lemon

I've been there as late as 1 April (last year) and there was snow down to within a half mile of the car park.

Anything cool within a few hours of San Diego? I'll be moving down there this spring and would like to do some climbing. I've never gotten too much into rock, but will give it a try. During the winter is there any more traditional alpine stuff, or would I need to head to Norcal for that? Thanks!

Hurricane Ridge on Sunday. Awesome!

A buddy and I went up there two years ago this Feb. He had a 4wd Forerunner and we made it about a mile from the pass, so almost two from the Townsend trailhead. But lots of evidence of quads or snowmobiles had been before us. We walked up to the trailhead and floundered around in the waist deep snow in the clearcut. Then the clouds came in and we walked out. Still better than being at home watching NASCAR with the paw-in-law.

I think she probably does get "it"...whatever that is. She's coming from a differing perspective than a climber's is all. I am not going to defend her or her perspective, but I will say that the book really does no preaching, other than just the pure subject matter. She never says, "don't do it" or anything like that. It would have been very easy for her to do so, given her circumstances. I just thought it was a really great book. I've read a bunch of mountaineering literature, and most of it is pretty verse-chorus-verse with a different author and different peaks. Very seldom (with the exception of Joe Simpson) does any author simply address the fact that climbing can be devastating to those left behind, and then try to reconcile a climber's desire to climb with their family lives and goals, etc. It's funny that so many climbers spout off about her and her views, while they refuse to look at it from any other perspective than their own. I know I've certainly been that way, and being here on the board the last year or so, I've seen many similar attitudes.

I just finished, Where the Mountain Casts its Shadow by Maria Coffey(sp?). Apparently she's the ex-girlfriend of Joe Tasker, who died on Everest back in the early 80s with Peter Boardman. She went around and interviewed parents, children and spouses of dead climbers, talking about the holes left in their lives, etc. by the passing of the climbers. It was a very heavy read, but I had a hard time putting it down. It was funny to read of how the ones left behind coped when the climbers went on expeditions. Their reactions were amazingly similar to my wife's when I deploy (Navy submarines). I doubt anyone's life will be changed. It gave me a bit of pause, but since most of my climbing is smaller Cascades/Olympics type stuff, and these guys are all Himalyan vets, I figure my chances of dying are much smaller than theirs. I was amazed by how many of the climbers she spoke with agreed that climbing is purely selfish with no real socially redeeming value. Yet, they (and us here on this board) continue to climb. Short version: Good book. Recommend it.

check it, yo!

Michael Richards. He doesn't really remember much from those days...only that they all smoked a lot of dope.

My father-in-law used to be roomates with Kramer (from Seinfeld) back in the early 70's.

I grew up a few hours east of there in Rapid City, SD and if I could make a decent (comparable to what I have here, anyway) living, my wife and I would move back as soon as we could. Yes, it's windy quite a bit. Yes, the winters are much harsher than compared to the Seattle area. But, spend any amount of time even out on the open plains with an open mind, and you'll figure out pretty quick why the Indians fell in love with the place.

nike makes good runnign watches... i have used them for 8 years. they are light and ergonomic, but hey cost too much... you can get them discounted tho. Agree I have used the same Nike watch for about three years now of 20-30 miles per week and had the battery replaced once. Also agree on the price, though I do most of my high-end shopping via the Exchange (PX for you Army wimps). Prices much better, for instance, I bought my Suunto Vector there for $120 brand new, and I've seen the timex gps thingy for $145 - more than 100 bucks cheaper than anywhere else.

what was your time, Rob? I ran my first last fall at 3:44::45. Not great, but an awesome experience none the less.

My father gave me a name, a good work ethic and a nearly unbearable sense of self-righteousness. Sometimes I hate myself. Thanks pops!

Anyone been down to Hood River? My friend and I will be celebrating our 30th(s) and are thinking of heading down there over Labor Day. Anyone have any mtbiking beta? Any camp spots?