JGowans

I was there on Saturday Brian. What routes did you climb?

Went to Vantage. Not too many folks. Good fun.

trask is now borrowing quotes from The Rock? I thought it would be the other way around? Aren't you The Rock's hardman image consultant?

In doing my mother because you thought it was my father, this would suggest that you're a homosexual. Not really surprising I suppose. In light of this, I wouldn't want to fight you in case you rip your pantyhose or something. poof!

Not only is the climbing hard, but we Scots are hard as fuck. come and have a go if you think you're hard enough...wankstain.

holy shit. i thought i was the only scotsman around here. 2 glaswegians and myself a dundonian. not bad.

Hey everyone, thanks for the advice. There was a lot of good tips, but it's clear that there's no substitute for practice. I really do need to concentrate on climbing gracefully. I haven't been climbing that long, and so I appreciate the help. Maybe I'll never be a Russian Hardman or a graceful Harry Pi but I'll keep trying.

I'm having trouble (even at the gym) of gracefully completing a route (let's say a 5.9). I think I can see what moves need to be done from below, but once I'm up there, I usually end up flailing around like some spaz and get pumped up way before topping out. So, I have 2 questions 1. What do you do to help visualize a route before doing it, and then having the wherewithall to actually follow through once on the route? 2. What can I do to stop getting so damn pumped up and fatigued? I know I should keep my arms straight and use my legs etc. but despite my best intentions, I just can't seem to help it. Is it just practice?

I got $133. Already cashed it in for an REI Talus 50 pack. We'll see how it works out.

Hey, I've been reading the thread trying to figure out a good daypack too...has anyone got an opinion on the Marmot Eiger pack? REI is selling it for $99. Looks pretty simple but has the basic necessities. I have seen the stuff on MEC, but the dividend is burning a hole in my pocket http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?productId=47569552&storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&langId=-1

CatBirdSeat, the TRs keep getting better and better! I wish I could have told my boss to f**k off and come with you guys. Sounded tough but well worth it. What's the next climb for you and Oyvind?

this must be a new stone gardens you speak of cos the one next to the lockspot sucks except for it being next to the lockspot which does have some decent food and beer.

Anybody here go to Vertical World in Seattle? I could use a partner...bouldering 3 cm off the ground by yourself gets a bit bring after a while. PM me if interested. Btw, I suck sport climbing. Sorry.

For what it's worth, I went up there 2 weeks ago, and it was totally filled in. No significant problem. I suspect conditions may have changed since then though.

I'm glad you checked in catbirdseat. I was a bit worried that you were one of them. Did you guys go up Rainier last week?

I'm definitely in. No other takers? I think we've got 3 in the party thus far. One more?

The Irish are freedom fighters working to expel an oppressive foreign power. IRA should NEVER, EVER disarm!!! You're completely wrong on this one. I've grown up around that crap all my life and likening them to freedom fighters is bullshit. They're common criminals involved in drugs, gun running, extortion, and whatever else you can think of. Yes, the English have no fucking business being there in the first place much the same as them having no business being in Scotland. However, using religion as a crutch to justify criminality is crap. I suggest you send your kids to school in Scotland or Ireland to get a clearer picture of the destructive nature of divisive bigotry. This is one issue that makes my blood boil. Sympathising with those wankers is so wrong. Sympathising with the cause makes total sense but not the method.

I also know a board member and she's not at all a yuppie. She's a real outdoors person, and drives the standard issue subbie. In any case, having to justify her status as a non-yuppie is pretty ridiculous. Can't someone be successful in their chosen career and still have the best interests of their passion (outdoors) in mind when sitting on a board? Does the fact that these folks are successful in business exclude them from the climbing fraternity? I'm all for people being motivated enough to promote change through participation. If someone wants to pursue a seat on the board, then that's great. However, do we need to dismiss everyone on the present board as yuppies because of their job or the car they drive?

Is it just me or does anyone find it a bit disconcerting to find the President of the U.S. signaling an intention to not invade a country? Has it come to the point now that whenever a nation is doing something that's not to the liking of U.S. foreign policy, the U.S. has the option to invade them and make them adhere to the policy whether they want to or not? Where is this going? If France places tarrifs on goods tha the U.S. doesn't agree with, will the U.S. threaten Chirac with an invasion? I know that's obviously far-fetched, but where will this all end? Maybe I just misunderstood the context in which he said it. What do you think?

Just want to note that everyone here really showed their class in offering to help search for them. In spite of the tough guy spray, you're all right Glad to hear they're fine. Should be good to hear of their adventure at a pub club one of these days.

I spoke to Erden the other week there, and he has grander plans than just Denali. He said that he's going to do the six summits (not Vinson) under his own power. He intends to row across the Atlantic as well as row from Seattle down to South America to do Aconcagua!!! /jasson

No, SC and JGowans aren't one in the same. Although if SC were actually Cameron Diaz then I can see how two might become one. so to speak.

[ 11-26-2002, 08:06 AM: Message edited by: JGowans ]

No, I re-read what I wrote, and you're right. I shouldn't have been so quick to criticise. That's not the point of these boards is it. It's to take everything on board and consider alternative opinions.

Point taken RobBob. You're right.