Stefan

now this is a rarely done peak. Seriously good job! your picture link does not work.

this kicks ass. fricken awesome trip!

Here is some info on Bears Breast for you (approaching from the east/Shovel Lake is mucho easier): http://www.nwhikers.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=7983868&highlight=bears+breast Here is some info on Overcoat for you: http://www.nwhikers.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=7993524 Beautiful area you were in!

Breithorn is very easy. I think it is more climbed than Mt. Fuji due to its accessibility near the Klein Matterhorn. Even though you say you are a novice, give Pollux a try on the same day as Breithorn. If you get the first tram in the morning you can make the Breithorn and Pollux in the same day and back to the tram and Zermatt...but it is more fun to stay at the huts. If you do Pollux and Breithorn in one day, I would definitely try Pollux FIRST. The route does narrow with chains, and the guides FIGHT and do YELL at you like they own the place....the earlier you are there, the more you are out of their way for the unpleasantries. But, on the other hand the fighting is part of the European experience. Most people climb the Dufourspitze/Monte Rosa from the Monte Rosa hut....not from the Margherita hut.....you would probably have to find a way down to the route and then back up the standard route. The Margherita hut is the highest in Europe...and you can see the Dufourspitze/Monte Rosa directly across from it....it would be cool to be in there. You can climb the Dufourspitze/Monte Rosa from the Monte Rosa hut getting an alpine start (3:00a.m.ish) and back to the train and back to Zermatt all in the same day.

but! If you are into oil, you are doing great!....and gold!

I don't use prussiks for various reasons. I think ascenders do a better job. This is another reason why ascenders are better--they do not go through the pulley on your z or c systems.

awesome!

oxygen? Take care of yourself! great pictures btw....

they destroyed the old monte rosa hut with dynamite? sad!

Great meeting you guys in Stehekin! It looked like fun!

Okay. Maybe I spoke too soon.

pain! gotta love that feeling!

awesome! great stuff. And kudos to Mom! Gotta love when they help out!

nuts and balls!

Me thinks it comes down to money for the states. Who do you think is educated using state paid teachers at the schools? Immigrant children--yet I don't know how much % wise. How much in taxes are their parents paying these states? There is commerce, so there is some money going on to contribute to the coffers. How many of you know teachers in rural Eastern Washington towns? I know a couple...and both grade school teachers have trouble teaching their english speaking children as it is with 40% immigrant children. And these families are using up local funds for health care. Not always state funds, but county funds too. They are contributing to commerce like I said, so there is movement of some money but it is not direct. Like I said, I think it comes down to money, and the media is just hyping it to be something else. Less immigrants means less money for the state to spend on.

that is so cool! I love the konga line picture of hauling the thing up the slope!

we shall see at about 7:00p.m. on June 29. If they did well in the previous three weeks from there, then, I would say maybe.

I know of a family nearby me. They eat at the McDonalds down my ways a lot...and I do mean a lot. They are not as educated as many people, however the biggest culprit I can see in my limited view is their "laziness". It takes work to make meals and take care of your house. I can see they do not like to work at improving things much. They do watch a lot of TV too.

a lot of uneducated people eat there. not my fault....but I will be paying for it through Medicare taxes in the future!

Arresting comes AFTER they commit the crimes. Why not prevent the crimes ahead of time? Yes, it is all "Minority Report" stuff. Nothing aint perfect. I want more hookers and blow too.

wouldn't the logical extension of that idea though deny medicare to cigarette smokers and eaters of big macs and couch-potatoes? Yes. And I want more hookers and blow.

It is the same philosophy as neighbors and those living downstream. What am I to do if my neighbor decides to constantly blare music after midnight when I am asleep? What if I live downstream on the creek and my neighbor decides to dump toxic chemicals in the water? Personal choices are fine...like drug use...except when the users of those personal choices affect others. Meth was a classic example of how excessive drug created people to steal from others, and used the medical system--and not pay for the service. Ron Pual with that particulr statement IMO did not look at the bigger picture of how it affected others

you make us look pathetic! that first shot is "k2"-ish. great stuff!

thanks for the rememberance!

poo tang