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dryad

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Posts posted by dryad

  1. Yup, I took 6 months off to travel in 2004. My job offered me a leave of absence but couldn't promise to hold my position for when I got back, and sure enough, they didn't. But since I was technically still employed while on leave, and got laid off when I got back, I didn't have a huge gap in my resume and collected unemployment when I got back. Better deal than if I had just quit, which I was willing to do anyway. I can't say I was heartbroken about losing that job. After a somewhat depressingly long period of unemployment, I went on to get a much better job in Boston at almost 2x the salary, way more time off (5 weeks/yr when you add up vacation, personal days, and company Xmas closure), better job security, less stress, and all that good stuff. And to top it off, after moving I was able to reconnect with an old friend who has since moved in with me and last night baked me a pie. I can't promise that you too will meet a wonderful pie-baking man upon your return, but taking time off to travel was a great experience and I have absolutely no regrets. Go do it!

  2. Just went ice climbing for a couple days for the first time and I may be hooked. Looking for recommendations for some tools for someone with really small girlie hands. This would be for waterfall ice in New England, not glaciers, not any general slogging. I was using Aztars and they were pretty comfy to hold, but I think I might want something more curvy than that. Also considering leashless.

     

    Similarly, I'm also looking for crampon recommendation for little girlie feet, although that may be less of an issue. Thanks!

  3. Isopropanol is completely harmless. Rub it on your hands as much as you want to get the sweat and oils off. The only downside is that it tends to dry out your skin so wash your hands and moisturize after climbing to prevent cracked bleeding cuticles and other such unpleasantness.

  4. Hmmmm....interesting. If Invernos are supposed to be better than Asolos, and rbw1966 doesn't like Invernos either, then what other boot would be better than Invernos? In other words, what plastic boot is best for walking in?

     

    BTW, please don't tell me that all plastics suck and I should get leathers. I already have leather boots and I specifically want plastics to keep my feet warm.

  5. Yesterday I went for a hike in the snow to test out my new plastic boots and I found that when walking downhill my shins were banging on the tongue of the boots and it really hurt. Is this a fit problem with the boots, or is it just the nature of plastic boots and I have to learn how to walk in them better? Did I have the ankle strap cinched down too tight? Not tight enough? Does it matter than I seem to have freakishly thin ankles? Any other advice for dealing with this problem?

  6. CBS, you frame your argument in an unnecessarily partisan way that really misses the point. The real question is this: Does our jury system work? Are average people with no legal training capable of coming up with unbiased, fair, and consistent decisions, or are they too easily swayed by arguments that appeal to their emotions?

  7. OlyRob - I did the mounties' basic class with a pair of glorified hiking boots and aluminum strap-on crampons. Your combo should be fine. Then later you can choose your boots to fit your ambitions, whatever those turn out to be.

  8. Oh man, do I really look that dorky when I'm skiing? I'm so embarassed!

     

    Anyway, 15-16k, something like that. Add a couple more for a little route finding confusion and other farting around. Our pace could best be described as "leisurely".

  9. Any other noobs want to go learn/practice with me this week (Jan 4)? Weather should be nice.

     

    Tele TuesDaze #1

    The telemark turn is beautiful to watch but tricky to learn. Get an intro to free heel through our free morning "Intro to Telemark Skiing" lesson. Meet at the Stevens Pass Ski & Snowboard School at 9:30 am, clinic will run from 10 am - 12 pm. For seasoned free-heelers, an advanced afternoon clinic is available from 1 pm - 3 pm. Topic will be determined based on participants needs. Cost is $29. For more information on telemark clinics, contact the Stevens Pass Ski & Snowboard School.

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