carolyn

Too Funny! I should go home later and try that with my cat! I saw an eagle on my way to work today. That was way kewl!

Ive used the pocket rocket exclusively for about 3 yrs now. The coldest temps were -15f and had no problems. Like others said, put something between the canister and the snow to help it along.

i think u can put other chatters on ignore.

Shit! and Im gonna fly accross the country to climb with this joker at J-Tree?!!?!?!? NOW Im scared! Ahhhh...Bring it on!!!!!!

Saturday.... packed, worked, bouldered inside (had a personal best day!), ran some errands near one of my favorite climbing/training areas in the summer. It was almost 40 outside and very sunny. THought I would check it out since I had my shoes with me. It was sooooooo good to climb there again. ANother personal best traversing this wall. A tinge of guilt as I could look accross the river and see a local ice crag. Hmmmm...soft ice over there in the sun. Moved more stuff to my new place in the evening. Sunday Drytoolin day. Cloudy and RAINY. Turned into snow as we drove north. Really looking forward to the day. Wound up Having a personal WORST day. I sooooo sucked. Still learned a lot and enjoyed the day. Went to bed VERY EARLY! Next weekends TR: move, clean, move, clean, take care of freaked out cat, move, clean, move , clean, take care of freaked out cat. Climb ice on apartment building one last time before turning in the keys!

Im actually somewhat consumed with activities that weekend between bringing a group of people up there from work and assisting with clinics. There are plenty of clinics (either free or minimal cost) which you can join and definately get to climb. Otherwise, there are always people open to letting others join them. DO you live on the west coast? Suggested climbs in Orient Bay Tempest (WI2+)...a must! 70m' Go Mar Falls (WI3) 85m Snow shoes a necessity. April Ice (WI3) 20m Glace Eclantante (WI3+) 60m (In GREAT shape right now!) 10% Real (WI5) 75 m S. Loop of Ice Palace Reflection Wall (WI5) 80m (Go for a first ascent on the two lines to the right...both mixed) Cascade Falls (WI3) 40m Rap anchors at top Obsession (WI4) 60m shortest approach ever...maybe 50m? Sycho Icycho (WI2+) 50m I HATE this climb for personal reasons, but most people REALLY enjoy it. Can make for a great first lead. Tears Of Joy (Wi3+) 80m Kick ass climb! Andromeda Weeps (WI4) 70m Mellow Yellow (3+) 60m? River of Frozen Dreams is suppose to be nice...kindof considered 'rivering'...lots of little climbs along a river. Ive only climbed once in Kama Bay...that was Grandy Mardy Falls. Very kewl rivering to a huge ice wall...(wi4-5 with some possible mixed)...40-50m? Rumour has it you can keep rivering after the first wall and hit another. Hmmmmm? The ice park is pretty cool. It will be busy with clinics during the ice fest. Their website is www.eaglecanyonadventures.ca www.wesbender.com has some links to updated photos in OB if youre interested.

I think I remember... *Dog Mountain *Angels Rest (?) I think I remember doing 2 of them with that name or similar names. *Saddle Mountain *Eagle Creek (no hills, but never the less, BEAUTIFUL) TG met me for breakfast on that trip with a fully loaded truck of beer. He also had to suffer thru my first experience driving stick, before I took the car out to the gorge on my own. Ithink I scared him! Also spent 2 weeks in the N.Cascades, did my first multipitch climb (with erik) in Lworth AND climbed Da Toof with Michelle and Figger8.

Holy Shit! That was a LONG ass time ago! At first when I looked, I thought it was someone using my name! To think how far I have come since then! Thanks for the memories!

I climb in Orient Bay on a regular basis. Actual climbing is about 20 minutes or more (depending on what area you are aiming for) from the town of Nipigon, where most people stay. Approaches, as paul said can be anywhere from 50m or a couple miles. You will almost always have to go uphill for a short while...nothing overly strenuous. Snowshoes are highly reccomended especially for the longer approaches and less frequented areas. There are a number of multipitch routes. ANd lots of stuff from wi2-6. Best times to go are late Nov (when its in) into mid December OR March-May (often in during the first week or two of may)...that is unless you dont mind below zero temps and dinner plates to feed the city of seattle off of...then by all means go anytime! Kama Bay (loooonger approach), Ice Station Superior, and a newly developed ice park in Dorian are also good to check out. There are some new areas in the process of being developed as we speak, including some wicked hard mixed/dt routes. Should have more information on them come mid march. THunder Bay also has some GREAT climbing. If you are coming from the states, the best way to do it would be to fly into Mpls/St Paul and rent a car....the drive is about 7hrs. Or fly into Duluth and cut off a couple hours of drive time. The Nipigon Ice Festival takes place March 5-7th. You can check the website for more information www.nipigonicefest.com Its coming up soooooon, but would be a great time to get introduced to the area. If you want some route suggestions, let me know. I would be happy to throw some out your way Oh yes...and I would reccomend OB over Montreal River (sorry shaunp if you are reading this).

