minx

Crystal's open Friday the 13th! Wahoo! My kharma has taken a turn! I get to pick up my skis from the shop tomorrow! It's either going to be a blown knee or the most fun I've had in a while!

I'm pretty sure I've been naughty enough to get my new trango ice boots and new crampons. Maybe? Pretty please?!? Maybe if I sit on Santa's lap again tonight that'll put me over the edge. As for us suburban climbing moms...get the kids their own harnesses and bring 'em along!

Maybe this should be a different thread but the makes me wonder how many of you own/use/would use anything less than a 50m rope? I've always viewed a shortened rope as an accessory but not my climbing rope. I've gotten in the habit of just dealing w/the extra length/weight of a 60m rope. As for tying into both ends of the rope, I don't always tie in when I'm belaying (depends on the route) but I always knot the free end. This was clearly a mistake set up by inexperience but none the less we all do stupid things from time to time. Thankfully they'll live to learn from their mistakes.

This is a good topic. I'm only just now getting back to where 5.10 anything is in the picture. I think most people have mental hurdles to jump before they can progress. That point is different for each of us. Definitely climb w/people who exceed your ability. You're more likely to push yourself. If it's not just leading that's giving you a hard time then find the opportunity to TR the type of route you're struggling with. Being able to practice moves is important and builds confidence. I think the strength vs. technique question is a good one. I wonder if it's different for the women than for the men. After not climbing for several years, I found that I was pretty weak this summer. I had to rely on technique to get up a lot of routes that I normally would've just powered up w/out thinking. Not that my technique wasn't rusty but it was my only hope. I didn't have the muscle to climb sloppy. Even some 5.9 routes weren't gimmes w/o some thoughtful footwork. Guess my strength v. technique grade is a little lower than 5.10. How about gals...anyone else? The strength

Get married? are you nuts?

2003- 1) win lottery 2) quit job 3) climb daily b/c of 1&2 4) remember to take medicin every day for delusions but seriously folks: 1) Get ISO to climb more 2) Get back to 5.10 form 3) Summer road trip to zion or joshua 4) Find some new (to me) hikes/climbs in the Olympics 5) A week of backpacking somewhere in Sept.

Now ed, there's your problem. You drink that piss called budweiser and think it's beer. In order to learn to drink a better beer you must gain experience by practicing. As many in this thread it's best to just jump right in and try something challenging. Next time order the Obsidian Stout.

The debate was somewhat more esoteric than a specific question relating to my actual ability/desire to lead difficult routes. My partner and I were recently in Leavenworth. He got himself into a bit of trouble on lead. We'd had the debate at the time about his ability to lead the route. Fortunately all's well that ends well and no one was hurt or anything like that. It did however lead to knocking back more than a few beers to soothe some nerves. We began to discuss our respective history of leading routes. It was just interesting to really think about how and why we each made or decisions. I'm not strong enough right now that I'd really choose to lead anything. I know exactly what I could lead now if I needed to. I tend to be very comfortable w/my abilities and which routes I will lead and when I won't. I'm not a particularly ambitious climber so I've got no sense of urgency about leading the tough stuff. I'll get there again but for now it's just nice to be back on the rocks.

those 2 foot run outs are b!tch better stick to something easier than a 5.7 next time

thanks for the answers! It's not so much that I'm worried about what I should and shouldn't lead. It was more of a theoretical question raised over a few beers. I am/was very conservative and my regular climbing partner is more of a risk taker. We were talking sh!te about our reasons. He pretty much figures that if he's climbed it once he can lead it. "i've made the moves on that over hang, i can lead it" I think leading is as much or more about your pro sense as it is about your ability to get up crag. I've been taking a break for about 5 years so I'm not leading anything for a while!!

I expect that I might get ripped for asking what might seem like an obvious question but here it goes. How did you decide when you were a) ready to lead easy stuff b)when to progress to leading harder routes? This stems from a healthy beer soaked debate last night. I've always been very cautious and only led things much much easier than what I can climb. My climbing partner du jour takes a more relaxed approach.

The audi is great. It wasn't that much more expensive than my golf and it was the same price as my friends subaru. BUT I still think the best climbing/backpacking/xcskiing/all around alpine activitie we've got is our old Pathfinder. Wouldn't want a new one but if you only want it for a few weekends a year go find a used one of these. Buy the car you want to drive everyday and pick up used rig for the fun and games

and an afterthought... My insignificant other has a an audi A4. It may be the best snow vehicle we've got. It wasn't all that expensive.

I have 2. I have an early 90s Nissan Pathfinder. It's perfect for alpine activities and a VW golf. 3 occasions this year my car would've been inadequate to get there. 2X were ground clearance issues 1X 4WD The golf is great in the snow w/good tires. It's almost better than the 4WD of the Pathfinder on snowy roads. I love my pathfinder in Snow off road situations. Can you keep your toyota? That's what I did. Bought the Golf and keep the Pathfinder as a second vehicle. Do NOT by a newer pathfinder for this stuff.

Arggg! my pms worked once now it's not again. I guess I just can't get enough. Anyone else have this prob?

I dunno...you're confused about your sexuality? you forgot your midol? or beer, beer works too...beer works best.

why do my pms say that I have 2 unread but I don't see them anywhere?

i got the same error when checking my PMs

scampered around Guye Peak. Once will be enough of that place.

Obsidian Stout when i'm in the neighborhood, redhook winterhook "life's to short to drink cheap beer" "alcohol the reason for and the solution to all of life's problems" -homer simpson

cougs = #7 huskies = #?? hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Thanks! Have rope will travel! Can you suggest any good guide books for this one? All my cascades books are either lacking or sadly out of date.

I've been invited to tag along w/a group going to Guye Peak.(depending on weather) I can't find a lot of info on it. Anybody want to offer anything up? Where can I find some info? Is it worth doing this time of year? Routes? Approach?

I haven't climbed much in this area. It's great to get some name/locations of good routes. Where the easiest and closest trad routes to Tacoma/Seattle? I'm just getting back to it after taking several eons off.