chelle

Like almost a decade ago. And LF (think Jeans and Bras) screwed up the North Face Uh...TNF was pretty screwed before they got a buyer. They screwed themselves when they went to cheaper fabrics and production in China back in 1998. And when they started selling their stuff in Gart sports and Nordstrom. How confused is that for brand strategy... If Vanity Fair hadn't rescued the brand it might not exist today, and I wouldn't have got $2 cash for my stock.

Happy B-Day! And enjoy the redux tomorrow with your SO.

Thanks, Ryland. It sounds like there will be some rebuilding necessary, but that it was not too devastated and not many in the Railay area were hurt.

Just wait until La Nina next year. You'll be high & dry. Enjoy the freshiez. I'm jealous.

Rob, Can you give us an idea of the damage to Railay, Ton Sai and Krabi? Thanks.

Talked to TG earlier in the week. No snow in the Wallowas, but there is apparently some good ice forming.

Woohoo! Location?

It's $99 and a great coat for wet or cold belays here around Seattle with little walk from the car like Index. If you are going to be ice climbing with it you could go with a lighter down coat because it probably won't be raining at your belays.

Agree with Plinko on the synthetic. Althought I can't vouch for the one he is selling. It is hard to keep down dry if it is raining, even under a shell. I had an awful 3 days trying to stay warm and looking like the pilsbury doughperson, during a storm in Yosemite a couple years ago. It sucked. I came home to Seattle and bought a synthetic jacket the next day. I recommend something with a primaloft fill. I hardly wear my down coat anymore.

I thought you were going to show us some recent snowfall pics. This season is pathetic! Nice pics though.

Here's a pic of Ton Sai. I can't imagine what Railay looks like. http://a.abcnews.com/images/International/rt_thailand_2_041228_ssh.jpg

This is just awful. Given what happened in Ko Phi Phi and Phuket, I imagine that there is a lot of damage around Krabi and Railay. news link

Thanks Steve. mmmmmm good!

Hey Oly. What are your questions about the trip? Here's a great view from the summit of Cayambe.

Thanks. I think I'll have to make a detour. I hope they don't have a limit on how many 6 packs I can buy.

Went to Baker on Sunday and the conditions sucked. The lower slope at the White Salmon lodge was pretty muddy, but the snow cat groomer was trying to cover it up with snow from the area next to the lift. Good luck with all the rain. I'm sure it is all frozen mud and snow right now after the rain yesterday. Their website snow report boasted a 37" base and said all lifts were running on Sat. Mud on the slopes doesn't jive with anything near a 37" base. Salvaged the trip with a nice hike off the Mt. Baker Highway.

Hey PDXers...where near I-5 can I stop and get some TG brew in the bottles? I'm heading through PDX on Wed and want to grab some on my way south. Thanks.

Because DeBeers told them that is what they are supposed to do. You all are so subject to marketing. Diamonds are pretty, don't get me wrong. But if the size of a shiny rock on your finger is what you use to guage your relationship, you may have bigger things to worry about.

Pitch 3 or 4 on the Prow? Nice photo.

I've used Air Brokers International for tix to Thailand, Nepal and So America. Always found a good deal and they are nice to deal with.

Because the chicas won't give them the time of day.

Do not take this approach in Portland. I've only been married for 3.8 years now. Unless something in Portland has dramatically changed, this approach worked just fine for me in the past. In spite of how women may act outwardly, deep down inside most women want the romance, passion and chivalry that characterized relationships of the past. They crave confident men who aren't afraid to open doors, make decisions and be romantic. This isn't a proclamation that women are inferior, just a recognition that men and women are different. Viva le difference! Mike--you should listen to Rob. He knows what he's talking about. Just because you "treat a woman like a woman" does not mean you treat her as a subordinate or as anything less than you.

Iain.

What the article talks about goes on there all the time. Those rangers are tools and the hassle that they give climbers has made it a lot less fun to climb there. It's a background tension that makes a climbing trip into a cat & mouse game that is not that much fun to play anymore. Thankfully I have a friend who lives just 1.5 hours from the valley and loves to have climbers crash at his place. I'm glad the LA Times wrote this piece. It is good to see this crap get aired in public. Maybe they'll face more pressure to act like humans and treat park visitors, employees, and climbers better. But I doubt it.

The rangers in the parks are idiots. Nice article OTOP.