payaso

Yes, at one point REI was still a unique idea but they have simply gotten too big. Take the so-called "flagship" store as an example. This is possibly the largest REI in the empire. Now I would think that the only "benefit" a member would get from a store being this size is that you would be guaranteed that they will have what you want. Over the years however you will always notice that they happen to be out of stock in whatever item it is that you want to buy. Bike tires? "Sorry, its not bike season." Clothing? "We have plenty of Smalls and XXLs in stock." Just the other day I wanted to buy BD trek poles and get snowshoe baskets at the same time. No, they don't carry that particular accessory. The list goes on and on and on. You say we should all place "special orders" for this kind of stuff? If you do this they will make you pay for the special shipping and handling, effectively eliminating the need for REI in the first place. Once I wanted the official Silva leather case for my compass which no one carries. A $15 accessory. To special order this thing with fees and such would have run between $25 and $30! MEC rules.

Just a little rant. I have noticed that gym climbing has gotten extremely popular even though it doesn't much appeal to me. I know there are many great reasons to do it and many great climbers who get a lot out of it, but it seems like there are a huge number of people out there who have ONLY been climbing in the gym and who assume that when you talk about climbing that you are referring to gym climbing. Anyone else notice this and think its kind of funny? I have met people and think we have something in common. After I say that I climb to climb actual mountains its like we were from different worlds and they just kind of look at you funny like its not really climbing unless you go to a gym. Once I said I don't like going to climbing gyms much and someone actually said, "yeah, climbings not for everyone."

I don't think the EPIC tent would make a great PNW option. I looked into it earlier this year and read the review as well. if you are using it where any precip is in the form of something frozen then it may be ok. If you want to wait out a day in the rain I think you would be hating it. Someone correct me if I'm wrong but Epic seems to be designed to do the job and just get you through most of your day w/o getting drenched, but is not as good as GoreTex (for shells) or other forms of heavier nylon used in tents. It seems like a real specialty tent that you would have for just when the conditions are right.

I think one of my faves has to be "Groping for Oprah's Navel." Too bad I can't climb 5.10.

Have fun coiling it.

So a TR should not be posted and has no value unless it is from a hardman putting up a new route? Whatever.

Where did you find the HB cams? REI doesn't even carry these I don't think. There were none there last night and no sign that there ever had been any.

I looked at the site http://www.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca but it seems to give a city style forecast for the nearest town. Is there a mountain specific forecast or site such as the NOAA mountain ones that are so useful down in the States? Like this http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/wrhq/TotalForecast.csh?TotalForecast+WR+WA+017+073+MAPCOORDS^81^18 The NOAA forecast provides pretty specific (and often quite accurate) freezing levels and other information specifically of interest up in the mountains. Thanks ahead of time for the help, I know it takes forever to find the NOAA link unless you already have it bookmarked.

Actually their basic class is pretty much EXACTLY for someone like you. Your scrambling experience will be a definite plus though. While there are students with varying degrees of backcountry experience, that has little to do with learning the technical climbing fundamentals. More scrambling experience will just help you make a smoother transition to climbing, thats all. It takes a some determination to get through the class, but it sounds like you have that. You will likely learn a great deal and if you like it, you can then join climbs with others in the program. They catch a lot of shit mostly for large group size and for having people with little experience. We all started somewhere. Take it and see for yourself.

My buddy puts this sample sale on every year and its a good way to scoop up a bunch of training/approach clothes/shoes if you are the right size. Nike ACG/Outdoor/Running Spring ‘05 Sample Sale Great prices!! When: Saturday, August 21st Time: 9am-12 pm Where: 207 Nellis Road, Bothell WA. Hats $5 Apparel: Men’s Large, Women’s Medium. $10-$15 SS shirts, lightweight coats $25-$40, $10 shorts, $20 pants, $10 tanks/bras. Yoga, running, training, outdoor. Kids shorts, tanks, pants. Footwear: Men’s size 9, women’s size 7. Tons of Sandals $10-$15, Shoes $25-$40…running, hiking, walking, casual. Kids shoes and sandals. Directions: Going North on I-405 take the Mill Creek, Bothell exit. Go right onto Bothell-Everett Highway. At 208th take a left. Go up about 1 mile take a left at Richmond Road and an immediate right onto Nellis. We are 5 houses up. On I-5 going north, take exit 181 B Lynnwood. From exit go through a light on a road that will curve to your left. This will take you past Lowe’s to 196th. Take a right onto 196th. Stay on 196th, it will become Filbert Road. You will go underneath 1-405, then past a cemetery on your left. Go straight at stop sign/7-11. Take a right onto Richmond Road and an immediate right onto Nellis. We are in a new complex called Columbia Park. Phone number: 206-293-0424, or 425-485-6216 Michael Brown Nike Sales 425-485-6216 Office 206-293-0424 Cell Michael.Brown@Nike.com

Uhh, While the Mounties definitely have their pros and cons which have been argued ad nauseum here, the one thing that you CANNOT say is that it is expensive! I think it's just a little over $200 for a 9 month class! That will buy you one day with Mountain Madness.

