carolyn

KISS, early 80's, chicago My brother was babysitting and made me go. I was very young and VERY scared! Non-forced was either Naked Ragun or PigFace at the metro in chicago (late 80's?). Just as scary, but much more fun!

I think I forgot to add neil diamond to my list! Yowza!

mmmm...music.... Best shows Ive seen... Iggy Pop Soul Coughing (in a tiny venue) Cheap Trick (always put on fun shows) Mike Watt (anywhere, anytime) The Time George Clinton De La Soul Michelle Shocked Lucinda Williams Fugazi Ive worked at a nightclub for about ten years , so the list could go on...but those would be my top choices. Ian ,I used to work at the caboooooooooooooze. *cough cough* When did you leave mpls? I dont listen much to radio anymore these days. Ive had Jhawks, Neil Diamond, Fleetwood Mac, Bob Dylan, Beck, de la soul, some blues mix, johny cash, and lucinda williams stuck in my cd player for a very long time now....maybe its time to do a little switch , as Im sure my neighbors are sick of hearing me play the same things over and over.

You are probably thinking of Red Wing, which is a little south of the cities. Sandstone. Mainly sport routes. Iain's got it right...TF is along the st croix. Did you go to Macalaster, iain? There are a number of other areas besides those two and the N.shore. There is also lots of good ice in the UP to climb. Too bad you didnt pick up ice climbing adventuregal, you would be loving it out here.

haha! I KNEW someone would bring that up. I have an "L" marked on both of them (even though there is a definate r and l). Defected prodeal Thats okay. I know Im still the dumbass that put em on wrong.

Visually the sabertooths have a very subtle difference when putting them on (my straps came messed up and havent gotten around to switching them, so I have to look at the curve carefully). When put on backwards the inner point is just a tad further away from your front toe...which would explain why I climbed pigeoned toed all the way up AND had a good deal of ankle pain. I wont ever be in such a rush and so focused until AFTER the gear is on. At least I confronted a fear and accomplished the climb despite the setbacks. Your drive to the border is only a few hours, right? Unfortunately we have a solid 6 hr drive. The cost to clear your record is anywhere between 250 and 2500 bucks...american. I imagine things are going to get tighter as tension rises, so be aware...and have a back up plan....you just never know what might happen! Happy crossing!

We planned on leaving Thursday morning and hit some climbs along the N.shore in Minnesota on the way up to Canada for the ice fest. Initially it was my climbing partner and myself, but eventually added another rider. Some how we didnt get out of the cities until nearly 4:00pm. So much for climbing on the way up. The three of us are still pretty psyched that we will get an extra day of climbing in before the crowds come on Friday. We figured we should be checked into the hotel and drinking by midnight. We did expect somewhat of a delay at the border and a possible search because we were bringing up a good deal of demo gear and raffle prizes, along with our own stuff. No biggie, though. We had nothing to hide....or so we thought. The wave of the hand tells us to pull up. Passports and Id's ready, we look into the stern face of the border officer. Get the typical questions and asked to pull up and come inside as he keeps our id's. Due to the weather we were even more behind schedule. Optimistic we would make it by last call, though. Nearly an hour later, the officer calls out my climbing partners name and asks to speak with him. A bit of concern washed over me. They could just be questioning all of us to make sure we have our stories straight of where we are going, what we are doing , etc. A bit later, climbing partner comes out...hands us our passports and says he cant cross. However, we were welcome to cross if we wanted to. Since he is well known for his practical jokes AND good at keeping them going, I didnt believe him. The officer asked us to leave and he would notify the US side to let them know we were returning. Still...this was a joke, right?! Apperantly Canada didnt want him there because of problems he had as a kid over 15 yrs ago! Doesnt matter that he hasnt even had a speeding ticket since the age of 14. Not only is this a huge disappointment for all of us, but we have one more problem. I have a truckload of demo gear and other stuff that people were expecting to arrive by saturday....and the vehicle we were driving was owned by the person denied to cross the border! Well, we drive back to the US side and get the full search again. Rack our brains trying to figure out what to do. He insists we take his truck. We drive him to the nearby casino where he gets a room and leave him with a 6 pack. We were not going to ask him to stay there for 4 nights. So we have to figure out a plan. The other rider and I make it to the hotel in Canada ten min before bar close. Fortunately there is a bar in the hotel and the owner is patiently waiting for us with beers in hand . A few hours of drinking canadian beer, followed by even less sleep set us up for a great day ahead. The next morning was spent trying to formulate a plan. We decided to drive the truck back to the casino, hitch a ride back into to canada from someone and continue on with our weekend. The plan actually worked! My poor climbing partner was incredibly shitfaced when we arrived. And saying goodbye was like sending a child to preschool for the first time. I cant find the words to explain how much it sucked to leave him behind. sooooo... Friday...no climbing...just a butt load of driving. We did get to check out a bunch of climbs from the car though Friday night...drink Saturday...obligations doing gear demos, but get a couple climbs in. Temp was somewhere around 0 F. Fortunately I was in the sun most of the day and kept pleasantly warm. Saturday night...slideshows...and drinking fine canadian beer. Sunday....the day to finish the climb I got hurt on last year. THIS is what I was looking forward to all weekend! Weather...sunny...light flurries...-10F, -40F windchill. 8am...load up the car...quick breakfast...and off we go. Get to the climb. Looks fat. Optimistic. Leader starts. I follow. Ten feet up the climb my tool gets stuck. Never have I had a tool get stuck this bad. End up kicking in a small ledge for my feet and chiseling the ice around the pick. nearly 20 min. later, frustrated, pissed, exhausted, and determined NOT to let this climb beat me, I continue. Ice is brittle, placements are sketchy, and feet for some reason would not stay underneath me. I felt like I had never climbed before. Good thing I wasnt leading! I topped out and tried to figure out what in the world happened to me. Granted there was a bit of a mental game going on in my head, and the weather sucked. Still, I KNOW I can climb better than I did. Perplexed, we rapp down. Happy I finally got the climb done, I take off my crampons for the short glissade down. What do I notice? They were on the wrong fuckin feet!!!!!!! What an idiot! (need a smack myself over the head icon) On the positive side the commoradarie at the fest was great. Saw some excellent slide shows. Enjoyed spending time with Rapheal S. (he is a way kewl person!) and, scott backes, along with climbing friends from around the midwest. I learned if you have any type of criminal background, dont expect to get into canada. and Always put your crampons on the right feet!!!!!!!!

