Greg_W

The thing that has always awed me in reading about the Normandy Invasion is the fact that these soldiers were informed ahead of time that casualty rates of up to 70-80% were expected in some areas, and yet these men went into harm's way and fought against incredible odds. Thanks for the reminder, Dave.

quote: Originally posted by TimL: Hows about Peregrine Soup with a side of fried falcon eggs for lunch? Just teasing deforester people! I thinnk Martha Stewart has a nifty table centerpiece that you can make from the feathers and talons on her website Greg

quote: Originally posted by dusty boots: I think they chose REI because of the constituency of their clientelle... those people are the folks they want to address. besides, easier to get press in front of good old REI. anyway, the capital bldg is too focused on the middle east and security issues. Plus, it is common knowledge that the Seattle PD Management will let protesters get away with just about anything! March on I-5!!! (This is in no way a slam against the officers on the street; it's not their fault they get reigned in by the Man.) Greg

quote: Originally posted by vegetablebelay: quote:Originally posted by jkrueger: Of course, there is nothing in this world that makes me feel more alive than that feeling I get when I think I'm going to die! Sometimes, things get a bit scary, and I wonder "why the fuck do I do this?" And then I remember "oh yeah, this is why!" I would even go so far as to say that climbing is better than sex! Climb safe! It's gonna be quiet at the dinner table tonight.... ...And mighty chilly in the bedroom. JK you might want the extra warm down bag tonight

I agree with a lot of what has already been written. I sum it up as a "journey is the destination" view of climbing. Just geting out and being in the moment of the climb and relishing the freedom and feeling of being totally alive...these things get me through the days between climbing days. The time I spend on the rocks seems to be a suspension of time or a pause in the aging process; like the time I spend climbing will be added on to the end of my life somehow. Never thought of myself as much of an "Eastern" philosophy-type thinker, but the more I climb the more I seem to view life this way. Life on horizontal ground seems more trivial all the time and the time spent with friends and loved ones more precious... Greg

Iain- My only point was that the writer of the letter implied that snowmobilers already pay a "use fee" in the Sno-Park passes ($25 per snowmobile) which entitles them to use of St. Helens. The Sno-Park Pass program is state-wide (thus diluting the funds throughout all Sno-parks in WA) whereas the climber permit fee program is specifically for an ascent of St. Helens. That said, my opinion is that you can't just look at user percentages, you have to look at the dollar amounts each activity brings to the area. Greg

Blindly looking at the use percentages, one would think that climbers are riding the coattails of the snowmobilers. However, the sno-park pass funds that Claire mentions are distributed state-wide whereas each climber's $15 stays in the Monument (right?). Using her logic that snowmobilers have already paid an access fee via Sno-Park passes, couldn't we apply that to, say, the Enchantments? People already pay for a parking pass at the trailhead, yet have to pay for a backcountry permit. I know this will lead to more rants, but I wanted to put in two cents. Greg

quote: Originally posted by cappellini: .....it is still unclear what they plan to do with the videos of the falcons getting it on.................. This is Larry's retirement plan: New reality TV program - "When Wild Animals Get Horny" Greg

It's about time Canada ended the oppression of lesbians of color Greg

Movie release could coincide with the announcement of the partnership of Prana and Victoria's Secret to market the Miracle Climbing Top and Climbing Thong with Britney doing endorsements.

quote: Originally posted by ruddersbox: The movie version of the "harrowing 18-mile trek to freedom" will be replaced with the Airwolf reunion to help boost sales to the thirty somethings in the viewing audience. Or not... The whole NPR nooner has me spun... Where'd they get the cool purple action suits?

quote: Originally posted by glen: Featuring the hit single "I'm a belay slave for you." Any movie with the words "slave" and "Britney Spears" in it is destined to be a blockbuster. Could we work in the words "sweaty", or "wet", or "writhing"?

Blueberry Hill rocks!! The West Buttress route is non-stop fun (even the runout parts). There is still snow up to the summit, but we had some good looks down the other side onto Witch Doctor Wall. Still a lot of snow on the ground on that side. Great views of Green Giant Buttress up the valley as well. Greg

Isn't it actually 6/4?

quote: Originally posted by spiderman: come on now. use your head, how good are the bolts? how good is the webbing? How far apart are the bolts? There is no need to be a safety Nazi about two bolts and webbing that are in excelent condition when repelling Spidey- You are relying on what you can SEE. What about what you can't see? What about the people who have rappelled in not so smooth fashion? What about cold work on the bolt itself? Since you cannot possibly know the stresses that these bolts have seen in their life, isn't a bit of caution a good idea? Last time I checked, 1" webbing cost about $.25/ft; that's a low price for some peace of mind in my book. Just an extra $.02 Greg

Hmmmmm...Eminem, Britney Spears... This has all the makings of a "West Side Story" meets "Evita" meets "Tommy" Rock Opera/Big Screen Musical. Or...think Central Asian version of "Sound of Music" with Britney and Fred Durst hiking over the mountains; Fred carrying that kid from "The Sixth Sense" on his back escaping Muslim radicals...Call Andrew Lloyd Weber!!! Greg

quote: Originally posted by dberdinka: Hmmmm...Mattp has much good climbing up his sleeve on Blueberry Hill. Go with him there Greg, you will have a good time. Thanks for the tip, I'm workin' it.

Matt; No takers yet. I am open to anything; I am more familiar with 3:00. Let me know what you want to do: gwall@constructivision.com Greg

Looking for a partner to head up to 3 O'Clock Rock on Sunday. Weather is supposed to be good. Send me a PM or an e-mail, gwall@constructivision.com if you're interested. Greg W

Tim - Check your PM's Greg

It's official - REI has become Target with Gore-TEX Greg

quote: Originally posted by Bronco: to further explain the phenomena an example: A short guy was seen driving back and forth along the Icicle with a hottie stopping to "gape" at climbers and occasionally spew forth some beta on what to climb. He had been doing a good job of "gaping" because he knew where and when everbody else was climbing, yet seemed content to drive around "gaping" on Saturday. GAPER I on the other hand, was seen walking around the area of Snow Creek parking lot and Icicle Butt "posing" with climbing gear. Making sure to be seen by everybody, with rope, harness, gaitors and a #5 camalot, occasionally flipping through the guide book to pose as a climber. I was near some rocks later, flailing maybe, but still a stretch. POSER Get it right people. As a witness to both of these events (and a participant), I must add that they are very good examples. Further tip on successful gaping: when spewing forth beta on what to climb make sure to mention that they are great places to climb but that you are climbing something else. This helps to bolster the image of you being an actual climber without having to "pose". Bronco's (and my) Saturday "pose" was even more masterful since it was performed in front of a group of clueless adolescents! Greg

quote: Originally posted by sk: I thaught it ment he sucked male chickens Would that make him a "homo-ovate"? Greg

quote: Originally posted by vegetablebelay: For some reason sk's autosig bugs me. "I must make a system...." I would have to agree. However, I hear that JKrueger has some great polaroids of her so all could be forgiven! Greg

Ain't nature grand?? Greg