carolyn

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!

Hmmm, now Im a bit confused. We dont have many bolted routes or anchors around here. Is it much different than placing your own anchors?

well, Ive had a looooong week, and Ive had a few beers this evening....but.... Wouldnt the main anchor point come from both bolts? So you would anchor into that point (daisy chain and/or clove hitch). Then you would redirect the anchor off the main point. In my short career, I have had the second (or as the second myself) clip into the main anchor point as well.

all this negative talk about the midwest makes me want to

I had a feeling you all would enjoy it!

Yup, that seems possible. I think haireball mentioned that earlier in the thread. Just dont know if Im talented enough or trust myself enough to mess with it

Well, Minnesota, of course! Im pretty inexperienced, so I might be wrong, but... My understanding is you dont want unnecessary bending of the wire. If that is then case, then having it slung vs wired allows a bit more freedom in equalizing, correct? I dont know, it makes sense in my mind and at the time of setting the anchor, preference over a slung hex was lingering in my mind. Feel free to question and/or correct my logic. Im still pretty green!

This post has a bit more meaning to me now that Ive been acquiring and using my own gear, along with comparing it to others. It seems like Ive run into a number of times where I would have prefered a slung hex vs my wired ones (mainly in setting up anchors -would that be accurate?). I asked around at the store today, but no one was sure who made them these days. I checked wild country's site and did a yahoo search and cant seem to find anyone who makes them. Cavey, if you have the link, could you post it? If anyone is interested in selling an 8, 9, 0r 10 slung hex, let me know. I would probably be interested. I think ANything smaller than that I can get away with wired or use a tricam for now.

He is also doing a slide show down in bend w/in the same time period. I dont remember when/where. You can probably find out thru the climbing shop outside smith. I believe they are cosponsoring it, along with the cascade mountaineers (?is there such thing?). I just spent a day climbing with scott. Ive known him very casually over the past few years. Recently I have gotten to know him better. He has been very inspirational to me and would HIGHLY reccomend attending if at all possible.

Thanks for all the well thought out responses (even your page top, dru! ) I cant remember who posted what. So, Im going to throw out some random thoughts and references. I think mitch had some excellent points regarding safety. However, I ditto what attitude says about beginners not knowing their limits and maybe not knowing what is and isnt safe. I have been taught by some excellent folks, along with a lot of reading, practicing, etc. I know I have learned safe techniqes and placements. The question is, can I apply it once Im faced with the situation. Maybe its a lack of confidence in my knowledge/ability?! As AlpineK said, it takes experience (lots of climbing) to understand your limits. This last weekend the importance of downclimbing was evident. I was taught to downclimb at every chance. I almost always do when toproping (ice and rock). I think I will do it even more now! When my partner told me if I got wigged out to set an anchor and have myself lowered, I thought, "shit, I would MUCH rather down climb". Bless my mentors for teaching me good habits. I guess this is just something I have to sort out for myself. Trusting what I know. Weighing the risks. Deciding what I want to risk. Its definately been helpful to hear other folks talk about this mental game, though. Feel free to keep them coming! Im going to do a little name dropping here (I know, shame on me), mainly because I am super excited. But tomorrow Scott Backes and I are going climbing together at a local crag. He is pretty insightful with this kind of stuff, so maybe I will throw it out there and see what he has to say. I will be happy to share what comes of the conversation. Oh ya! And climbing is ALWAYS fun for me! Sometimes challenging, but always fun. cheers!

Thanks alpinfox THats pretty much what I thought he meant, but I didnt want to assume. Yesterday I was having a conversation with a very experienced climber about this. He reminded me that when you 'think' about your climbing you often make it harder than it needs to be. However, everyone needs to go through the phase where they need to 'think' in order to get that 'in the moment' feeling. I tend to agree with this person....just do it, dont think about it. Obviously certain situations are exempt. I dunno, just some thoughts passing thru my head. cheers!

This may sound silly, but can you define or elaborate on what you mean regarding Intense Focus Concentration?

Im not really sure if this is a question. And if it is, if there is really an answer. I would however love to hear other's thoughts on this subject. A few days ago I did my second lead. I followed someone before going up and tried to climb it 'as if" I was leading (ie/ making more conservative moves). Ive done this climb a zillion times. Its super fun and one of the easiest Ive done. For some reason it was WAAAAAAAAy hard on this particular day....and the way I approached it. I planned on leading it next. I began to doubt myself a bit, though. I also bashed my elbow the night before on a climb. It hurt like hell and I wasnt sure if I should "physically" put myself in a situation such as leading. I talked to my parter about it a bit. He believed I could do it, but was concerned as to whether or not I would back off if it was too much mentally or physically. I sat in silence, thinking: "No way. If I start it, Im going to do it!" I had to stop myself and remember how important it is to back off if its too much. Then I wondered if I would?!?!?! I led the route and it turned out to be INCREDIBLY fun and rewarding! I guess what I was wondering is if anyone has experienced this conflict between knowing your limits and stubborness? What kind of cues do you use (internally) to decide if its time to back off or not? Is this something that you 'learn' thru experience or is it always there?

Curious, and I dont mean this to sound condesending, but have you sat down and just straight out asked him how he would like to spend his summer? Maybe ask him to develop some sort of list (prioritize) and sit down with him, go thru the pros/cons of each. I just think if you give him the opportunity to see his choices, he will make the best decision for himself at this point in his life. If you disagree with his choices/decision, just sitting with him and discussing it might make him feel more open to comprimising with what you think is the best thing for him. I dunno. Your son is 15 yrs old. That is still soooo young! Children, teenagers, even adults need to 'play'. Let him be part of the decision in what game to play. From what Ive read of your posts in the past, you seem to be a great person, who has probably instilled some great values in your son. Sounds like now is the time to give him the opportunity of showing them to society. In regards to work...I just saw a program on tv about how teenagers are having a hard time finding jobs, because of the unemployment rate (college students, folks getting laid off are taking the service jobs kids his age used to get for the summer). When I was 15 my mom had me volunteer with special olympics. Maybe he could do something like that using his skills/talents or to develop new ones. This is a good way to start teaching responsibility, helping otu in society, and hopefully give him a feeling of accomplishment. Then when he is 16 (which I thought was the legal working age), he might have more confidence and motivation to find a job he can tolerate. Whew! I could probably go on...but I will spare you and the others with my babble. Good luck!

Probably didn't find any thing because its spelled SCHOELLER! awww geeeeeeeeeez! Ya know I spelled it every which way and backwards while searching and looking thru posts. After doing this with a few moose drools in hand I didnt think it would matter how I spelled it in the post. Youre all a smart crew of folks. Figured you would know what I meant. Thanks again all for your immediate feedback. Thats what I love about this site! cheers!

Glad you had fun over there. A friend of mine was planning a trip out there a few weeks ago, but got rained out. We are now planning a trip for early fall. I hear it is a really fun climb. About the accident. A customer in the store was telling us about it last night. His partner witnessed her fall. How awful. I guess one rope she was rapping off of was a 50m, the other a 60m. No knots at the ends. I think he said the fall was about 300 feet. It was fatal. Of course this is all 3rd party info. Still pretty sad.