pindude

I'm enjoying the Balvenie 12 y.o. Double Wood right now. I think it is on sale... and so is Black Bush, Red Breast, and Black Bush single malt. I may be picking up a bottle of the latter to try. Glenfiddich is on sale now, at least here on the east side.

Nice. Glad to see others finally doing some of my favorite climbs on Highway Rock. I usually rap in for those, for several reasons. Whatever your choice of approach, be looking out for poison ivy, which--while not currently in full summer foliage--can still do a number on your gear and the allergic.

Thanks Sobo! And as well to Andy Fitz, et. al. Have it marked for future ref.

Joe, Thanks for taking the initiative on this. Our Access Fund rep is the same one listed for WA at the Access Fund website--Jonah Harrison from Seattle--but I've yet to meet him. He *may* have the exact info Off White is referring to. Yes, indeed a landowner is protected from liability from recreationists. I've avoided Classic Cracks since the house was built, and have never contacted the landowner, but given that the area was at least once popular and is in the guidebooks, it's good that we as climbers are at least communicating with the landowner. Not sure if Roadstead has ever met him. I'll shoot you a PM. Thanks again. Steve Reynolds

Any motorized vehicle going off-road is indeed illegal there. Signs used to be posted, and it was obvious just from that. Don't mess around and call the Grant County Sheriff dispatch office directly at 509-762-1160 or 1-888-431-9911 during the weekend so they can get caught while they're out there. The Sheriff is based out of both Moses Lake and Ephrata, and it might take a little time for him to get to you and then deal with the situation. But be persistent, and let the sheriff do the work he's paid to. WA Fish and Wildlife, who is the land manager, I think answers their phone (at least the one listed at the above-linked WCC site) only during weekday business hours. Good luck and get em! Let us know the outcome. Edited to add: WA F&W, as the land manager, will still want to know what's going on out there. The WA Guard used to exercise all over around there, but that was banned years ago. Indeed pictures may well be needed.

I'm still grateful for the hexes--they went to a young climber who couldn't afford pro and really needed them. They went to good use. Haven't seen him in a couple years but I'm guessing they're still being used. The Hummingbirds, on the other hand--with their place in the history of climbing and today's better tools--belong on somebody's wall. I'll raise NOLSe by $10!

I felt the same way when he came to Spokane for a presentation in the mid-80s. I was pretty tongue-tied when I had the opportunity to speak with him. I second the worship part, Sobo. You still use a pair of Hummingbirds: whoa, those are museum pieces! And I thought I was old using my Moser Pulsars, when I do get out on the frozen stuff. Unfortunately I've had at least a couple friends with MS. It's really tough overall for anyone, of course, but incredibly tragic irony when it afflicts one of our greatest mountaineering icons. I'm only an occasional lurker on supertaco, but enjoy reading his posts. Jeff Lowe has always been a true inspiration in the physical and mental realms of what is possible in climbing, and continues to be as he moves forward with strength, dignity and humility.

OMFG. I only watched the first one and couldn't believe what I was watching. It'd be funny if it was meant to humorous, but this guy's serious. He certainly isn't AMGA-certified. It's gotta be said for the few who read this board that don't have a clue: this guy's an idiot and shouldn't be taken seriously. I'll save the real criticism for for those here who certainly know better. FWIW, here's his website: http://climbonadventures.com/aboutus.aspx Apparently, you can get paid a little more than beer money if you register as an "expert" and provide your video spiel at this site: http://www.expertvillage.com/ Avi, how'd you find this one?

At least it wasn't Goran's. That #2 Camalot got fixed from those trying to re-create the accident, lobbing off a weighted haul bag. Surprised that piece is still there.

Actually if you study much of the history of NW climbing you'd find that a very high percentage of climbers skied in the backcountry. In the modern age some people solely focus on crag climbing, but that does not represent all climbers. Yup, skiing is a part of climbing, and climbing a part of skiing, especially in the Cascades. They are integral to each other; skiing plays a huge role in the Cascades mountaineering history. Not sure how a true Cascades climber can be ignorant of the importance of skiing in regard to climbing and simply being in the Cascades. That said, there are certainly some alpine and ice climbers who don't ski, and even more rock climbers who don't. Kevbone, here's one site that may help the awareness of a Cascades ignoramus: Alpenglow And a BIG THANKS, Lowell, to you and your family for all you've done and continue to do. Oh, and AND thanks Hafilax and Porter for making this change.

