Greg_W

I'd like to take the opportunity to thank the makers of Rockstar Energy drink and M&M/Mars, the maker of the Snickers Bar. They fueled me to the top. It was fun, but some of the snow was a little nervewracking. Beats sitting in front of the tube on a Thursday night, that's for sure. Greg_W (risen like a phoenix from the ashes of Hroark)

Went hunting, shot elk. Pictures to come.

That plan is on hold, I got a blister.

Don't you have a life?

I find it interesting that you, knowing absolutely nothing about me, automatically insult me and call me white trash. You know nothing of my upbringing, education, life experience, etc. Whatever, nice debate skills. I see your examples refuting the theory, but what have those people done to EXPAND, PROLIFERATE, AND EXCEL? Only European Aryans have seemed to go forth and expand to a great degree.

During a discussion last evening, I good friend of mine of Danish-German descent made the assertion that there was a certain superior quality to the Nordic-Aryan-Teutonic peoples. I had trouble coming up with points to refute her claim; I, personally, found those of such descent much more intellectually and physically stimulating than other, maybe less developed, peoples. Today I started thinking of it in terms of accomplishment and proliferation and realized that so many major feats down through history have been spearheaded by the Nordic-Aryan-Teutonic peoples and their descendents (henceforth, let's call them 'Nordic' for simplicity). Without getting into a huge comparitive discussion of history, let's simply look at our sport of climbing/mountaineering. Arguably, modern mountaineering can be traced to the Swiss, British, and/or Germans. Thusly, the early feats, accomplishments, and stunning advances were pioneered by Nordic peoples. The Brits are descendents from Scandinavian/Viking raiders and the Germans and Swiss are Aryan/Teutons. Edmund Hillary? New Zealand was settled by British colonists. Whymper? Brit. Heckmayr, Harrer, & Messner? Germans. What about the Spanish, you say? The Spaniards are, actually, bastardized descendents of the Moors; an Arabic race. Wait, you say, what about Abruzzi? You've got me there, eh? Well, the Duke of Abruzzi gave new meaning to 'siege tactics', and may well be the exception that proves the rule. Let's look at the contribution of the Slavic peoples. Now, Adolf Hitler believed that the Slavs (Russians, Poles, Czechs, etc.) were untermenschen. However, we cannot discount them without looking at their ancient heritage. Russia was settled by Teutons moving East and Nordic/Scandinavians moving South. So, you see, they fit into the class of peoples we are discussing. Surely, we have had limited information about what mountaineering feats were accomplished under Soviet rule, however, we do have evidence of what their mountaineering academies produced: many hard, high altitude routes have been put up by Czechs, Russians, Khazaks, and others. So, you see there is a definite superiority in what these peoples have contributed and accomplished just in our niche sport alone. The Nordic peoples have made tremendous strides in mathematics, technology, the sciences...and climbing, throughout the years. It seems they are gifted with the drive to push ever harder to succeed, excel, and proliferate. It may be that these peoples should be honored for their achievement and given their rightful place as superior. Feel free to discuss. Greg_W

After being dazzled initially by the neat-o pictures and shit in the new Leavenworth Rock Guide, I finally got out last weekend to see how it performed. I wasn't overly impressed. Disclaimer: I put this in the "Climber's Board Forum" because it is a serious comment on the guide and am curious what others' experience has been. While in some cases I prefer a photo topo over a drawn one, the photos of Bridge Creek Wall, Careno Crag, and several others were of woefully poor quality; the image resolution or enlargement process made them fuzzy, making it difficult to pick out prominent features. The use of picture topos, without a requisite alteration in narrative, adds some potential confusion when searching for descent routes Victor mentions in the book. Case in point: Upon topping out on the "Bale/Kramar" route, Victor says to move right, do one rappel, and walk off. I didn't find the rappel, mainly because I didn't look hard enough (mine own fault, admittedly); I did recall that there were rappel stations in the area that may, or may not, require more than (1) 60-m rope. Upon consulting my 1996 Rock Guide (at home the next day), Victor's hand-drawn topo shows several rap stations in the vicinity and gives you the ability to link rappels down to the base, avoiding the walkoff. Now, to quiet the cries that this is just a slam job, I did enjoy the history he interjected and we climbed some of the new routes in this updated version (really enjoyed "Keen Acres", although giving "Snaakes!!" (5.9) a star is overly generous in my opinion). The photos of Leavenworth climbing notables, such as Ben Stanton, were interesting at first but I realize that he sacrificed space that he could have used to include the information he gave in the 1996 guide. It appears that, in Victor's attempt to create some similarity to the Squamish Guide, he left out some information that he had in his first book. Maybe he felt he had to do this to justify the $7 increase in price; it's not really my goal to analyze that. In conclusion, I think Victor has created a very nice book; however, it seems that he has taken steps forward in some areas and steps back in others. We all look for different information from guide books, to be sure, so this is my own opinion. Although, next time I go to Leavenworth, I'll be carrying two books. Greg_W

