JRCO

Charlie, Check out the Black Hills Triathalon in Olympia. It is considered a sprint triathalon even though when I did it I came no where close to sprinting. I think the distances are 3/4 mile swim, 30 mile ride, 5 mile run. I think it is in August. Another popular one is the Wisky Dick in Ellensburg in July. I have never done it but it supposed to be tough. You swim the Columbia and then bike up hill to Ellensburg and then do a 10k run.

I just bought the petzl mini ascender ($55). It has a pin that locks the rope in place so it is nearly impossible for it to come unlocked. I also has big wide smooth teeth so as not to damage the rope in the event of a fall. I used it the first time last weekend and it worked great. It slid up the rope with ease and caught falls without any slippage. I would however recommend backing it up with something like a prussik.

My policy is through Protective. I think I went to Insuranceweb.com and had a bunch of companies give me a quote. I chose a 20 year term because I figured after 20 years my wife and kids won't need the money if I do the retirement saving and college savings right.

Here's my life insurance story. I have a wife and a daughter, so I felt it necessay a couple of years ago to get life insurance. The first guy I talked to heard the word climbing and wanted to charge me something like $100/ month for a $250,000 term life insurance policy. No dice. The second guy wanted to know more about the specifics of my climing. Did I climb routes with fixed anchors? Did my climbs require that I spend the night? Had I received any special training or was I a member of a climbing orginization? I answered all the questions in a somewhat truthfull manner. Leaving out the parts that might scare him. With the questions concerning higher risks that I answered no to, I had to agree in writing not to due any of those activities for the next two years. I ended up getting a $500,000 20 year term for something like $29/month. Now that I am passed the two year point I can do what ever I want and I will be covered (supposedly!)

Hey Dru, I think there is one crack there.

The closest thing you will get to climbing in Olympia is the concrete buildings out at the Evergreen State College. Closest real climbing is Fossil Rock. It will take you 1-1/2 hours to get there from Olympia including mt. bike in.

Has any on this board actually used an Avalung? Did it make you feel more secure? How was it with a pack on? From what I have seen you can get those things dirt cheap. Must not have sold to well.

Thanks epb, exactly what I was looking for.

Erik, if all these people have on you is your spelling your in pretty good shape. I will still read your posts even if you can't spell because I can't spell either with out my spell check.

While living in Olympia, I heard on numerous people going to Vancouver, BC for the operation. I heard it is a lot less expensive. Any one know the name of the doctor.

There are a few lines at Cushman Cliffs. It is mostly used for Mountaineers or SAR practice. As your driving along Lake Cushman torwards Stair Case look for a big rock out cropping into the lake on the left. Should be a couple picnic tables and a good size pullout. Climbs are up the hill on the right. Just follow the obivious trails and you will eventually find a rock to climb. Climbs are not hard. I think Alpine Experience in Olympia may sell a quide book. I have climbed there a couple of times on hot summer days. The swimming is great afterwards.

dr. Jay, How did your vision turn out. Any need for glasses while reading. Also is the fix permanent or will you need to possibly have another procedure in the future.

Also would be like to see posts from Cascade Climbers who have had this done. Any problems? How about the actual surgery. How long were you out of commission?

I also think there is an issue with being far sited in the future. I currently have prescription glasses and sun glasses. Both are a pain in the ass when climbing, skiing or mt. biking. I was thinking about contacts but those also can be a pain but they give you more options for switching eye protetion. It seems that laser eye surgery is the way to go but make sure they only do one eye at a time so that if they mess up you won't be blind for life.

I have not done it. I have had friends do it with excellent results but they were not climbers. I would defineltly look into how altitude effects the eyes after the surgery is done if you plan on going high in the future.

I have checked out Barrabes - good deals but not a wide selection. Any other?

Does any one know of a site for great deals on ski gear - both downhill and tele?

I think Beck is on to something. Maybe I am not crazy Erik.

I think Erik, Highclimb, and Capellini are hiding something.

A few years ago while climbing at Fossil Rock I over heard some local Yelm climbers talking about a place called "Little Yosemite". It was a big secret that only a select few people were supposed to know about. It is supposedly located some where between Yelm and the Nisqually entrance to Rainier. Any one have any info?

The floods probably cleaned all the trash out of the river through town though.

I went to Bolivia in 1995. I stayed in La Paz for several days. As I recall the Lonely Planet guide to Bolivia had all the information you would ever need to find cheap eats and sleeps. As far as climbing, we did not climb but I did check out quite a few of the mountainering stores. I would recommend not trying to buy any climbing gear or your high altitude food in Bolivia. Bring it all with you.

The tails work great and allow you some flexability in your snow shoe use. Atlas does not have this option

I was belaying my partner a Vantage while he was trying to work his way up some climb on Power House wall. He sunk his fingers in a pocket and was bitten by a bat. He continued on and finished the climb. I refused to even try it.

I have the atlas snow shoes, they work great. My partner uses the MSR and they seem to be a little bit more sturdy. I would try renting them both and see what you like best.