catbirdseat

Squid, at least get your story straight. We are not talking about RU-486. That is not the "morning after" pill they are talking about. The morning after pill is ordinary hormones in a high dose. I seriously doubt RU-486 ever will be available over the counter or SHOULD it. The morning after pill can and should be made available because it does not require close medical supervision to work.

This is one of those weekends where maybe it's a good idea to stay home and accumulate more freedom points with your better half.

Do you have a source on some good neon spandex? I think it is exactly what I need to take my climbing to the next level. I'm already using the correct gear sling, so I know that isn't it. I'd say ask DFA, but he probably isn't old enough to have the Neon kind in his closet.

i thought i'd like this sling. i didn't it does keep all the gear from sliding together but if you decide to swith sides with it suddenly all your big stuff is up front. it's also harder to slide your gear out of the way if/when you need to. The shoulder strap is asymmetrical. If you want to switch sides and still keep the small stuff in front, all you have to do is invert the strap, with the fuzzy side up. That'll teach your partner not to rack on the wrong side! Actually, it isn't any less comfortable that I can tell.

I can think of alot of stuff that is more extreme: * rock climbing with ice tools (aka mixed climbing) * Aussie 18 foot skiffs * having children * starting your own business * fighting in stupid wars in far-off countries so neighbor can drive SUV and complain about gas prices Do you really think Aussie "aydeen" foot skiffs are more dangerous than rock climbing? Do people get killed doing that? There's no doubt about it, those machines are radical. They are like trying to ride a Brahma Bull. It would like nothing better than to throw you off.

I started out with the El Cheapo REI sling, but as I started to carry more gear on harder routes, I hated the way everything ran together in a jumble, so I bought a Metolius model with four separate loops. I got rid of the extra loop that attaches opposite the main one. It is a pain in the ass and it prevents one from swinging the gear out of the way. I like this sling, but I know people who hate it with a passion. To each his own. When I am carrying a light alpine rack, I still use the REI, because it is lighter and adequate for that use.

Would you agree with this quote from the article? "As far as sports go, you can't get much more extreme than rock climbing. "

An important point of the article is that most sports drinks do not have enough salts to prevent hyponatremia.

I once went in to do Dreamer with Ade on a Tuesday, and we encountered no fewer than three other parties on the route, including our own Ken4ord. The bike approach should keep the crowds managable.

I caught the tail end of a report on the TV news last night about a 10 ft high dam at Colchuck Lake being close to failing. I didn't even know Colchuk Lake had a dam. I wonder if they really meant Snow Lake?

I guess the moral of the story is compete the way you train. Some people go to races and find stations giving out water and stop at every one. They aren't getting this much water when they train. It seems that in any group of people there will always be some minority that indulges to excess.

I saw this article in todays Seattle PI. I rather doubt climbers are subject to this on account of we have to actually carry our own water and for that reason tend to drink less than we should if anything.

I'm from the Over 40 group. I've lost weight recently. I am lighter than I have been any time since High School. I did it by ensuring that I got some sort of excercise every day. I run 4 miles every other day. On days I don't run, I walk for an hour and I climb for two hours in the gym or outside, if possible. I've cut back on sweets and breads, but I always have breakfast. Never skip breakfast, it just makes you hungrier and more likely to eat junk or over eat at lunch time. I've found that eggs for breakfast two or three times a week is much better than cereal for losing weight.

How long is it? If it is 38 m then use it single strand. If it is 50 m or longer, double strand it for two climbers.

I'd be willing to pay insurance for private rescue service if it existed. I wonder what it would take to get such a thing off the ground, so to speak.

Look in the Central and Eastern Washington Forum

Dave, that's a gem!

Of course they are covering it up-big time. You think Mad Cow has gone away. Think again. You may now return to enjoying your hamburger.

I thought it was that you MUST buy insurance in Europe. I think it costs $15 a day? You'd all scream bloody murder before you'd pay that here.

You have got to be kidding, right? Fun-ny.

Lordy, Swiftsure on an Olson 30? You are a glutton for punishment. Well, you are a climber, so what else is new? Good luck. I hope you win. Pray for light air.

Thanks

You, KK, are the first person I'd sent to Iraq. It would straighten you out right quick.

Oh, you mean the bearded species?