Hayduke

I used firecareers.com. It's the best board for those searching for a job in the fire service.

Wow, great pictures! I can't wait to make it up to Lillooet this winter. My gf actually said to me this morning, "Will you take me ice climbing?"

Hi Nate, What a wonderful day to climb Chair Peak, don't you think? Thanks for thinking of us, but we were fine, aside from some sore legs. Matt

Two thumbs up. I've got to get back...

Email sent. I have a pair of Merrell leather boots, size 10. They are in great shape, haven't used them since I bought my T1s 10 years ago. The Merrells are close to 20 years old.

State Department Foreign Service Officers are some of the most educated, motivated and dedicated employees of the Federal government. There is a profound sense of duty to our nation that motivates most (if not all) FSOs. Tours in Iraq will not dissuade applicants-- believe me that in this instance the cream rises to the top. Chuck-- I think you're off the mark on this one. Administrations come and go but the core of our diplomatic arm stays the same. These are the people who believe that diplomacy is the answer to finding world peace. Peace is the goal. It is a shame that the Bush administration has pushed aside the State Department and the Defense Department has become the primary decision maker on foreign policy. I believe it is the responsibility of the State Department to reassert its strength and help lead our country to a positive outcome in this national crisis. Condoleeza Rice has proven to be one of our worst Secretaries of State. I'm sure most FSOs agree. As for not having access to the VA system and established treatment for PTSD, FSOs have much better benefits than the military. It's a terrible sin against our military that the VA system is so pitiful. Jiggler, you think my opinion is simplistic. Well, it's not, though I don't fault you for thinking it is... this is a climbing website so I limit the amount of time spent in spray... maybe we'll have to meet up for a beer at a Pub Club and solve the world's problems over a few drinks. BTW, what cone are you?

They should go. They should have to go. They have made a commitment to the Country. They have made a commitment to diplomacy. It is their duty. FSOs are strong, intelligent and very patriotic. I can't believe they are having trouble getting volunteers. It is not comparable to having a private sector job and being transferred to another city. Moving around the globe is their life. BTW, I was married to an FSO and have some idea of what the life is like and who they are.

Yes, sad so many of our heroes are dead. Today's count is 3823 American soldiers dead in the war against terror. Yes, crossfit kicks ass. I've been on it for several months now. Never gets boring.

whachu talkin bout Willis?

I can't believe I agree with Fairweather... OMG! Something is wrong... It must be the wind!

Thanks for the heads up. I've been looking for a screaming deal and this was it. It's going to be a good winter to ski.

Y'all sound like a good group to fall into. I was out drinking with a Harley mechanic/EMT at E9 the other weekend. I'm wondering if you're the same... I'm also a FF/PM. Anyway, good luck finding a roomie...

Hey all, I'm looking for weekday climbing partners. Id love to get out tomorrow but in general Im looking for partners with non traditional work schedules. The best days for me to get out are during the week. I climb 5.10+, comfortable on glaciers, solid with the basics. Give me a shout if you want to go climbing when everyone else is working. Matt

I am free on the 25th thru the 27th (wed, thurs, friday) next week. I am also in Tacoma. Give me a call. Matt

Still looking for a partner? Check your PMs.

Hey, I'm always looking for weekday partners. Love to do alpine as well as cragging. Shoot me a message the next time you're looking.

If she is truly crazy you should call the police when she is having an episode. If she is dangerous to herself and/or others they will process an involuntary commital. Mental illness is one of the most undertreated conditions in healthcare. Recognize a call for help and steer her in the the right direction. Sometimes a psychiatric institution is the best place for those in need. Protect yourself. Put a lock on your bedroom door. Get together with your roommates and make a plan. Keep your cell phone with you at all times so you can call for help. Think about buying mace/pepper spray. Remember the most dangerous room is the kitchen! Get the landlord to serve her an eviction notice. Normally a renter has 30 days to vacate, then after 1 month has passed, call the sherrif and he will evict her forcibly if necessarily. Force your landlord to participate. He/she could be liable and become a target of a suit from you/the other renters. Do not commit any acts of violence or try to forcibly remove her yourself. You could end up in trouble. Keep written notes of everything that is happening. Take photos if appropriate. Every individual can be an instrument of change, both in his own life and in the lives of others. Remember to be compassionate and use your will to change things for the good. PM me for more advice.

She should move to Tacoma.

