Tyler

Almost new men’s Garmont Tower Trek GTX (Gore-Tex) Hiking Boots Size 11.5 US / 46 EU. Note: I am told Garmonts run a half to a full size up from other brands. I wear a 44.5/11 in Lowa Renegades. $150 Paypal shipped add 3% if not paying via friends and family. I purchased these new from Backcountry Gear Eugene Fall of 2019 and used under 20 miles on a few hikes. Excellent boots, but the toe box does not fit my custom orthotics with my awkward pinky (broken) toes. I hate to sell as they were quite an expense, but they did not work for my weird toes. These boots are RESOLEABLE! Reviews: https://www.garmontnorthamerica.com/ https://www.rei.com/product/892885/garmont-tower-trek-gtx-hiking-boots-mens https://www.outsideonline.com/2074281/best-trail-shoes-2016 REI Description: * Light, formfitting leather uppers provide an extraordinary athletic feel * Waterproof Gore-Tex® Performance Comfort membrane with enhanced breathability via specialized Gore-Tex lining material * Microporous rubber midsoles for lightweight, responsive cushioning * FrameFlex Lite plates for rock-solid stability * Anatomically Directed Design provides remarkable performance from the inside out * First metatarsal accommodation allows more space for the normal, relaxed position of your big toes, supplying comfort, stability and performance * Asymmetric closure system features lacing that crosses the feet at angles similar to the toe joints, allowing the boots to flex like your feet * Lateral tongue posts feature boot tongues which are progressively thicker to the outside, providing comfort and stability * Differential malleolar pads create asymmetric padding around the ankle bones to match your ankles' natural shape, providing comfort and security * Asymmetric cuff height features lower lateral sides of the collars to offer comfort during heel strike, and taller medial sides for added support and protection Technical specs Best Use: Backpacking Footwear Height: Over-the-ankle Footwear Closure: Lace-up Waterproof: Yes Upper: Suede rough-out Lining: Gore-Tex waterproof breathable membrane Midsole: Rubber Support: Nylon frame Outsole: Vibram rubber Weight (Pair): 3 lbs. 2.1 oz. Gender: Men's Size: 11.5 US / 46 EU

I have quite a collection of Climbing and Rock and Ice magazines going back to 1997. If you want them, they're yours (will trade for homemade baked goods or beer). You will need to arrange to pick them up from me in Eugene. Otherwise, they're going into the yard sale this Saturday. . . Email Tyler*at*wipfandstock.com

I climbed up there last winter. Lots of fun to be had! Don't know if I can get away to make it up there this winter... Yeah, definitely check with NC Mountain Guides. I would email them: ncinfo@ncmountainguides.com Temperature is definitely looking favorable: Washington Pass Telemetry When I was up there in February we spotted some formations around Rainy Lake and a really fat formation down in the Willow Creek (???) draingage. NC Mountain Guides or another local should have much better info.

GNA Ice Screw Sharpening Service

No way. The guide shop is upstairs and the fly fishing shop is (was) downstairs. If no one is there they're probably out guiding.

Thanks! Wow - February! That has to be the earliest start to a Flagstone season ever.

Has anyone driven up to Flagstone yet this season? I would venture to guess it's not in condition yet because of our wet spring. Tyler

Aw yes, all the crags on private property... I used to climb A LOT more than I do now, but I prefer to go to Flagstone, the columns, or Smith. I was never cool enough and never knew the right people to get to visit the areas on private property. If you ever want details on any of these crags, let one of us know. There's some information on this website. Enjoy! Tyler

I've only passed through Medford, so I cannot speak for it. I have lived in Eugene for six and a half years now. I love it; although, it does have its share of drawbacks. 1) Cost of living is high - Housing prices and rent are especially inflated downtown and around campus. 2) The weather - This year's fall and winter were mild, but it's not always that way. The rain can begin in September and last until May. There are nice breaks in between though. 3) Job Market - Depending on what you do, the market can be tight. Plus, many employers can be stingy about what they pay. Although the job market is probably better in Eugene than Medford. 4) Ethnic diversity - there isn't a lot of ethnic diversity here. However, there is a lot of cultural diversity among caucasians. It's a nice, hip, somewhat progressive town. Benefits 1) Traffic - There is traffic here, but it is NOTHING like it is in other areas. Eugeneans are lucky (and some don't know it). 2) Climbing - There is climbing surrounding Eugene, but you're going to have to drive there. Flagstone is about an 1.5 hrs away, Smith 2.5 hrs away, the Callahans in Roseburg are about 2hrs plus, then there are the "secret" trad areas around Westfir and Oakridge - about an hr away. Hood is about 3 hours away, North Cascades are 10 hours away, etc. etc. However, we do have "The Columns" that are just downtown at Skinner Butte!!! 3) Food and Beer - There are some great restaurants in this town, and there are some great microbrews. Check out the McMenamins on High Street. There are some great coffeehouses too - check out Theo's at the Strand. 4) People - Eugene is a pretty cool hip little place, and there are a lot of interesting people here. 5) Bike friendly - there is an extensive network of bike trails and bike lanes are everywhere. 6) There's plenty of whitewater - if you're into that. 7) Great rivers and lakes for kayak touring if you're into that. Plus there is great flyfishing here. 8) Skiing and snowboarding - Hoodo and Willamette Pass are 1.5 hrs away, and Mt. Bachelor is 3 hrs away (my favorite). 9) We have an EXCELLENT gear shop in town, (Backcountry Gear), but you'll have to go to PDX or Seattle for a better selection of mountaineering boots or climbing shoes. 10) The Coast is about an hour away, PDX is about 2 hrs away, Seattle is 5 hrs away, and San Fran is about 8 hrs away. Overall Eugene is the perfect size. It's a great place to live. Sure, it's not as cool as Bishop or Mazama, but there's plenty to do and climbing is within a reasonable drive. If you decide to move here, let me know, and I'll be glad to fill you in with more details on Eugene.

