dryad

That has to be the sketchiest advice I've ever heard of from one of those columns. Pray tell what conditions would this be useful in? So I guess that means you're supposed to turn the skins around backwards to walk back down the snow approach? Or maybe just glissade? Yeah, the whole concept sounds pretty sketchy.

I just thought of one... Stick bits to the bottoms of your furniture legs to protect a hardwood floor.

Ok, so where should I have posted this question? It's a question about skiing-related object. If I put it in spray, all I'd get would be a lot of disgusting suggestions involving dead cows and scary sado-masochistic ideas I'd rather not think about.

I have 2 ~20" pieces in stylish cowprint. Any ideas?

Another way to think about the stairs thing is that since men tend to be bigger and heavier, you'd want the guy on the downhill side so if he falls he won't take down his lady friend and squash her like a little bug.

Time for me to once again try to learn to tele. Anyone else want to go dodge 6 year olds on the bunny hill with me? I don't care where.

Ehmmic is right in her assumption. I have no intention of ever being entirely alone. Hence I don't plan to go anywhere very far off the beaten track. The expedition-style trekking kinda turns me off but I'd be fully in favor of grouping up with 1 or 2 other folks I meet in Kathmandu and maybe hiring a private guide.

From what I read, both the Annapurna and Everest regions have well-established lodge/teahouse tourist infrastructures and are suitable for independent trekking (meaning not with a big camping organized tour group, not necessarily alone). For pretty much all the less popular treks (ie. Mustang), you need special permits that are only given to tour groups, and the associated tons of camping gear, porters, etc etc.

What is the best Nepal trek for a first-time visitor?Khumbu/Everest basecampAnnapurna circuitOther Details: I have about a month to spend, I don't have any mountaineering objectives, and would prefer to travel independently rather than with a big camping expedition.

I (indirectly) bought a tent from Ed Viesturs. Woo hoo!

Someone I know was given some Gore Tex dental floss to take home from his last dentist visit. Weird.

1) crappy old hybrid for commuting/rain/gravel that I keep saying I'll give away but never do. 2) old road bike my friend gave me

Still looking... Please, pretty please....

A few more vaguely outdoorsy bits and pieces... * Jansport fanny pack for those ultralight assaults, holds 2 bike-type water bottles. * Little yellow umbrella for the ultimate in breathable rain protection (f*ck Goretex!) * Little OR toiletry organizer zipper pouch thingy (authentic Rope Up schwag) * Bike helmet that looks like a brain * Petzl Micro headlamp I know it's a little silly to post all these little things, but I figured I'd give first dibs to the folks on this board before sending everything off to Goodwill.

No, the TV is not available. I meant to say that the armoire can house a TV.

I'm also giving away a couple of fancy perfumes, brand new and unopened (they were gifts from my well-meaning but slightly misguided mom). Great gifts for the girly lady in you life.

No, not moving into the new tent, tempting though it may be. I'm going round the world for 6 months. I took the advice of some fellow cc.commers and decide to head to Thailand and Nepal (~6-7 weeks each), then tour Europe for a couple of months. The trip will be mostly sightseeing, with some climbing in Thailand thrown in (thanks ehmmic for all the info!).

Anybody got any extra space in their house or garage? I need storage for ~12 boxes, a few pieces of furniture, and my car from Jan - June 2004. Price negotiable, good way for someone to make a few bucks with no effort. Edit: My car is puny (Toyota Echo), and I would prefer to keep my stuff in the Seattle metro area.

I'm getting rid of some of household items... Bunch of houseplants in varying states of health (available now) Bedroom set - queen bed, headboard, 2 nightstands, dresser, mirror, armoire for clothes, TV, or whatever (available in early Jan) Set of different sized scented pillar candles in a square dish with pebbles (candles all unused, available now, great Xmas gift for GF, mom, whoever) Edit: I'm in Redmond, WA.

ehmmic! And I would like to add that there's nothing wrong with some warm fuzzies. I personally find it just as interesting to read about someone's first trad lead or somesuch, as a report of an ascent of Mt. Scaryshit in super duper alpine style.

If anybody doesn't think that snowmobiles are loud filthy disgusting smog-spewing shit machines, they haven't been to the Crystal Springs Sno-Park. Man, what a cesspit! Where's the projectile vomiting graemlin when you need him? Blech!

For those who wanted to know when it's happening, here's the latest:

Add another option to your poll: "I feel confortable with my dick size and do not feel the need to buy stupid expensive shit."

Is that the one with the little spaceship that lands on some building? If so, it's just about the worst movie I've ever seen.

So many choices, so hard to decide what to do. Argh!