Fairweather

One of my first big adventures was riding my bike from Tacoma to Cannon Beach, Oregon (and back) with my best friend. About 400 miles total. We did not wear helments. As I had no bike rack, I carried a packback. We spent 5 days and had $35 each for food and campground fees at Westport, and Fort Stevens State Park. Our parents agreed we could go as long as we checked in by pay phone once each evening. WE WERE 13 YEARS OLD! My son is now 13 and I cannot imagine letting him do the same.

www.snopes.com/photos/binoculars.htm Here's a REAL quiz: Q: Who believes that the UN has supreme governing authority over the sovereignty of the United States, its military, and all its citizens, especially as that authority relates to war, environmental policy, and gun control? Who believes that government should forcefully take most of what a person earns and redistribute that income to others? Believes "from each according to his means, to each according to his needs"? Who lectures us all about the beauty of big government, demands we pay more taxes to keep his favorite Mercer Island park open, then hops into his German-made luxury automobile and rides off on another BIG adventure to save us from ourselves? A: Matt

Sloth, What about Ned Gillette? Was he travelling alone when he was shot?

My workouts consist primarily of 5x/week short runs (5k max-short hills) and a longer run (8mi) once every couple weeks. Additionally, I use a "stair-mill" at the gym 3 or 4 times per week for 45-60 minutes at a time. I usually get up into the mountains, for at least a workout, every 3 weeks or so during the winter months. (Si, Tiger Mtn, etc) The climbing partner to whom I refer runs 13 miles twice per week, and bikes almost daily. (Not sure about the distance.) He is into the whole triathalon scene. He does not climb as much as I do. I am thinking that my cardio is very good, but that my body just isn't used to the pounding I gave it Saturday. Heart/lungs could have gone on for a full marathon (easily), but I doubt I could have gone more than another 2 or 3 miles as my hamstrings were getting tight and my achilles were as tight as guitar strings. I'm just not sure if the punishment that running dishes out is a positive thing for a 40 year old guy like me. I like running, but I want to remain active in the mountains well into my old age. I'm trying to train for a full marathon this summer, but I don't want some running related injury to spoil my "climbing summer". Should I stick to the low impact cardio? Legnthen my running distance at a modest pace? Can I "train" my muscles to take this kind of abuse? Your insight is apreciated... Brian

Dru, ....not only that, but check out the photo gallery's new "top poster". Besides, I've posted many a slog report in addition to my political rantings.

Ran a half-marathon in the Skagit Valley, but the fantastic views of Mt Baker during the run made me wonder why I wasn't up there instead. Anyone on Baker this past weekend?

I ran my first Half Marathon today up in Skagit Valley. ("Nookachamps") I ran with a climbing partner who's ass I can kick pretty good on a workout trip to Muir, or on a trip like Si, or Mailbox, or anywhere! My question is this: If I can stomp him on a climb, then HOW the hell can he beat me by 15 minutes in a half marathon??!! Is running even a valid training tool for climbing? Just different muscle groups I guess?

Hey iammo! Dkemp's CC bio: has a website, photos, email address. Additionally he offers info/advice, and valuable opinions. You, on the other hand, sound like a real piece of work.

I've heard that story, but I think it was another mountain. Redoubt seems a bit remote for that kind of hyjinx. Besides, it has actually erupted in the late 80'S I believe. A "mountain hyjinx" (sp) thread would be awsome! Some others I have heard: A "female pleasure device" left in a Mazama summit register. A small Christmas tree left on top of Rainier. ...urban legend or real?...you decide.

OK. I'll weigh in on this one... A more appropriate question here would be: "Why are so many white people worried about how black people recreate in their spare time?"

Allison, We now agree on TWO things! 1) Wal Mart is evil. 2) The Olympus XA is the greatest climber's camera ever created.

Do you believe that the governor's state budget proposal is actually a CUT versus the prior biennium? The budget is actually increasing. It is amazing how some folks view a slowing rate of increase as a "cut". "Tapping on the brakes" a little does not a u-turn make. Re: property taxes. When property values increased dramatically during the late 80's and 90's, the state realized a huge tax windfall. (My property taxes quadrupled. Inflation did not.) They (Lowry, then Locke) grew state government far above levels of increased population. It was inevitable that the good economic times would slow. Locke is only now realizing that trimming the state budget means reducing the number of state employees. Fortunately, state teachers are not going to get hit with layoffs. Additionally, the people of this state voted for teacher pay increases, and the will of the people should be upheld. Locke will have to cut elsewhere IMHO. I find it ironic that folks like you support the voices of the initiative process on one hand (teachers), but not the other (Eyman). My position on the initiative process is consistent. Yours is not.

