carolyn

Nice invitation!

hehehehe I was walking into the basement of the store the other day and literally ran into a life size cardboard box of Ed V. I brought it up to the entrance of the store and dressed him up. Guess you had to be there!

Wow! Thanks for the blast from the past! I met jay up in Ontario, canada a few yrs back at an ice festival. It was one of my first experiences on ice. Since I was there by myself, he made sure to come down to the cold shores of Lake Superior, where I was camping and wake me up so we could go climb. Honestly, one of the most enjoyable climbing days Ive had. He even showed me how to readjust my crampons for the first time. helloooo Jay!

I should know better than to start reading spray while munchin on dinner.

My past two days have been awesome! Yesterday...bike ride to a local bouldering area...got dumped on by the rain. Climbed till the lightnening started (being along a railroad track isnt the best place). Hopped in a friends truck and hauled ass to StPaul where the sun was shining. Climbed by myself for a while and rode home. Nap. Bartend...Rollins Band played...Got stuck at a bar after work due to flash floods and 70mph winds.(damn!) Short nap Work Found some hexes I wanted (unslung and not wired) for 2 bucks a pop! A friend stopped by and we went out to lunch. Climbed in the rain for a short while after work. Drinkin a moose drool at the moment. Keep the good days a comin'!

Hey! Im super psyched to work a trip out there around the time of the rope up! Hope to get together with folks at smith the weekend before, along with the those of you heading out to the rope up. Im looking forward to hanging out and drinkin with you all. There will be people climbing though...right? Its a ways out, however when it starts getting close and if there are any fine folks who would be willing to help me with my itinerary (rides from pdx-seattle, seattle-l'worth) and/or interested in climbing, drop me a PM. I will also be searching for a ride and/or someone to climb with the weekend before at smith. Wouldnt mind getting a moderate alpine route in between the two weekends.

Yippeee! Now Ive gots to work on finding a cheap flight! (financial donations will be gladly accepted) When I mentioned a smith gathering on an adjacent weekend to the rope up, I wasnt rallying troops to work against your efforts, beck. I was merely making an attempt to extend my 'vacation'. I dont think anything could top or replace the original rope up in Lworth! Thanks for being so quick on the job and confirming dates so those of us out of staters can make plans. We know the beer is confirmed - thanks to TG. Im happy to be in charge of getting it up there from Portland...then I will be sure to find a ride! I could probly gather up some goodies from the local reps out here as well and bring 'em out if there is interest....you can never have too many goodies! And MAYBE I can work on bringing a special 'guest of honor" (other than me, that is ). to all those who will make this event happen

Try using it on your hands instead. Ouch!

Nice photos! From over here, it seems like your recovery is coming along quickly. Sure it doesnt feel that way to you ,though. Keep postin' those photos. Im sure some hotcha mama is droolin over them on a porn site as we speak! Seriously, though. How are ya keepin your spirits so hight? Very admirable!

If'n you're worried about the appearance of your hands, try some other sport...god, my hands look gross...like they got in between a meat grinder and a belt sander...COOL! Or, you could rub some lotion in at the end of the day... Not concerned about how my hands look - if you saw them, you would believe me. More concerned about how they FEEL. I despise the feeling of dry hands and feet! I was in gymnastics for about 10yrs, as well. Used chalk up the wazoo. I would wake up in tears as a child in the middle of the night cause my hands hurt so much (mainly dryness). Sometimes I would put vaseline on them....then put gloves or socks on so I didnt feel as uncomfortable. Strange, I know. But one's got to do what one's got to do to get their sleep, ya know!

did I just set this up for a page top? Attitude....youre sleeping on the job!

Sweating is an issue for me! I tried a search to no avail could you make a few suggestions. Chalk lasts me about a move and a half before I am forced to dip again, give me the beta... THere is the ecoball, which is only a half dozen bucks or so. Folks Ive talked with who use it seem to like it alright. Rumr...that potion has to just dry the shit outta your hands in the long run! Honestly, its not the 'ethical issue' that bothers me so much. I learned to climb without chalk. I rarely feel the need for it or forget...even with the humidity and typical slick basalt out here. I will at least try and remember to bring my bag climbing with me...maybe even clip it onto my harness?!?! On the other hand, maybe I just dont sweat or work hard enough?!

I was glancing thru Mark Twights book, extreme alpinism last night. I noticed a part which addresses your question, Mike... p.51 "Also use it to monitor your recovery from workouts. Check recovery status by taking your pulse when you wake up each morning. Recovery is incomplete if you are a trained athlete and your heart beats a few times more per minute than normal, or if you are an untrained persona nd your heart rate is six to eight beats per minute higher than normal....An increase in your wake- up pulse also indicates when illness and overtraining loom...Take rest days whenever needed, based on your waking pulse, especially if you are thirty five or older or coming back from injury or a long break from training and climbing...Pay attention when waking pulse is five or more beats per minute higher than normal..."

