Figger_Eight

In a nutshell: you have 2 different set-ups. Skate skiing has a motion similar to in-line skating. The skis are shorter and skinnier, and you need a groomed track. Skating is a heckuva a lot faster, and you need to skate up hills since the skis don't have scales on the bottom. Skate boots and bindings are specific to that discipline. They're made to be light weight and fast. The deal is you're stuck to skiing only where there are groomed trails, and it takes a bit more coordination. Cross-country skiing covers anything from groomed trails (mini-trenches for the skis) to backcountry touring, and tele skiing on the far-end of the spectrum. You have a lot more variety in skis (waxless skis with scales/no edges, partial metal edges, waxless/metal edges, tele-skis with skins) depending on use. You can use system bindings like NNN BC or Salomon, or 3-pin bindings. XC is the way to go if you want to access the backcountry.

Crazy. Hey...wasn't there a cougar spotted on Mt. Si a couple of years ago...?

Tiblocs can be tricky to use because of their design...not their teeth (like Alpinfox said). You gotta be pretty slow and deliberate with their use if you don't want them to slide. You'd go faster if you use an ascender like the Ropeman even though it's just a bit heavier.

Right on Lucky.

In my mind, this is cyclical and not something we can change... Dude: You're hardcore! Even Bush's scientists admit we're causing climate change and CAN change it. I'm not sure this is a "great issue" for climbing in particular, though. I might suggest that shortened climbing seasons and disappearing snow and ice routes in South America and Europe make it a "great issue" for climbing!

Sigh... RIP Rodchester

The Nike Altimeter watch is super cheap at Sierra Trading Post right now. After going through an Avocet and Casio, I think this is the best one out there that's the size of a normal watch. http://www.SierraTradingPost.com/xq/asp/base_no.99350/dept_id.L2~299/qx/product.htm

Geezuz

possibility...?

I don't think it was the Schmidties that got you this faded last year, if I remember right.

no way.

This is getting better and better

fawk yeah.

Great pics With everything else on fire, the Olympics might be the place to go.

Count me in yeeee haawwww

That's speedy Thanks for the cool TR!

Wow...thanks for the heads up. I'll be in So Cal next week - I'll definitely try to make it.

If you're gonna be doing a lot of top roping and cragging, I might suggest going with a thicker rope (10.2 or 10.5) It'll last longer and withstand a bit more abuse.

DOMS doesn't include localized swelling at a joint. You might be dealing with an injury

Depends on the kind of cycling you do. It's harder to maintain a consistent heart rate riding a bike because you end up doing a lot of coasting and easy spinning. If you can find a big long hill that takes an hour to climb up, you can get a pretty decent workout, but I've found it takes at least a couple of hours to get a good cardio workout on a road bike on the flats. Mountain biking is better.

It's a fun route. The walk up the scree cone sucks though!