My friends inspire me. They love what they do and work to live, not live to work. They chase tale like they're still in their 20s and wake up early to get first tracks. They give their money willingly to buy beers and share food and make the good times last as long as they can. They inspire me to chase more tale, to climb more mountains, to not be afraid of anything. To never slow down.

I work in a place where everyone drives a truck-- either ford chevy or dodge. They all suck IMHO. My gf says FORD stands for f*%Ked over rebuilt dodge-- I'm sure you've heard it. Personally, I've never owned an American car and I don't think I will. They are terrible cars. Toyota makes the most reliable cars on the road. I have 150,000 miles on my Nissan and it's still going strong. I love the ubiquitous Subaru, maybe it's the perfect car for the PNW with decent mileage, AWD and decent room. The only thing I don't like about Subarus is that everyone has one. I read an article about America's "lock step individualism." Basically, we all want to be unique individuals, but we all have the same taste. It's the restoration hardwear phenomenon. AlpineK might be right that diesel is a good way to go, but VW makes an unreliable car that's expensive to maintain. Fun to drive, but poor qulaity. I've heard all TDIs are made in Germany and are better, but I'm not a believer. I'm thinking about making my Pathfinder into a mountain car and buying a commuter car, but it seems so completely over the top wasteful to have two cars. Still, there aren't many Priuses in the ski area parking lot and I love the 4WD in the snow. I believe it is time to spend government money on developing energy saving technologies to reduce our national dependence on oil. I want to buy a well built pick up or SUV that gets 50+ mpg or a compact car that gets 100+ mpg. I say we should all thank Toyota for giving a wakeup call to the big three. Maybe an American car manufacturer will finally make something decent.

Looking for a weekday partner for skiing either inbounds at Alpental or in the backcountry anywhere. I have a weekday pass at Snowcrummy and plan on getting out as much as I can. I am an advanced telemark skier but am happy to pair up with anyone regardless of their preferred mode of floating on the freshies. Anyway, I am headed up tomorrow, but I'm looking for partners for the long run. Where is Dr. Jay when you need him? (Not a reference to drugs, Jay was a great midweek partner!)

I have seen several people both before and after being tasered. When it comes down to it, if you're a good person, you won't get tasered. If you are so unruly and out of control that someone feels threatened and has to call 911, it's time for you to leave. If you don't leave, cops will give you one chance to cooperate. After that, it's game on. Being a cop is a dangerous job. It is very dangerous trying to subdue a person. A taser is a relatively benign tool cops can use. Much better than a gun or even a wand. Another good tool is pepper spray. I'm not a cop and I wouldn't want their job. I feel sorry for the guy being tasered, but I think he had it coming. The real world is a tough place and mistakes have consequences. I think this college boy learned one of life's lessons the hard way.

Finding a place to live in Seattle is a challenge for any PNW neophyte. Anywhere within the city limits of Seattle is expensive. As the gentrification of depressed neighborhoods within the city like the Central District, Columbia City and Georgetown have pushed out lower income families and even middle class workers who want to buy instead of rent have made the suburbs like Renton, Kent and Federal Way a possibility. More and more it is common for city workers to move out to the exurbs down in Pierce County and continue to commute over an hour to work. I find it mildly offensive to read all the comments by people who hate the suburbs, but the reality is this is a climbing website and climbers are by nature elitist and often wealthy. I think it's understandable that urban hipsters hate the burbs. Singles vs. soccer moms. Brahs vs. breeders. Yes, I know, Ballard is the Paris of the west. My suggestion is to move as close as you can to where you're wife will work and then make due with getting to the airport. I like Columbia City and parts of Beacon Hill and Georgetown. I think West Seattle is expensive and is as far from Belltown as Renton. If your wife is working on the 500 block of 5 Ave S in Seattle then these are good neigborhoods. There is also a 500 block of 5 Ave S in Kent and if that's where she's working then you should look at a place in Kent or Federal Way. I just thought I'd shout out from my suburban hellhole where we have diversity, community and even a little culture.

I got the coolest piece of kitchen kitch ever. a Le Creuset dutch oven. I'm making a baked chicken with 40 cloves of garlic in it right now. Yum! I wish I was in Chamonoix, but the brie and french food for dinner will make up for it...

I've got the next two and a half weeks off from school. I plan on getting some use out of my pass at Snowcrummy/Alpental but I'd also like to get out and suffer on the ice. I've got gear and a car with 4wd. Would love to get out for some back country skiing and climbing. Hit me up!