freeclimb9

Thumping Pacific weather on the outside is bringing more snow to western states today and tomorrow(forecast for 2-3 feet tonight in the Sierras). I guess that cancels any notion of an "easy" true winter ascent of any mountain (I had been eyeing conditions in the Tetons where the snow depth had been unseasonably low).

History will judge whether "Bahgdad Sean" will suffer the same infamy as "Hanoi Jane".

Do you mean to ask "what should you do" after you beat your dumbass partner's dumb ass?

Have you ever wondered where and how yodeling began? Most believe it originated in Switzerland. Here's the real version. Many years ago a man was traveling through the mountains of Switzerland. Nightfall was rapidly approaching and he had nowhere to sleep. He went up to a farmhouse and asked the farmer if he could spend the night. The farmer told him that he could sleep in the barn. As the story goes, the farmer's daughter came down from upstairs and asked her father, "Who is that man going into the barn?" "That's some fellow traveling through," said the farmer. "He needs a place to stay for the night, so I said he could sleep in the barn." The daughter said, "Perhaps he is hungry" So she prepared him a plate of food and took it out to the barn. About an hour later, the daughter returned. Her clothing disheveled and straw in her hair. Straight up to bed she went. The farmer's wife was very observant. She then suggested that perhaps the man was thirsty. So she fetched a bottle of wine, she took it out to the barn, and she too did not return for an hour. Her clothing was askew, her blouse buttoned incorrectly and her hair all messed up. She also headed straight to bed. The next morning at sunrise the man in the barn got up and continued on his journey, waving to the farmer as he left. When the daughter awoke and learned that the visitor was gone, she broke into tears. "How could he leave without even saying good-bye," she cried. "We made such passionate love last night!" "What?" shouted the father as he angrily ran out of the house looking for the man, who by now was halfway up the mountain. The farmer screamed up at him, "I'm going to get you! You had sex with my daughter!" The man kept on walking. The farmer became more enraged, went back into the house and got his gun. The farmer shot at the man, but he was out of range. Hearing the rifle shots, the visitor in turn got angry. He looked back down from the mountainside, cupped his hand next to his mouth, and yelled out, "LAIDTHEOLDLADEETOO.

damn, you're right. I'll add this one last comment, and you can take it however you want. I once had a pair of strap-on crampons that were Mugs Stumps'. The horizontal front points were sharpened from the top. I figure he knew what he was doing.

That's what Grivel recommends, but I've never seen anybody do that . Crampons are such soft metal, I'm curious as to how a triangular point wears when stubbing your feet on rock and hitting black ice. Do the triangular points wear okay?

Tis the season to crank out gifts. I made a batch of chocolate cream caramels. They turned out great. I was planning to make a batch of vanilla cream caramels today, but the wet weather will mess it up (humidity is no good for taffies and caramels). I'm taking my sons to see Star Trek later today. So, no climbing. Weather's warm for ice, but wet for rock.

Makes youz own, foo.

I file the tops of the frontpoints to recreate the chisel shape from the factory. For other points, I file the front and back edges.

It seems you're considering a scenario where your second is unconcious, or at least unresponsive, and he won't unweight the rope. History shows that the actions of Simon Yates --when he was in a similar situation-- eventually made his partner a lot of money. Cut the rope.

E-rock, you don't know what you're spraying about. I wouldn't classify the City as a "sport climbing" area, though there are some fine sport climbs there. Depending on the time of the season, the place will be swarming with Wyoming-ites, Idahoans, or Utahns, but no one 'round here would claim the City was in Utah. Your statement that "Most routes end with a healthy runnout on difficult moves" is absurd. And "more character than most of the other sport climbing areas in Utah"? There are dozens of climbing areas in this state, and many that are very unique and beautiful --with "character" you could say. But, back on topic, the City ain't even close to Corvallis. You'd drive past at least six climbing areas enroute. The rock is very featured for granite. Climbing can be done year round, but spring and fall are best (it's hot in summer, and cold in winter).

You got stars upon thars

Cumbaya, my lord . . .

I guess it's reassuring that if your $399.00 bibs fall apart, you can return them easily.

I guess you're saying that John Davis is "tiresomely literal-minded"? A cynic might say "There is no better way to launder corporate multinational largesse than giving it to the movement that is confronting it." — John Sellers, in a Financial Times special report, October 15, 2001. Oh yea, John Sellers is the director of the Ruckus Society that got $15,000 from Patagonia in 2001.

forrest_m, do you see a contradiction in Patagonia supporting the Wildlands Project that, in the words of John Davis (editor of Wild Earth) "Does . . . The Wildlands Project advocate the end of industrial civilization? Most assuredly. Everything civilized must go" and selling clothing made from man-made fibers? Wouldn't it be more consistent to simply dismantle the Patagonia company if they really wanted to support Wildland Project objectives?

"Crunchy Conservatives" actually aren't crunchy, but soggy instead. The moniker is an oxymoron like "pop punk", "instant classic", or "great fast-food". But it probably reflects the fact that most US citizens aren't at the extremes on the bell-curve of political thought.

Bluewater. Better than anything and American made. 'nuf said.

Why can't I vote twice?

It's worth checking out Pinnacles National Monument for a little sporty climbing.

Beck, my facts are straight. I know where funds have gone for this, and past, years. I prefer to donate to groups of my own choosing, and resent an "eco-tax" on any of my purchases.