Bill_Simpkins

I bet half of you have seen it or tried it. It's between the two most popular boulder spots near Bham. There is a shallow cave with an interesting looking problem right by it. As far as that crack Natural, havn't had the chance. I better get moving huh? Let's go!

In Bellingham I mean with 5-10 minutes. Yeah, it's not Graffitti rock. A hint will come tommorrow.

I think I saw the boulder in the pic. But it's not the one I'm talking about. Keep guessing. A to the winner. I still owe you one Natural.

In fact, there is granite bouldering IN Bellingham. If your clever, you'll find it. And 30-40 minutes from town, there is a lot of granite bouldering, not really great like Pemberton or Sqaumish, but it's there. It's called Mt. Erie. And yes, it is granitic

Here's my logic on your statement. Read more carefully. I never said I carry a whole set of old nuts around just in case I have to rap with one. I have a few in my rack, and I use them as pro too. I'm a weight freak. I don't carry what I don't have to.

I have a couple pretty old pieces. I inspect everything I own on a regular basis and make a decision of safety. I have a couple old nuts I use every once in a while and an old SMC Camlock I've used like twice. They are old but still very solid. It's a judgement call. Of coarse, they'll probably be retired in a few more seasons. I like to keep a few old pieces in my rack in case I have to fix one for a rappel. I've rapped off some old crusty fixed pitons(probably placed by Beckey himself, I don't know), thats probably the worst I've done.

Post deleted by Courtenay

Badass! Yeah that ridge is the better approach. Just hike to Pyramid Lake and access the ridge on the left side. There is a boot path underneath the snow. Good job!!!!!!

Eldorado. I would say Forbidden, but I like looking at it from Eldorado. However, to be perfectly honest, the best view of the Cascades I've seen has been from the top of Slate Peak ( you know, the one you can drive to the top from Hart's Pass).

I own a short picket and a small fluke. I carry both on 2 man glacier teams, just a picket if more than 2 or if the snow is hard.

a hippie

I'm sick of hippies. Cut your hair, stop smoking weed, then tell me your opinion. The very financial aid you buy your pot with is there from the blood of others. Deal with it! There are some good points against the war, but the big idea to look at is this: Why is Saddam not at the UN making his case? Because he has no case! He's guilty, else he'd be out there! I hate George W. Bush myself. He's a stupid idiot for the most part, and his environmental policies suck. However, at first I thought he was being completely irrational for being so gung-ho for the war, but I think I learned something throughout it all. HE may not be for it himself, but if he budged even one bit, Saddam wouldn't take us seriously. We have to act like firm. Also that world community stuff is crap. I've travelled all over the world, more so that most of the hippies out there. The world doesn't like our bullying, true, but on the other hand, without us, this place would be controlled by Saddam's and Hitlers. Why are people in record numbers still trying to immigrate here? You idealistic hippies would get a lot more accomplished for your cause with a law degree and a suit. But I guess thats too much work, isn't it? The last thing I want is war, but ignorance and self-indulgence sickens me.

I use ovals at the end of my daisies during aid leading. All the webbing and stuff doesn't get bunched up like on a normal biner. They are also good for racking a set of chalks together, because the chalks can slide around easy and make sorting through them easier. I keep 4 of them. 2 for my chalks, 2 for aid climbing. If they weren't so heavy and blulky, I would carry more. They are very easy to clip and there is a lot of room inside for whatever. Easier to hold onto to also if you need to pull on them.

I have a Marmot Lightspeed Jacket. Kicks ass. Light as hell for the amount of protection it gives you . Been in downpoors,heavy wind and bushwacked a lot in it. Durable. In general, to save weight on jackets, I NEVER compromise on the material, get the good stuff. Don't get the coats that have tons of bells and whistles. They just add weight. Heavy metal zippers add weight. Cool mesh lining adds weight. I don't find it usefull if you are wearing a layer underneathe anyway. A lot of jackets have a lot of crap on them you don't need. What you need are, 2 pockets, pit zips, a hood, durable, and good waterproof/breathable material.

I have time to have another go today(Tues. Feb 11th) if anyone wants to join in on the adventure. If not, I'll be down at Larrabee. I'll be leaving around noon.

I love the west ridge of the South Twin. I like the summit much better too. During the summer there is a nice bivy spot at the top. The approach can be a bit complicated. Don't follow the whole ridge in its entirety. I've done this, just takes a long time and lots of bushwacking, but is fun, if your sick and twisted like me. Get to the ridge from the bowl between the N. and S. Twins. Ascend one of the moderate snow slopes to the W. Ridge low down. Watch out for Avi and rockfall if you decide to go for the notch between the peaks. On the ridge itself, there are a couple of exposed sections, but it is a lot easier than the N. Twin, just a lot longer. Near the top, before a steep wall, traverse up and right across a snow field and up and right to the summit. I can do the S. Twin in about 10-12 round trip during the summer. Thats with long breaks and a partner. Camping is probably a good idea for winter.

My climbing partner had to go to Portland for the weekend. Who wants to go with me this time ? AND I WANT TO CLIMB ON SATURDAY. ANYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mountain or rock. Doesn't matter. Whitehorse, NTwin, Erie, Index, Squamish ? Please help my craving!!!!!

Dan, Hard times at work? Move to Bham and climb full time!

I'll go with if I'm not working, and if theres room

Atkins diet. It works. Got rid of my little tire. Without the bread.

Oh, did I mention the choss-filled cracks ? I love it when you weight a cam and it just "digs" further into the choss! Typical B'ham.

Only brought gear to aid it clean. After watching Natural try to free solo it , I put my aiders to use. I got to the 1st roof but the chossy seams are too small to take my clean gear , so I'll go with hammers next time. Lesson learned: not C2, probably A2. However, found an interesting "practice line" following cracks and sketchy flakes underneathe the roof. It had "interesting" cam placements and one hooking move with some acrobatics. Natural had fun removing a medium Hex I got lodged deep in a crack, and had fun jugging across the bottom of the roof with widely-spaced gear and standing on a hook placement that defied physics. All in all, a good lunch break, without the lunch. I WILL RETURN TO DESTROY!!!!!!!!! Stay tuned.

Hey, thanks for the belay and getting that jammed hex out!

Don't get fired or lose out on $$$. But I'm game.