sketchfest

Yes, I believe so: Removable Bolt You can also buy those at Mountain Supply

This is an extremely interesting topic. I started climbing, mostly volcanoes, about 10 or so years ago; I wasn't real serious about it, but climbed a few mountains every year. At that time, my primary focus was bike racing, so the training took up a huge portion of my time. A couple of years before I got married I came to the realization that I was never going to get a sponsor, that I sucked and that I was really riding because I liked to compete. With that revelation, I decided to diversify my time and hobbies and got back into climbing, both mountain and rock. Then I got married to an incredible woman who had two fantastic children from her previous marriage, at the time the kids where 5 & 8 and before I even realized it, I was fully engulfed in the awe inspiring and constantly humbling world of child rearing; little league, basketball and lacrosse filled our time instead of 5 hour training rides or a day at the crag/mountain. As our kids got a little older, they both started to gain an interest, although small, in the activities that I was doing when time allowed. My son is now 16 and over the last few summers have had some incredible moments while climbing that we still talk about like they just happened and my daughter is slowly starting to gain a bigger interest in climbing as well. My wife, since she is afraid of heights, is supportive and loves to see the pictures when we come home. I climb more now than I have for the last few years, but still less than before. I have never been and never will be a "hardman" my guess is that I'll probably max out somewhere around .10b/c for trad (if I'm lucky) and on a good day, and I mean a really gooood day, .11something on bolts. I guess what I'm saying is, I've been gone, come back, been gone again and come back again and every time I go through one of those cycles I think that I am able to bring a new perspective to the adventure, call it balance, I don't know, but it works for me.

Dang Will, I got a crew working on the base, but none of them are climbers. I might be up in about a month, we should hook up at Pikes for beers and I might be able to introduce you to a waitress that goes by the name of "kamakize queen". have you scoped any ice yet? I hear daytime temps around 26.

Err...so after 32 views it would seem no one!

Does anybody know, have or can tell me if there is an electronic version of Jeff Thomas's book "Oregon High"? I have a hard copy, but was curious about an e-version.

Aaaaaw, prolly can't do it that weekend. There's gonna be HC and PBR to be consumed at the Verbort Harvest Festival and I'm sure I'll be to hung over to do much of anything on Sunday. Good Luck, I'll be curious to hear how long it takes.

Climbing with my son has been a slow process. I tried to introduce him to the sport about 8 years ago, (he was 8 then) but he could take it or leave, he just didn't show any real desire. At that point, I backed off and let him do his own thing, occasionally taking him to the gym or getting him outside to the local crag. Then about a year and a half ago, he decided that instead of doing any school sanctioned sports, he would try out for the junior rock climbing team at our gym and he dove into the sport with great enthusiasm. Since then his abilities and confidence have improved to the point that I thought he was ready for his first multi-pitch, (Moscow 5.6) not a hard route, but nice exposure and a fantastic experience for us both, he's still talking about it. I can't wait till next spring/summer when I can introduce him to some more remote climbs, until then, it's back to the gym.

Looks like this would have been the perfect day to do this ride. Sweeet sunrise!!

then let's have our own oregon bumblies roundup After two and a half sessions back in the gym, I'm ready to start pulling down on some serious 5.6X routes, name the time and the place and I'll be there

Aaaaarrrgh! I'm out!! My kids won't be in town next weekend.

when? where? I have a 13 & 16yr old who would be happy to attend a ropeup

Yeah, I might be interested, when do you plan on doing this ride?

I had a pretty dry summer as far as climbing is concerned. Spent the whole thing getting ready to do a 100 mile mtn bike race in CO. (definitely a highlight to have finished) I did have three great experiences that where climbing or semi-climbing related: 1) trail run around Hood with younger brother - at night 2) trail run almost up to summit of Olympus and back with mtnhigh & Funguy 3) first multi-pitch climb with my son (Moscow 5.6 @ Smith) That was by far the best of them all, makes me teary just thinking about it.

sell em anyway

I carry a multi-tool on my harness when I climb outdoors. It has come in usefull on more than one occasion including the tightening of loose nuts when I get to the hangers and opening that beer when I get back to the car.

I would like to say thank you to everyone for making this such a plab event. I would especially like to thank the host and hostess, Tim and Becky for putting the word out and making it all happen and their gracious hospitality as usual. TG, I'd like to thank you for the most excellent beers even though my climbing partners wish they had never heard of Terminal Gravity Stout. I met a lot of folks from the site and the weather was perfect for climbing all three days that my son and I were there. Sounds like everybody made it home safe and that's the perfect topper to a great weekend. Looking forward to climbing with some of you in the near future.

Steve, I am leaving PDX Friday morning and can fit a barrel or two in my truck, this would ensure that Rob will not consume the majority of brew before he arrives, leaving little for the rest of us. I only have the groups best interests at heart.

Oh, and for the record (I know this will come as a HUGE surprise to many of you), they weren't wearing polypro over shorts, and they weren't wearing gaiters... But were they wearing shorts over polypro?

Stamstad is a real ultra endurance freak. Back when I was doing a lot of mtn bike racing, I would read these stories about him dominating events like the Iditabike up in Alaska, riding through sub-zero temps. Hats off to John!

That is by far the best single move on that entire climb

Where on the knee does it hurt? Inside, outside, under the knee cap?

I thought about that, but never tried it. How did it work? It actually worked pretty well not to mention that my front yard is kinda steep in spots so it really helps keep me from slipping underneath the mower. You do have to stamp your feet to get any real penetration, but all that did was draw extra long stares from the neighbors who already think I'm a freak.

Tied my dog up at Broughton with a #2 stopper so I could climb and she wouldn't jump on everybody. Wore crampons while mowing the lawn to help aerate Used rope and harness to belay my brother-in-law while he repaired damage caused by 24" of snow on the roof Not climbing tools, but used seatbelt buckle to open beer, when rack was to far away (10' behind me)