cracked

Could what, mattp? It does sound like the spray of a paranoid schizophrenic.

Much of the "bright" music, modern and not, is all bullshit, IMHO. I agree with mattp, the "darker side" is much more honest. Hey, what's wrong with being cynical? Ian Curtis was, and he turned out alright.

Search on Google. It took me about five seconds to find a page on how to modify a Grigri. I still think rustling up a partner is faster, easier, and less expensive and more fun. Or become the next Dean Potter.

Or just the Cascade Claw. I think I will design an adze the size of a shovel blade, for the 70 degree unconsolidated snow climbs we get around here. It doubles as a frying pan.

You put it on the hammer end of your radically curved Light Machine, then try to hook it on a rock edge so the shaft points out, if you pull you lever the hook off the rock, so that the nicely sharpened pick drills a hole through your forehead (and brain). Seems like a stupid accessory to say the least.

THAT BLOWS!!! This weather!

Hey, man, I'm agreeing with you on the Super Bowl. I didn't watch it. I did homework instead. Where did you go? How was the rain?

Oh, man, Eric, get a new avatar.

I reread your post. It sounds like Roman Gladiators played football 2000 years ago. Either that, or modern football players must be REALLY old. Listening confuses my feelings.

Weren't the Romans naked though? And how much did they get paid? I try not to think...it complicates my life.

You sound like Eric8. He actually has a rugby sticker on his climbing helmet. No way will he ever be a hardman.

As far as I can tell, football consists of fully grown men who were dropped on their heads as children wearing ridiculous outfits running into each other at top speed, while a bunch of vicarious leeches tries to gain pleasure from the scene. I prefer to have fun myself, rather than watch other people have fun. If provides better memories. Besides, everybody knows that SPORT CLIMBING is the only MAN's sport (sorry Dwayner and co. ) And Caveman, I was neither a goth nor a geek last year, just a bit of an introvert.

It's getting cold (er)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Predicted low 29 at Rainqualmie for tomorrow!!!!!!! Pray for Cold!

Huh?

REI all the way. They always have what I want, the salespeople are friendly, don't hound you, know what they're doing, and the prices are the best around. Plus the don't cater to gapers and they don't sell any North Face junk. Seriously, though, what's wrong with marmot and FF? I like them both. Sure, they don't have as good a return policy as Returnable Equipment Inventory, but in my limited experience Marmot and FF are awesome.

While I disagree with Dwayner that sport climbing is ALL bad, I must agree with him on the stupor bowl issue. I still don't know who's playing, and I really don't care. I think it would be hilarious to tape some idiots yelling at the screen and dancing war dances, edit out the sound, and play it for them. If you take away the setting, their antics are embarrassing as all hell.

Too true. What's also friggen depressing is the FUCKING WEATHER!!!!!!!! I'm getting kinda atsy, if nobody's noticed.

Weren't the Splitter Gear cams specifically produced for pin scars? At least, that's what one of the guys who started the company said.

When? Next year?

I was going to Rainqualmie tomorrow, but I think I'll go to Marmot and try to find some new boots instead. Moderate to Heavy rain, Considerable wet-snow avalanche danger, temps in the 40s is not my idea of ice-climbing fun.

Get the Voile aluminum shovel, either with the extendable handle or the one with a snow saw inside the handle. I've used em and they work well. Even in icy summer snow, you can chop well. Also, they can be used as a stove stand, a deadman, etc, etc. The BD shovels also look good.

So to Sierratradingpost.com. They have the Drytool for $30 and the 2001 Ice glove for $75. I'm kicking myself that I bought the drytool at full retail. Arrrgh!

My 02 cents: Ice: 1. Climb something with a name and a grade. 2. Improve. 3. Gain enough confidence to lead easy stuff. Rock: 1. Lead 5.11 trad. 2. Finally do Chain Reaction 3. Do a long classic in the mtns. Stuart N. Ridge comes to mind. Alpine: 1. Baker N. Ridge 2. Jefferson Park Glacier, Mt. Jefferson 3. Girth Pillar (Kidding! Not this year. Sometime in the future).

Wait, I've almost got it....AHA! That works out to about half a pitch per hour of driving. Just kidding. Good for you. I hope to get up there soon.

Did you say courage or stupidity? Anyways, what book are you talking about?