payaso

quote: Originally posted by MtnHigh: However, I'm going to redeem myself by spending my dividend on REI's latest line in hot apparel called REI-Secret. The perfect gift for the lady, REI-Secret offers a line of under garment delicacies that only the decadent mind can appreciate. Do they have and "REI-Secret" Cologne? It would be great to be able to simulate that "four days in the mountains" odor, w/o having to go through the formality of actually climbing anything. My girlfriend would be so impressed!

Thanks for the "idea" Idea Guy"! I just got my new Denali Classics from that Backcountry gear place for $115 including shipping and the lot! Can't wait for the weekend!

quote: Originally posted by Wallstein: Tonsai Beach Party, Thailand Who's game? Missed you there by two months! Damn fine time !

Where did you Boy Scouts come from? Back when I was in college, you basically just used REI as a bank account. When the old boots wore out, you returned them, and picked out another pair. These days I don't do it as much, but some things are worth buying there solely for the return policy. I blew through 4 pairs of Glacier glasses last year mostly due to manufacturers flaws, and no other store would take that kind of stuff back. They have gotten stricter with the return policy these days however. Now with everything computerized they pretty much instantly know everything about you so you have to save the receipt. If you have the receipt they still have the same old policy, they may just try to intimidate you a little bit. All you need is the receipt and the magic words "I was not entirely satisfied with this product," and you've got some bucks! But seriously, this policy is a great business move on their part because everyone considers this when you make a big purchase. "Do I order something online for a competitive price, or do I pay full retail plus tax at REI knowing that I can bring whatever it is back?" Don't feel guilty about doing it because they've probably built these losses into their business model already. REI, return everything indefinately!!!!!!!!

The other day I saw they had backpacker's chopsticks for only $20 US per pair. They come in a nice outdoorsy carrying case and they unscrew in the middle to maximize space efficiency. I used mine which was fairly big this year to contribute to a Suunto Vector Altimeter watch. They're great because when you go to a party you can figure out how high you are!

My browsers delete cookies daily, and I work on different computers all the time. When checking what's up I don't always bother to "register." I'm sure most people are unaware of whether they are logged in or not, who cares?

Has anyone used the expensive mapping software that is compatible with the more expensive Etrex series like the Legend or the Vista? It looks like you can only upload maps from their particular set of cd's, called Mapsource. I've been using the TOPO! series for a while now, but it looks like their stuff won't allow you to upload the map to your etrex. I just noticed that there is a $50 rebate from Garmin going on right now if you buy the software and either the Legend or the Vista at the same time. http://www.gpsnow.com cheap prices!

Make sure to read the "follow-up" story link. The day after. Pretty funny shit!

I work in a cube and I free-climbed out of bed today.

Got roped up at Muir to go up the DC last Summer at about midnight and fortunately only 2 minutes into the slog I realized I hadn't brought my Glacier Glasses! Sunglasses aren't usually on my mind at that hour. Serious suckage on the way down had I not remembered. It's all about keeping everything together at all times!

Great tips from everyone, thanks! It looks like it was mostly positive remarks regarding the MSR's, so Friday I decided to get them. Here's where the Bastards at REI screwed me (and probably others). They had the Denali's (the red ones that are expandable) for $99 on their website for a few days before but rather than pay for the shipping, I went down to the store here in Seattle to get them for the same price. They had absolutely no MSR's at all! I asked since they were supposed to be part of their "big winter sale" and was told that they will be in on Saturday. Saturday morning I called 4 minutes after they opened to ask if they had gotten them in that day and was told that they sold them out already (in 4 fucking minutes?) They must have only gotten 4 pairs or something. I immediately checked their website and discovered that "SURPRISE" they were no longer for sale there either. I really planned and did my research and whatever and poof, I end up with fuck-all for the effort. If one REI employee would have simply said something like, "Just order them online because they'll be gone in minutes" I would have done it. This kind of shit is why you should NEVER feel the slightest guilt when you return your torn gaiters, worn out boots, old sleeping bag, scratched glacier glasses, whatever. I'll be holding out for Summer to see if I can get some used ones, or if anyone's interested in selling any???

I've enjoyed watching the "adrenaline" events at the Winter Games and agree that the "ice dancing" crap belongs Disney. I've watched most of the games on the Canadian channel we get and the other morning rather than watch Nascar (yawn) I watched a little curling (serious yawn) They should rename this "game" "Yelling and Sweeping" because that's all they did.

