iain

Operating system not supported MSN Video requires Microsoft Windows® 98, Windows ME, Windows 2000, or Windows XP. To upgrade from an earlier version of Windows or to learn more about Windows, go to the Microsoft online store. You have to be f'ing kidding me.

Sick oakley blades on the guy on the right. Dead ringer for the macho man randy savage circa 1988

Well hell, we did we ever change from the late 1700's? Maybe we should go back to pre-industrial revolution technology. Slavery was pretty fun too! Maybe we should put George Washington in charge of the Iraq situation, see what he does?

What if they are having the most fun and therefore are the best climbers?

Regardless, if they are to retain any semblence of credibility, I think they should release SOME explanation as to why he was held, when Spain denies matching the prints to him at all.

The nut and screw are remnants of the older adjustment in the heel, which used a screw to tighten up the bail. This was fine, so I don't understand why they changed it, except you don't need tools. A thumb dial like the Charlet Moser S12 setup would be perfect. Maybe it is patented or something.

yep, I've tried moving that back and forth about a billion times. I either get the crampons too tight and it cuts into my boot heel, or too loose and I freak out when the front points move around. Maybe I'm not understanding the system right, but then again I've made some stupid mistakes in the past.

I was pretty confused too, since there is a screw back there with a nut on it, but it doesn't seem to do anything. As far as I can tell, you have to get it as close to fitting as possible with the bar, then if it's too loose, put the plastic heel shim below the metal thing, or if it's too tight, put the shim above the thing. PITA.

Are they the new Sabertooths? That new heel adjustment is the worst thing I've ever used. Adjusting the main bar underneath the boot sole gives single size adjustments, and that plastic shim in the back gives half size adjustments. I gave up trying to get them to work on my AT boots. What a stupid idea that plastic shim is. The screw was way better.

I am too but it does not seem to be working after the first one. I will see how I react to a second one. The things I do for science.

those tourlite 4s boots look nice, but they are heavier than the scarpa laser! wish I could get that exoskeleton thing for scarpa invernos!

now that's classic

It is pretty funny. At least I thought it was when I was in 7th grade.

I would bet you're right too, but I think that, in combination with the unusual amount of traffic it sees as a "standard route", make it seem more brutal than others. I just always hear about the rush to thumb rock to reserve your spot, etc. while other routes of similar difficulty are vacant. Skyclimb: cave diving is definitely more deadly than climbing. North Sister is frequently underestimated by climbers. Sandy Headwall has few accidents.

In terms of fatalities, are you meaning over the past certain number of years, or in relation to number of people climbing? I'd say Cooper Spur on Mt. Hood has a pretty deadly percentage when comparing number of climbs to fatalities. Almost every accident has been fatal.

GW is hardly my buddy. I agree with you but I like funding to go to prevention rather than response. I could be wrong, but I don't think this rescue would have been carried out any better if there were more rangers. The conditions were simply unacceptable for an evac and the crew did what was humanly possible given the variables. I'm certainly not suggesting they are underpaid. There is also a large network of mra members backing them up. Some are more skillful/experienced than others, but all contribute.

I think in many climbers' minds Liberty Ridge has become a trade route, a third option besides Emmons or D.C. Many climbers will continue to luckily make it up and back down without being tested on the consequences of a fall or weather, etc. in that location. Just like other popular routes, many people who have little business being there make it through by chance. Liberty Ridge just happens to be more unforgiving for the unfortunate few who don't.

I think you should budget more to climber awareness education and publicity than having billions of rangers running around picking people off the mountain. It is the climber's choice to go up Rainier and the risks are clear.

MUWAHAHA your preferred healthcare provider is COOOBBRRRAAA!

hah! shows what you know.

I'm going to rub sunscreen into all my webbing and set up little parasols above every rap anchor I make. AMGA approved parasols, that is, with little cute AMGA rope/mtn logos on them.

Sucker's big. That black part isn't the bottom, but the start of a roof that opens up below. I'm shocked at how well-off the guy is. If you are traveling in this area in low viz it wouldn't be a bad idea to rope up.

It's fairly ironic to witness someone explaining activities in Iraq by using the reasoning of occam's razor. Perhaps this line of reasoning should have been applied when we entered the country on grounds of antiterrorism and WMD suspicions. I don't have an opinion on the circumstances of the poor guy's death, but I think the incredible surge of doubt illustrates just how much many people distrust the leadership of this country right now. A dangerous and unsettling situation.

isn't that one of the canadian monthly 3-day weekends?

and guys running around banging two coconut shells together