JoshK

Or you can learn how to keep a down bag dry and manage your gear. Every time this stupid discussion comes up it amazes me how many people claim all these benifits of synthetic when the real problem seems to be their inability to take care of their stuff. It's pretty simple - if you want the lightest weight invest in a good down bag.

I like the headlamp.

You also have to consider lens speed, not just write/bufer speed. It doesn't matter how big the buffer is if your shitty lens isn't up to the task. The D70 is a great camera. I have the D100 and I'd rather have the D70 for the better buffer and lighter body. The Canon Rebel is alright (not the equal of the D70, imho) but if you have Canon lenses, that would be the way to go. -josh

Have any of y'all been up the Ruth Creek drainage recently? If so, what should I expect in terms of distance booting it on a road? Any other information on snow pack, conditions, etc. would be very helpful as well. thanks! -josh

My mom bought a TDI Beetle. It's quite quick and gets awesome milage. I also tend to think TDIs are a better option than hybrids right now.

I'm back in WA for thanksgiving and want to get out and ski something on Wednesday. Given that I dont know what the snowpack and road situation is, I'm not sure what to do. Does anybody have a recommendation for something, preferrably in the north cascades? thanks, -josh

"He explained the rational for doing so to Gillian Findlay: "I don't see why we ought to follow a policy that was created for wars between nation states that follow the laws of war when we're fighting an opponent that violates all the laws of war."" So the argument is we should lower our standards because we are fighting such bastards? What happened to setting the example, following the moral high ground, and sticking to the principals of our country? It just goes to show that the Bush Whitehouse will use any sleazy tactic nescessary, even if it means selling off what this country stands for.

Ironically it was Clinton that pushed for better military benifits for soldiers and their families, and Bush wants to roll shit back to save money. Why they think so highly of him is beyond me. PATHETIC!!!

Just over 50% of the country voted for GWB in the last election. However, his current approval rating is at a staggeringly pathetic 38%. So who are these people in the 12% that voted for him but now think he is, rightly, doing a lousy job? Was there really that much anti-Kerry voting? Or were there people who didn't do their homework to find out anything about the mean they were *actually* voting for? Does Sasquatch actually exist?

Mike, what is Mirkwood?

Is it convenient/comfortable to not have to breath in noxious smoke? It's a health issue - just like lead paint or asbestos. The financial argument is beyond bullshit. You can't smoke in bars/restaurants here in Boulder and every place is always packed. Considering that a ton of people I know here smoke yet cope without being able to do it in public I don't think it is "hurting the restaurant owners."

I can just picture the eye roll and the "why do I have to waste my time with this?" reply when one of Bush's aides tells him he needs to meet with a dead soldier's family.

I will give you law-abiding (I assume, at least) but "hard-working" hardly describes you two, or any of us that post here many times daily.

Damnit...It has snowed like 6" top here. Copper Mountain opened today with ONE run and ONE lift. Look at Baker! It's gonna open with every lift and all terrain. I miss the PNW snow. T-giving is only three weeks away!!!!

...I have a black eye and several stiches. Yes, Taco Bell truly is bad for you - esp. when you get assaulted while sitting in your car. To relate this to climbing - i look like I popped an adze into my face.

FW, What exactly *is* the beneift of this alleged "conservative agenda"? Deficit spending? Less civil rights? Religion forced upon us? I mean, honestly, as far as social aspects go the country still leans more to the left, like it or not. The fiscal aspects of "conservatism" were lost long ago. This administration has spent more and fiscally fucked us quite bad. Small government? The Republican party no longer stands for this no matter how much you might want to pretend it does.

Oh no!!! What a fucking loss!!! The forum will never be the same without you.

Thanks for the input guys. The friction was just what I was concerned with. Enough yanking and pulling and testing had convinced me it was safe but I had no idea how (un)pleasent actually climbing with it would be. I'm heading to my local shop tomorrow to check out the various options y'all have suggested. thanks! -josh

I will consider it a successful Haloween if I don't get tear-gassed.

This is quite possibly one of the stupidest thing I have ever seen.

Anybody done top-rope soloing with a reverso using its auto lock feature? I have tested it out in a safe environment and everything looks mechanically sound but I would be interested to hear if somebody has real world experience with the setup. thanks, -josh

God willing climbing some ice.

Oh, but how can I pick? One thing is for sure...it was a productive summer with great parnters all around and plenty of well-timed safety breaks to make sure the mood never got too serious. The worst thing of the summer was definitely the mega-thirst day on Index. That one is gonna hang with me for a while...

Ohhh!! Super secret crag! Can I give the secret handshake and get in to? Pullleease? Losers.

"Although most demographic groups say it's possible to life and enjoy life while not looking down on others, more than 98% of white evangelical Christians say that is not possible. "