I've heard Mead Hargis described as a very gifted climber. I was always impressed with his and Tom Hargis' FFA of Iconoclast in 1971. Raindawg will be heartened (as I was) to read his quote, as provided by Fred Beckey who reported the following for the 1972 AAJ: Snow Creek Wall, Iconoclast. This route lies between Galaxy and Outer Space, beginning with the first pitch of Remorse and ending with the last pitch of the Outer Space crack. It was climbed June 13 by Mead and Tom Hargis. Mead writes, “Unfortunately it was my onus to remove a bolt ladder placed by several intermediate parties attempting to finish the climb in this manner, a malefaction that showed they weren’t up to the standard of climbing.” NCCS III, FlO.

It wasn't just "some chick." And it wouldn't have mattered if it was. Good thing you withheld the urge, jerk. --------- Vancouver Province obituary of D'Arcy McRae, 12-28-04: Kootenay legend lived 'the life' Ski mountaineer D'Arcy McRae dead at age 31 after fall Greig Bethel, The Province December 28, 2004 GOLDEN -- D'Arcy McRae, a Kootenay ski town legend, died from brain and spinal cord injuries in a Palm Springs, Calif., hospital after a Dec. 15 rock climbing accident in Joshua Tree National Park. He was 31. McRae was climbing a moderate route on Saddle Rock known as Walk on the Wild Side when he slipped and fell about 20 metres. The safety rope caught, but McRae slammed into the rock. He was not wearing a helmet. The popular three-pitch route is rated as 5.8, which was well within McRae's ability, and is bolted for protection. There is speculation that he may have missed placing protection or went off route. Three-hundred people -- including family, life-long friends and mountain freaks from around the Kootenays -- attended McRae's funeral last Wednesday at the Wasa Community Hall. An impromptu wake was held that night at Lussier Hot Springs under a clear, starry sky. McRae grew up in Wasa, a small, tight-knit community set among the ponderosa pines and mountain peaks of the southern Rocky Mountain Trench. During his high school years in nearby Kimberley, McRae had a seminal experience. While working as a summer student at the massive Skookumchuck pulp mill on the banks of the Kootenay River, he came to the conclusion that he'd rather be out skiing somewhere -- anywhere -- than stuck in a job he didn't want. "A day at the hill is better than a day at the mill," McRae was fond of saying. These words became his mantra. A couple of years later, he moved to the historic West Kootenay ski town of Rossland to pursue his passion for skiing the steep and deep. He worked as a ski instructor at Red Mountain and in 1996, was part of a team that won the Olaus Jeldness super-G, a ski race that was established in the 1890s. He then made the East Kootenay forestry-turned-ski town of Golden his permanent home in the late '90s. McRae's skiing reached a new level in Golden, perhaps inspired by the numerous mountains that surrounded him. Along with partner Pierre Bernier, he recorded a number of incredible first descents in the Columbia and Rocky mountains, most notably 3,507-m Mount Bryce on the southwestern edge of the Columbia Icefield and 2,539-m Mount Dennis above the town of Field in Yoho National Park. According to ski mountaineer Ptor Spricenieks, the ski descent of Bryce's northeast ridge -- done in less than ideal conditions -- was one of the most difficult and most radical he has ever witnessed. Spricenieks, who was part of the Bryce expedition, speaks from experience. He has recorded a number of first descents -- including the north face of the highest summit in the Canadian Rockies, 3,954-m Mount Robson. But unlike Spricenieks, McRae accomplished his feats without any sponsors, media coverage or hype. He led a low-key, laid-back outdoors lifestyle -- one that is idealized in advertising and the media -- on a shoestring budget and supported his ski-bum ways by working summers as a tree planter. In recent years, McRae also started up a fledgling guided-hiking and ski-shuttle operation, Kootenay Wilds. McRae, a friendly and generous guy with a quick, easy smile, lived 'the life' -- winters spent skiing powder, summers spent working hard, other parts of the year spent playing in the mountains and travelling the globe. He knew that it was about the journey, not the destination. And, more importantly, McRae -- someone who personified the Kootenay vibe -- knew that it was not about how much money was in his bank account, but how rich his life was. He will be missed.

