cracked

Naw, Marylou is an angel in comparison.

I've been wanting to do that route. Nice job.

I wouldn't say he deserved being killed, I'm saying that it shouldn't have happened. It's his fault. I'd feel sorry for a hiker who is unfamiliar with the area who gets killed. Very different scenario.

Michelle, I'd compare this bear case to the yogi who thought that his powers could keep him from getting killed. He tested his theory by jumping in front of a (moving) train. The train won. The bear guy struck me as cocky, saying that the bears are harmless. If he actually believed this, then he was not effectively assessing the risk. If this is correct, he was simply being stupid. Yes, it sucks that he was killed...but he could easily have prevented it. It's simply natural selection.

Prolly is bullshit, but funny nevertheless.

It was a nice show, though a bit short. What really struck me was that Alan came across as an average Joe, rather than a Backes-iesque superman. Shows you what ambition will do for you. Inpirational.

200's ?? Who still skis on 200's ?? Fat guys. I'm on 188s.

Don't be naive.

Snow.

Yes they can be. They are good pieces to supplement a rack at a lower price than a normal caming unit. Some of my partners complain about them being such. But with a little more care, experience in use, and a little more eyeballing they are a great addition to a rack sometimes. They fit into the rock a couple of different ways and if you get one in well they can be "a no worry piece of pro". Try out the pink and red a little more and you might get some. They are also excellend in horizontal cracks. I seem to be able to trust them more than a regular camming unit many times in this situation. Word.

Tricams are cool, but they're fiddly to place and can be tough to get out, but I'm talking out of my ass; I've only used them twice. Versatile cam, though.

Think of it as a cleverly managed "dirtbag" TM event, like going to Tom Sawyer's island at Disneyland. That is to say, you can expect a reasonable facsimilie, an erzatz "climber's event" complete with tame wildmen acting out scenes of debauchery from the days when climbing was an avocation rather than a fashion posture and resume highlight. Rest assured that the embedded Forest Service personnel will keep this event kid tested and mother approved. Remember, vote Beck for Master of Sport and your personal representative to the halls of power, because its always some asshole or another, and it might as well be the devil you've seen vomiting in an alleyway.

Dem bears seem to be pretty damn tough. Sounds like an anti-tank missle would be most effective. Or something like this:

Dru, you'd better start training if you want to redpoint 14b in 25 years!

Gym. Ego. Sticky rubber. Camalots.

Dunno. I don't feel sympathy for stupid people. This guy got what he was asking for. Props to the bear!