catbirdseat

What made America different from Europe with regard to social mobility was all the free land we had at one time. If you weren't happy with your economic situation, you could just "strike out West", and maybe your luck would change. That period is long past. The quick fortunes are not as easily made. We are becoming much more like Europe.

You ain't a regular, are you?

Some folks gotta play the fisherman and some gotta play the fish for this here system to work.

The Brits expect this of their heroes. They'd be disappointed if it were any other way.

The plate is to prevent the prussik from jamming in the pulley. A Bachman knot can be used instead of a prussik and it tends to self-manage much better if you don't happen to have a plate. Heck, you could cut yourself a prussik minding plate out of a 1/8" aluminum disk. It would be lighter than the Sticht plate.

"And, oh yeah, I’m talking regular plain old perlon accessory cord, not Kevlar, Spectra, Gemini, or Titan cord. " Excel is good at removing "w00t". I wouldn't have any problem with the strength of 5mm for my personal prussiks, but for crevasse rescue, I'd want 6 mm because you can exert more force than body weight using a 3:1 Z-Pulley. To get the necessary grip on 8 mm, you might have to go with a kleimheist.

Working up to 5.2, Dan? Bwahahahah!

Nickerson was a pretty good place, I thought. Not smokey, good beer, a bit crowded though, but lively. All the usual suspects were there. Started out as a bit of a sausage fest. I introduced my buddy Jim S. I think he may end up a regular before long. I almost forgot! Fenderfour made his first appearance to Pub Club. Welcome, Fenderfour!

The only nomination for Lifetime Achievement is Dru. Certainly he wins for post count, but is that all there is to aspire to? When I think about it I realize it is really hard. I mean it's like trying to ask a kid to choose his favorite rubber bathtub toy. I would have to nominate trask, because he is also deserving. On the other hand, trask is also a good candidate for Most Annoying.

You could paint the inside with Thompson's Water Sealer and it would be dry as can be.

You assume that the rock is solid. It has to be solid for thousands of miles. What if it isn't?

I found it! It was by Fleblebleb, who coincidentally has been dropping in again. Caught Out During Storm.

Best TR: Anything by Uncle_Trickey.

Seconded

Best comeback from banned kamp: Necronomicon-->Mr. Doolittle (please feel free to fill in all the avatars in between)

I was counting on you, klenke, and you came through once again.

Dave and Greg looking towards NE Face of Davis Peak. Greg, Stefan, and Dave standing on Davis Peak Summit. Eldorado Peak and a bunch of others Diablo Dam

You guys gotta stop filching each other avatar images. There is only one "effortlessly cool", Santa Claus Climber.

Like in the song, "nice work if you can get it."

Snugtop has come a long way.

There is now someone with the answer. Third class. See Stefan's TR from 4/12/04.

The word "professional" usually implies skill, doesn't it? In this case, I think the guy loses money for a living.

I was wondering about the trail we saw. I think it predates the road by quite a bit. It was definitely a well constructed trail. It doesn't show on any map I can find. I checked Steve Fox's website and couldn't find anything there, either.

Hey Fairweather. This must be the second time I agree with you.

The top surface of my ice axe sometimes irritates it. I may have to tape some foam over it.