Alright! First of all Im offended by the "frozen wasteland" under your name. Frozen...yes. Wasteland...hardly! Especially up there in Duluth and beyond. Second, the midwest has BUDWEISER , damnit! How about a summit, James Page (mmmm,..good)?! Ya, ya...I know the northwest has a good deal more to offer. But we dont have it that bad! Go accross the bridge and get yourself an old milwaukee. Trust me , you will feel better!

Put her on Quetico Crack or Danger High Voltage during a storm at Palisade Head. Seriously, sounds like maybe youre a student up there. UofM Duluth has a GREAT outdoor program. Maybe bring some info back for her. VE also has a number of classes/clinics. I agree with erik...if she doesnt give 100% and REALLY want to climb...to climb...then is it worth it? Its your safety, your life involved. Be upfront and honest. Good to see another folk from Minnesnowta around! btw...how is someone living in Duluth NOT involved in the outdoors some way or another?!?!?!

Wow, wish I could wake up to that view. Instead, I woke up to frozen noze hairs and difficulty breathing while listening to my car putter. -18 this am!(no windchill) Will, N.Georgia? How often does that happen?!?!?! Btw...Erock, my favorite is listening to the snow crunch under your feet OR driving down an unplowed road (when the cars are cleared) and sliding all over the place. One of these days Im going to slide into a tree if Im not careful though.

Trask! Im floored! That was soooo nice of ya! I would recommend getting some books on the PNW and pinpoint the few areas you want to visit. Also, be more specific as to what you want to do (alpine, sport ,trad, hiking, etc) so people can give you better ideas. The folks here have always been helpful while planning my trips out there. Hope you have success as well! (oh, I see now you put some specifics...5.11

Well, c'mon out then cavey! We have a pretty decent fest taking place up north next month. Is the ice that poor out there this season?

ya, I did ask for it. But really, that last post was my (maybe poor) attempt at sarcasm. It really is FUCKIN cold!! (we need a freezin my ass off icon for this minnesotan poster!) However, In some sick way I do really like the cold...even if my nose hair's freeze The reality of it is...when its this cold, there is plenty of ice to climb, but it is brittle, brittle, brittle. I envy your 25 degrees. That must be great to climb in!

Its pretty f'in cold here today! Cars not starting SLiding thru stop signs Crunchy snow mmmmmmm.....winter!!!! Might be time to give up my budweiser and take on some warm guiness!

