imorris

Heading into our LZ for the Selkirks in B.C. the one car we had problems with was the Jeep Cherokee. The piecer 80's Mazda truck was fine, as was the beater rental picked up in Calgary! Flat tire on the Cherokee...turned out to be FS Wilderness AT. Go figure. -Iain

...reminds me of when we had to downclimb into the boot track on Emmons awhile back......

Well now I've been on both sides of the litter. I just saw I have the dubious accomplishment of being published in Accidents in NA Mtng this year (OR, Sandy G. HW, Mt Hood). What a triumph. -Iain

On Wild Things packs (slightly off-topic): I have used the Andinista for some time now. I like it a lot but it packs strangely, and when you have the zippers cinched you are basically wearing a long tube that bangs against your helmet as things get vertical. It takes awhile to know how to pack it best, and I'd avoid back-breaking loads. I've had to haul rescue gear in it (certainly not its intended purpose) and it was agony. You could use it as an emergency bivy, though sleep is pretty much out of the question. It feels like you are in a straightjacket even w/o insulating layers on. The backpad is miniscule. Perhaps the best feature is that it forces you to leave stuff behind. Incredibly expensive as well. Practice taking out your axes from the tubes at home!

...and now I realize you were being sarcastic....whoops

I've heard of Magic Light (5.11a) on the Morning Glory Wall....

WMI's WFR course is excellent, far better than their WFA weekend course. The confidence and peace of mind gained are worth your time. WMI must make a killing on those refresher courses, since there are so many WFR's out there who have to stay current. -Iain

Up by Mt. Clemenceau in the Canadian Rockies, a pine martin kept trying to climb the metal siding of the Grassi hut but kept falling off . All night we were listening to skritch, skritch, skritch, skrrriiiiiiiiitch, thunk.....skritch, skritch..... It made off with a friend's used stinking climbing socks and tore them to pieces. Much appreciated, but the alpine starts were rough when you could hardly get to sleep.

On rappels, strange that when ever I leave an old carabiner or rappel ring at a station, it is always gone shortly thereafter. Replace the slings, sure, but why not leave the ring behind for others to use. perhaps some prefer to keep the area clean or are worried about unknown gear. I can understand that. -iain