chelle

Unprecedented: the 2000 Presidental Election Anyone else think this was an interesting documentary?

Same here Ketch. I voted for always, but also mean that I bring it as long as I remember to replace it after I used it to reinforce rappel anchors on an alpine route.

Haven't seen American Pie huh? Mom I'd Like to F#@k.

Rhino - you're in prison? That must suck. At first I thought you were that cute electrician from survivor. Oh well.

I don't think that people should be charged for rescues for the same reasons others have stated. Also, the AAC rescue insurance is good but there is a party limit (if more than one member of the rescued party are members) and a lifetime limit. If you have to use it hopefully you won't need it more than twice in your life.

Or...Return from the dark side. It has been 5 seasons since I have worn skis. I was seduced over to the dark side of snowboarding by the hip clothes, comfy boots, and the sensation of riding on snow. But the reality became days of fun on the blue runs when it wasn't icy, and feeling like I was run over by a truck if it was. And most of the time I felt like I was riding a knife edge of being in control with a heightened fear of getting injured if I strayed too far from moderate groomed slopes. Yesterday I fully awakened to my folly and have returned to the land of two plankers. Woke up and saw that it was going to be a bluebird morning. I now had a sense of urgency to get my stuff together and get on the road. I should have gotten up an hour earlier. Snow report said 10 in of freshies in the past 24 hours. Drove up the Mt. Baker highway and as I got closer to Glacier my thoughts were filled with skiing. The sunlight streaming through the trees and the contrast of white snow on the tops of peaks and the green trees was pure beauty. I felt like the day was going to be special. I pulled over and got some rental gear and continued up the hill, giggling all the way to the parking lot because I was so excited to go SKIING! Put on my skis and rode the chair up. The place was empty. No lines, five or six empty chairs between every one that had a person on it. Exited the lift and it was like riding a bike...I hadn't forgotten how to turn. I continued up to the top and found that there were still a few powder stashes that were untracked. Yippee! The views of Mt. Baker and Shuksan and the peaks to the north were amazing. I skied all over the mountain until my legs were screaming from the lactic acid. It was so great to be back on skis, to be back on steeper terrain, to feel in control and enjoy the speed and shhhhing sounds of snow under foot, to play in powder and have it not hurt when I blew my third jump turn by crossing my tips and yard saled my gear. Just a big poof and a swim up hill to retreive it. All I can say is woohoo!!! Now I understand. I remember what it is like to ski! I know what you skiers are talking about. It's magic! Until next time...

That totally sucks! It doesn't sound like he was trying to be Kavorkian, but instead played God. I hope he rots in jail.

Smog was so bad last Sep that there were 14 spare the air days out of the 15 I was there.

In a few years there will not be much need to fertilize the central valley - at least within a reasonable shipping distance. The developers are paving it over and putting up tract home projects and shopping centers.

I thought boats were prohibited on the lake unless it is the caretakers ski boat that is mored to the "can't use it" diving/sunbathing platform about 30 yards offshore.

CJZ - I left it in the climbers board until it degenerated into a "who knows more" match between Dru and CBS. Don't blame me... If you want a geology/planetary science forum start lobbying Jon and Timm@y. Peter Puget got his forum after a very concerted lobbying effort.

So it sounds like you guys read the supplementary lit interpreting Tolkien's symbolism. What other deep insights should we be looking for? I haven't had the time to read up on the deep meaning in the books. I just like the story.

Save gas, become an agoraphobe!

Since we don't have a "geek spray" section, it 's getting shipped to the regular one. Not much relevant to climbing here...

No arguments CJ. Go back and read the two comments above your last post for some more context for my reply to TomTom. You're talking about a different issue entirely.

And these experienced folks continue to die in the backcountry. How many were listed in Twight's slide show? I think a lot of those deaths fall under the "shit happens and boy doesn't that suck" category. Just because experienced people die climbing does not mean that KCClimber's statement is not true.

In England they have a public transit system that you can take to almost anywhere. In London the Tube rocks as a way to get aroudn cheaply and efficiently, and while the trains and rails need a little repair work they still pretty much run on time and get you to your destination.

CBS - you could or the HH Valley could?

Incrementing? Strange choice of words there. It goes up as traffic goes up from what I know. It's a volunteer thing and so there's a need to "spread the love around" so to speak.

Dan, you know you want to leave that stinky state of CA and move up here with the rest of us.

Sorry to have to edit your post CBS. That m!%#^y&* word is banned in this forum.

Cj's suggestion is a good one. There are a lot of guidebooks available at the Mountaineers bookstore in Lower Queen Anne. You can also check for info at the adventurous traveler bookstore online. Depending on the type of climbing you're looking to do, I have a book that covers the 4000m peaks in Europe. Get in touch via pm.

I guess I need to see the extended version to see the stuff I missed out on. Woke up this morning and saw the sun and thought... There is still good in the world Mr. Frodo. All hope is not lost.

Lemon, you might enjoy reading Dark Shadows Falling by Joe Simpson if you haven't already checked it out. I think it is one of his best.

Thanks for the tip on the NIH website Norman. Some pretty interesting stuff there that will be a good resource in the future. I'm less than 1% on the risk scale. Courtenay - maybe it is stress. My stress levels have been pretty high for the past 6 months and my exercise has dropped off but I am making some changes there. I guess I won't worry too much about it at this point.