COL._Von_Spanker

This is very true with many people...

It's not that I am frustrated that they don't undstand or appreciate my accomplishments. I have been dealing with this since 5th grade when I started getting out all the time. It's more an issue of interpersonal relations, ya know. People are often curious so they ask, but I feel they will never understand. As was said in To Kill a Mockingbird "you never really know a person until you put on their shoes and walk around in 'em" (or something close to that, I don't remember exactly) BTW: I just threw that out there for the sake of discussion 'cause I'm curious what others think, and for the sake of discussion (as opposed to looking for some Dr Phil style advice)

So many of the persons that I associate with are climbers, but believe it or not I have non-cimber friends too. It's always odd trying do discuss what I spend nearly all of my weekends and no-work hours doing; even explaining climbing in general. Many people don't know shit about what climbing is and the different types of climbing; except for the few that may have read Into Thin Air, or seen Vertical Limit. Bring these people into the climbing circle and they are lost amidst a barrage of words like 'beta', 'FA', 'pitch', 'crampons', and a myriad of other perplexing nouns and adjective? And the more I climb the harder it is to relate to 'normal' people. I don't expect non-climbers to understand climbing, but how does one respond at work on monday when you get the preverbial "Did you have a good weekend?" Is it "yeah it was great, I went climbing", or "pertty mellow, just hung out" even though you just got back from a 48 hour sufferfest on some alpine peak. Or when you are making conversation and someone asks "so what kind of things do you like to do?" You may say "I'm into climbing" but you know that unless it's a climber, they will never fully understand no matter how it is explained. This can be said for many activities in life, but I'm curious as to what others think about this.

...But it had that dashing photo of Dean Potter shirtless on the cover recently, C'mon don't we all want to see topless dean potter photos? Outside has it's niche; which seem to be the weekend warrier, but not extreme type. The features are outdoor related, but much is within the grasp and capability of the 'average' outdoor enthusiast which probably makes up a large majority of it's readers and REI shoppers. Whereas most 'outdoor enthusiasts' probably can't relate to Alpinist. and don't forget about backbacker!!!! He does some sick shit, but I'm sick of hearing about him Alpinist: I like the way the photo gallery section was layed out. R&I: I read it a barnes and noble on my lunch break, so it don't bother me much since I'm not paying for it. I only look at the photo's anyway Climbing: I read it a barnes and noble on my lunch break, so it don't bother me much since I'm not paying for it. I only look at the photo's anyway MattP, it's funny when people that know a person climbs tries to relate to said person. I usually just nod my head and smile when discussing climbing with non-climbers.

My take on the Exum ridge is that it's a cheap "price point" shoe for the everyday used, as oppose to a true approach shoe. I tried them out in the store and I just didn't like the way they looked with my spring ensemble....just kdding...but it seems like more of a 'consumer' shoe as opposed to a performance shoe, sorta like the difference in the really nice new balance running shoes and the ones you can get for $59.95 at your local outdoor retailer.

Ballard Power Systems

The hydrogen powered car is a good theory, unfortunately, a viable vehicle is about 15 years of R&D off. In the meantime, the current electric/gasoline hybrid vehicles get ignored, even though they are a much more timely means of reducing our dependence on oil. Big oil wins again! You know not of what you speak, It's not a theory. The Ballard Fuel cell exists and has had substantial funding from US motor companies. They already have busses that run on it, though not it mass production.

The Irish are freedom fighters working to expel an oppressive foreign power. IRA should NEVER, EVER disarm!!! Terrorist are terrorists. Just because you agree with the cause doesn't make the terrorism justifiable. In saying the IRA should never disarm is no different than saying Al Queda should never disarm. And by your rational so are the Paletinians. do you support them? I am for the freedom of N. Ireland, but even if England pulls out blood will still be shed due to differences that go beyond the problems that the current english occupation causes. And whoever made the statment about our knowledge about what is going on in Ireland, how the fuck do you know what we know.

