carolyn

haha! Dru....Ive already got mukluks (oooh how I LOVE them). Ive been saying all along Im going to wind up having to use them and just chop steps thru my ice climbing career. Oh...and dogsledding is AWESOME! Jedi, if you dont mind posting that link , I would greatly appreciate it so I can get some more info. I must admit I am a bit confused...are you all saying , get the liners FIRST, then fit the boots? Or fit the boots best I can, get custom liners, and stretch them if neceesary? Has anyone had to stretch their plastics, just out of curiousity? I hope others are learning something new from this thread -as I am! Thanks!carolyn [ 12-13-2001: Message edited by: carolyn ] [ 12-13-2001: Message edited by: carolyn ]

Yesterday I walked around in the Kayland M10's for a couple hours. I REALLY do like them A LOT...and the fit is not bad. They sure would make a great 'second' pair of boots. Thanks to all the suggestions so far, i am going to head back to REI next week and reevaluate the alpha's (they were the closest plastic fit so far + a KILLER prodeal ). Im bringing someone from the store I work at w/me to assist with the fitting. Ive been trying to get ahold of our BD rep to see if he has any helpful thoughts as well. I guess we have a machine at the shop to help stretch ski boots. The thing is EVERYONE is leary of trying it w/climbing boots. I also know that the I need some specialized superfeet - the one's off the shelf arent very helpful. Sounds like this is going to be a great learning experience for all of us - lots of options to dink around with. I might actually be able to SELL boots once this is said and done! Off the subject, Will - you should have your friend's band send some promo out this way so we can try and get them to play. Send me a pm if you think they would really want to come out here. Well thanks again all! I will definately let you know what I decide and how it works out! carolyn

Hey thanks dru! I know I can always count on you!

So Ive asked for a lot of advice (and received a ton!) about boots. I even took a part time job at a local gear shop so I can afford to purchase what I need. Unfortunately I cant seem to find anything that fits right and Im not sure what to do. Last year was my first season on ice and I rented koflach's. It wasnt until after the season I realized what a bad fit they were for me (lots of slippage)*duh!* Ive tried alpha's, freneys, inverno's, Kayland ladies, and Kayland M10's (the m10's have been the best fit thus far,tho a bit chilly). Although, Im thinkin plastic would be the best route to go for NOW, I will take anything that just fits right. The problem I come up with is that I find something that doesnt allow the heel to slip , but happens to be too narrow in the ball of the foot, cutting off circulation. Ive played around w/superfeet a bit and they dont seem to make much of a difference. The store has one or two other boots I havent tried because we dont carry my size. Im a bit nervous about ordering something before trying it on and having to do the reorder over and over again. One suggestion I got was to get a VERY accurate measurement of my feet and send it off to some companies to see what they can come up with for me. The other was to have someone stretch the leather in the front of the boot to fit better. They werent sure if it could also be done with plastic. Has anyone had this done and would it help? Thoughts, suggestions, other folks with similar probs... Solutions?!?!?!??! Thanks a bunch!carolyn .

Thanks for the replies... Quarks are really meant more for wf ice...my luck I would break the the pick my first time out even on wf ice. I really want something for more all around use (mixed, alpine, dry, etc). We just got the cobras back in the store and as it turns out I cant get a complete grip on them. So , it looks like I will be leaning toward the rage's. I think it will be a good choice for my first set of tools. (although I havent purchased them yet, so dont hesitate to keep giving me feedback ) -c

If it makes ya feel any better(although probly not ), there is no ice in sight here for a while at least. Ontario isnt doing so swell either....a bit of mixed stuff here and there. Where are the ice gods? Maybe this means we will be climbing into May or June then! Keeping the hope, carolyn

curious- when does ice typically form around there?

thanks! Im not too worried about cost because as lambone said I have access to prodeals...so this is my chance to get the best of the best.

shawn, The Orient Bay Ice Fest is March 4-10. I havent been to the fest in past years, but Ive climbed in the area a bit. The ice has been forming VERY slowly due to lack of precip and the unusually high temps. At this rate most of us might be on our first climbs of the season at the festival. For more info on ice in the area you can check out climbing central Also contact Shaun Parent at North of Superior Climbing. He is the one who organizes the fest. The Munising fest is probly the biggest in the midwest. SOunds like Wes has some good info awaiting you. Shaun P or those on climbingcentral can also give you info. Maybe will see ya there! Take care, carolyn

just gathering opinions on which one's people think are better for all around use. Thanks in advance! carolyn

I think they are all out drinkin or something like that

TG, are you bored?

Ive been doing calf raises religiously lately. I dont know how much they help, but Im guessing they cant hurt.For some reason my calves tend to burn on me quicker than my arms. Im pretty new to the ice, and definately have some work to do on my technique all around. I know I struggled a lot with the boots I was using last year and having proper foot technique. could that be part of the reason my calves burn so quickly? [ 11-26-2001: Message edited by: carolyn ]

I just started some winter work this weekend at a local gear shop. One of my first customers brought in two articles from a well known magazine and was insistent apon getting the two jackets (fleece and soft shell) because in the articles it said she would look "suave" (or something to that affect). I tried to show her more appropriate wear because we didnt have the softshell she wanted. She kept referring back to the article/ad/review and insisted that she had to get what the MAGAZINE suggested. *sigh* Sad to see people worshiping the words of the media or corporate stores. The things they are missing out on! AND(just to vent) I sold a fricken axe to an elderly man who wanted to keep it in his van and use it to chip ice!!!!!!!!!!! Here im working for a little over min wage so I can afford a fricken tool to climb with (correct me if Im wrong , but that is what they are made for, yes?) and this guy can come in and just fork out the dough so he can chip ice. I dont know if I can handle this retail stuff...but...Prodeals...tools...Prodeals...rope...Prodeals...jacket...Prodeals...gear...Prodeals!