Wild Country and Black Diamond sell trigger repair kits directly: info is at their websites. Re. Aliens, CCH doesn't market a trigger repair kit, but you may be able to deal with them directly...although I've given up on using Aliens since the big QC and recall debacle.

Likely arches his back.

Glad to read, Dane, and glad you're not going too soft. Your words give *me* hope. Keep those shoulders strong and the opinions comin'... Cheers, Steve

JAD, Climber's group for the Vantage area is the FCCC, the Frenchman Coulee Climbers' Coalition (Frenchman is the main coulee, but there are other named coulees in the near vicinity that have established routes). They're set up as a Yahoo group here. From that page you'll see that Kevin Dwight is the contact, and you're welcome to post a message there as well. Others are active here at cc.com and may well respond to your post, including LUCKY and Paul Detrick. Here's more info on FC at the the Washington Climbers' Coalition site, and here's the original FC info page on the net originally put up by the late, great Bill Robins. RIP, Bill. Thanks to whoever's keeping it up. If you're jonesing for rock, JAD, don't wait 'til mid-March. Now's when FC gets good, and is well worth the drive from B-ham for at least a full, dry day of cragging. As far as a clean-up goes, don't be afraid to grab the bull by the horns and go for it. Good luck and cheers.

Not just that, mlou wrote: Half-off, hmm?

Nice TR and pic's, guys. Getting out and seeking is better than not getting out at all, fo sho. Especially with a ten-ton hangover, impressive. Wadja do Sobo, mix types of beers? Your TR makes me want to get back into the Wallowas, but I think I'll be looking more for snow. Even with your TR, I can't wait to try TG's beers.

Roger Clemens'--and the Mitchell Report's--Day Of Reckoning is near. Should be an interesting day in Congress tomorrow. ESPN's Howard Bryant's take on it.

Gary, Assuming all is better now. Sounds like you had torticollis, or what is more commonly known as a wry neck. I've had it several times in my 5 decades of existence, caused by sleeping wrong and a few traumatic incidents from playing as a soccer goalie, falling off a horse, and falling hard/badly on skis. NSAIDs and ice might help, but only in time (short time--just a few days--thankfully) does it go away. Meanwhile, you get to walk around with your head cocked to one side, possibly enduring new nicknames like "Tilt." Having a virus at the same time can complicate things, making it last longer. Knottygirl, what cult do you belong to?

Wishing your wife, you, and your family the best, Brian.

It's very fair, at least as far as Mountain Hardware is concerned. Mtn Hardware should not give a full monetary refund. You'll only get a full cash refund of the retail price from the retailer. Their 30-day return window seems a little strict, but not returning it within that time seems to be the problem re. getting cash back. Considering the circumstances, it's too bad they couldn't make an exception, but maybe there's more to it than what you've said. Mountain Hardware sells their clothing (like most other specialty outdoor clothing manufacturers) at wholesale at about 50% of the retail price to the retailer: if they were to give your gf a cash refund, they'd be out 2x their price of the jacket to the retailer. Mtn Hardware makes many great quality items. I know I'd be able to pick out several other items that are on my wish list. As far as the "year" wait goes, if it's a winter item, it'll be available from Sept to Oct or maybe even sooner. That's 6+ months or so. If your gf is on the impatient side, I think you need to give her something else...

Looks like Rick should've contacted you, Daryl, before he wrote his fairly recent guide. I recall seeing an 80s-era bolt when rapping in for climbs there about 5 years ago. Tim, you can always call Rick too. You likely know, but access to The Peninsula has changed since the book came out. On that side of the lake you can no longer drive much past the Barker Canyon boat launch, necessitating a longer hike in, but that would also be the closest place to launch a boat from. Another boat launch site would be on the eastern side of the lake near Northrup Canyon. --Steve

Go back to PETA. Bug's right: it's not the zoo's fault. It's yet another case of people not accepting responsibility for themselves. A couple things: 1. Siberian Tigers--one of the most beautiful animals on this earth--will be extinct in the wild long before the last one dies in a "zoo." 2. Many animals you see in "zoos" are rescued. Here's one less than a half-mile from my house, where ALL animals are rescue cases: Cat Tales

Prior to now just the last 40 years was available. As of January 8, the complete collection dating back to its origin in 1929 is available online. All of it searchable. Index added too. Also, current 2007 journal available online: you can login and see it if you're a current AAC member.