iain

Land-based PLBs are becoming available in the lower 48 states (perhaps specifically the PNW?) after a pilot program in Alaska proved to be successful. They are very similar to the EPIRBs used on ships. Once activated, they are spotted by satellites and a location (if a GPS unit is attached or incorporated, otherwise it uses the frequency to triangulate) is transmitted to Langley, Virginia. They in turn contact local SAR resources to go find the beacon. They have coordinates to find the thing, but the beacon also transmits on the standard ELT freq. long used in aviation to find downed aircraft, so you can find them that way too. They will be pretty expensive for awhile yet. Some SAR groups are starting to train with them now, but I've yet to see one in the Oregon mtn rescue community. The "Mt Hood Locator" is still in use, but it is much more simple, using basically a bear collar system. It still works well, and was in fact used this January to pinpoint a lost group near the summit of Mt. Hood.

what is the lowest-end 5.13 out there anyway? seems to be a fair crowd on churning at Smith, for example.

bah just floor it. the RCMP are on horses. they'd NEVER catch up.

finally, someone who appreciates airtoons.

vader

fife

heads up! Dwanyer mega-post incoming!

my dog you love this thread don't you muffy

What redeeming qualities does Salem have, you ask? The answer is zero. Bigtown problems with littletown annoyances. To summarize, it's a total hole.

salem? the DALLES?

finally some postings from assparrot after registering so long ago

I was looking forward to my alpine pool cue

nice!

you are looking directly at some of the worst climbing routes in Oregon. And that's up against some stiff competition.

all the instructions on the backs of the seats were in arabic, and the stewardess cheerfully informs us that this is the last flight for this old plane

flying into the galapagos you can watch the control tower guy biking out and running up the stairs

rap backup. name the dj!

greg_w/dwayner went up there and sent with two sets of tricams in the pockets

my parents freak out seeing pictures of me on some classic smith bolt-up but give me the "wow that's beautiful" line when they see photos of climbing sketchy choss unroped

the planet vulcan

maybe he means do you plan to bend it onto your normal climbing rope, or rap with it as a single line...

no.

incredibly steep, imagine that!

isn't that one word?