cliff

Hey Bronco, I deserved that...

I'm looking for an older all leather pair of Raichle Montagnas, in 9 to 9.5 wide. My email is salish@foxinternet.com. Thanks!

Hello, I have a used McHale backpack for sale. This is the Alpineer model, and I bought it right here off CC almost two months ago. At the time I thought it would fit, but like an idiot I never tried it on with any significant weight. It is too short for my torso, and the hip belt is too small for my waist. I had Dan McHale take a look at it and we tried another belt, but the shoulder straps are just too short for me, so I get strangled with anything above 25 lbs. Dan was unwilling (due to his huge backlog of orders) to rip the shoulder straps off and rebuild them for me. I've tried to contact the lady I bought it from, but she doesn't answer her emails or phone. I'm stuck with it. It was stupid of me to buy it - my mistake. Anyway, this is the standard Alpineer model, which utilizes two 7075 T6 aluminum stays which converts the pack into either a very large daypack or a full blown expedition pack. This particular pack is six years old, and includes the bypass harness system and the full wrap "Critical mass" hip belt. This pack was designed for someone with a torso length of 17"-19", and a waist of 30"-32". The pack itself is in very good condition, with some light soiling on the top flap/fanny pack. I can't figure out how to add photos here on CC, but I have a couple of pics of this pack I could send as a .jpg if anyone wants to look at them. My pack is royal blue with maroon compression straps, and a black bottom. This pack can haul just a days worth of gear or an extremely heavy expedition load. The new version os this pack sells for approximately $650 at this time. I'm selling this one for $225.00. If you have any questions please drop me a line at salish@foxinternet.com. Thanks for your time. Cliff

Great thread on cameras. A year ago I started searching for a good camera to take backpacking and started with the old Rollei 35, just because it's so fucking cool. Instead, a camera guy told me about the older Olympus XA'a that have been covered here. Supposed to be better than the new Olympus P&S's. Based on this thread, I'm now taking a very close look at the Yashica T4. My understanding is that the Carl Zeiss Tessar lens is really really good. But I have a question for you SLR guys. While I still want a small pocket camera for the boonies, I also want to play with an SLR. I have in my possession a mint 1992-vintage Nikon N6006, with two lens, that a friend has loaned me. He never uses the damn thing and I have to admit that I am not experienced with it, but I know it takes pretty good pics. It's an auto focus motor drive camera, and although auto, it's nowhere near as intuitive (user friendly?) as the modern Canon EOS cameras. I don't have the instruction booklet for it and the dials, settings, etc., are confusing to me. My question: This guy will probably sell this camera to me for a song, but I'm wondering if I should think more about one of the more modern, non-metal framed SLRs. Or perhaps, just find a used K1000 Pentax and actually learn photography. A lot of this is personal preferences on my part, but I would appreciate hearing others opinions.Thanks,Cliff

Thanks again for the advice on the Raichle & Scarpa boots. I had thought Montrail & Vasque were the only ones that came in widths. I'll check them out, too. Cliff

Thanks guys. I appreciate your comments. Because of my wide feet (and getting wider) I have to stick with boots that run large or come in widths. This means Vasque or Montrail Moraines (which run pretty large in the toe box). As far as these Vasque Apex boots I was asking about, I went and tried them on last night and they are just too small in the toe box for me. I've spoken with the folks at Dave Page and they told me they can stretch them a bit, but not another complete size. So these boot are out for me. Other than the toes, they were really nice. If any of you in Seattle are interested in brand new Vasque Apex boots for $100.00 (closeout cost) they are available at the Red Wing Shoe Store on 65th & Roosevelt Way. That's a great price. These boots are 8.5 Wide. Now, I'll take a second look at the Montrail Moraines and Mazamas. Thanks. Cliff

I'm a veteran backpacker, but I'm still pretty new to mountaineering, so I was hoping I could get some advice on a good mountaineering boot. I'm looking for leather uppers - not a plastic boot. I'm looking really close at the Vasque Apex boots. I have a pair of Sundowners that I've been using for hiking for a couple of years now and I like them. I went for the Vasque boots because they come in widths, but even then I had to have Dave Page stretch them a little in the toebox. ANyway, what do you folks think of the Vasque Apex boot for general mountaineering? These are pretty stout looking boots and are crampon compatible. Thanks in advance. Cliff

MNEAGLE - I am an enrolled member of an Indian tribe, so could I legitimately say I am in the woods doing sweat lodge ceremonies -which really are legitimate "spiritual events" among native people - and not have to pay these things? Or does one even need to do this? It sounds like anyone can simply say they are there for spiritual reasons - even with a pack on your back, and get away with it? quote: Originally posted by mneagle: The "Fee Demo Program" is supposed to charge for "recreational use of land". If you are there for spiritual, work, educational etc uses then the fee doesn't apply. This is why writing a ticket and leaving it on a car without seeing the occupants is an easy set up to fight in court. You can claim you weren't recreating but were praying in the woods. The cops know this. The time I got a ticket, it was in the Icicle Creek parking lot, where a cop walked up to me, commented on the beautiful weather and had we been enjoying it. I told him in a friendly way we had indeed enjoyed it, climbing Outer Space. At which point he promptly wrote a ticket. At that point, having admitted to recreating, I couldn't fight the ticket in court. In the cases of tickets left on cars without seeing the occupants in which the people attempted to fight it in court, the charges were dropped. This is because they are afraid if they lose the case that the whole program will dissolve. As it is, enough people are paying the fines without fighting them that it's in their interest not to fight the few dangerous cases and just drop their fines. The recommendation I've read is that you should leave a note on your car, saying you are in the forest for some purpose other than recreating.

Isn't the weather perfect right now? How about those M's? Ichiro's doing great....

No way am I trying to make you feel guilty, Jman; it was through your thread that I found a good deal on a used axe! I'm forever in your debt.....

Mark - great axe, thanks for the deal. -Cliff

Thanks Rodchester & Greg. The guys at Pro Mountain Sports here in Seattle recommend that you do not sharpen these Stubai aluminum crampons at all, and perhaps that's one of the reasons why (less weardown). Pro Mountain also has (or had, as of two months ago) the anti-snowballing plates for the Stubai ultralite amuminum crampons. You're probably right (Rodchester) about my use of them being extremely light. I think I will go for a pair. Thanks guys. Cliff

I would be interested, Mark. Thanks. You can drop me a note at salish@foxinternet.com, if you would like. Cliff Seattle

That's cool. Thanks anyway.

Jman - do you still have an ice axe?