Beck

The M2 is an analog beacon with digital technology, this validates the manufacturers' clamims of being a dual digi/analogue beacon.

I'm going to second AlpineK on this one. Backcountry skiing SUCKS. It's a skin,skin,skin,slog,slog,slog, up the damn hill. You stop and get cold. You need to test the snow by digging a huge pit and stare at it for a half an hour, at which time you get a lot colder. The snow is always extremely variable and usually a breakable crust. Then, a whiteout occurs. In the interest in keeping the BC pristine, I recommend everyone stick to the lifts, you get a lot more vert with a lot less work.

Is 200 dollars too much to pay for a piece of safety equipment that could save your life? It depends on how much you go backcountry and how much you intend to in the future. Renting is a great option for occasional use. Keep in mind that at some of the ski areas here in WA ( and most likely, other areas in USA) REQUIRE partner, shovel AND beacon to cross the lines and ride the backcountry. One last tip. When you do get one, PRACTICE practice practice with your ski buddies, and make sure THEY now how to search for YOU. As to the cost, it is a bummer. Look how much new Gore XCR coats cost, 450 bucks?

Somebody needs to recon a place in Federal Way or thereabouts, I've only drunk at the 13 Coins at the airport and I don't think mgmt there would be keen on a bunch of dirtbag climbers! Anybody have any suggestions on a climber friendly roadhouse mid Sea-Tac ground?

Correction, dbcolin. The telemark turn was developed by Sondre Nordheim of Norway who invented (or popularized an ancient technique) the Telemark turn, the first modern ski turn. He might have been a ski yumper, I guess, but no one was skiing down hills and making it a sport before ol' Nordheim, and they didn't have their heels fixed.

There's a smell of FRESHIEZ in the air, boys and girls... who's going out to rip it up this weekend and carve some rightous powpow?

Did you cut some turns, Cavey? or were you just gaping?

With a look like that I might even consider dumping Teddy R! That friend of mine you were trying to pick up at the Owl & Thistle Tuesday would be heartbroken, though, Cavey, if you ditched her for Ms. Bigfoot-

I usually break in leather mtn boots by putting them under the wheels of your car toes first and back over 'em up to the heel counter and leaving it parked there for fifteen minutes. Don't back ofer the heel or you'll wreck the boots. Just be careful! Make sure you don't do like my friend Toivo, he wanted em' to fit real custom like, so he put his boots ON and had his brother Swen back over the boots WITH HIS FEET STILLINSIDE. That unlucky bastard,put him out of climbing for the rest of the season.

Cavey, that animitron is frickn HILARIOUS!

It's SHEL SILVERSTEIN, oh my gosh! I thought he had passed!

"Guiness is good for you" "Half a loaf(of bread) in every glass."

"whispers" from REI headquarters talks about some of the highly placed corporate muckeymucks wishing they weren't a cooperative, didn't have the fiscal restrains that come with being a co op.

I'd like to nominate Teddy Ruxpin.

Skied Backcountry FRESHIES Fri/Sat/Sun, got Frazziled with Graupel and 50mph winds Sat, shredded TWO FEET of fresh powder in the trees on Sunday, way way sweet!

Interestingly enough , i think both Eddie Bauer and The North Face are now owned by the same holding company, Speigel AG, a European Clothing Magnate- maybe REI will sell off their clothing line to Speigel as well, cut their operating costs a bit, just like they sold off MSR this year.

Pub Club! Pub Club! Pub Club! Owl and Thistle sounds like the place, maybe Hikerwa can illuminate the board with directions, his work is in the same building and I hear there's some secret back stairway down to it so he can grab a pint of guiness on bathroom breaks!

Traffic eases between Seattle and Tacoma between 6-6:30 but it still sucks.

Nicest offer so far, Anne, my own fireplace? Indoor stove testing and low low heating bills coupled with the ambience of a glowing hearth... I'd almost consider moving but Dru's got it right, the commute would be harsh!

Thanks for all the advice,bros, I really do need to find a place to live though, I'd appreciate some modicum of understanding on that. as to Teddy R.,he's up north buggering Ursus Horribilus right now so it's just me looking for a place.

I'm currently looking for a room to rent/ houseshare in Seattle with like minded outdoors types- current roomate doesn't like me being out of town most weekends (jealous?) so I am in search of a place to live that understands the call of the wild. Me? 33, NS, gainfully employed, clean, quiet, respectful, need space to store gear and self. PM me if you need a housemate or have heard of a place- Thanks a bunch!

Was on Adams South Spur approach 10/25,considerable snow (foot+) already at summer trailhead-these warm rains may have melted things back a bit, I don't think they gate the road but doubt you can get above 3,500 feet in winter season. Drive car till stuck, walk(ski) further to climb in winter.

I'll be slogging around at Rainier, Dave, also have use of cabin at Longmire if you want to go south- snow should be lousy!!!

Dave, can you post some directions for the rest of us, I'm not sure where Latona Ave is

My spray was vapid, vacous verbage that turned into a presonal expose into my climbing history with a stuffed animal. I wasn't proud to admit all this stuff on a public forum like CascadeClimbers but I was compelled to get the clear picture out to the rest of you. When a guy's got problem like ursaphilia it's tough, so thanks all for listening, Teddy Ruxpin and I appreciate it.