Allison, Safeway, Albertsons, QFC (owned by Fred Meyers) are union. Fred Meyer grocery employees are union, but the non-food area employees are not, and are paid LESS than their grocery counterparts. Go figure! Wal Mart is expanding their operation and will soon be a dominant player in the state's grocery industry. Most existing stores will be full grocery operations within the next few years. I will NOT shop at Wal Mart. Although unions have their shortcomings, the treatment and pay that non union Wal Mart employees receive is sub-standard, to say the least. Costco, while non union, seems to have a very equitable pay and benefits program for their employees. I occasionally shop there. The pressure that Wal Mart is putting on other grocery retailers is tremendous. Sadly, it looks like Wal Mart's strong-arm tactics may spell doom for the Retail Grocery Clerks Union. Oh yeah...I occasionally use the "U Scan".

Eyman's initiative, 695, was thrown out by the state supreme court! The state legislature and governor then enacted, by the representative govt process, major portions of the license tab reduction. His more recent initiative, 776, has NOT been put into effect in King, and parts of Pierce and Snohomish counties. So exactly WHICH Eyman initiative was it that decimated our state buget? Have you done your homework? Is Eyman just a convenient scapegoat for the tax-and-spend crowd? ...or could it be that repressive taxation enacted by state (mainly Democrat), county (mainly King), and municipal (mainly Seattle) governments has scared business (read: JOBS) away from our great state? Not to mention the generally business-hostile atmosphere 'roud certain segments of our "communtiy", and the black eye our state received from the WTO protests.

His avatar reminds me of that freakin' Stephen King movie! I've hated clowns ever since I saw it.

Forged Trailpark Permit Bolt Cutters Cordless Dremmel with metal cutting disc Acetylene torch Set of bogus license plates Cammo Netting My vehicle is now ready for total trailhead access...

Thanks DKemp and Dubya, I recently got hold of a video titled "Tommy Moe's Alaska Adventures". One of the segments is a climb of Iliamna Volcano, and a ski descent! Incredible video shots. The climb looks very straightforward. These folks flew in to Tongue Glacier. The logo on the plane's tail reads "Talkeetna Air Taxi". I haven' t contacted them yet, but this area seems a little bit out of their traditional territory. I did get a reply from another air taxi service that will land here, but he wants a LOT of $$$$. He'll also land on Drift River gravel bars for Redoubt Volcano. This is much cheaper. It sounds cheaper to do Iliamna the hard way. My summer 2003 schedule isn't looking very good for anything that takes longer than 9 or 10 days. ...Not looking good for this year ....unless I quit my job. (!)

Mtn Goat, You're too kind to SC. Communists deserve no safe harbor. Although I admire your well thought out responses to the many lefties here, you surely realize by now that your efforts are for naught. No amount of data you present; no logic or common sense you try to bring to the debate, will sway the likes of the "blame America first" types. J_B, Sexual Chocolate, Nercmicron, Flash not-so-Amazing in particular only heap derision on you when you present the evidence or partake of the debate they request. So why not just take off the gloves once in a while? SC in particular, who fancies herself (himself?) part of the Lennin-youth corps, and rarely presents evidence to back up her claims, needs a good verbal whoopin' now and then. Why not have a little fun?

...TO SexChoc, and all those who voted for Ralph Nader or The Socialist Workers Party in the 2000 election.... THANKYOU!!!!! THANKYOU!!!! THANKYOU!!!! (....but we won't be needing your assistance 2004 )

From Spanaway? No, DFA. Is that where you buy your meth?

How about mini-vans? They get equally bad gas mileage. Do you hate those people too? ....'fess up.... It's really about class-warfare with you guys, isn't it? What about those "mini-SUV's" like the RAV4 and Honda CRV? Do they qualify as planet killers? Are the drivers terrorist huggers too? What kinda milage you gettin' these days AK? Matt's Audi A4 gets pretty good mileage! Are you doing your part too?

JB, the "vastly environment conscious public" to which you refer will (and is) jump off your enviro-ship in a heartbeat when it hits their wallets hard enough. And all the intent-of-the-law twisting environmental lawyers in America won't be able to keep them on board. Sad, but true.

The main financiers of this ad campaign are Ariana Huffington, Norman Lear, and Larry David. All three of them ride in BIG chauffered limos, fly in private jets, and live in 10,000+ square foot homes that need to be heated, I'm sure. In addition, Mr Lear owns 21 automobiles. Fucking hypocrites ALL! (And typical liberals) Re: the drug ad comparison...Last time I checked drugs we're illegal; and SUV's are not.

Actually JB I have two kids. Ages 13 and 16. I have strived (quite successfully) to innoculate them against elements of "pop culture", gratuitous advertising, and of course the fallacy of modern American liberalism. I assume you are a parent as well?

I'll admit that there is a BIG inconsistency when parents allow their kids to watch ultra-violent movies/video games, eat foods that are 90 to 100% fat, but will become outraged when a woman's breasts are bared on screen or for breast-feeding in public. ...just a product of our culture I guess... Killing=good. Sex=bad. Shitty Food=tasty. But in the end, it's the parents choice to what degree they wish to expose their kids to such things. (within the law and "societal norms") ....run with it SC.