Braumeister

And if you don't want to screw around with slides, Fuji Reala is a GREAT print film. If you can't find it locally, you can buy it fairly cost-effectively from B & H (bandhphotovideo.com, I think). In any event, post some of your great mountain shots on this site! B.

I'm 6'1" with long monkey arms/legs and my 75 cm Grivel is about right. One thing nobody mentioned regarding the length vs. walking stick issue is that since you use your axe (hopefully) on the uphill side of a slope, you don't want to have one that is too long or you'll be using it in an uncomfortable position (i.e., shoulder high). IMHO, a short axe would be even worse. Obviously, the varying angle of a given slope will change, but it's something to consider when evaluating a purchase in a store with a level floor... Except for the unusually tall freaks of nature, I would guess there's a reason that most ice axes are built in the ~70 cm length.

WTF? A woman who likes dogs, climbing, AND FLY FISHING?!?!?! HEY GUYS, SHE ALSO TIES HER OWN FLIES!!! Props to icegirl!

Dberdinka, you're getting some good advice here, but I'll "cast" another vote for fly fishing (salmon run with a 5-weight--woo hoo!). If you don't have the time/energy/funds to devote to learning the craft before your trip, just go with cheap spinning gear available at your local K-Mart. My packrod is a Cabela's model that came with both spinning and fly-casting reels; the butt end is reversible for use by each and the sections pack down to something like 12" each. As for "bait" you could try taking along a stick of pre-packaged "string cheese" and cast with a thumbnail-sized chunk--a buddy of mine swears by this but I haven't tried it myself. I've also had good luck with salted minnows for trout on spinning gear but I don't know if this is practical for your situation. Basically, you just fill a small zip-lock with Morton's and dump a bunch of minnows into it (probably a pretty horrible death); the salt makes them shinier-looking to trout who will slam 'em!

Hung off the rafters of my basement, upside down, with bungie cords. Stuffed in a stuffsack in my pack when I'm going somewhere with it.

Does this have anything to do with your request for a canoe last week?

The Wn's Mistral and One pants are cut way better than the Mns, just like the jackets, for some reason. I actually think my mens' Mistral pants fit great, but then again, I'm a fat bastard I agree, though, the belt does suck--maybe I'll try that mod someone else suggested...

What danielpatricksmith said...

Looks like the helmets Clint Eastwood's climbing partners were wearing on the Eiger Sanction (cool Clint was wearing a construction-style bucket). If Hollywood is any mark to be relied upon (ha!), then one could assume climbers were using those helmets around the time that movie was made in 1977...

The anti-gun response is so typical and predictable; I think what Greg W. was attempting to illustrate (and what the NRA eloquently does on a daily basis) is THE GUY HAS THE RIGHT TO CARRY A FIREARM AND SHOOT THAT GODDAMN COUGAR IF HE WAS THREATENED TO THE POINT OF HAVING NO OTHER OPTIONS. The fact that he was prepared to use his firearm but didn't should put the anti-gun fear mongers at ease--one of their "lunatics" would have simply blasted away at that animal with no regard for safety, but the reality is, the VAST MAJORITY of firearms owners don't fall into this category (NEWS FLASH--WE'VE DONE NOTHING WRONG, SO DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT TAKING AWAY OUR GUNS--too bad they won't do a better job at controlling the irresponsible actions of criminals). The anti-gun left just can't stand the fact that somebody exercised a constitutional right they've never understood or practiced themselves. I'll bet the response would be vastly different if this discussion was centered around the right of free speach; interestingly enough, the Second Amendment is the only one that guarantees the rest...

The only "autoblock" info. I could find on a search of the forums related to auto-locking mechanical devices such as a Grigri, so perhaps some of you more experienced climbers can lend your comments on the following. While researching and practicing a Z-rig in my back yard, I noticed a suggested variation in "Glacier Travel & Crevasse Rescue" is to install a "ratcheting auto-block" on the system to better facilitate crevasse rescue. I can see how this would be particularly helpful in a two-man rope team. The basic premise is to feed the rope through a Sticht-type belay plate at the initial anchor point with a prussik above it. When hauling, the prussik jams against the plate to allow rope movement, but when tension is let off the haul line, the prussik sets itself to hold the victim and give the hauler a rest. My question is this: is a Sticht-type plate necessary to really make this thing work, or will another device such as an ATC suffice? Has anyone used this system and would you comment on its relevance? Or is this just neat stuff to know but not really necessary? Thanks! B.