This chica could use some cheering up and a few laughs! Any comedians in the crowd wanna chat?

Ice formed from snowmelt off the roof. Gutter was buried under the ice. IT was almost a little too soft that day -not bad, tho. I would say Grade 3, 10m, approximately 3-4 feet wide/2-4 inches thick in most spots. It was an honest to goodness genuine climb....literally outside my bedroom window. Too bad...or maybe its a good thing that Im in the process of moving out! Uncle Tricky- I need to find someone with a scanner and I will put some of the monkey face pictures up. Promise! I dont want no stinkin' dog chasing after me!!!!

Earlier this morning I took out the trash...something I should do more often. On my way back in the building I discovered a secret gem! I immediately called one of my climbing partners and told him to get over to my house with all his gear. We were going to climb some ice this afternoon! He arrived at my house about an hour later completely geared up (full pack and all), ready to go. Inquisitive, he kept pushing me for information on the climb I found. I explained that it was actually a very short approach and he didnt need his Das Parka today. I suprised him by offering to drive as well. We walked out the front door, loaded up the car and drove around to the back of my building. There it IS!!! We unloaded the gear from the car and got ready to go. I spent some time contemplating which route to take....drytooling up the stucco, the hanging curtains, or the attatched pillar (main line). Ice was falling everywhere from the warm sun, as well as being Afraid my neighbors were going to come out telling us how unsafe we were, I decided to make the long trek back inside my apartment to get my rope, helmet, and a few screws. Unfortunately, I forgot my draws and biners. Good thing I carry a biner on my keychain! That seemed to do the trick!!!! Oh, if you havent noticed, I forgot my harness as well. Didnt seem to think it would be too much of a problem to tie into my beltloop. I was a little worried after I couldnt get the first screw all the way in, tho I continued on... I realized how costly this adventure could be. Not so much for my physical being...but financially...as we heard my landlord next door start yelling out the window at us, I politely retreated. Until another day! Aaaaah Ice climbing in Minnesota! Its right outside your backdoor!

wierd, I just put DOolittle in my cd player before logging on and seeing this. Thanks for the heads up dru! Pixies RUUUUULE!

Ok, to be a little more positve about the new apt, despite the fact of not having a roommate for 7yrs and really cherishing my privacy... For 1000 bucks it includes... 3 bedrooms (ahhh, to have a computer/gear room) living room with fire place off street parking back yard front yard back deck my bedroom is over half the size of the apt Im living in right now. Basement storage An attic (clean and large!) Free laundry BIG and LOTS of closets all utilities , except phone. And a DOG! Hmmmm....my spoiled cat is going to use some adjustment time, thats for sure! My latest apt is a small 1 bedroom with basically none of the above. Ooooh...but my privacy!

Ice is Good for the most part. Tho after the cold this week Im afraid to swing my tools...might break a dinner plate the size of alaska! At least we got some snow....just 12 inches here....24+ up north w/in a day.

GOOD day when its -27 (not including windchill) and your car starts!!!!! BAD day when you call your landlord to tell him you will not be renewing your lease after 7 yrs because you cant afford the rent any longer....then he lowers your rent below the amount you will be paying at the new place! Too bad I already signed the fuckin lease! Guess the good and bad all even out, eh?

THats a bummer Why?

mike added a good point of the importance of staying hydrated. Something else that comes to mind which a friend suggested is taking 2 aspirin before heading out, to thin the blood. There are lots of good ideas being thrown around. Im sure if you play around with any or all of them you will find something that will help. Iain asked about cold fingers. Ive had some great success with keeping my hands/fingers warm this winter, even in below zero temps. *crazycreek wrist warmers *swingin' my arms like a windmill (20 times fwd/back each arm) before climbing and inbetween climbs. *wearing mittens that DONT get wet and keeping them on rather than changing them and exposing the skin. Not always an option, but I do my best. When I do have to change gloves/mittens I make sure the extra pair is kept in a warm spot (ie/belay jacket) and I keep a pair of shakers in them so they are warm when I put them on. *staying hydrated *Not gripping my tools so hard (thank you glassgokiss for the reminder way back when). *Dropping my hands at any break during the climb to shake em out and get the blood flowing.