If they are saying it sounds too local, then I would agree with most others to put the focus on how it is a resource for people not only in the PNW, but those coming out to visit. A number of people out here in the flatlands are somewhat familiar with this site and frequent it when they are looking at a visit and need some beta. I think there is more the site has to offer, though...the photos, stories, trip reports, the likilihood of getting a good response to general climbing questions, and of course the chitter chatter, etc. I think its a neat idea (did I just use the word, neat?! ). I would love to read an article in some climbing rag about this site. WIth all the hard work put into it by the admin and 'participants', it deserves a little recognition!

Damn! All those fuel bottles on the back....you could launch yourself off like a rocket if ya gets too tired! Safe Travels, Erden! cheers! ( he is bringing a computer with him, yes?)

Well whoever wished snow this way, THANK YOU! Should see a foot or so overnight...and then some tomorrow! :

I dunno, there seems to be plenty of ice on the sidewalk outside my house. And no mountains=no avey danger! How lucky is that? Seriously though, we are pretty warm in temps right now. I climbed butter yesterday. I still wouldnt mind some of your snow, either.

lows of 25?!?!?!?!?! You can do better than that, cant you?!?!?!?! Last week...lows (w/windchill) in the -40's!!!!! THATS WINTER!!!!!!!!! (although we COULD use some snow)

I just thought I would let those of you out yonder know about the Nipigon Ice Festival (used to be Orient Bay Ice Fest), in case your in the area or feel like coming a long ways for it. Orient Bay/Kama Bay is located an hour north of Thunder Bay Ontario, Canada. Its fuckin' cold and snowy. BUt the ice is great....all different kinds of ratings, multipitch...and best of all...NO AVEY DANGER! So here is the scoop: Dates: March 7, 8, 9 Events: Mixed Climbing Clinic w/ Raphael Slawinski) Womens Clinic with Jen Grimes (of Chicks w/picks) Slide shows (local folks and Raphael S.) Gear Demos Climbing Comp. Lead Fall Accident Simulation Not to mention lots of , foosball, and pool with a bunch of canuks and midwestern folk! You can get more information on the events at: www.nipigonicefest.com

I have and will continue to swing my tools for the first time in over a month. Ive been out of commission for quite a while now. Like they say, "You never know how much you will miss something until you go without it" Man, its great to be climbing again!!!!!!!!!!

alright, I will bite! Not an great climber, but had LOTS of fun and great experiences.... 1). Climbing my first 'peak'...Silverstar. WAAAAAAAAY KEWL! 2). My first multipitch route...R&D and (go ahead and laugh), The Tooth. Easy multipitch routes RULE!!!!! Im eager for more! 3). First lead (sport) and a number of mock trad leads, finding the confidence to learn how to set my own anchors, taking a rescue clinic, and acquiring my OWN gear so I dont have to be as dependant on others (I know thats a lot summed up in one, but all kind of related to me). 4) Time on the Ice...climbing 3-4 times a week...bouldering along the mississippi river in the early mornings with no one around...exploring ice climbing areas in the midwest. FUN!!!!! 5) Getting my ass up a certain climb on the N.Shore here in MN. The only way out was up...To this day I cant believe how fuckin hard it was and that I actually did it! The mind can do amazing things to help you push your physical limits!!!! Failures?!?! Not trusting my gut prior to an accident on the ice last spring. Climbing with some people I dont enjoy being around...just to climb... not worth it...if your not having fun and enjoying the company its hard to justify such an insane activity!!!

bummer for you guys! I have a 89 chevy cavalier...got it 3 yrs ago from my grandma...45,000 miles on it...mint condition...Now its a rusty lookin' piece of shit! (still runs like a champ though! ) Salt sucks! What other way is there though? How do you do it out yonder?

Hey scotch-a-go-go... The ice is formed in Orient Bay! I was on the N.Shore last weekend and its all pretty darn close (another week or two, max). You up for early mornings at the brickyards ever? Let me know if you have interest in a few trips up to OB. The festival in OB should be great this year (as was last). Its changing "ownership", so to speak. No date has been chosen yet, but its typically in March. Have you been before? Anyway, other than inviting any interested parties up for the festival, I will stop polluting a PNW board with Midwest shit.

quote: Originally posted by Greg W: Goes without saying, bro. Way I heard it Wellstone's challenger was giving him a run for his money. It was close, but he was pulling ahead (wellstone, that is) and most likely would have won. Its been really sad and crazy around here with everything going on...the memorial service, media, mondale, absentee ballots... our lovely governor! Should make for an interesting election day! And DFA's conspiracy theory?!?! Dont think the thought hasnt been passed around over here...again...and again...and again! I lean more toward pilot error myself. Still, the weather wasnt that bad...kind of strange. Cant blame one to wonder otherwise!