Amen! Do we climb to post, or do we post to climb?

It depends on what you want to get out of it. It is probably most useful if your goal is to participate in the club. If you are not real interested in participating in club-level climbs and such, it is probably not worth it. Even so you would probably get your money's worth learning rescue techniques which are taught early in the course. You will meet cool people who climb and like anything else in life, you will meet people you don't care for either. If it helps you to get out more, then go for it. If you already are getting out plenty, but want a specific set of skills, you should probably seek a different (shorter, easier) place to learn.

My buddy puts these sales on from time to time. They are a good place to scoop up lots of base layers and trail running kind of stuff. Nike ACG Fall/Holiday '03 Sample Sale Great prices!! When: March 15-16 Time: 10am-4 pm Where: 207 Nellis Road, Bothell WA. What: Apparel: Men's and Women's shorts, pants, workout tops, snow apparel. Goretex and other Waterproof coats/pants. Men's size LARGE, women's size Medium. Hats, Bags, and Gloves. Footwear: Running Shoes, light hiking, heavy hiking boots and sandals. Men's size 9, women's size 7. Directions: Going North on I-405 take the Mill Creek, Bothell exit. Go right onto Bothell-Everett Highway. At 208th take a left. Go up about 1 mile take a left at Richmond Road and an immediate right onto Nellis. We are 5 houses up. On I-5 going north, take exit 181 B Lynnwood. From exit go through a light on a road that will curve to your left. This will take you past Lowe's to 196th. Take a right onto 196th. Stay on 196th, it will become Filbert Road. You will go underneath 1-405, then past a cemetery on your left. Go straight at stop sign/7-11. Take a right onto Richmond Road and an immediate right onto Nellis. We are in a new complex called Columbia Park. Phone number: 206-293-0424, or 425-485-6216 Michael Brown ACG Sales-PNW 425-485-6216 Office 206-293-0424 Cell Michael.Brown@Nike.com

Been away from the board for a while, but this things looking pretty slick! I miss the "today's active topics" link. It was good because you could see at a glance everything that had started that day, not just the most recent flurry of activity. Just my 2 cents.

I miss the "Todays Active Topics" link. It was very easy to see everything that had been started that day at one time. Now you see only the most recent entries. Just my 2 cents.

I have a pair and personally love em, but that's my feet. They are super solid and the great performance while plunging and kicking really gives you some extra confidence on the steeper snow. Just unlace the top portion for the approach and they are more comfortable than my leathers. I bought em used but noticed a few months ago that MEC has them for almost $100 US less up there. It would be worth making a trip up there to pick those up! Check it out and see what they are selling them for today.

How much do you usually pay for resoling rock shoes?

Thanks for the goods, everything is as advertised!

Aztec by Gary Jennings lots of sex blood and guts with an historical context. yeah baby

I know that if you don't like the weather here in the PNW you just need to wait 5 minutes for something different, but it seems like there have been a disproportionate amount of totally inaccurate forecasts this Summer! Yesterday the freezing level was supposed to dip down to 6500 ft from 13,000 ft. It didn't even get remotely close to that. I was in my shorts the whole weekend just below 8000 ft! Goes to show you just have to ignore the forecasts, and head for the hills anyway.

quote: Originally posted by Lazyboy: There is always the Bailey Range or the Skyline Trail or you can combine the Bailey Range with Mt. Olympus and exit by the Hoh. They asked for EASY!

If you're bringin a date and want to git nekid, head fer Olympic Hotsprings up the Elwha River. A 2 mile (ish) hike into the springs where there are a number of pools to choose from. You could do an easy scramble up Appleton peak near there this time of year and have sweet views!

Heard on NPR today that all Washington State Parks will begin implementation of a $5 per car user fee per day in January. There will be a $50 annual pass available. Add this to the ever increasing pay to play fees that we already know all about. I think climbers should beware at Peshastin, and Olallie State Parks, and maybe others. Hell you won't even be able to go swimming at Lake Samammish w/o paying up now. Wait and see how high they jack all these fees up 10 years from now!