I've climbed with Jeremy also and he's a really nice guy and knows his stuff. I must admit that Beverly Hills store would be hilarious to go into sometime! Many years ago I went into the TNF store down in Costa Mesa, a stones throw from the surfers at the beach, and looked at down suits and shit. I thought that was pretty funny until I walked by the Quicksilver store in downtown Seattle the other day to see them selling surf attire here in the middle of Winter. The whole marketing and image thing is amazing!

Well our fearless leader just declared that we all oughta volunteer at least 2 years of our life to something, I guess as a feelgood wartime support the troops kind of crap. Allison, I guess if I'm willing to break trail for the WTA to selfishly obtain a permit to leave my wheels at land that's already mine to begin with, I should at least be willing to wash some windows downtown at second! I'll bring some windex! We might be onto something here!

ehmmic: Have fun in Thailand, I just got back a couple months ago from TonSai Beach! Major fun climbing scene over there. Everything's bolted and there are some incredible routes! If you want to be a bum, go there. It's incredible and Thailand is about the cheapest place to lay low. You have to try and spend money there!

I've been waiting a while to buy a GPS unit and was wondering what features people feel are worth the price. The basic yellow Etrek seems popular, but they have many different options these days. There hasn't been a post on here that I could find since last April so maybe some new beta is overdue. Anyone have the latest and greatest? Yes, I know there is no sub for map and compass, but I've seen some of these "save the day" on more than one occasion. I actually work in Cartography by profession so interoperability with computer software is of interest to me. Are the $300 + models worth it? Any advice, stories, etc would be appreciated, Gracias.

Damn, that must have been some fall to break the leg of the belayer!!!!!

the deal with the Backcountry permit is pretty much a legal formality. Apparently you go with a ski patroller for a "tour" which is cool because they point out where you could get trapped on the edge of a cliff, then you sign a waiver and you're good to go. Of course this only applies to those who buy a lift ticket. It's everyones mountain, and no one can tell you not to go anywhere. They can revoke your ticket/pass but if you're not using the chairs, they can say nothing. I have a pass there but have not gone through the backcountry permit "tour" yet for various reasons. I'd love to climb the tooth with someone using the lift and board back down. I do not have much rock leading experience however.

The best way to fight it is to volunteer two days to WTA in trail maintenance. I disagree with the passes completely, but seeing that if you don't pay they turn it over to a credit agency , I don't think it's worth losing your good credit rating. Once it's been turned over to the credit agency, it's a done deal as far as the NFS is concerned and you're left holding the bill with no one to listen to your protest. If everyone refused to pay for the pass, and worked two days on trails, everyone comes out a winner, and the bureaucrats come up with fuck-all $. It's not a question of being able to afford the $30, I can no prob. It's just better to go work right on the trails and eliminate one level of bureaucracy in the process. That's what I'm doing this year at least.

I've actually tried both and actually prefer the simplicity of the MSR design. My concern is 1. Quality (you get what you pay for here?), and 2. Has anyone used the tails, and if so have you had any difficulties with them? I want to buy something soon because rentals cost $18 after tax!! Ouch!

No, but I might be interested in joining you. If it doesn't involve ice climbing that is.

I'm looking to buy some snowshoes and noticed REI has the MSR Denali's for $99. I've tried these, Redfeather, and Atlas before. The price on these are definitely more attractive than $250 or so for some of the others. Mostly I want them for approaches, day scrambles/hikes etc. I see that they sell tails for them as well. If anyone has good or bad tales to tell regarding these I would love some advice, thanks

1. Eldorado 2. My Dad 3. Chimborazo

Heres the link to AAI's WFR program. http://aai.cc/programs/wfr.htm

WFR goes WAY beyond what MOFA offered. I just graduated from the Basic Climbing Course offered through the Mountaineers and found the MOFA class to be very disappointing. I took WFR up in Bellingham back in 92 where it was offered through the Red Cross, it was only about $300 then and was a 90 hour course. I attribute the success of this course primarily to the excellent instructor who now appears to offer the same course through AAI. His name is Kelly Turner and I would HIGHLY recommend the course. It costs more $ now, and is offered in a different format than before. I think they do a big intensive week or so, check their website. In contrast to MOFA, we were all practically on our way to becoming EMT's by the end of that course. They have a WFR refresher I have been thinking about taking sometime up there as well which would be good for me. Hats off to the Mountaineers for requiring MOFA however as some first aid training is better than nothing, but if you're serious about it, definitely go for the WFR. Luckily I've never had to do anything more serious than help the ski patrol get a boarder down at Crystal Mtn, and pull a tick out of a girls' butt down in Chiapas. Lucky me huh?