Not A winston churchill, THE winston churchill. GW and Churchill are not even in the same league, so don't slander Winston like that. Here are some quotes: 1. Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities because it is the quality which guarantees all others. 2. have a tendency, against which I should, perhaps, be on my guard, to swim against the stream. 3. Twenty to twenty-five! Those are the years! 4. If Hitler invaded Hell, I would make at least a favourable reference to the Devil in the House of Commons. 5. My views are a harmonious process which keeps them in relation to the current movement of events. 6. Personally I am always ready to learn, although I do not always like being taught. 7. I have no intention of passing my remaining years in explaining or withdrawing anything I have said in the past, still less in apologizing for it. 8. A fanatic is one who can’t change his mind and won’t change the subject. 9. I have been a journalist and half my lifetime I have earned my living by selling words and I hope thoughts. 10. I am a child of the House of Commons. was brought up in my father’s house to believe in democracy. 11. My mother was American and my ancestors were officers in Washington’s army. So I am myself an English-speaking union. 12. All the years that I have been in the House of Commons I have always said to myself one thing: Do not interrupt,’ and I have never been able to keep to that resolution. 13. am without an office, without a seat, without a party, and without an appendix. 14. It had many defects and teething troubles, and when these became apparent the tank was appropriately rechristened the ‘Churchill’. These defects have now been largely over-come. 15. I knew nothing about science, but I knew something of scientists, and had had much practice as a Minister in handling things I did not understand. 16. Now for a short spell I became ‘the man on the spot.’ Instead of sitting at home waiting for the news from the front I could send it myself. This was exhilarating. 17. Be on your guard! I am going to speak in French — a formidable undertaking and one which will put great demands upon your friendship for Great Britain. 18. For myself, I am an optimist — it does not seem to be much use being anything else. 19. I am ready to meet my Maker. Whether my Maker is prepared for the great ordeal of meeting me is another matter. 20. We shape our dwellings, and afterwards our dwellings shape us.

What America needs is Winston Churchill....

So is Ireland, are we going to war with them? And isn't Saudi Arabia a terrorist nation too? A majority of the WTC fuckers were from there.

I Think I once saw a pair of these at Feathered friends, but I could be mistaken. They had a super stiff last (as they should if it has a heel bail) so I was like "If I'm gonna hike in some stiff ass waffle stompers I may as well wear my boots" . The stiffness would be good for some things and bad for others, I guess it just depends on the intended use. EDIT: They are sorta heavy, over 2 pounds/pr (or 1lb for a 1/2 pair as they list it on the web site). The trango s' weigh less.

Back on topic: I too occasionally get the random spasms. Usually it's on the top/middle of my left thigh. I can see the little muscle twitching away which is usually pretty funny. It sometimes happens on the left bicep as well.

I got boots from them this summer. Good place. I exchanged emails with them when I had some questions, and they were very helpful. Telemark Pyrenees

OK, that part's lame.

OK, so I'm gonna toss out a little support for REI here. First, it's RECREATIONAL equipment incorporated, not hard core climbers equipment incorporated. They cater to outdoor enthusiasts, which range from people who want to go for their first hike at mt si to the hardcore climber. Just because you want more climbing gear and hardcore stuff why should the non-hardpersons be shortchanged. Is it so wrong if a store caters to the average outdoor enthusiast? Where is a person to go if they think the tents at Taget and wallmart are crap, but don't need a bibler from feathered friends? So what if Jenny from the block wants earmuffs that don't mess up her hair, or if that 8 year old emerging outdoorsperson wants a heart shaped biner. If REI can serve as a catylist to raise the global awareness of the environment that's great. The store 'hasn't been what it used to be' for a long time. And for all of you that think REI is some huge corporation, look at the financial info, that's not huge by any stretch of the imagination. Spray on........

David Sedaris=Good Short Stories

Am I a shallow brute if 99% of poetry bugs the hell out of me? I like books and bukowski though.

I like the silent partner for solo leading, though I have only used it once, you just can't try to make a big quick move, as the unit will cam and lock on ya (pulling out a few arm lengths before the move solved this problem). I figured those devices cannot be used SAFELY for solo leading, but I thought I would ask to make sure.

How well does the ushba work for solo leading? How does it handle upside down falls?

How/what does dees one doo....

Glad to see the stone gardens crew cleaned house at the comp. Way to go Mykael Ann and Lief.

I donno where to gettem. Though if I wasreally in need of some gore savers I would get a pair of super cheap rubber (surplus store variety) pants and cuttem off.

Good one EriK...

"Designed to protect that ever expensive “Gortex” outer shells. Glissade shorts can be put on without removing boots and crampons. Waist and legs are secured using 3/4” webbing and adjuster bucklesto eliminate entry of unwanted snow during glissade. Medium weighttruck tarp material is used on bottom side of harness and 400 packcloth on front side. Weight 1lb. Size: Regular and Large." At only a pound I might start carrying two pairs.