Off_White

Are any of his hilarious films that they showed at the memorial available on youtube?

So ya'll, I'm gonna chime in to point out that WE ARE NOT IN SPRAY and a little more civility would be appropriate.

This isn't really a spray topic, and in this forum it tends to bring out some inappropriate ugly behavior, especially in light of this mass tragedy. I've locked this thread and suggest folks take their concern and suggestions to this thread in the Climbers Board. thanks

Yes, some real statistics would be better than anecdotal evidence. I just had a nice long conversation with Katrina at Brendan Williams office. Brendan has decided not to run for re-election this year, so don't be playing that heavy handed bit. Sounds like it sounded like a good idea, so he jumped on the wagon, lacking a contrary viewpoint. I made most of our points and they were well received, and I directed them to PMR's statement. I know there have got to have been some Mt Rainier winter rescues in the last seven years, but really that's federal funds, not state, isn't it? Pleasant conversation is much more effective than strident thundering, and persuasion is more pleasant for all involved than coercion. Civility rules. Best to assume good intentions on the part of legislators who are ignorant of our sport, and set out to present your opinion and provide a little education.

Oh, and yeah, phone calls made, plus emails sent to several journalists. Thanks ya'll for the info.

Its really simple: What I do is okay, what you do is wrong. Is that clear enough for ya'll?

"Until fees return, limited services are provided." That's the same as it ever was, did anyone notice any increase in services aside from coming out to empty the Iron Ranger of it's fee envelopes and hassle people who didn't pay? Great TR, I'm envious of your January outing.

That's an excellent candidate.

You can, but the anchor situation is a little sparse on the clip and go end of things, and like the Royal Columns, there's plenty of loose rubble that adds a lot of rock fall potential for the folks down on the ground.

I'm sorry DC, but Woodson has both quality and quantity, one of the best TR areas I've ever seen anywhere. Lots of that stuff is too high and scary to boulder unless you've got it wired, but its the perfect height for TR's, and no place has a better concentration of cracks. Well, Deerhorn Valley, Mother Grundy, some other things in that same batholith in San Diego County will offer the same kind of thing, but not with the same volume as that winding switchback up Woodson offers. That's a lot of rock on that hill Wide! Tall too... Thin... Oooh, and just right!

Oh, and Ozone in the Columbia Gorge has a lot of the elements of a great top rope crag, including great route density, but I think anchor access from the top would be problematic. A lot of those routes are a full half pitch too, so you'd need your 60m to TR. It's a pity, because otherwise it would be ideal for the list.

Hey Darrel, that one's short enough you can throw a rope over the top and batman up, no climbing involved. Isn't it a bit of a march out from Stevens Pass to that craglet though? You can definitely scramble to the top of those golf course crags at Banks, there are some really swell pitches there too.

Teh Willy Stick! Heh, it's ground up, makes it trad, right?

The quarry in Tenino would be in the running for the top ten: >easy acccess to the top >double chain anchors on all routes with 1/2"x6" bolts >longest route is 75' - top rope using that cord you had to cut 15' off >very short approach >35 routes 10b to 12d >has seen climbing traffic every month of the year Oh, and don't forget: superior base accommodations!

So, when we get around to going out to Lightning Dome, we can use my rack, mmkay?

Now, I do believe ya'll are being much too harsh on Pope, for reasons that have nothing at all to do with the climbing story he told about ROTC. For starters, that story, with details over several posts, is damned near the most serious climbing TR he's ever posted, and really, it's a fine tale. He's embraced the soul of modern ethics as well. It matters most to yourself how you did the climb, it matters to everyone else that you tell the truth about what you did. I think he's done that admirably. Not only that, but to me, it's a reasonably impressive feat, even with a partial weighting of one piece to doff some clothes. It's pretty damn near an onsight flash, which most everyone in any discipline of climbing acknowledges is the gold standard of performance. Hitting it first try on a second attempt years later, that's pretty sweet too, not a project that required a lot of attempts. If he was interested in "working a project" odds are he'd have broken in to 5.12 cracks. Maybe ROTC is no big deal to all you hardfellows, but it's a hard pitch in my book. Of course, I did confess my mediocrity awhile back in this thread... Anyway, thanks for the story Pope, I enjoyed it.

That's kinda what I figure is up with the proposal, still, thought it was worth tossing up for discussion.

Hey now, it takes one hip daddy to pull off the turtleneck look, Pope just might have what it takes.

I knew there was a reason I liked you.

There might be a special exception for this one TR...

Heard on the radio this morning that proposed state budget cuts include closing a number of DNR trails, including both Mt Si and Little Si (as well as McLane Creek Nature trail for those of us in Olympia). I don't know what they mean by "closure" but presumably they'll be gating off the parking area, locking any restrooms, and ceasing any maintenance or trash collection. I can't see folks staying away from those crags, nor do I think North Bend residents will be all that happy about roadside parking either.

I dunno about that Joe. As a climber, I am not a natural, and I've had to actually work at it to remain mediocre for 36 years now. No one has ever described my climbing ability as brilliant. Nonetheless, if things go sideways, I'm a good person to have as a partner. That's partly a function of experience - time and effort - and has nothing at all to do with being a "natural." Character is another important aspect in a solid partner, and that also has nothing whatsoever to do with ability.

Doesn't almost everyone exhibit an unwillingness/hesitancy towards taking long falls, or is that just me?

I feel a little bit nauseous.