lol. actually it was more like squamish, salt lake city, lover's leap, yosemite, lover's leap, yosemite, and joshua tree ... but as soon as i move my beloved stuff to telluride the creek is full on! Get an apartment with a soft floor and/or couch...

no, you're not. in general i prefer to lead on gear. you "know" how good your gear is, and you can put gear in wherever you "want". Didn't you used to be the other way at one time, though? If so, why the change? (just looking for insight).

she going on a Mounties overnight or something?

I've applied for 2 or three jobs in Iraq. Global contractors (not just Halliburton) are already looking. Two year commitments or less. Could be a very interesting opportunity.

I'll have to check out Armored Saint; I kinda liked John Bush's vocals. Give this new one a chance, it's pretty solid. Growling is good. In Flames, eh? Check out Archenemy for some chic growling, man; it's wild.

Just picked up the new Anthrax, and it sounds pretty good. Nothing earth-shattering just good, solid metal. If you don't like metal, fuck off this thread. (Just saw S. Park the movie for the first time, so had to throw in the 'unclefucka'; it still makes me laugh.)

So, I was taking a piss at Castle Rock this weekend and this crazy thought came to me: "Do people who like golden showers have a preference on the condition of the pee?" I had drunk a half a pot of coffee and was a little dehydrated, so my pee was bright yellow and smelled bad. When I'm well-hydrated, it's clear (like most people) and usually doesn't smell. Do some GS participants LIKE the dark yellow smelly stuff over the clear stuff? I wonder...(but not enough to try it).

Yeah, I think that was right before I used ALL my blue bags for the trip! Mine, this year: On J-berg, hearing Caveman yell up, "Nathan just took a 30-footer!!" I couldn't see what happened and I immediately imagined the worst. It all worked out and we learned to rappel off of shrubbery!!! Is there a trip report for that one? Have you ever seen me write a trip report? Fucking, please, man - what the fuck? No, there's no fucking trip report. Why would there be a fucking trip report? Fuck almighty. :rolleyes

Yeah, I think that was right before I used ALL my blue bags for the trip! Mine, this year: On J-berg, hearing Caveman yell up, "Nathan just took a 30-footer!!" I couldn't see what happened and I immediately imagined the worst. It all worked out and we learned to rappel off of shrubbery!!!

The girly dangly hoop earrings are just to throw you off; I see it's working.

you win a leftover horsecock! oh wait. we ate em all already better luck next time! Hey, I been cheated!!! I'll have to apply for one of those special concealed-carry permits in Canada and come after your ass!!!!

Hmmm....That's gotta be carolyn in the pic. She sports those purply shoes. Now pay up, Drul. Now I know what you look like.

Check out this forecast: here Looks good to me.

In keeping with tradition, I asume this will be Beck? Wha happen to the kegs that Beck said he had coming? And is the food a no-go, as well? Stellar "climbing festival" if ya still gotta eat that Ramen you found at the back of the cupboard.

He was just luring you into his dark coven of the undead.

Is that some secret society, or something?

Sounds like it would have been cool to do the loop in that type of weather, had you been properly equiped. Least you got out there.

You in the pickup?