chalkball

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Cleaning out the closet - Scarpa Inverno plastic climbing boot - several years old but only moderate use. Size 10.0 - asking $65. Scarpa T2's - great starter telemark boot - older demo model (2 strap) with non-moldable liners - asking $50. Decent shape. Seattle area PM or email glissade AT hotmail DOT com

Whoops - sorry - had that in there originally... 300 obo for the Megas (700 new!) 25 obo for the Atomics.

I got these mega rides last year (used less than 1 season), but unfortunately they are too small for me. They are in very good shape with the exception of some small burns on the Thermofit liners - they had been left on a heater and do not go all the way through the liner. You cannot feel these when you are wearing the boots. The shell size is a 27-28.5 and the liner seems to be about a 9.5 but I can't read the exact size. Bring some insoles to try on the boots - I used my Superfeet. The other boots? Some small used Atomic women's boots size 24.5 - don't know too much about them that you can't see in the photos. I would prefer not to ship these - Seattle area pickups are best. email glissade@hotmail.com for more info. Chad

Maple Canyon is great for sport climbing, but I would think it would be pretty damn cold. Someone can correct me, but I think it is high up enough that you may freeze your ass off in March. I was there 2 Augusts ago and it was comfortable, even though it was 108 degrees in Moab.

Went to the new Elliot Bay Sculpture Garden in Seattle on Monday - lots of nice 1-1/2" cracks, from 70 degrees to slightly overhanging...first ascents available! Watch out for Seattle's finest, tho.

Thanks!

Hey - I was wondering if I could get a basic overview of Portland area rock gyms. I climb at Stone Gardens in Seattle and recently showed 2 different Portland couples around SG and they want to start climbing back home. One of the couples lives in Camas, the other is more centrally located in Portland. What are the closest gyms for each and is there a particular focus (bouldering, tr, leading) at each? Thanks

I DH skied for about 7 years, switched to snowboarding and have been doing that for 15 years. I picked up tele skiing about 4 years ago and now switch back and forth between tele and the board. The first switch came from boredom. I think it is pretty easy to pick snowboarding up, there is a fast learning curve, but just like anything - it takes a loong time to really rip. I picked up tele to try something new in the backcountry - I love it for the challenge and the feel of the body mechanics, but I feel like it is going to be a long time until I am an expert. As far as comparisons - yes, you definitely can get the same feelings from boarding as from skiing. In my opinion (take it for what its worth) I like the flow of boarding more - feels a lot more natural and is far superior to skiing in the deep powder. You get more float, esp. in broken powder. The disadvantages to boarding are mobility in the backcountry, and difficulty in the flats. My advice to anyone learning to board is to stay OFF the bunny hill - you will only learn when you have an actual mid-angle slope. That and do NOT lean back. Your weight should always be forward or centered. Most common learning mistake. IMHO, of course.

I must have been smoking crack. I looked all over the place for anchors, and could only see a rap station way up above (I already had about 45m of rope out). And I did bring slings to leave for the rap, but didn't see any blocks I would trust. wierd. Will have to try again.

Actually, let me correct that - we could get to the next anchor just fine, but the rap was not possible with one rope.

I was up there a few weeks ago and can confirm...I had heard you could rap with one rope, so we only took one. Got a pitch and a half up before I realized there was no way to get to the next anchor.

I am sure you have heard of this, but Angels of Light is a fictionalized version of the events. Pretty out there, but a lot closer than Cliffhanger. Written by Jeff Long, out of print. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/det...ks&n=507846

I can't believe he didn't mention grappling hooks!

Anyone been up there in the last week or so? Is the trail clear or is there a ton of snow still to Ingalls Pass?