AlienSoul

Thank you for your insight. Maybe I'll try producing a demo video and see if it's received well enough to produce more. Josh

He made a hard choice, but I believe it was the right one. Either one of them dies, or both of them dies. In the end they both survived, but that was astronomical luck and, I believe, a little help from God. The movie was very well done, and one of my favorites. The Everest film (www.everestfilm.com) is another great one, but I wouldn't let these movies scare you too much. :-)

Great job Mountain Dew. All this activity from an "overweight" guy, makes me feel really lazy. Now I'm going to have to get out and do some climbing to make up for it. :-) I look forward to following your progress. At this rate you will be ready to summit Rainier in no time. Good luck, Josh

Mountain Dew: Have you bought Freedom yet? If so, what are some of the things you are having a harder time grasping? Would video help in those areas? What sort of format would be most helpful Mountain Dew? I'm leaning toward an online format, but I'm open to anything at this point. Does anyone have any other ideas of video productions that would be helpful for alpine climbers? Video route guides? Fitness training? How to pee into the CORRECT Nalgene, in the dark, in your bivy, when it's freezing cold and the wind is trying to rip you off the mountain? You are free to tell me this is a dumb idea. Like they say in business, find a market for your product before you make a product. Thanks, Josh

When I started climbing I bought a copy of Freedom of the Hills like everybody else. I read it cover to cover and thought I had a pretty good handle on what to expect, but it took several times out with experienced climbers to really connect what I read to what I saw them doing. I looked around to see if I could find some sort of DVD or video training online and came up empty. Now that I've been climbing awhile (though I still consider myself a newbie) I've been thinking of creating something myself. I would focus on things that rely on visual comprehension. Watch someone place protection. Learn to tie knots without funny diagrams. How to self arrest on various types of snow. Would anyone be interested in something like that? And if so, what format would be most useful? DVD, on-line video, downloadable iPod video guides? This certainly wouldn't replace Freedom, but would help to fill in some of the visual gaps. Ok, now you can tell me it's a crazy idea. :-) Thanks, Josh

Where in the Wallowas was this? I was just up there two weeks ago and it was warm and sunny. I am waiting for snow! Josh

Thanks sobo that's very helpful. I will definitely pay attention to my rope slack in crevasse areas.

Where are the mines? Is there anything in SE WA? Josh Gesler

Does anyone know where to buy a waist belt for a Palisade? I have a Med pack but I want a small belt (I have a small waist). I can't seem to be able to find anything. Thanks, Josh Gesler

I'll take the stove if you could ship it to me. I live in Walla Walla. I'll gladly pay for the shipping. Let me know. Josh Gesler

Is the whisperlite the international? Where are you located? and what would it cost to ship to Walla Walla, WA?

You could use those silicon packets that come in the box with electronics equipment.

Here you go! Convet-me

So if I wait until June it isn't going to become undoable? I am asking because I am going to be in Seattle for the next month in training so it won't be until June that I have a free weekend. Plus I need to buy some more gear and find a pard'ner for the climb. Anyone want to head up there some weekend in June and let a noob tag along?

I have never climbed hood but I would like to do it this year. Someone was telling me that Hood is an early season climb. How early does one need to do it? Is waiting until June not a good idea?

It is listed in the new Mountaineers Book cataloge. I don't remember when it said it was comming out.

On sunday I bought a pair of Salomon Dispatch Low shoes at REI. I have a pair of Salomon boots and love them to death, so I figured that their shoes would be good too. Well I wore them all day yesterday, and I think either my shoes or my feet have a problem. On the top of the shoe when I bend my foot (think standing on the balls of your feet with your heals lifted) the shoe puts a lot of pressure on the top of my toes. Has anyone else ever had this problem? Does it go away or is it just the way the shoe is? I know I could take them back since REI is awsome about returns but the shoes are comfortable to stand in, it is just walking that hurts. If it just needs to be broken in I am cool with that, but if not then I guess I need to take them back.

LOL I guess that is true. So when do you want to take me climbing? I'll do my best to be interesting.

This must be a common problem. I want to get into climbing also but it is hard to find people who will let you tag along when you are just starting. I have climbed Adams but I don't really consider that much of a climb. I understand that taking novice climbers up a mountain can be slow/boring, but you can only learn so much from books.

That's just sick!

On the subject of bivy's, what is a good cheap 4-season bivy? I need something very waterproof to keep my down bag dry in the snow when I don't want to pack along a tent. Do you guys use a bivy alone in 4-season conditions or do you just take a tent?

ROCKS ARE AID!!!! Climb the air.....

I agree. They don't just say "Well that's too bad, I guess we'll fix that on the next one."

Is that kew new review system comming? If so then you could add books to it.

LOL No I am not a Whittie I am looking for 3day weekend trips. Hike through is ok, but in and out is easier. I want to do some photography so scenic is good, but this is the PNW so that usually is everywhere. I want some easy ones so I can drag the wife along. She is diabetic so it is easier if it isn’t too hard. I also want some tougher stuff. I did Ice Lake last year (with a 60lb pack ‘cause I was stupid) and everyone thought it was tougher than Mt Adams, but it felt great to have accomplished it. I’ll be sure to pick up those books. I want to do a lot more backpacking and stuff this year. Last year my job didn’t allow me much freedom that way. Also if anyone wants a partner for slogging up some snowfield I am not terrible fast but I love a good hike. Thanks Josh Gesler