Im just curious of others thoughts on this subject (minus the ethical debate, if possible). Ive often been taught to make things harder than they need to be so you are prepared when things get tough, both in life and climbing. We have a few areas around here with a no chalk ethic, which I respect. I dont necessarily frown upon others who use chalk. I just dont feel the need to use it. Part of it goes back to the thought process of , "if you can do this climb greasy or wet w/o chalk, just think what more you might be able to do". Recently my 'thought process' has been debated a bit. Im told chalk is good. If you dont use chalk, it greases the holds. Chalking up in the middle of a climb gives you an opportunity to take a break, breath, and collect yourself. I understand the arguments, but I still dont cant seem to break out the bag. And when I do, I often forget its there. Do folks think chalk is a 'necessary' thing? Discuss!

btw, glassgow...Im particularly fond of your avatar image.

Hmmmmm....maybe ecb will sell you his prophets (that is , if you really liked 'em). Then he/she can buy some new ones and you gots yourself back a set of tools!

What tools did you have? I had my eye on the cobras when they first came out. Unfortunately I couldnt grip it very well. The diameter is actually pretty much the same as the rage, but turned in a way that made it difficult to hold onto with gloves....so, I went with the rages. I like the quarks a lot and might look into them for next season. The grip is pretty darn good. The swing feels a lot different (to me) than the rages or cobras...a good difference, though. Doesnt cascade crags have an ice wall year round? Do they offer a selection of tools to try out? Maybe some folks around the site would lend ya some different varieties to try before purchasing.

Isnt it normal to feel sore if your working muscles that dont often get worked? I feel pretty pumped when Im done. My fingers hurt a bit from crimping a lot as well. I havent been too bad in the morning, though. Im really just starting off on this new routine of traversing along a wall (1000ft long?). Ive been enjoying it a lot and its super good practice for endurance, balance, using my feet, etc. Maybe its just the excitement of something new that makes me want to keep going back day after day. I would however like to work it in at least 4-5 days a week if possible w/o injuring myself.

This question is similar to the one recently asked about overtraining, hopefully with a different twist, so I dont bore you all. Ive learned thru trial and error when training for backpacking or extended slog fests how important rest days are for my joints. Lately Ive been doing A LOT more climbing, bouldering, traversing, etc. My mind and spirit tend to want to continue long after my muscles/endurance do. I hear how important it is to work toward that 'burn' (which I get daily). Yet, How do I know when Im pushing it too much? How do I know when I need to continue and when I need to rest for a day or two? Granted every 'body' is different...what are the clues you use to say, "time for a day off"? The last thing I want to do is injure and/or work against myself.

Too funny...sharing recipies on cc.climbers Here it goes... Rhubarb Custard Pie 2 1/2 c. rhubarb, cut in 1 inch lengths 2 eggs, beaten 2 T butter 1 T sugar 1 1/2 c sugar 1/4 c flour 2tsp lemon juice Pie crust (for double crust) Combine rhubarb, sugar, flour, eggs, and lemon juice. Put on bottom crust in pie pan. Dot with butter. COver with top crust. Cut slits for steam vents. Sprinkle top crust with 1 T sugar. Bake 450 for 10 mn. Reduce heat and bake 350 for 30 min. Im not much of an exact 'measurer' when I cook. So for the strawberies, I just reduced the rhubarb a tad and added what strawberries I had in the fridge. I was lazy and just bought frz crust instead of making it. Try it again, Kiwi.

Check out the Special Olympics chapter near you if you want to work with people who have disabilities. They might not have "climbing/ropes course" type activities, however I would be willing to bet they could send you in the right direction. Also, the YMCA and YWCA typically have a zillion programs revolving around youth and adventure related activities. I bet figger8 would have some good suggestions for ya there. Do you have ropes course experience? Just curious. I facilitate out here in MN. Great job!

Has anyone else brought this to his attention? (ive been out of town and not reading the board). Quoted in the "off the wall" section. (how appropriate! )

I had a bunch of rhubarb I bought from the farmers market out here a number of weeks ago. Made 2 strawberry/rhubarb and 2 rhubarb pies, along with rhubarb coffee cake and sauce. I made many friends that week! Now that Ive figured out how to bake over a fire without buying a dutch oven,Im going to bring some rhubarb with me the next time I head up north to camp and attempt making it with fresh picked raspberries. MMMMMMMM Good!

I noticed Dru is quoted in the "Off the Wall" section - under "overheard". There are eyes and ears everywhere. Be careful what you say!

Im curious of those who have used the andinista... I recently received a Granite Gear Alpine lite for a very small amount of cash. Its a similar design to the andinista. Ive only had a chance to use it craggin' thus far. Ive found with the back being so soft (the pad is the stiffest part), it tends to bend a lot and flop over some. Ive packed and repacked it different ways. Because its so floppy it winds up putting a lot of weight on my shoulders. Ive considered attempting to put some stays (sp) inside the pad. Im not quite sure if it will help. Worth a try, though. Do those of you with the andinista find floppyness to be an issue? Is it better when you pack it with a stiffer objects? SOme have told me its not meant to carry the weight I have in it. However, it IS a climbing pack, so it really shouldnt be a problem carrying just my climbing gear!