iain

I dig the piggies, the little ones have some serious attitude:

hah I was going to say the confluence of Horse Canyon and The Escalante River

that last picture has nothing to do with freshies but I thought it was hilarious (from j_b's piggy link)

the legs on "data" are as wide as the waist of the sacrificial red shirt

So, how'd the stork leg transplant work out? Those tent poles look like something to which DFA aspires. Stick a down jacket on, chocolate lab leash in one hand, stickclip in the other, and you'll be right at home on the morning glory wall.

nice find arlen! what the hell is the elf carrying there?

I like some long straps if only to yard on them with mitts on when it's cold. When it's time to pack skis, a fastex buckle on the top compression strap and ski slots make that transition really painless when it's cold, windy, and steep. Took me forever to finally put this on my pack. Seems like it's the little things that count out there! Lowe packs come with the buckles. Now if I can figure out a way to pack pickets, skis, and poles gracefully on the turgid sausage...

the us outdoor website is perhaps the worst website on the planet

shibby freshiez sessions to be had in da hood word is bond w00t w00t

a number of people complain the das parka is not warm enough

mount hood - illumination saddle middle sister - hayden glacier (dodging crevasses later in summer) south sister - south (could be a bit much, can be icy, depends on skiing skill) mount adams - south tumalo butte

just stare blankly at them when they talk to you. when they are finished, go "w00t w00t" and see what they say.

The col between North and Middle Sister Jefferson Park in early summer

I have an alpine attack 50 and it is a great pack. the reason I use my andinista is because the lowe alpine ski straps ARE TOO NARROW FOR MY SKIS. WTF. I have some wide skis but they are not THAT wide. What a huge oversight. on their part. Otherwise, a very comfortable pack, but it has a number of weight-costing gimmicks. I agree about the turgid sausage comments on the andinista. That thing is not comfortable. Also, if you pack it full enough to make it stable in the uncompressed mode, the pack weight is too much for the unpadded shoulder straps.

If someone told me to build a "batwing" I'd picture a 3:1 on 3:1 with a change of direction to make a 9:1. Maybe the term can be used for other systems? The batwing term I think comes from reed thorne's ropes that rescue course (and its graduates who are addicted to aztec kits afterwards )

Yes, and remember swearing is the mental crutch of inarticulate asshats. (new word I learned today from this board!)

Maybe if you were not so angry about your climbing performance you would not feel the need to swear as much.

I was wondering how long it would take for thieves to figure out the new concentration of relatively wealthy peoples' cars around the new PRG, esp. when they are parked on the darker side streets. I only bike there. Sorry about your loss.

People bring food from carl's junior into work sometimes but I tell them to scram 'cause I don't want to be obligated to perform cpr. I think he's entitled to do what he likes. Providing care to him at the crag would not put you in danger (though it might mentally scar you for life I suppose). Obviously, it would be bad to rationalize soloing Rainier because there are other people around to provide care for you.

and then... this stuff is slaying me! hahaha! I thought this thread was for your benefit from the get-go.

I'm not quite sure what you are saying here at the end, but a "C" 2:1 acting on a "Z" 3:1 is a 6:1 compound system. ^2

re-read rant at top of page I would say that knowing the ratings on your gear and what your body's weight puts on that gear keeps you from getting into the safety dance stuff you are talking about. You know what forces you will generate. You know what your gear can withstand. you choose what margin of safety you feel is appropriate, and use the gear that matches that margin. You go climbing and laugh at those loud-mouthed safety geeks who pass on the hearsay.

I got slaughtered.