catbirdseat

Fairweather, I believe the reason why WTA and other groups supported the FS plan chosen for the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie is that that valley is a rather unique environment. It is a rare, lowland forest that hasn't been logged in over 60 years. Without the road it will revert to a wild state. The section of the valley above Taylor River is served by an excellent trail on which a great deal of effort has been expended to improve it. I've hiked that trail numerous times and it is quiet, except when you hear a truck driving up the road on the other side of the valley. Access to Dutch Miller Gap will require an additional 12 miles of hiking, or you will have the option of taking your mountain bike on the closed road. That will remain a viable option for many years I expect, as the Goldmyer people will probably help to maintain the road. There won't be any more tailgate fishing up there, but there will be a wonderful wilderness experience for those who are willing to spend the time to walk or bike in.

The traditional dose of acetazolamide has been 250 mg b.i.d. More recently, some doctors have been recommending 125 mg b.i.d. Supposedly, it works almost as well at that dose with fewer side effects, such as metallic taste, tingling in the fingers, and of course, diuresis. At this dose it makes sleeping much easier for me on Rainier.

...is to get a job, or at least make it look like you have money.

Does it make you want to go out and snort a line? *vomit gremlin*

That's quite all right. Damn quiet here in the laboratory.

Timmy, now you've gone and put the poor old chap on the spot.

Last week a judge said that the government cannot force soldiers to be injected with an anthrax that was not approved by the FDA. It has been around for years, but apparently was either not safe enough, or effective enough to merit approval (or the studies were not done). The judge said that if the military considers it important enough, they could get an Executive order for use of the vaccine. This put Bush in a political hot spot, so to speak. What to do? To give the order would be very unpopular. Solution? Twist some arms at the FDA. Vaccine approved. Problem solved. Pretty neat, huh?

What's the chance of that? Wait. Don't answer that.

Iridium you say? Wow. Platinum used to be the best. Iridium has a melting temperature of 4449 F vs. 3224 F for platinum. It is supposed to be the most corrosion resistent metal known to man. So have you noticed any improvement in performance? My truck needs a tune up.

An early April Fools Day.

Those are pretty good predictions, IMHO.

**nodding gremlin**

This could be bad for ice climbing and skiing next winter. Can we expect a warmer and drier winter of 2004? Science Daily Story Background information

Indeed, the chains on Westward Ho blend with the rock quite nicely. A small pair of binoculars would be quite handy.

The TV news originally said Mt. Cook, so I was concerned because some of our folks were heading down to New Zealand to climb it. They weren't involved, as it turns out.

Certainly, chains would be less visually distracting on rap routes on places like the Beckey Route on Liberty Bell. The first rap features a pair of bolts. How much effort would it take to add chains?

Just pee on the sling before you rap off and I guarantee something will have chewed through it before the end of the day. Hopefully not before you reach the end of the rope, though.

Best photoshop job of the day.

Klenke, thanks for that. What would we do without you.

Reminds one of the old Foo Bird Joke.

There are some boulders along the route of the new trail, but they are covered with moss and would take a lot of cleaning before you could even tell if they were good or not.

It is more likely that people will be out during a full moon and be there to trigger the avalanche.

Bad day at the office, trask?

Indeed, it follows logically.

I think they wanted a fig leaf, but you never know. How silly.