iain

If you have been through the RMI routine I would assume you have had some rudimentary training in self-arrest (only a day perhaps) and some basic roped travel. This is good stuff to start with, and probably could serve you well on some easier mountains here in the PNW. If you are interested more in general mountaineering on snow/ice and you were comfortable on the DC route (I assume) you can probably head up the easy stuff on Adams, Baker, Hood, etc w/o much assistance (but go with someone else of equal or greater ability). I would put in some time on these kinds of mountains to develop your decision making abilities in a mountain environment (something I am sure you did not learn at all on your RMI adventure). Then you can start adding technical challenges and build up that way. Living in Oregon, I found Mt. Hood to be an excellent teaching mountain when I was getting started. You can start on a technically easy route and work up to some pretty fierce climbs progressively. Again it would be difficult to do this consistently from Atlanta. Also, heavy physical conditioning will make everything easier! Have fun.

I wear a helmet at Smith almost regardless of the route, even though it seems like quite a few do not. I think back to 98 when there was an accident on Titanium Jag. Leader fell back onto the belay then fell again and cracked his head open. Even with members from mountain rescue right there to evac him, there was little hope for him surviving such severe trama. Can't say for sure, but a helmet would most likely have kept him alive. It's a personal call and I don't get on peoples' cases when they don't wear one. Though I do in an alpine situation where I will have to haul your unconcious jello-brained ass out. I wish TNF would stop showing those Alex Lowe shots of him climbing tough ice helmetless. Maybe it was a safe situation but seems like they could set an example.

any of those smith nubbin routes where you start wondering what the hell is keeping you from falling. somehow you levitate up the route.

I've seen that Smith supplement around but never had a copy... is it on the web as a PDF somewhere?

Unfortunately Ralph Nadar, while extremely intelligent and thoughtful, is not "presidential material" in the traditional sense. He just doesn't have the requisite stage presence and slick self-promotional material. It is a shame.

I love it when the prez visits. I was rattled awake this morning by a blackhawk helicopter about 100 feet above my apartment scoping I-84 for evil doers. Charming!

Glad to see someone else thought that one on the right was a little runout Are you talking about License to Bolt? That's 5.11 on the left of Phoenix. [ 08-23-2002, 10:43 AM: Message edited by: iain ]

Phoenix, .10, bolts the one right next to Phoenix on the right, .10, bolts fun but painful rock over there on the buttress. maybe you've done these already.

One listen to GWB's speech on forest planning yesterday should encourage any foreign power to invade us immediately. He has the dialect (and apparently the abstract reasoning) of a 4 year old and he does not inspire my trust, at least. I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't automatically assume people are Clinton supporters just because they consider GWB an incompetent fool. However, I'd take him any day over our current cabinet. I cringe every time I think of him representing me internationally.

quote: Originally posted by erik: i say we should thin the congress and the senate! Environmentalists would complain. There's too much old growth over there.

[ 08-22-2002, 04:57 PM: Message edited by: iain ]

yes sorry I was mistaken. [ 08-22-2002, 03:52 PM: Message edited by: iain ]

yeah good idea to leave puncture items intact in general unless hypothermia or other obvious risk is present. pulling that thing out of the knee could have caused very severe damage.

Yes we do:

I think the expression is "my two cents" unless you weigh your opinions 10x as much as the rest of us. Anyways, bad news.

Considering the USFS misspending of intended fire prevention funds in California, damn right I'll have a kneejerk rxn to this news! I think we are all also aware of the salvage logging games that have been played in the past.

Sounds friendly.

WTF are you talking about? GW has his finger on the pulse of Oregon's timber issues and Gale Norton will spare us from the constant threat of the doug fir weed! Texans are well-known for their adept forest land management policies. I can't wait until he leaves.

quote: Originally posted by sk: I live in hippi central, I remember when phish came out... I just don't care because the don't touch the place in my heart that is moved by music. I don't identify fish fans as hippies at all, though I'm sure many catch their show as they pass through. Phish has nothing to do with the classic eugene scene and I'm glad. I never said they were bad, I just think it's sad that people plan each NYE around a show. Makes them look like a Billy Graham deal w/ that kind of devotion.

They should make pants w/ climbing skin material attached so that self arrest is easier! Ice axe in knee = bad - many moving parts in there.

quote: Originally posted by Dwayner: I's seen a black helicopter with U.N. markings up there near Prussik Peak. Silly, everyone knows UN helicopters are only available in sissy white!

Dude's damn lucky! How many more glissading incidents are there going to be??? There's like 3 a year on Hood alone.

Agreed DFA. Ready for some new tunes at PRG. You probably tear it up at that place. Me, I'm pretty weak on the boulder stuff. Having a good time though. Lambone - I was referring to the phans. One viewing of VH1's behind the music or any of their 10 other similar shows is reason enough for me to discount all music critics' opinions! How do you become a music critic anyways? Seems kindof a strange profession.

Didn't the PJ warn you about touching the helo before they grounded the CH-47 w/ the jungle penetrator?

quote: Originally posted by Dr Flash Amazing: Iain, were you at the PRG last night, perchance? Yes I was. Just find the easiest V2 in the house and the guy flailing on it was me. (around 10-11pm) I'll admit it was not french rap last night, but it was some other shit they've played way too much.