mbcracken

Carolyn & qslater, thanks for the references and input. Now I just need a magic number for how much to slide the number when being woke up by my 6 & 2 y.o daughters on those early weekend days. (Kids dancing on the bed way too early...) -Mike

How does one go about analyzing their resting HR to measure overtraining? -Mike

Let the cascadecrappers tourney begin. This one is much more challenging then the last. There is also no obvious way to cheat on this one. MiniGolf2 First time score was an embarrassing 58. -Mike

I have had some minor foot troubles the last couple years as well. Stress fractures and tendonitis in the achilles. The foot docs at VM have done a great job of getting me healed up for more thrashings. Never have they told me to stop any of my activities(run, skate skiing, cycling, climbing,...) As a matter of fact, they encourage the rock climbing because of the foot strength that develops. Good luck in a full recovery. -Mike

I almost fell on one, which I guess is not all that much closer but had the same affect on me. I was coming down a hill behind a fishing cannery up in Excursion Inlet in SE Alaska. Kind of dark with all the trees and no trail. Busted through some brush and fell a couple feet and landed right next to one. I am not sure which one of us took off faster, but am glad it was in the opposite direction. -Mike

For those that have money right now...The site mentioned above is listing a bunch of coupons for Canons at the Dell SB site. Canon S400 for $399. -Mike

I had my eyes done almost 3 years ago now by Dr. Ford and paid about $3600. I am not sure what the current cost is but at the time this price was higher then most, but I wanted the best for my eyes. The first step is to determine if your eyes are good candidates for Lasik surgery. Healing capabilities, pupil size, ... My surgery was a complete success. I have better then average in both eyes. I also know about 6 other people that have success(3 of which also used Dr. Ford). But, I also have a co-worker that has had repeat correction surgeries and is still suffering from night time star bursting and distance problems. My eyes healed very well. At my 6 month followup, my opthomalogist was showing my eye on a screen under a 25x microscope and had applied a die to highlight the healing scar. He was very impressed,(and me too, as I could barely see the scar) with the work and commented that most of his patients that come back from Canad(at the time) were easily 5 times as large. Why the difference? Some companies reuse the scapel blade on multiple patients. The blades are spec 'd to handle about 6-8 cuts and are very expensive. Dr. Ford uses one blade per patient, thus he will always be a little bit higher. His technique also was very quick and effiecent. This is a key point because the more the eye is sliced open the more it dehydrates, not good. I really like the fact that I don't have to worry about dealing with contacts when my hands look like I have just rebuilt a Dodge Dart transmission after a day of climbing. I also drove myself in the next day for my 1 day followup. I also did the eye drops religously and I think that also helps in the healing. Don't skip the drops ever for the first 3 months! An interesting little tid bit...The eye actually heals from the outside in and thus allows for the touch up surgeries by being able to reopen the flap. This also makes it easy to reopen the flap on accident. Hope this helps and goodluck with your decision. -Mike

Any word on how is FF shaping up? Isn't there typically a big spring avy that then sets up the route nicely. Thanks -Mike

A site to follow for coupons is here. There seems to be a coupon for Canons from DellSB about every 2-3 weeks. For example, the Canon S400 has been discounted to $399. This morning they are also listing some Nikon coupons. Happy shopping... -Mike

I like it ...A shot in each calf instead of a GU! -Mike

What is the perfect backcountry kit? One that is not needed. Not a true medical type, but some Ski Patrol a while back... about 4 4X's, a maxipad, (think about it) anespetic gel, duct tape(general repair necessity), used to carry a suture needle and thread but now carry butterflies, recently prescribed heavy pain meds, personal meds, a couple homemade large bandanas, SAM splint, Tylenol(Ibuprofen can interfere with the kidney functions and cause dehydration) I like the spinal needle trick. I'll have to add that to my kit. Anything more serious that can't be handled by my limited kit is really serious and would have a tough time treating in the back country. -Mike

Ade is right. One hint about getting running shoes to fit properly is to go to a real running shoe store. No commisions here, but I have heard great things about the Seattle Running Company. I also buy my running shoes on the big side to give my forefoot and toes lots of room. -Mike

Sounds cool...a size 2 would fit my 6 yo daughter perfect right now. We usually take her down to the Redmond gym sometime over the weekends. We have joined forces with a couple other families to help out with babysitting so each family can get out to climb still. We have some trips planned already this summer. Skaha over the 4 of July and a weekend in August over in Leavenworth. Plus a couple times to Mazama. We also take the wee-ones out hiking a couple times a month on kid friend hikes. We are usually able to get about 4-5 families out for those. Let me know me know if you want more details, but I am definitely interested in getting those shoes for my daughter. Thanks -Mike

What makes up your first aid kit? Does it depend on the length of the trip? Thanks -Mike

It is kind of ironic that I just picked up "King of Torts" by Grisham. -Mike

You might not want to after reading this article... Seattle PI article Maybe somebody out there has more info on just how long the "off-gassing" process takes. I can't imagine it being that long. -Mike

Yep started working on Hwy. 20. Hwy 20 Status -Mike

NFPA it is certification of the product for use for a rescue/life depending situations Thanks... So, iain, why the smaller ones? Is it just for weight savings? I guess the question is then is the weight savings worth the smaller hand grip? Just curious why you're investigating the smaller ones. -Mike

Does anyone know what the difference between non-NFPA and NFPA? -Mike

Close, we'll probably see Ed's Mom driving over Ed frozen in a ice rink breathing thru a straw...

I have to 2nd Dru's opinion. I think your efforts to make a site more organized is great but then we would probably lose the "honest" opinion of users. Also, with the current format, its easy to spend the effort to read through reviews and throw out the ones you like and don't like because you know who wrote them. -Mike

Bailer Biner... -Mike

Reply from the President of Hemcon... It is not available in the civilian market yet. Likely this fall. It will start with prescription use only but we hope to have an over the counter version shortly. Jim James F. Hensel President, CEO Hemcon, Inc. 10575 SW Cascade Ave., Suite 130 Tigard, Oregon 97223 USA Tel: +1 503-245-0459 Fax: +1 503-245-1326 jim@hemcon.com

This looks to be a couple times better then the old maxipad first aid solution... I emailed them to find out pricing and pruchasing possiblities. -Mike

I was up at Crystal yesterday and it was gooooood! Although the winds keep Campbell from running and Rex/GV were only running about 1/2 speed. I stayed to the tree'd runs for better visibility. I was able to run repeats on Bear Pits and Snorting Elk with freshies every run. Fun times to be had for those that can make it to ski soon.