freeclimb9

Bogus story. From the darwinawards.com website, , "Steve Lubars called the Arizona Highway Patrol in July 1996 to research this story. According to Charles DeCarolis at the Arizona Department of Public Safety, "No such incident has ever been described in any Highway Patrol accident or crime scene reports."

Cloudveil traverse, even? Anybody?

Back in the day . . . 3M made (maybe they still do?) 1'x1' emergency-orange squares made of a plastic funkness with a grommet in one corner. The intent of these squares was to facilitate movement of cargo containers. They were used by soaking in isopropyl alcohol, then sticking them onto the side of the container. I had several discussions with a friend about putting an aid-line --like a bolt ladder-- up the Captain with the squares. We wisely, IMO, decided it would be too controversial.

depilation is old skool. You can cut off pounds --POUNDS!-- by removing extraneous organs and extremities (what good are your appendix, extra kidney, and little toes anyways?) You might even make some spare cash selling the kidney. And if you stick to the GU diet, you don't need all those heavy teeth either.

I like to use four aiders --two sets of two. The hook selection depends on the route. And bat-hook holes are far too shallow to put a removable bolt in. Rather than buy the removable-bolt specialty item, sliders will fit into empty bolt holes if you come across them.

www.roadrunnersports.com has great deals on occasion.

If you've purchased a Natl. Parks Pass (for example the yearly Golden Eagle which is $50, or the weekly permit), then you've already paid a user fee. Additional fees, if charged, should be for additional services --to cover rescue costs, for example. But that should be optional, IMO. Drop an email to your Representative (www.house.gov), or Senator (www.senate.gov) expressing your dissatisfaction with additional "pay to play" trail fees.

The Montrail Vitesse has achieved legendary status among ultra-runners. They've got a new shoe this year, the Diablo, that looks great --doesn't have the funky clunky sole of the Vitesse. The NB 704 and 804 both look great, too. I prefer Asics (the Trabuco is a current favorite) because they fit my feet. Adidas and NB fit me also, but I'm brand loyal after the many great times that Asics Excalibur GTs carried me to and through. Hours long slogs with wet feet will give anyone blisters. Gore-tex comes into its own if you're mud-bogging, or going over snow. It also helps keep out trail grit, but is pretty steamy in the heat. Ultra-running websites will have more info.

It depends on the brand, but typically trail running shoes are a little closer to cross-trainers in being able to withstand lateral forces (stuff that would blow out the sides of a track shoe over time). The trail running shoes often have more agressive soles which can wear faster than road shoe soles, but help with ascents and (especially) descents on loose, or muddy, terrain. The NB shoes I've looked at don't differ much at all from their road counterparts though the road shoes were white whereas the trail ones were colored.

I've had very fast help from BD. When you call, try to talk with Elmo. He sent me replacement crampon bindings (original one didn't fit Salomon boots) within a couple days.

quote: Originally posted by fern: I'm sure that girl is very nice and a quality climber but why is she sitting in corner with such an unfortunate haircut? ... very amusing. the short explanation is that she's British.

another babe who climbs harder than you ever will (single and climbs trad, too):

My girlfriend thinks I should be more understanding. I don’t know why. My last girlfriend couldn’t take criticism. At least that’s what she wrote in her suicide note.

Years ago, I climbed with a guy named Huw from England. He pointed out that in his home country "safe conversation" centered around topics like weather, but in the western US it was bear stories. It seems that everyone has a bear story to share. I once shared a rooftop eyrie for a few tense night-time minutes with a bear who'd climbed the ladder to get the trash we stored on top. We quickly climbed down once the bear retreated to the edge of the roof, then we pulled the ladder thinking we'd trapped the bear. The next morning: the bear was gone, but had left us a mess of pee-covered garbage and a steaming pile from the growler he's had. We caught him in a barrel trap a few days later, and he was transported into a wilderness area.

As my schedule gets more defined, I find I have several two-week long stints without parenting. Long rock routes in the Tetons on good rock. Really. Like 5,000' routes. Light and fast, or light and slow. Drop me a note. Let's go.

climbing booty

In the year 2020 will everyone have good vision?

If you chuffers insist on glissading, check out http://www.yatesgear.com/climbing/ice/glissade.htm#2

The skinny: I spent a few minutes on the phone and found out about sending images on a satellite phone. The lightest setup I found is: A Compaq IPAQ that connects to a digital camera through the "CF jacket" (or other connection. there's a lot of options) and to a satellite phone (wt. 13 oz) that is "Hayes Compatible" and connects through the serial port. "Phojo" software on the IPAQ (from http://www.idruna.com/) allows drag and drop transfer. So, in under two pounds (though with extra batteries, it's gotta be more) you can send voice and images anywhere. [ 04-25-2002, 12:12 PM: Message edited by: freeclimb9 ]

quote: Originally posted by Dru: Pink Flamingo. As in the Movie? Are you a fan of Divine?

just moved into the PNW. Issaquah. Is this yet another example of his masochism? The dude will be biking to and climbing up all the mountains within a 7,000 mile radius, no doubt.

westernbackcountryskier: "marginal expedition support"? Is this a personal gripe? Because TNF has supported many expeditions.

quote: Originally posted by Gaper_#2: breath mints. Decorum (courtesy, really) demands that one should never refuse an offered breath mint.

quote: cj001f: Thanks for the links. They're very helpful.