Fairweather

That would be great. The historic preservation portion is already in the Act itself, but as for trail maintenance, well, rumor has it that at least one USFS manager, faced with protests from the radical green faction, took away his trail crew's chain saws--and sent them out with hand augurs and dynamite instead. Problem solved. The worst part of all this is that groups like Wilderness Watch are actually doing long-term, permanent harm to the true wilderness ideal. Use is down, and support for wilderness expansion in places like NCNP (Alps proposal) and ONP (Wild Olympics proposal) is virtually nil among locals and actual users. One last thing: it's important to distinguish between Olympic Park Associates--radical greens who are, for all intents and purposes, the peninsula's equivalent of the NCCC--and Friends of Olympic National Park who support historically-biased access for hikers, climbers, equestrians, and skiers.

I'd say there's a pretty big difference, but don't let facts stand in the way, Junior. Of course, we probably shouldn't limit this little survey of Democrat corruption to Illinois--after all, there's always Christie's predecessor, John Corzine, who stole $1.6 Billion of other people's money in investment schemes. But here we go: Rod Blagojevich — Governor from 2003 through 2009, when he became the first Illinois governor in history to be impeached. Convicted of numerous corruption charges Monday, including allegations that he tried to sell or trade President Barack Obama's old Senate seat. George Ryan — Governor from 1999 through 2003. After leaving office, was convicted of racketeering for actions as governor and secretary of state. In November 2007, began serving 6 1/2 years in federal prison. U.S. Rep. Dan Rostenkowski — Pleaded guilty to corruption charges and left office in 1995. Served 17 months in prison, but was pardoned by President Bill Clinton. Rostenkowski was a representative from 1959-95. U.S. Rep. Mel Reynolds — Convicted of misconduct with a 16-year-old campaign volunteer and resigned in 1995. Served more than two years in prison. Later convicted on federal wire and bank fraud charges and sentenced to more than six years in prison. President Clinton commuted that sentence. Dan Walker — Governor from 1973-1977. Pleaded guilty to bank fraud and other charges in 1987 related to his business activities after leaving office. Spent just over a year and a half in federal prison. Otto Kerner — Governor from 1961-1968. Resigned to become judge, then was convicted of bribery related to his tenure as governor. Sentenced to three years in prison. William G. Stratton — Governor from 1953-1961. Indicted after leaving office on income-tax evasion charges but was acquitted. Secretary of State Paul Powell — Roughly $800,000 was found stuffed in shoe boxes Powell's home after he died in 1970. Auditor Orville Hodge — Pleaded guilty in the 1950s to embezzling more than $1.5 million from the state while in office. He used the money to buy two planes, four automobiles and homes in Illinois and Florida. Attorney General William Scott — Convicted of tax fraud and spent a year in prison in the 1980s. Was Illinois attorney general from 1969-80. And let's not forget Jesse Jackson Jr. In jail.

Trip: Lane Peak - The Zipper Date: 1/20/2014 Trip Report: Went up and climbed the Zipper today with my brother. The route was in great shape with continuous snow or ice the entire length. Mostly solid sticks and good front-pointing with regular water ice bulges for good screws. The chock stone is still partially exposed, but there is an ice/snow runnel on its right side. The portion above the chock stone took a couple inches of boot toe and was a little narrow a few feet below the top of the route. The Zipper is a good combination of belays and simul-climbing right now. Gear Notes: Two tool shape right now. 2 pickets and 2 screws. One more picket would have been nice. Approach Notes: A little soft on the way out--but didn't take or need any floatation. The gate at Longmire is not being opened until a few minutes past 9am so don't arrive too early.

And this is different from the Chicago/Illinois Democrat machine that gave rise to Obama?

Rumors about her poor health abound. In any event, she'll probably end up the recipient of Obama's late-term political wrench as the we-still-don't-like-each-other-much vibe is pretty thick. You Christie-haters better be careful what you wish for. You don't have any strong alternatives to Hillary.

Your "boilerplate anti-government rhetoric" comment is kind of odd given your very recent and rather hysterical anti-USFS rants about Wind River and Wenatchee District staff and policies. This aside, your comments re Wilderness Watch are accurate--to a point. PEER--Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility were also a party to the lawsuit you reference (see below). I find it strange that lower-level staff within the NPS actually get standing in court if they don't like what the public has to say about access. You also say that "half of the users want shelters--the other half don't." I'm not sure how you arrived at this number--I don't think it's even close. But you are exactly right when it comes to your LNT ethic reinforcement--and the need for citizens to organize work parties to take on repairs like this. I'll do some checking in with Friends of ONP to see if there is anything in the works that I can participate in. http://www.wilderness.net/toolboxes/documents/cultural/Olympic%20Park%20Associates%20v.%20Mainella.pdf

It's good that the chalet is on the national register; hopefully this affords it some protection. Remember, this is the same park unit that went on a shelter-burning jihad a couple of decades ago. And make no mistake: there are many ONP managers that want this structure gone and this is, no doubt, the cause of the "foot dragging" to which Jason refers. Some good history here (about half way down the page): http://www.windsox.us/1956_Pargeter_Map/1956_Pargeter_Map.html More recent stuff here: http://www.friendsonp.org/issuesopinions/sheltersfarlee.html

how fit are you? in the biological sense of the word I mean. I hear 2.2 is the goal, but I like that church family on tv that has 20. man that guy is answering the call.

excellent, it's settled then. survival of the fittest.

well, we humans are either special or we're not. which is it?

Not sure why all the fuss. I mean, it's not like Christie covered up his negligence and culpability in the death of an American ambassador or something like that...

Hey, I didn't say that, man, you said that. But it is beautiful, no? Imagine what the place would look like if bureaucrats were in charge of natural selection...

The club only cares about you if you are still in the ether spreading around your code truth is the club doesn't even care or know you exist or it exists membership is automatic even if you are a believer or not since selection is done by a sort of invisible hand and I think this is why it is so beautiful

Blinder alert I did not realize only atheists accept evolution and are allow in Oly's club I know plenty of Christians Jews Muslims Hindus Sikhs deists and agnostics who are on the team okay I don't really know any muslims but I'm sure there are some who see the logic

Sounds kinda like a Coelacanth. A Gar--I guess I missed that one. Nothing wrong with enjoying evolutionary peace in a static environment--if you can find it. Having effectively insulated ourselves from the physical environment--and having managed to hold at bay for the time being our microscopic antagonists--there seems little left to act on or select for mutations in our own genome moving forward. Seems like we humans are likely to maintain our present phenotype for as long as we can manipulate the status quo. I wonder if Gars think we're really ugly.

What the hell is that thing? Europa is cool, but Enceladus is my favorite.

I hope these curious docs don't start planting polar bears in Antarctica or penguins on Baffin. Not that I've ever thought about it or anything.

My prediction: an island of hemophiliac lizards.

Evolution is not headed in any particular direction. Must be random stupid ugly.

Wow, that is really sad. It's gotta be hard when your competitors are 1.) a monster sub-T co-op that is not taxed against the dividends it pays its "members", and 2.) internet suppliers that may or may not be subjected to state sales taxes. I can only guess they could no longer afford being the other guy's "display case." (?) RIP brick and mortar.

My first multi-day hike back in 1972. And my son's too--in 1995. It will be a sad day when it goes. Any news from ONP on their plans? e.g. burn it, dismantle it, or just let the river take it?

I reckon the "government can't and never ever will do anything right" crowd whose hearts and minds Christie has to win over ... Good God, man, you're quoting TTK's Icicle Creek ranger rant verbatim!

Suntop Road off of Hwy 410. 3000' gain, and avy-safe.