catbirdseat

I should mention that one of the things we're looking at is bringing in guides to teach certain advanced courses. Actually we did do that for one of our Small Party Self Rescue Course modules- Crevasse Rescue (small party)- we brought in an AAI guide.

How about a day trip on Thursday? Weather doesn't look so great for Friday-Saturday.

Erden, when he was on the Seattle Branch Climbing Committee, was looking into getting additional training for certain key instructors. He thought the way to go was AMGA. In the end it didn't happen. I looked into AMGA myself and it seemed to me that the courses were all offerred in distant places, were very costly and didn't even emphasize the sorts of skills we were looking for. I decided that AMGA training was not the way to go. I'd be interested to learn what NOLS has to offer.

The only "good thing" is that they never even started the major road repairs on the Mountain Loop from 2003. That was scheduled for next summer if I remember correctly. If any contracts have been awarded, they may have to be rebid. Hopefully the EIS won't have to be redone.

To my knowledge, such a book has yet to be written. In the world of sailing there was a wonderful book called The Science of Yachts, Wind, and Water that did a fine job of discussing the physics of sailing. We need such a book for climbing.

That's another way of saying that, "dem fishes is hungry. De will bide on a bare hook".

Do offset hangs on a hangboard. You can easily isolate each arm that way and test their relative strength. Include L-hangs and lock-offs.

"Economically feasible?" Of course it would be economically feasible.

How about some of your favorite quotes? Caddyshack: "Dr. Beeper: I thought you'd be the man to beat this year. Ty Webb: I guess you'll just have to keep beating yourself. " What about Bob: "I'm sailing! I'm sailing" Animal House: "Bluto: See if you can guess what I am now? [puts a scoop of mashed potatoes in his mouth, chews it, smashes his cheeks with his fists, spitting it all out] I'm a ZIT! Get it?" Dirty Rotten Scoundrels: Lawrence Jamieson: Do you ever have a single thought that originates from above the waist? Freddy Benson: No!

Okay, show us how it's done, big boy!

How can you say any photo is the best of them all? It's like saying "little Johnny is the best of my children". I love them all!

All I can offer is my respect and best wishes. You're a class-act, CB - even if you do have some political flaws. +1 Good luck, CBS. Hopefully "staying on" is relatively stress-free (low work level). Shit, you work all your life and it gets to be a habit. Indolence is unpleasant. I'd love it if those chemists would get off their asses and give me some work to do, but they are just moping around like it's the end of the world. I've been laid off 7 times. I know it's not the end of the world, but to someone getting laid off for the first time it's like a punch in the gut.

Does Red Rocks have a crappy road? I thought it was good, like JT.

We would have a Dodge minivan if I can get my sister to lend it to me as she has the past three years.

We have the water, now, don't we? All we need is the cold.

I haven't even received my 60 day notice yet. It's hard to find work when you can't even tell an employer when your last day is. I've got resumes out there, nonetheless. A rather large severance package is contingent on staying until the last day, whenever that is. In the mean time, I'll keep spraying.

when you lived in Arkansas? ?Excuse me. Mondale.

I voted for Reagan in 1980. The political brainwashing of my parents had not worn off yet. I consider it the most embarrassing political mistake of my life. I voted for Clinton in 1984.

Here are the facts. By the time Reichert got around to making the call and the ensuing phone tag, the driver had aready lost her job. She had bragged about her deed and that is what ultimately cost her her job. I just heard that she has a new job as a substitute driver in the Renton District.

In medical school they have a saying about the teaching/learning of various procedures: "watch one - do one - teach one" There is nothing better than teaching to make your own skills stronger. They are teaching basic skills after all, not hardcore advanced alpinism. Perhaps Maestro has a better idea. The instructors should be required to observe one Basic Climbing Course before teaching it. Gary, The common opinion on this thread is that the Mountaineers have unqualified instructors teaching students in the basic course. Its not the students responisbility to distinguish between qualified and unqualified instructors amongst an organization. Its the organization's responsibility. If you want to do something about it, there needs to be more requirements to teach the Basic Climbing Course than just having attended the Basic Climbing Course. If a year is too long, than don't use a year. Jesus, man, you asked for suggestions and I gave them. Here's a more concrete example: To teach the Basic Climbing Course, you need to have: 1. Passed the Basic Climbing Course no sooner than 6 months ago 2. 20 days climbing since the Basic Course - this averages to less than two weekends a month, and documentation will use an honor system for validity - believe us, it will be apparent who has padded their books! 3. Climbed at least three II routes or longer since the Basic Course 4. Lead at least 3 trad climbs of at least 5.6 since the Basic Course 5. At least two days of glacier travel since the Basic Course. Now, I don't know what someone who has finished the Basic Course is actually expected to be able to do. Just consider requiring SOMETHING like this... And watch what words you use - you don't FORBID someone, you simply have PREREQUISITES. You have some good ideas.

Hey, from the Folk's house it is a shorter drive for me to Joshua Tree. Even if all things were equal, I'd prefer not to have to wear a sweater. I'm trying to escape winter.

James: Red Rocks is a possibility, although, it will likely be unpleasantly cold there. Robert: Well, do your friends climb? Do you need a partner?

...not to mention the Velcro mitts.

I agree with you Rudy. This is a huge regional issue. The congestion costs our economy millions of dollars. And, as you say, getting stuck in traffic blows. I sure hope NIMBY politics doesn't get the best of us this time. I'm sure we can get the rock moved if it comes to that. I'm not worried.

You're such a little shit.