catbirdseat

NOVA had a really interesting program on the subject. There is a guy who has been doing computer simulation of the earth's core which show that as the magnetic field is getting ready to reverse polarity it gets weaker, as it is doing now and it also becomes chaotic with as many as four "poles" forming that move rapidly about almost any part of the earth's surface. They visited this place in Oregon called Steen's Mountain where they took a bunch of cores from rocks which had been molten during one of these transistions. They found differences in rocks which had solidified only hours apart. If one had been there at the time with a compass, you could watch the needle rotate at up to 6 degrees per hour.

I don't see any humor in the context of what erik said. It's just plain meanness.

Can't a cat get some privacy these days? Where that freaking towel?

Good grief, that's gross.

Roald Dahl told a story about a time when he was a kid and all the young men were at war. There was a severe shortage of labor on the farm. He and his brother had to fill a large hay crib, which was really hard work. His dad hired one of the local winos to help them. They guy was always disappearing to take a nip or take a nap, so when the guy finally disappeared for good they figured he just lost interest in the job and went back to where he came from. Months later, in the early spring, they were taking apart the hay crib to feed the animals and Roald was using a hay fork. The fork ran into something that didn't feel like hay. It was the old wino. He had been taking a nap in the hay and been buried. He'd had a long nap.

I'm sure there are people out there like Muffy who would like to hire a spelling tutor.

I recall a Richard Pryor bit that went something like this, "If someone pulls a knife on you, you better RUN. If someone pulls a gun on you, you better RUN. You better hope your lady can run too."

I do. 45 hours just for your med. certs. A paid guide ain't the same as a volunteer Mountie leader. It's safe to assume you have been though the training. So how was it? Was it interesting and did you get a lot out of it?

Since the forecast has snow through the 16th, it doesn't appear that Rainier would be in condition on the 17th. My rule of thumb has been to allow at least three of four days of no new snow before considering Rainier in winter. However it might be fun to just go up to Camp Muir and check things out.

Actually chocolate donuts that are totally encased in chocolate, such as those sold by Hostess, have a very long shelf life. The chocolate seals the donut so it doesn't dry out. Somehow, I don't really think Fred cares if his donuts are a little dried out.

I heard a story from a guy who hosted a party for a bunch of climbing friends. Someone knew Beckey and invited him. The host was in the kitchen with Fred when he started filling his pockets with cheeses, breads and crackers. Fred says, "They have some great stuff here, don't they?", not realizing who he was talking to (or not caring). The host decided not to tell him who he was and just smiled and nodded his head.

I am not familiar with the issue. Please elaborate.

I don't believe this is true. Even if it is true at present, what assurances do we have that environmental lawyers will not attempt to twist the language of The Rule and impose more restrictions on recreational uses? What assurances can Mr Inslee give that The Roadless Rules won't be the "first step" in a larger push to decomission existing trailhead access by letting more roads fall into disrepair each year for the sole purpose of expanding roadless forests? Until I can be assured that existing access will be preserved, I do not support the Roadless Rule. Will you be passing my concerns and opinion along to Mr Inslee, Catbird? First of all Fairweather you are not quoting me, you are quoting something I quoted from Inslee's site. Let's make that clear. I don't see a connection between the Roadless Rule and the issue of maintenance of existing roads. I just don't. In fact, if the FS is spending money on new roads, they will have even less money to maintain existing ones. The cost of road building has consistently been greater than the value of the timber sales enabled by their construction. Maintenance of existing roads is a more cost effective way of supplying timber in the long term. It seems your issue is one of distrust. I will tell Mr. Inslee that we support maintenance of FS Roads that we climbers use to access trailheads. An example that comes to mind is the Middlefork Snoqualmie Road beyond Dingford Creek. Although that one is a lost cause, I am afraid. I do think it is unreasonable to think that the FS will not decommission some roads. There are a huge number of them and they are very costly to maintain. Some of them lead into areas that have, since their construction, received protected status. That is there will never be another timber sale in that area. That road becomes a long term drain on FS resources.

What's this world coming to when cc.com is accusing Bill O'Reilly of being too liberal? I thought the guy was a right winger. Al Franken was going after him from the left in his new book, and now they are going after him from the right.

There were four of us and we did exchange leads above Gibraltar Rock. There is no way we would have made it otherwise. I'm sure there are guys that could have done it as a party of two, but it would have been way hard.

One thing is for sure. You have to be passionate about guiding to be willing to go through all that. It ensures that not only they are competent, but they really enjoy doing it. They aren't going to get rich by it.

Who here thinks you need 45 hours of instruction to take clients top rope climbing?

You could have called the cops. The guy would have gotten a ticket with a fine for inattentive driving. But who's got the time if your truck isn't damaged?

The roadless rule was created under the Clinton Administration. It basically says that if an area doesn't already have roads through it, then new roads shall not be built. It recognizes that road building is very expensive for one thing and that it facilitates the destruction of the last pristine areas in our forests. From Inslee's web site: Inslee and Boehlert Re-introduce Roadless Legislation to Protect America's Last Pristine Forests Thursday, 6 June, 2003 U.S. Reps. Jay Inslee (D-WA), Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY) and other Members and environmental groups announced today the introduction of the National Forest Roadless Area Conservation Act at a "Roll-Out" event on Capitol Hill. This bi-partisan legislation, supported by over 150 original cosponsors, will make the “Roadless Rule” into federal law. U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and John Warner introduced companion legislation in the Senate today as well. “The National Forest Roadless Area Conservation Act ensures strong protection for America’s last pristine forest lands,” said Inslee. “Loud and clear, Americans have called on the federal government for strong protection of their national forests, yet from Alaska to Virginia, the Roadless rule is under threat on a number of fronts. Whether it be from threat of judicial action or administrative ruling, protecting America’s Roadless areas should continue to be the law of the land, unwavering under political winds from Washington, D.C. Congress cannot allow the Roadless rule to be undermined.” Inslee further explained, “Roadless areas make up only two percent of the lands in the continental U.S. but provide incalculable benefits. These lands preserve our nation's vital sources of clean water; provide critical wildlife habitat to more than 1,600 threatened, endangered, or sensitive plant and animal species; and offer unparalleled recreational opportunities. Our bi-partisan legislation provides lasting protection for America’s Roadless areas. We look forward to ensuring America’s Roadless areas remain protected.” The administration has indicated it plans to propose changes to the Roadless rule; Inslee’s and Boehlert’s legislation would ensure that the Roadless rule remains the law of the land. This environmental legislation would protect nearly sixty million acres of pristine National Forest lands from logging, mining, and drilling, except in cases where the logging is necessary to protect forest health, to improve habitat for endangered species or to reduce fire danger. The lands will remain open for recreational use including hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, and the use of snowmobiles and dirtbikes.

As far as I was concerned, I couldn't see shit from Paradise. At the time Gator was saying, "Gib Ledges is in". I'm thinking he had been up there, but no. It was marginal.

The cheapest would be wide spectrum fluorescent tubes. The best would by probably metal halide because you don't have to have the lamp so close to the plants, but it's more expensive. The Indoor Sun Shop

Trask don't need no stinkin' cell phone.

If the mountain will not come to Mohammed...

Get serious.

US House Representative Jay Inslee from the First Congressional District will visit my workplace sometime next week. He has been a supporter of the Roadless Rule and has introduced legislation to maintain it. There's a chance I might have a few moments to speak with Mr. Inslee. Does anyone have any questions they would like for me to ask, or concerns to raise (in addition to the usual Fee Demo complaints)?