Glassgokiss- Someone recently mentioned looking into heated superfeet. Thanks to your reminder, I looked them up on the net. The set up doesnt seem to be much different than what I use already...custom made superfeet and footwarmers. http://ecom1.sno-ski.com/product228.html How about some electric socks?!?!?!

I always have COLD/FROZEN toes. I think I might have some tissue damage in addition to the fact that I smoke, tho. So far, learning to tie my boots properly has helped a great deal ( tightening them more at the top vs down by the toes). Also, not wearing my crampons if I dont have to makes a HUGE difference. Thats not always an option, but when it is, take advantage of it. Toe warmers can help, if you dont use them already. footbeds are saviors...Im thinking of figuring out a way to dbl up on them. I try to walk around as much as possible when Im in my boots, tap my toes frequently, etc. Thicker socks might not always be the answer as they may make your boots tighter, constricting blood flow. I know for me and the fit of my boot, if I wear a thick sock there is no hope. Glassgokiss has an interesting thought about strengthening the muscles. SOmething to consider for sure!

30+ minutes, if your computer is as slow as mine!

Well, NYE I will unfortunately be bartending. Which means I will sleep NY day away. But...with any luck I will spend Christmas Eve thru the weekend climbing up in Canada!

Ive been on a major search for something to keep my hands warm this winter. Ive got a pair of marmot waterproof mits and some fleece liners (tho it hasnt been cold enough to use them). The cloudveil ice flo gloves kick ass for dexterity, but below 30 degrees my hands freeze. I found a good deal on some whitesmoke (?) gloves from patagonia which might do the trick. Unfortunately they are two different sizes...one being just a tad too large....and no way to exchange them. Something that has been helpful is using crazy creek's thermaband. They wrap around your wrist allowing you to put a handwarmer in its pocket. THis way you are warming up the blood flowing to your fingers. So far I have noticed it gives me a warmer temp 'base'. Doesnt work well if you are using leases though. Leashless also allows you to shake out your hands easier and get the blood flowing again. Ah yes...and swinging your arms like a windmill a zillion times before hitting the climb makes a world of difference. Anyway, probly stuff you all know already...any other tips or glove suggestions for an extrodinarily cold fingered creature is always welcomed!

Today I experienced something which I found to be pretty interesting. Hopefully it will make some sense. I spent some time bouldering after work. In this particular area there are sequences I can do consistantly, sequences which arent consistant, and others which are extremely difficult/impossible that I continue to work on. At one point (during one of my inconsistent sequences) I had a major burn and thought there was noo way in hell I could hold on and finish the next move. At this point I often try to continue but LET myself fall off. Occassionally I will jump off as well. For some reason today, I didnt want to LET myself fall off. On the other hand, I REALLY didnt think I had the physical strength to hold on. I continued the sequence and made it through (and then some). I even managed to work through some of the difficult/impossible problems with incredible success. What struck me as odd is that I COULD do it, even though I didnt believe I had the strength. There have been plenty of times when I climb where I believe a positive mental attitude is what gave me the physical strength to suceed (ya know that adrenaline rush). THe difference between those days and the experience today is that I didnt necessarily have the attitude "I can do this". It was more the attitude of "try it despite the fact you might not be strong enough and see what happens". The other difference had to do with not letting myself fall off. Im not really sure how to explain it. You can either jump off or fall off. THough sometimes I think when I fall off, I am subconsciuosly jumping off. It made me wonder how many times I have actually had the strength to keep going, but didnt allow myself to do so. I know when I am really pumped and not sure if I can do something I tell my partner Im not strong enough. I often give it a go anyway...until I fall. I always thought I gave a 100% effort towards my climbing. Today opened my eyes to the possibility that I dont. Its kind of a kewl lesson because it opens the door for a great deal of improvement. (just an added note...I doubt I showed improvements today because I am stronger. Ive only been climbing about a week now after a month and a half off of limited activity due to an injury. If anything I am MUCH weaker, physically). Discuss!