Dennis_Harmon

Makes me kind of sad, Trask. Some poor bear cub probably got messed with for nipping a Seattle yuppie. Seems like a fair exchange to me. Dennis

Sharon, I don't think I'm likely to ever climb in southern Califoria, but thanks for the suggestion. A famous author, Edward Abbey once wrote, "I've never been to Los Angeles... always thought Los Angeles would come to me." I guess that's the way I've always felt. You got to stay one step ahead of the bastards. That's why we moved to Wenatchee, but I guess it's time to move on. Dennis

Mr. Granitologist/Glen, With all due respects, Sir, I would submit to you that climbing is inherently dangerous, or should be, and that more climbers have probably died on abseil than by any other means. There exits no tidy answer to your question... as we've lost more of the very best of our own in the same scenarios. That to say, and this may mean a whit, we need be especially careful on the descent when we're most tired, the light is failing, ice conditions are worsening, when we are under the most time pressure... and most at risk of screwing up. Dennis

texployer, It sounds as if you should contact an established faith, perhaps the Mormons, and then go on one of their "missions," only spend all of your time climbing instead. Or maybe the Catholics would be a better bet. Just an idea. Dennis

I expect to require at least 3 mountain rescues this season alone and am soliciting input from climbers, particularly North-West climbers who have any suggestions as to which style of cell phone, i.e. impact resistance, water resistance, especially those which function at the bottom of crevasses, or at least most of your sport rock climbs. Also, any input concerning the better helicopter ambulances would be greatly appreciated. Dennis

On a cold winter morning outside Cody Wyoming, I once jumped out of my car and brushed my tooth, with my tooth-brush, in 30 seconds flat. Does that count? Dennis

A friend and I have developed a revolutionary technique whereby we get to climb unprotectable rock faces, but without the need for unsightly bolts and sustaining those heinous 4' sport climbing lead falls. What we do is this... 1) find an alternative means, such as scambling, to get above the rock we wish to climb 2) establish at least two anchors in the rock 3) to these anchors we afix our rope by means of tape and carabiners (preferably locking) 4) we then double the rope through the carabiners and throw both ends to ground so that both ends of the rope are now at the bottom 5) we both abseil the rope to the bottom 6) we then tie in and belay in a conventional manner, except that the belayer takes in rope as the other person climbs up first. It works REALLY well. Try it... you'll like it. Dennis

Wow! I'm going to SUV in Jewly to see the Bo show, and I'm taking my camera. Anybody want some pictures? Dennis

Dru, Where and when can I buy some of your Dirt Bolts? Will they be sold in Leavenworth? Maybe you could talk your distributers into re-soleing scuba climbing boots, as well. Just a thought. Dennis

Just like bolts, this "beta" horse-shit is destroying adventure. Why not try giving the mountain at least half a chance to flush you? Oh, and while you're at it, leave your frigging cell-phones at home. Dennis

Yes, anything that you (wait a second.. I have to stop to itch) O.K., I feel better now. What was it again that you had to say? Dennis

I think that these are those little bastards (kind of like piss ants.) One of them crawled in my ear last night and woke me up about 4:00 in the morning scatching on my eardrum. If there is a voodoo doctor out there doing this to me, I would, again, kindly ask him or her to stop it. Thank you, Dennis

Darn it, I've always wanted Mt.Goode myself, but I was never privy to the 'Information Super Internet" in order to scope route info on the mountain. Why don't you just go and try to climb it? If you fail you fail. But if you succeed, you might actually have something to feel proud of. Just a suggestion. Dennis

joekania, That's a heck of a good point... but a little too radical/extreme for us. Better to reserve that technique for the next generation. Dennis

Trask, I'm from Wenatchee and try to avoid ever going over to the left-coast. But I do sympathize with you, and feel your pain, and would like to find funding for you to go to a good massager up on Capitol Hill. All donations would be appreciated. Dennis

laconic= most intelligent thoughts conveyed in the least number or words // verbose= least intelligent thoughts conveyed in the most number of words -- Dennis Which are you?

I have a suggestion for the new religion. Let's call it Eartheism. "Praise the earth... she's the only one we've got." Taken from Ed Abbey. Dennis

There klar404 goes again. Can anyone out there remind me, exactly, why in the heck I bought a computer in the first place? Dennis

Icegirl, Yes, we know that we're getting 'narcd,' actually a lot 'narcd' but we understand that that's the case and we deal with it. Appreciate your concern of O2 tox however, and thanks. Once again, do you mind me asking who trained you in mixed gas? And also, I'm assuming this now, who do you believe to be the best cave instructor in Florida? Dennis

Convey my condolences as well, Dennis

I keep hearing about this horse cock. Does Hickory Farms sell it? Will it allow me to climb better if I eat some? Will it get the fucking ants out of my house if I leave it lying on the kitchen counter? Sidescript: Returned home recently after two days gone to find my home virtually filled to the brim with these fucking ants. Anyone out there have any suggestions? Is there a Haitian voodoo doctor out there that I somehow pissed off? If so, I apologize. NOW KNOCK IT THE FUCK OFF!!! Should I spray, call an exterminator, or just learn how to live with the little bastards? Dennis

GapperTimmy, Apology accepted, lad. Just a couple definitions before I shut-up and go, "sit on the sidelines." Not necessarily for you, Gapper, but for everyone's benefit... [laconic: expressing much in few words. verbose: expressing little with many words] I'll go to time-out now. Dennis

GapperTimmy, Why in the hell would you single me out? I'll admit to being a little unorthodox... but "odd?" You're bordering on rudeness, pal. Dennis

Gimpy, If you're a diver, and it certainly sounds like you are, you know that underwater cliffs have natural features such as ledges and stances, etc. As for depth, I believe our maximum has been 170' so that when the rope ran out we were at the perfect depth for a safety stop. It's all pretty conventional work except that we're employing scuba to access the rock. I'm told that the max depth of Lake Chelan is roughly 2000', but I can't honestly tell you the depth at Granite Point where we've been working. It continues well down beyond scuba range. This lake remains relatively free of milfoil and algae, for now. Hope that answers some of your questions. Dennis

Was just wondering if I was posting and establishing too many topics, and counted the number of individual 'avatars' on this page and TRASK is the winner with eight. I'd submit that we should start the [Help Trask Get A Life Foundation.] If we all pitch in we can afford to send him to a good therapeutic massager up on Capitol Hill. Dennis