carolyn

Maybe you can explain to your fella how important it is to you to get out and start learning these skills as well. It might mean he gets a little more time with the critter (which cant be all that bad!), so you can get out and do your thing. Family and friends are also a great resource, if they are available. Though it might be at a snails pace, its never too soon to get children in the outdoors. Its never to late, and there is never any reason to NOT do something you want to do. Its just sometimes it can be a bit more challenging! Best of Luck!

Yo, kev...other than the title of the thread this really had nothing to do with hood. Im beginning to think you are the one obessed with it all!

Couloir - your post was excellent! Not sure whether this will be looked at this again by icemaster , but just in case... The general public typically see's the climber who is on tv, the magazines, the movies, the news. They have flashy, shiny gear and do acrobatic type moves to awe and inspire you. Occassionally these pictures can be somewhat realistic. More than likely they are like the faces/bodies of models in the media. You are only seeing part of the truth, the rest is colored to draw your curiousity as an audience. Sadly enough, I think the media also portrays it as an activity that only rich or talented can be part of. this is the furthest from the truth. Anyone can do it -race, size, shape, ethnicity, gender, or financial status. There are many forms of climbing. Not everybody hits the hardest, steepest slopes. Some people climb once a month, some nearly everyday. Risks and sacrifices are weighed according to the personality and values of the climber to decide how much energy they want to put into it. Im not rich. I know very few climbers who are (though they DO exist)- Same as people who buy boats, motorcycles, or any other "expensive" hobby. I work work 60-80hrs a week for months sometimes just so I can take a trip somewhere for a week. To prepare for that I have to get out and train on top of it. I sacrifice things like a new car, or eating out regularly, new clothes, movies,etc. To see how the 'average' climber lives, take a trip out to Yosemite and visit camp 4, Joshua Tree and stay at Hidden Valley campground, smith rock, Ouray, the list goes on....In my opinion those are where you will see the 'average' climber. And no, the clothing and gear are not just dirty - they are OLD and DIRTY. If you dont climb already, maybe give it a shot. Like I said, you dont have to aspire to or actually climb the biggest, steepest peaks. Just climb!

Where is assparrot? Did Fern ban that fella?

I dont know if this question has been answered before or not. Im guessing so, but just in case...could someone please tell me what a kevbone is?

cluck, thanks for the information you continue to pass along. Obviously you have taken time to read some of this banter in order to respond to what folks are bringing up - brave soul. I hope those who have been involved in the rescue and chosen to inform or clarify are being heard. I also hope you are about to crack open a beer and find a way to chill after such a challenging week. Thanks for being there!

11. who caught who smoking in the muir hut? Damn and Im not even from the PNW!

I think that might sum up the entire point to this tragedy (an any other for that matter). Details dont change a thing. The way we live our lives out of tragedy is what changes it - whether for the good or bad. Luzi3 and babachu- Whatever it is that inspires you, start it today. Whether that be climbing, knitting, taking a roadtrip, gardening, etc. Im really glad to hear someone has gotten something good out of this! Enjoy your life!

I work part time at a local gear shop here in MN, so by no means do I want to discourage you from buying gear, HOWEVER... I wouldnt just get something because a book reccomends it. Wait until you get out a bit with others and see what they use and have to say about it. I guess I just figure the more I can help someone SAVE money on needless purchases, the more they will have to spend when they know what they want/need. If they like what they have, it will assist in their enjoyment of the activity. When I went to buy my first rope, a friend of mine said, "Do you climb with people who have ropes?" "Yes", I said. "Then what do you need one for?" Truth be told, I didnt need it yet. I needed more experience. Just be curteous of the fine line between never having any gear to share and excessively buying things you dont quite need yet. Doesnt sound like you will have a problem with that , as you seem to be a reasonable person. Anyway, the gym is a great way to go as a start. Personally I dont like the gym and typically only go when I need extra training. Thats not to say there is anything wrong with it. Its just not something "I" enjoy for my own personal reasons. Had I not started in the gym, though, I doubt I would ever be climbing. Funny story at the gym when I first started. The friend I was with said she recognized a guy near us who ice climbs. Like a dork, I walked over to him, introduced myself and asked if he would take me ice climbing. Well, he wouldnt (hehehe). He did give me a number of a one of his friends who might. I called and that guy is now a great friend of mine, who taught me well and introduced me to a whole new community. The smartest, bold move I have ever made in my life.