"My baby fits me like a flesh tuxedo I wanna' sink her with my pink torpedo!" Spinal Tap

Here's another vote for chest packs--I bought a Sun Dog Action Harness for about $10 from Sierra Trading Post and it holds my smaller-sized SLR in a compromise between out-of-the-way yet still accessible for quick shots. On the digital vs. film debate: I will be making the move to a 6 mpx digital SLR this winter. True, film still has the edge, but I've found in my experience, you can only get those super-high-quality film shots by utilizing the following good photographic habits: 1. Use really slow film (e.g., ISO 50 Fuji Velvia). 2. Shoot from a tripod 3. Take your time Since I don't find any of these techniques practical while climbing, skiing, or backpacking, a quality poster-sized image isn't likely to be created anyway. Consequently, a move to digital isn't going to create a problem for me but it will increase convenience and reduce film processing expense and hassle. Yes, my digitized images are stored on my computer's hard drive, but I periodically back them up to DVD (along with my personal and legal documents) and replace the existing backup copy in my safe deposit box at the bank. Another DVD sits next to my computer in case a minor "oh shit" incident occurs. Back up, back up, back up! I should also point out that there are some very talented photographers on this site as evidenced in the photo gallery. Whatever you're doing, please keep up the good work and continue sharing it with those of us who aren't fortunate enough to live near the mountains that inspire us!

Strider, thanks for the info. I followed the link and searched the USGS site but only found links to where you can purchase CDs of maps either directly from the USGS or participating retailers. Can you point us to where the USGS is hiding the download page?

"...coronal mass ejection..."

"Got weiss ich wil kein angel sein" (God knows I don't want to be an angel--I learn my German from Rammstein!) My buddy used to know the German phrase for "I have an enormous tapeworm" I'll see if I can order that one up for ya'--should make you some points...

"...prob'ly kill you white boys..."

I just don't get the same emotional stir from the new bullet hole avatar--please bring back the image of the two delicate flowers openly expressing their sexuality...

Seems to me that a blank shell might not be the most effective deterrent...

"Spy on the Roof of the World" by Sydney Wignall. Story of the Welsh Himalayan Expedition of 1955 to climb Ghurla Mandhata and spy on the Chinese buildup of troops on the border of Tibet & Nepal (of course, they were captured). The ignorance of Wygnall's Chinese communist interrogators was more than amusing: "You lie about this Everest, this Chomolugma. If it did in fact exist, our Great Teacher, Mao, would have provided us a political directive regarding such a high mountain. The highest mountain in the world lies in China and is called Mustah Ghata."

"... when all of a sudden, Trask gives me the reacharound!" "and grabs my holstered .45 and proceeds to pump 7 rounds into fat boy and stop the charge. Thank God for real men like Trask! Hip Hip HooRay!!!" .45? No, you daft bastard, the man used his trusty .44 Webley!

Right on! Way to say it like it is, JayB!

And who could ever forget the shower scene in "Starship Troopers" If the future is co-ed, I'm there!

I can't believe nobody mentioned "A Boy and His Dog" For those of you who aren't familiar with it: Don Johnson, wandering around a post-apocalyptic world with a dog he can talk to and the contract between them is this: Don Johnson will provide food for the dog as long as the dog will sniff out women in the post-apocalyptic world for him. If it were only that easy... I can see the rental shelves begin scoured already...

Where can I get one of these?!? It's on my original post as an attachment (because I can't figure out how to make it appear in the body of the message--Dru, how the hell do you do this?). Or you can go to this website and download a copy for yourself there: http://www.freeourforests.org/COE.html I'm sure it's one of those smart-ass things that will certainly garner you a ticket from a forest officer, but at least you'll be able to let the bastard know how just how you feel about the fee "demonstration" program. I've popped this bad-boy on my dashboard on a couple of occasions and not received the expected ticket, but this may be due to luck. I've also heard that participation in the program (i.e., paying the resulting ticket) is "voluntary". Does anyone have first-hand experience with the consequences of not paying the ticket? Do the NFS have the ability to levy a citation against your driver's license? What if your rental car is cited?