Bronco, There was a bunch of discussion mixed in recently with hollyclimbers post, "what do you read" (?)web page [ 11-19-2001: Message edited by: carolyn ]

cover adzes w/half a tennis ball and make sure they are wearing protective glasses.I think if you brought a young'in to the ice, maybe bring them to an area which has been climbed a lot, where there are already placements made and they dont have to swing hard OR pull hard to get the tool out. Hows about dry toolin'? Kids will amaze you if you give them the chance...just make sure THEY are the one's who want to try it. I also emphasize, when working with kids that the goal is not necessarily the top. The goal is to go as far as they can while staying safe and having fun. [ 11-19-2001: Message edited by: carolyn ]

Weather predicted to be in the 70's this past weekend in MN...and it was!Skipped out of work on Friday to go climbing. Had a phenomenal climbing day in the sense of feeling really connected w/the rock. Not sure if there are words to describe it. Weather was gorgeous. Only people we saw were a couple kayakers pushing themselves off the cliffs a few times. Missed the sky show for good reasons - too much as I celebrated my bday and fell asleep fast and hard! Thought we might see some of it on our way back out to the crag early Sunday a.m. ...too cloudy. Climbed in the rain all day on Sunday. Attempted my first lead (trad)........Okay! So I was on toprope as well! Gotta start somewhere, ya? It was probly for the best anyway, since both of us were peeling off left and right from the rock being so wet. Heading out there on my own to practice placing pro, setting anchors, etc definately paid off, as the person i was with approved the majority of my placements. Now....if we could only get some snow and ice over yonder!!!!! Lambone-your weekend was spent at one of my fav places while visiting WA. Glad you enjoyed it! [ 11-19-2001: Message edited by: carolyn ]

Thanks LorenFun read! If it makes any of ya feel better, we were at 70 degrees again today, here in Minnesota. Minimal precip the past two months. At this rate, we will be lucky to have ice by the New Year

I let a 7yr old try out the ice tower last weekend. He was pretty funny lookin after getting him all geared up. Cute, though I think the tools might have weighed more than him. Had a ten year old cruise up it as well...had quite a few ice climbers in awe of the technique he picked up just by watching. Although, I dont think dad was too happy to find out how much he would now be spending for his son's new hobby. Its awesome to see kids climbing!

ya, those shoes look pretty sweet beck. We are raffeling off a pair to those who demo the boots on the ice wall. (lucky dawgs!) And I did check backpacker last night while doing a search...only thing I found were some hiking boots...and then checked out Kayland I wore an older version of the boots tonight (I think they were the kevlars, fishstick) outside for about 7 hrs...roughly 40 degrees. My toes started getting chilled the last hour or so (and yes they were the right size - the fit was GREAT). Concerns me a bit since right now Im in MN and I will be spending a lot of time outside in zero or below temps. They worked wonderfully on the vertical ice wall. Stiff, yet when walking around in them, they didnt feel much different then a good pair of hiking boots-lots of support, yet flexible. I would highly reccomend checking them out if you are looking into boots. price for the revolutions are about $350. [ 11-09-2001: Message edited by: carolyn ]

very funny lambone just have my heart set on boots that I like (not particularly plastic even)... would be nice if they happened to be on sale like the inverno's,tho.

Anyone ever heard of or used Kayland Revolution boots? I havent actually had a chance to try them on yet...they dont have them in my size right now. The store Im doing some work for is getting a womens version (which is supposably much lighter) in a week or two. Never heard of the company, but the boots have been highly reccomended (if they fit properly) by a few people in the store. Killer deal on the inverno's tho...One size left...my size! closeout sale...$229- discount for working the weekend AND the paycheck I make.I would definately come out ahead with money to spare. I wore them around the store for a while tonight and I liked them a lot more than Koflachs! I will be trying out all my top selections on their ice tower before making a final decision in the next few weeks. Info on Kayland would be greatly appreciated! Thanks! [ 11-08-2001: Message edited by: carolyn ]

Jerry, you crack me up!

Thanks everyone. Lots of "motivating" answers. I imagine it will be easier to find more people to climb with once the season picks up again in the spring. I think we will have at least one more week, if not two left before the snow hits us full force over here. In the meantime, Ive got a GREAT person to climb with on the ice and will definately take advantage of being out there everyday I can (with my new boots ). We have a good network of ice climbers in the area, which I didnt feel confident taking advantage of last year (it was my first season on ice). For sure this season I will participate more in the ice community. In regards to Freedom of the Hills. Its been a good reference. I tend to be one of those folks who has to TRY something in order to learn. THEN, I can use the book to refer back to as a refresher and have it make all the sense in the world. I picked up the Twight book last winter, not really even knowing who he was. I liked the pics and the stories were kewl. Ive read it. But now that I have a better understanding of different aspects of climbing, maybe I should read it again. btw...looks like I might get to be the audio visual tech for his presentation next weekend! YEEEEKS! Enjoy the full moon tonight! [ 10-31-2001: Message edited by: carolyn ]

primate, I still see the random pics on the home page.I LOVE them...bravo to those who take such great fotos and share them! I like the fact that you can get your private messages directed to your email! You also know if someone has read it or not...reminding me... jon i sent a pm to you a few days ago...its still waiting to be received. Is it easier to reach your via email? chau!