can argue about style till we’re blue in the face, but “style” in ice climbing has very little impact on subsequent parties except in extreme scenarios where someone might place zillions of screws on the core pillar of a popular climb during the prime season (or something similar). Or maybe someone who hangs on a given pitch while other parties are waiting. Ice is a temporary, changing, medium.

They're starting early this year. Spring is on its way.

As an alumni, that Evergreen event interests me. What is happening in Olympia lately: we've seen reports of anti-military protestors hurting innocent garbage cans and now an angry mob turns over a police car.

Cool. I've been looking at Darrington material for an upcoming presentation and found a couple of things I hadn't seen before.

I fully agree that new climbers should be exposed to and practice crevasse rescue techniques, Kurt, if for no other reason than to get an appreciation for just how difficult it is with a two person team. I"m not suggesting that it doesn't help to know what you're doing but the reality that many books and instructors do not seem to acknowledge is that with a larger group you don't need any technique at all and with a two-person team you are probably screwed if the guy in the hole cannot help get himself out.

I think it is a little different from simply playing with cats. Cats generally mean well even if they get carried away.

I thought Smith Rock and Squamish were the best climbing areas in Washington. I'm confused. (I'd love to visit Beacon.)

I have not read this whole thread. Please excuse me if I am covering ground already addressed. Is there necessarily any contradiction between the idea that there is a god who "created" mankind and the theory of evolution? Yes, the idea that random chance is or could be the driving force behind evolution would seem to be at issue - but couldn't there have been a primordial ooze that the hand of god blessed with life?

I have met Fairweather and I didn't find him to be an unpleasant individual - face to face. We trade insults on line and indeed I've accused him of being over-the-top obnoxious in this very thread, but I bet you would do OK to meet him for cup of coffee or a beer.

Who does? Cats bite.

Bill, thanks for the thoughtful reply. Actually the "bolt issue" I referred to was only Joseph's comments in the fourth or fifth post of this thread. He seemed to suggest the Access Fund imposed a particular policy upon Beacon Rook climbers but your post tells a slightly different story. My hat's off to all of those who have contributed to taking care of Beacon and making it a place where lots of us would like to climb.

Hey Bill and Ivan: I'm not sure Raindawg's rant has much to do with the topic at hand. As climbers more familiar with Beacon than I am, what do you guys think about the management plan I described above? What would you have Beacon climbers doing for access or falcons or relations with State Parks at Beacon? Did the Access Fund push through a generic bolting policy that is akin to starting a bolt war at Beacon?

OK, so to follow your tactic above I should point out that you have not answered my question. I'll let that slide, though, and answer yours: yes I am also concerned about voting by mail. I'm not sure what to make of it, but it seems inherently untrustworthy.

To follow your line of questioning, above: be clear here. Are you saying you don't think there has been any fraud? The difference in exit polls vs. Diebold results doesn't at least raise the question?

Damn. We agree again.

Suit yourself.

Again, I don't understand you, Fairweather. Are you saying that we should use voting machines that can't produce a receipt and which have been shown easy to hack?

Actually, Marylou, I think it IS cheating if you vote in the Republican primary simply so that you can vote as a saboteur. It may not be "illegal" and it may be "common practice." But it is in my view an action based on a misrepresentation of your true intentions. In my book that is cheating. Now don't let Fairweather see me posting this, because he'll say I'm trying to impose my morality on him. (That last is a cheap shot that I shouldn't have taken, I know. I'm actually on your side on this particular question, Mr. F.)

WTF? I'm really not following you here, Fairweather. Do you think I'm really trying to "wiggle out" of your intensive questioning by saying that a noncitizen "doesn't" get a vote instead of saying they "shouldn't" get a vote? I clarified my post for you - and I did so even before you posted your follow up - but what exactly are you thinking here?

I agree with you, Toast, that there is the occasional maverick or in some cases maybe the opportunistic politician who figures out that a vote against the status quo will win them points in their home district. But really: the Democrats said that if we elected them to majority status they'd clean up Washington and restore honor and independence to our nation's capitol. This has not happened.

Can you possibly understand that I didn't know what you were talking about? No, a non-citizen doesn't or at least shouldn't get a vote. I'm sure you really wondered what my answer would be, and now I hope I've cleared that up. But I still don't really understand you. Is this really a problem? How many legitimate voters would be prevented from voting if they had to show a birth certificate or passport as compared to how many illegitimate ones would be able to vote if they could use a wider variety of forms of ID to register to vote? That IS what you are talking about, isn't it?

I'm not sure what "motor voter" refers to. And "appropriate ID?" What prey tell is that? How many non-citizens do you think voted in the last election - on a percentage basis? Are all these noncitizens liberals? What are you trying to say here?

Just think if it as my heartfelt testimonial. As Duane Raleigh argued in Climbing Magazine (or was it Rock and Ice?), chipping can be a creative act and is inherently more creative than simply climbing what is already there. Guided by true love, how could I go wrong? (We're not talking 4th of July here, or D-Day.)