To_The_Top

Bonney Lake might be good, but for mountian biking it is great. An ex Girlfriend once lived in Bonney Lake, it is close to Lou's homeland, but the rock climbing is better up north, and if you work in DT Seattle the commute is hell, but affordable to rent or buy.

I have never seen the crag hat, but for me the Roc seems more solid, and can withstand a impact pretty well, or even a fall. Many of the accidents also include a fall after a hit, and that is where a helmet like the Roc seems to hold on. Just reading between the lines, but I feel that past the hit the Roc would protect you in a fall that might happen following a hit. I am convinced that the construction would evenly divide the force over the whole area. I have seen the other helmets, and sure they seem lighter, but more the Roc seems solid as far as fit. If there is less exposure I have seen where a bike helmet would work, like crossing below the cleaver, this is where a lighter helmet might come into play. I travel light mostly, but carry the Roc on most rockfall exposure trips.

I would stay away from the Crag Hat. For less than $25 it is worth getting a better helmet, like the Petzl Ecrin Roc, especially if you get into climbing more. I climb with some guys who have the Meteor, and are ok if put on and adjusted right, but I feel safer with the Roc.

I have a Olympus digital camera, (well actually my girlfriend stole it) and I think the camera is great. I would look for a camera that had atleast 2.1 mega pixel (to enlarge a good shot, you want a higher resoltion picture, or if you print it.) The upsides have been mentioned, to add a point it is truly a point and shoot, even in dark. Downside, it will act like the batteries are low or dead in cold temps (keep in jacket). Another thing is that I would tie in the camera, because they are slippery, with gloves on.Also, they are into price control, so I wouldn't expect the price to drop too much in a short time. It is a price regulated market.TTT [ 01-11-2002: Message edited by: To The Top ] [ 01-11-2002: Message edited by: To The Top ]

A friend emailed me several days ago from Santiago and said all was good and the climb was on.

.08

Will try to be there around 6:30 or 7. TTT

Met my Fiance climbing. She doesn't climb as much as me. Understands it. Understands that climbing keeps me sane. Keep her number one like Bronco states. Hope neither takes up bowling. TTT PS she likes beer as much as I do.

TG Good luck! I just got an email from a friend who just got there. It's his second time down there. Thanks for the deal on the pants. TTT

It always amazes me when people get mad when you want to turn around on the big R, I remember a friend that I climbed with that was mad when we turned around, we can't turn around he said, so I played back by going to Ingraham Flats, during a whiteout and winds that would knock you down, he was stunned at the first crevasse we saw that was 20 feet deep. After he climbed Rainier on his own, he thought I was crazy to go to the flats....I just laughed. That was summer too. TTT

Them Mounties 10 essentials never match mine.....

AlpineK, You are not thinking about going to the Muir hut this weekend and choke out Dan?!. Are you? TTT

Nice Photos!

Just got back from Sweden, another land of Saunas, they do some creative things, but the Finns sound like they have a corner on the sausage cooker. Was up in the winds at Granite mtn, and wish I was in a sauna. TTT

Dan, Go with 36", the 24" ones are too short and the 48" are hard to manage in most packs. Also, IMHO go with a dark color, like the dark green ones, and for the flag use red duct tape, this will stay on better. In a whiteout you want something to contrast the white background. Take alot of wands, placing every rope length or so. If it is a whiteout on the way back, snowing (filling in steps up) you can send out the lead person and fan out to find the next wand, while the last person keeps the first wand in sight, like in somecases 20'. Size dosen't matter, it is how you use it. TTT

Flebebeb! Dats mi vote Dem is fightin' words in Chumstick.... Duh

Listen to W, he knows his stuff on this one! Have fun

If you don't like crowds or other people (teams) on the route or don't have the "ten essentials" haha don't be on the north face of Chair dec 15 or in Leuthold Couloir on feb 23-24th. I don't like it when clubs think they own the whole mountian, and from past experiences they drop a lot of stuff.

Like Plexus said better than I, someone soloing is less a problem as far as dropping crap down on you, verses a TEAM that drops wayyy more. I think that those guys were outta line based upon your side of the story. I can't imagine that they didn't let you pass at the break, I don't understand why they would get upset, but then again I haven't been on the route. As far as the previously mentioned climbs, I was just saying that it is a hazard at certain points, not on the whole climb. B

epb, Ya, I've seen those guys out leading the big climb, with all the stuff hanging from their harness, having their say. It depends around here, if it is safe to pass or if it creates a hazard. I would pass someone without a doubt on Mt Baker Colman-Deming or Hood on the South side, but would hang back on say Liberty Ridge on Rainier or the North Ridge on Baker, unless I took a totally different line, or passed them at a break. If it doesn't create a hazard, then they are getting pissed because they have the 10 essentials and then some, and you are racing by in a t-shirt and running shoes with instep crampons. I just laugh it off, but then again they usually don't catch me in the parking lot later. It isn't totally about the solitude here, unless you are on a route that is very remote. B

epb, I don't know the climb on Washington, and what the hazards were, other than avalanches, or rockfall. Mt Wa. is a big magnet for the masses, and when there are several people on a route, someone is going to get passed. Putting aside any danger, maybe they got pissed about the fact that they got passed. I have had people get pretty mad about this. I have run into this on solo climbs and roped climbs here in Wa. (state). Lately, if I am in this situation I will try to hold back and pass them when they are taking a break, or strike up a annoying conversation with the person in the back, then pass. I have also been passed on climbs here, and I think that most people just let a group pass, no remarks. This is of course, on routes that are not too technical. I will even go around a crevasse a different way, and maybe get a reply saying I went off trail. Oh well the Mountain police are everywhere.

quote: Originally posted by JERRY SANCHEZ: ANYONE UP FOR SI???? What route?

I have definitely seen coyotes in the cascades, but you are right, I have never heard them howl. I have heard them in the Olympics, and east of the pass, but never here. TTT

quote: Originally posted by haireball: I absolve you from your sins in the name of the leader, and of the follower, and of the holy belayer. For your penance, write 1000 times "thou shalt not cut switchbacks". Take the list to your local copy shop and have it enlarged so that you have 1000 legible signs, then take the signs and distribute them to appropriate points along the Mt. Si trail. Then go your way and sin no more... Are you really Pope, or just a priest? If so drink the sacremental wine!

Scott, The guy that wrote the email may have been the old guy you see up there pounding down the rocks on the trail, or sometimes he prys rocks out with a screwdriver to make the trail "smoother". He always cringes when JERRY marches by in his plastics. I have taken several of the way trails....they are all over, and go far away from the main trail, a guy that I hike with sometimes has shown me them. He has been there over 2000 times. I don't like it when people cut the switchbacks though.