Paco

The flat tax is a BAD idea, and anyone who thinks that it would make things more "equitable" is wrong. People who make more money CAN afford to pay more in taxes as a percentage of income. Here's a simplified example of why people who make more money CAN pay taxes at a higher percentage: As an estimate lets say that all people need to make a minimum salary or $30,000 to meet basic needs including housing, food, healthcare etc. If you tax someone 10% who makes 32,000 a year then they don't have enough money to make ends meet. Now tax someone who makes 120,000 a year at 50% and they still have plenty of money to make ends meet and then some. I'm not suggesting that we tax everyone into being poor and just getting by, but a tierd tax system is the way to go. It really isn't a deterant from trying to make more money. If you make more money you still make more money, even if part of that gets taxed at a higher percentage. Also note that in a tired system the first xx dollars are taxed at the lowest rate, and then the next bracket of dollars are taxed at their specific rate, etc.

Chamonix

JoshK: for some fun early season routes BS (non cc.comer): for some awesome times on Rainier, Hood, and Glacier Fence_Shitter: for Team JD sponsorship and rockin' times in Squish MB (non cc.comer): for many ice climbin' dayz in Canada And a whole host of others, mainly from this site, who have made this another fun filled year. Here's to ya'!

I could be talked into squeezing in the back of wirlwind's van with a couple of prana babes for a trip down to smith this weekend.

Anybody out there use one of these or the full Dromedary bladder? I've used one for a while and it leaks like a beyotch. The place where it leaks is between the small screw-on cap with the flip thingy and the larger screw-on cap. I've replaced the cap once already and it didn't help much. Anybody have any experience using other water bladders?

Any thoughts? I'm looking for a pair of approach skis for use around the Pacific Northwest and Alaska that'll clip into my Scarpa Inverno's.

I haven't been up to Eldorado this year, but it's definitely NOT too late for the NW Face Couloir. That was climbed in November of last year with most ascents middle to late November. The route was in sometime in October, but was probably harder and thinner. I'm guessing that the ice in the couloir hasn't formed up much because it has been much warmer this year than last. I'd bet that the couloir should form up sometime soon though, especially given colder weather. I'm hoping to get up there in the next few weeks to have a look. Maybe you could plan on the NE Face route if the Couloir looks empty. If you go up there post some pics if you can; I'm sure others want to know the conditions of this route. I think it's on a few people's tick list this year.

Moving out of Baltimore to the Pacific Northwest!

Climbing shoes. Those days of climbing rocks as a kid in Nike's are over!

...but if we took over Canada where would all our Senior citizens get cheap prescription medication from?

Yeah, It was a rockin' good time! Glad to meet some new people and hang out with some I haven't seen in a while. Thanks all. who missed the , , , and .

Carolyn is flying out. Why aren't you?

Yeah I've got the issue. You can borrow it if you want or I could photocopy and mail/fax it to you if that works. Are you going to Smith Rocks this weekend?

It's getting closer to Tuff Luv time! I leave tonight! Whoo Hoo!!!

Rock & Ice Superguide 88, October '98 has a 3 page article about ice climbing in Italy.

Of course you don't need my official permission to bolt, but I do have an opinion and will offer it. The routes and location still seem very contrived. I can see a legit argument for finding and developing a "mixed" climbing area seperate from an already developed sport climbing areas, but still question the validity of developing here just because some ice forms near here during the winter. The route that I saw needs no ice to form in order to be climbed. The routes in the picture require no ice to form to climb. There is nothing "mixed" about those routes. It's just rock climbing with crampons and ice tools. And people have been putting up difficult mixed climb long before heal spurs, leashless tools, and 30 ft. bolted "mixed" routes in Alpental. Like I said earier, not every piece of choss needs to be bolted. It just surprised me to see bolts here because it really didn't seem much different than anywhere else in the Alpental valley. Maybe we should bolt the north face of the tooth so some some folks can climb it with crampons and ice tools and call it a great new mixed route. Maybe that will allow us as PNW climbers to be placed back at the cuting edge of climbing. Also, the question as to how long the routes have been there has yet to be answered.

On the approach to the Tooth this weekend I noticed a fixed line and at least one bolted route. This was located above the first talus field near the start of the second one. The route had maybe four bolts with big chain anchors. The route was maybe 30ft and 6ft overhanging. It looks like someone is trying to develop this area. WTF? How long has this been going on? This seems like a shitty place to bolt and develop for sport climbing. My $0.02 - keep the bolts at Exit 32 and 38. Not every piece of overhanging choss needs to be developed and bolted.

I think I have an old climbing mag with an article on ice climbing in Italy. I'll try to look for it tonight.

Da Toof with ehmmic, I am soooo hardcore.

The Power of One, Bryce Courtenay

...off to the big prison in the sky. Here's to the man in black.

1. Cooper Spur, Mt. Hood 2. North Ridge, Sherpa Peak 3. Frostbite Ridge, Glacier Peak

So I fixed myself some gourmet Cheerios for breakfast just now.... Anyways, check this out... Spoon 1: the letters O,O,O,O and O Spoon 2: the letters O,O,O,O,O,O,O,O, and O Spoon 3: the letter O,O,O, and O Spoon 4: the letters O and O... What does that spell? OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. What is my cereal telling me??!!!

Abbove suggestions good... another easy option is to bake with a little olive oil and then add a dab of miso/soy sauce mix. Not much is needed as the miso/soy sauce mix is powerful. Add some steemed rice and steemed broccoli and you have one fantastic, easy meal!

I'll probably make an appearance at said event.