you know, a lot of people say the best way to train for climbing is by climbing. Im not saying, go buy all your gear and get climbing now! Im just thinking that your year to "prepare" to start climbing could turn into 2, 3, 4....and before you know it your 80yrs old, wishing you had. Contact the spokane mountaineers like folks suggested. Look into places in your community that offer classes or clinics. Get out and do some hiking on steeper terrain. Read. Talk to people who climb, ask questions, and find a good mentor. Go do an overnight winter camping trip at a state park to get your feet wet. Learn to ski (if you dont already). Get out and do some snowshoeing. Start looking at maps. Make sure youre having fun! I've been there...in that "wanting" stage. I was there too long. You can 'dive right in' as a way to 'prepare', all the while staying relatively 'safe' (abviously nothing we do in this life is safe). Best of luck to you! Go get em!

Way to break it to 'em!

maybe its time to revive the post on house cats and the muir hut? It seems like it would take an awful lot of work to keep any thread without the name Mt. Hood in it anywhere near the top of the active page. This is all making me wanna cigarette! Damn it!!!!!

luv that movie!

Ya know phil, I just dont get it. On all of the threads you have appeared on there have been honest, sincere, and knowledgeable answers to your questions. Rather than choosing to focus on those, which is how you might actually find others engaging in an intelligent conversation with you, you choose to focus on what might be more sarcastic. Of course folks are going to get defensive when you 'pick a fight'. Your like a freakin' bully! This was actually a great post. There were both thoughtful and blunt responses. Then...well, never mind. No need responding to my post here or any other time because you have now gone to my ignore list. Its just too energy zapping to read your crap.

muffy and I are breaking in the chat! Feel free to join!

only seems that way because you have over 1000 posts!

somebody got in trouble!

link This is by no means an advertisement for who ever's website this is. I thought it was a good basic definition. I think when most people think about mountaineering they think about everest, where loads are ferried up to a certain point. From the information we have so far this is not the style these men were taking, due to the type of climb it was. The climb required fast and light. I dunno what a good comparison would be? Maybe, the difference between driving out of town for the holidays with pretty much the bare minimum vs taking 2 wk vacation or road trip?

take this moment and do your duty! Youre still over your limit! Geeeesh!!!!

I resent that!

no worries E. You know its just cause I want a discount on renting your new vehicle someday! I left a message for him on his cell. No answer at his "best place to reach me till end of Jan"number. I will try another day. -c

no worries E. You know its just cause I want a discount on renting your new vehicle someday! I left a message for him on his cell. No answer at his "best place to reach me till end of Jan"number. I will try another day. -c

hehehe

what area code is 997 prefix in. I can look it up, but if anyone knows offhand....

I echo ivan's sentiments. I actually appreciate and respect those who came on this site to offer support and are honestly curious as to why someone would take such a risk, knowing the possible outcome. I think this is an open door for climbers to help others understand how passionate we are about what we do. With that understanding, we might have more support and less criticism from the general public when situations such as this hood incident happens. I dont remember who said this earlier, but climbers (in general) are afraid of rules and regulations put on them- when it comes to climbing. When these kind of stories become a focus of the media/public, then the questions of regulations comes into play. I've read a great deal on other sites and overheard many about the money necessary for this rescue and who is going to pay. I find it appalling and makes me doubt humanity when I see that being more of a concern than a human life- Whether it be a climber, hiker, boater, homeless person, uninsured, etc. I would prefer my mention of this topic not become a debate. With the example, I just wanted to point out how nice it is to come to this site and see new folks genuinely concerned about the human beings involved. I dunno, to me that just implies that despite the bickering and silly banter on this site, we still somehow attract a compassionate crowd. Anyway, there are a lot of details missing right now. Some may forever be unknown. Others are being discussed at this moment. Without at least some of those details, its just a viscious circle of speculation that probably doesnt do anyone any good. When the information is all gathered by those in the field, it will be passed onto the public. Until then, do what ivan said!