Good advice - get a reliable but less expensive serrated edge knife to hang on the harness. Serrated edge knives cut through cordage much quicker (even when dull). Though, I keep my my very dear Benchmade rescue in my pocket so as not to lose it...

There is Tumalo State Park outside of Bend on Hwy 20. Fore USFS campgrounds, visit: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/centraloregon/recreation/campgrounds/map-bendredmond.shtml and http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/centraloregon/recreation/campgrounds/camp-name.shtml If you had to, you could just pitch your tent somewhere in the Deschutes National Forest... There's also the Bend Youth Hostel, and I hear the new McMenamins downtown has some hostel style accomodations.

You are totally right! Flagstone is wonderful and a special place to me and many others (which is why some people are so concerned about issues of overbolting, etc). But keep it in perspective. Sure, it probably wasn't the wisest place to put a route in, and I probably would have advised the bolter not to put it in there. But this issue pales in comaprison to other issues. What always bothered me the most were the views of old clearcuts, the past "rumors" of chipped routes, and the sound of gunfire during hunting season. Well, Flagstone is in a national forest afterall. Even then, there are much bigger things in the world to be concerned about! Enjoy! Tyler

I think the question mark got chopped... Watch out, those bolts are probably next...

Try before you buy is what I say... I'm a total newby. Bought some used Grivel Alp Wings and used them on an ice trip this past February (only the second time I have been on ice). They were okay, certainly better than the CM Pulsars I used the first time I ever climbed ice. My guide had BD Cobras, and I ended up using these most of the time while I was climbing. They swung so much better than the Alp Wings, and I felt like I got better sticks on the Cobras than the Wings. However, my guide remarked that she thought the alp wings would be better than her cobras for alpine. But, my guide much preferred her Cobras over my Alp Wings for water ice. If I had to choose over again, I would have held off on buying until I could have tried out more tools on actual ice. It's worth waiting if you can. I did fall in love with the Cobras after my trip. It would be nice to try Quarks and the BD Viper though. Just some opinions from a total beginner...

Well, I would partially have to disagree on the brace issue. You cannot expect your brace to prevent injury; however, it is still important to consider using it for a while. After surgery it can take quite a while (12-18mos. or so) for the nerves in your muscles to start to "fire normally". While you may be strong and better than ever, experts believe it takes even longer for this function to come back. So if your muscles aren't firing properly then your connective tissue takes the brunt. So, this is why doctors have patients wear knee braces up to the first year or so after surgery. Secondly, Wally, I think your doctor is definitely off base when he talks about a one year timeline before resuming high levels of activity. It always depends on your individual case, but recovery after ACL reconstructions is pretty quick if you are aggressive with your PT and take care in your activities not to reinjure your knee. I had major knee surgery (my fifth surgery including one ACL reconstruction) in May of last year, and I was resuming high levels of activity within six months. Listen to your PT and be aggressive with yor rehab. Your PT will let you know when you're ready to resume certain activities... Go for it, but go easy and play it a little conservative in the beginning. I aggravated my surgery by mountain biking a little too early...

Huh??? Can you clarify?

Can someone recommed a good boot fitter/cobbler in Eugene or PDX? I have some mountaineering boots that have some problem areas that need to be tweaked for my funky feet. Thanks!

If you have a snowmobile, there are some routes in the North Cascades that are accessible via SR20 past the snow blockade outside Mazama. A route in the Willow Creek drainage (I think this is the correct name) appeared to be in. There also appeared to be some routes in at Rainy Lake. We didn't look at these routes up close, so I am not exactly sure of the conditions or grades. We climbed Friday and Monday on a formation along a roadcut on SR20 just past the hairpin and below Washington Pass. Enjoy! Tyler

Sort of ice related... Can anyone recommend any good car camping spot around Close to Mazama or Winthrop, Washington? Thanks, Tyler

Definitely send it back... Those packs have a lifetime warranty. They're good folks (do they still have the same owners???), and they should take care of it...

Interesting... I just heard from my guide, and they were saying we may need to reschedule - we'll see...

Maybe... It was very cold last week. I don't know what it will be like next week now that it is warming up and there might be rain... We'll see...

I will be in Mazama, WA, ice climbing the 27th - 31st. Of course this depends on the conditions, and the long-term forecast doesn't look good. I will be climbing with a guide on the 28th and 29th, but I don't have anyone to climb with on Sunday the 30th. I'm pretty much a newbie to ice, but I will have basic equip and a vehicle. If someone far more experienced than I would be willing to let me tag along for some ice on the 30th, let me know... Tyler

I did come across a place... Still a little pricey for my blood, but it will work. The Farm House Inn in Winthrop, $49 a night for a single bed, and hot tub onsite. Looking at the price of other accomodations, it was a good deal...

Uhhh, I never would've thought of that one... Anyone know of any specific motels with cheap rates? Thanks