snoboy

Good point on the grip issue, and the long handle. The probes in handles are so-so (thin and flexy) that I have seen. Once again, ask what would you want your rescuer to have.

Uhh, what Greg W said. Sometimes one works and the other don't. Carry both if the route demands that many pieces. If not, take the aliens and leave some draws behind.

Sounds like someone needs to redesign the buckle then...

I've used the Voile's for years, but I think that others have surpassed them in design. Theoretically, anyway, I haven't used any of the new ones (G3 or SOS, or BCA) Broke one blade, lost one handle... The G3 looks like it might be tougher, but I haven't had the chance to abuse one yet. All avy shovels are a compromise. Light = not strong. Maybe a small hardware store shovel? If you really want something tough that is? edit: added stuff.

Ask yourself, "What would I want my partner to be carrying?" Plastic sux...

Your bio doesn't help me know where you are, but if all else fails Valhall Pure in Squamish BC has them, and doesn't mind shipping. (604) 892 9092

I haven't tried the Crossbow, and don't know anyone who has them either, so I can't say how they compare with the Mira. I bought my Miras on pro deal too, and they are very worth it for the price. Made in Austria, so they aren't Tuas any more. Hagen maybe? Here's a review or two of the Crossbow from the tttips.com. Here is the review that had me anticipating the mounting of my new skis all fall. Just re-reading it, I think I need to do a little detune...

:mouth wide open gaping icon here: I've got 2 out of three on you there dru! Course I didn't lead 'em.

My experience: I just got BD Miras, and they rock, but they might be too spendy for you? They don't hold an edge to good on ice at speed, but otherwise Great powder and crud ski, light enough to tour. Things I've heard: Rossi XXX is good for big, fast turns. Mega Bang is same ski, but softer. Lots of friends love the AK Launchers. Skis are spendy, maybe you will find something used?

Actually they are dumb. Sorry to rain on your parade, but they have manged to take a good idea (wiregate) and wreck all the good stuff about it. Take one of the DMMs and slap it against your hand, the gate opens coz of the extra weight at the end. Also the funky twist makes it hard to clip... at least compared to a real wiregate.

If you're trying to meet _their_ needs you probably won't need a raincoat at all...

Well maybe you should, so you can provide us with some useful information, instead of , I went skiing it was fun there was snowmobiles having fun too.

I have friends with a unique solution He was on the Czech national climbing team when there was such a thing. They all had sterling hexes to wear as necklaces. When they married, a new one was made for him, and his went to her. Cool huh? No rings, no worries...

It's got something to do with ICQ or some chat thingy. And it only shows up when you are online. I think I see them most on alison and ??? We've managed to drift cavey's thread from a rant about getting posts snipped to a discussion of daisys and wether jon wears women's underthings...

I feel for you too. You might live in a valley, but you broke free today, therefore you are not a valley dweller of the pure sort. It is them that I am truley sorry for.

Friend did similar on Robson last year. He wasn't roped though, and took a good bit of snow in with him. Luckily he was wearing a transceiver. Barely made it out, thanks to some hardcore digging by his friends. Moral of the stories: always wear helmet, transceiver, rope, avalung, prussiks handy, and no jewellery!

Cool - It's like that a lot hear too. Up on the peaks above the Kootenay Sea. Makes it so much easier to live through winter. I feel for the valley dwellers.

I don't know what the general concensus is, but I certainly have an opinion... I have learnt over the years to not say anything to people, unless I see a life threatening thing about to go down. This lesson has been drilled into me by thankless climbers who treat me like turd when I have tried to make suggestions. Often I will just leave a crag rather than be around. Example: I was climbing next to a pair, one who was obviously more experienced than the belayer, although not neccesarily smarter. She was about to head up the climb, when I saw that the belayer had put the rope through the belay device, but not through the biner. I politely pointed it out, and got back a very non grateful thank you. In fact, if I hadn't been listening, it might have been a F#$% you! Chances are that nothing would have happened, as I'm sure the rope would have popped out pretty quick as soon as belayer tried to pull in slack, but who knows? People just don't like losing face when they are doing dangerous things.

If your posts get yanked, do they come off your total posts? Cpt - You don't care what others think about you, maybe they don't care what you think of them either.[/end Cpt] There's lots of trash talk on this board. I guess the mods can do whatever they like with it. I personally find very little of it offensive, except for focused personal attacks. Most of it shines through as what it is: Trash Talk. Maybe timm@y should apply for a new domain, crascadeclimbers.com heh heh

Today at Red Mountain.....cold and sunny, with above average coverage, a perfect mid winter day, couldn't have skied in a t-......, yup it's the middle of January. F!@#$% Eh! It seems to be snowing again... I'd forgotten how dead it can be at a small hill on the weekend. Wouldn't that be a good thing, you know settle out some evil depth hoar and the like... Oh! I get it, you've got so little snow that you're worried it will all go away! "Just because I sleep with you don't mean I'll ski with you."

Where you at AlpineK? OR? I heard it was raining down there and one of the Hood hills had to close! We've been skiing freshiez lots up here!

Cobbler, gear store...

Hey, if y'all like him so much, why does he still have 3 ?

but not how to spell check, eh?

You obviously ski somewhere to busy. Best find a better place. I hasn't snowed here for three days, and I was skiing fresh lines all by my lonesome today! I love skiing with tunes. I find it screws me up in the trees though, not the right beat usually.