ChocChick

When mother nature created our outdoor playgrounds, I am POSITIVE her intent was to create a wonderful place for EVERY creature to enjoy. Just because parts of the playground are established routes, doesn't mean you can't enjoy the wonders, beginner or advanced. It's a free world, let's not be prejudice. We ALL have to start somewhere when it comes to trying new things. I have been climbing 10 years now, and STILL remember the first few times I climbed. Nothing is worse than being super excited about trying something new and then getting snide comments from other parties who may be waiting or climbing on neighboring routes. I don't get why some climbers have to be so F*$#ing high and mighty. Not saying ANY of YOU have, just that we should ALL, as humans, be a little more tolerant of differences. Okay, enough said. I am done trying to spread peace and love.

Now I'm interested! Where were you climbing when you found these old biners? Where they on the ground? On route somewhere? Do tell!

Chorped? That's a new one. I like it. Where's the puking graemlin? Where's the pooping graemlin? Here's my poo story: I was belaying my boyfriend on a climb at a "sporto climbing area" here in Washington. There was a pile of poo at the base of the climb I was avoiding. Along came a group of 4 with a cute little doggie. The dog came trotting over wagged it's cute little stubby tale at me and immediately went straight for the poo and snarfed it down. I have a very sensitive gag reflex - just typing this and remembering the poo incident makes me want to puke. I was just dying watching that dog voraciously eat up that shit. I kept smelling shit all day and just wanting to gag. There's my poo story. . .

Perfect! My sentiments exactly! That's one savvy snaffle!

true. . .perhaps take the Tasty Bite meals when bivying and then you can stew in your own dutch oven.

I second that! Tasty bite is a standard in my pack, though for some people they are a little on the heavy side. But my climbing partners covet my meals when I am eating tasty bite. If I am going on a longer trip and trying to pack light, I will bring at least one. Plus, they are incredibly filling. Also, if you bring a bag of minute rice, one foil pack of tasty bite plus the rice is a good meal for two.

"Who cares what other people think. As long as you're having fun, that's all that matters." "There plenty of time to sleep when you're dead." "Do what YOU gotta do." "You're the only one who can make you happy." "Dump him, he's a loser."

Sounds like something WalMart would sell, but I got mine in George at the "grocery" store behind the Chevron.

I LOVE THIS PHOTO!!!!!!!!!!! NOLSe, I am sorry about your pup. She sounds like she was an awesome friend. Ken, I remember that Zoko story! Ice climbing DOG!

Yep, you definately need a Fish and Wildlife sticker to climb and camp or even just park at Frenchman's Coulee. The nice thing is that now you can put 2 different license plate numbers on it so it is good for 2 vehicles and you don't have to stick it to your window, but can hang it from your rearview mirror. It is pretty inexpensive to buy as well. I think it was $12.

Well, they say that a monkey and a lady in high heels have summitted Hood. . .so why not a cute mountaineer lab? Personally, I wouldn't risk MY dog's life on a climb like that. Even though they have built in crampons, I think it would be a little unpredictable with a dog. One time when I was on Das Toof, this Seattle fireman brought his dog up and right underneath Pineapple Pass the dog completely freaked and got scared. The guy was completely surprised that his dog freaked out. He told me his dog usually is fine in the mountains and on steeper slopes. You just never know. . .

Frankly, I don't believe any of the allegations against Lance. Why in the hell are humans so suspicious and jealous? Armstrong trains like a madman. He is a SUPERB athlete (could he actually be SpiderMan?). Shit, the climbing community doesn't start crying drug abuse when someone does something amazing, do they? Sick of hearing them accuse him of the drugs. . .

I thought Lance Armstrong was the Subie voice? Don't matter anyways, after the accident I was in a couple weekends ago, you can't tell what the phuq I am driving anyways. . .

The pic is of Miles Davis because right now I am into some of those jazz greats: Davis, Coltrane, Mingus, Monk. It is wonderful, relaxing music that brings calm from the hectic days. I like to change the pic from time to time. My name is a wonderful ice climb that I love in Ouray, Colorado. I have to climb it every year when I am there.

Not if you get the Grande Burrito (enough for 2 people for 2 meals) fajita style with tofu. Delicious!!!! And they will make it as spicey as you want it!!! I am going to Texas for the Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Fest next week. Looking forward to some REAL Tex-Mex!

http://www.mylifeasafischer.com/heresyoursign/ I can't seem to make this work on my computer, but maybe some else can. It is a fun idea!

yeah, most days that is my "technique" but some days, like today, I want to SAY something. Ya know, make a difference. . .

Okay, I am seriously getting sick and f-ing tired of being asked for spare change every goddamn time I leave the office. Truth of the matter is that I can't spare change because I am one of those poor suckers who lives paycheck to paycheck because I have started my "career" over and am the bottom of the salary range for what I do. Yesterday some screwball approached me with some sob story about his car being stuck on the bridge because he ran out of gas and no one would take his Canadian currency. He told me he was respectable and worked at MicroSoft in Canada. You shoulda seen this guy! He was wearing some old man leisure slacks, a funky golf sweater and a visor. At a quick glance he may have looked respectable but the open sores on his face and rotting teeth gave him away. Everyone has some f-ing sob story about why they need my spare change. Hell, even I have my own sob story as to why I need MY spare change! Anyways, anyone have a clever and effective retort I can use on these people?

Perhaps us cc.com girls prefer love not shitty spray insults. But the "girls" that do get involved in heated spray, hold there own pretty damn well! I read the spray and comment when I feel really moved but I like cc.com mainly for the climbing aspect. Though, you spray masters give me something to do when I am completely bored shitless in cubeland. Thanks!

http://www.rockclimbing.com/routes/listArea.php?AreaID=561 http://students.washington.edu/~mmcmurra/climb%20html/mt_erie.html http://home.comcast.net/~mtobey418/erie.htm some info and directions

Seriously, the best info to be had for this area is in the Washington Rock book. I did some online searching a couple weeks ago and you should be able to round up some stuff - but I would take up Alpinfoxxy on his offer. One thing though, it gets SUPER busy up there and there is very little parking if you drive to the top and hike down to some of the climbing areas. The wall at the very top of the mountain, where the look outs are is probably a little on the easy side for you. That wall is used a lot for classes. You will drive I-5 north to Hwy 20 and take a left going to Anacortes, just before you get to Anacortes, you take a left going towards Coupeville and Deception Pass. There has got to be good directions out there.

There ya go Ken - Alpinfox has all the answers!!!

You aren't talking about Mt. Erie, are you? The one with the view of the San Juans?

Ken4ord, Sorry to hear about your friends. I had a feeling that you would know them. . . My thoughts are with the climbers. I hope they are doing well at this point, I really do. They mountain looked pretty socked in yesterday.