foraker

Then the average and beautiful one's stilll have a chance?

Apparently you've not met enough mountain climbers. Most of the one's I've met overseas are living off the dole as a means of financing their lifestyle. You might call the doctors and lawyers who shell out for a one-time guided trip up Everest climbers, but you might get an argument about that from some people.

I understand your sentiment but it's going to be what you allow it to be for youself. I hate the commercialism of it but I spend the time from T-day to NYD studiously avoiding shopping for anything other than food. The first Xmas I spent overseas, in Sweden, was beautiful. It was very quiet and serene.

Good idea about the straps, mattp. Hadn't thought about that. Thanks! The demo I have has the kangaroo pouch and it seems plenty useful so that might be a keeper. Was also thinking of bumping up the volume slightly for my puffy down bag and getting an extra buckle put on for the waist belt (just insurance for any really heavy load). Thinking of staying with the Dyneema grid fabric, actually. I like the light weight. My plan is also to have it be zipperless with a full spectra bottom. I thought about a reinforcement for the top where one puts crampons but since I already have an OR crampon bag that would strap there it's probably not necessary.

I actually remember this article, now that they mention it. It was actually a pretty spot on satire of Buckley and memorably funny. I think that's the last thing I ever read by him that was memorable in any way, but I haven't read any thing of his since he left the UofC.

Are those the classic definitions (e.g. 15-20 years ago) of Republican and Democrat or the new-fangled versions?

Curiousity got the better of me here. Turns out the NYT David Brooks is the same one that was at the University of Chicago with me during the early 80's. At the time, he used to write a few amusing social commentary bits for the college rag. Sounds like maybe he should have left it at that.

Maybe if you had some La Sportiva Olympus Mons', then we'd be talking.

I like the one on Date the Alpinist Intern

Speaking of which, I about choked on some food when I saw this kid at Crystal Mt with the full on 70's porn star look going on. I'm thinking that was never a good look and for the love of God I hope it's not back.

Kinda like those shiny useless F350's with about 3ft of lifters. Woo. Bet the date/housefrau likes having to pole vault into the passenger side on the Friday night date to Claimjumpers.

One would note that many at the top of that list are also highest in per-capita use of food stamps. But, hey, I'm not implying anything....

Much to my surprise, I'm going to see Dan McHale on Friday to demo a pack. I thought I'd be on the wait list longer than that. So basically I'm trolling for people's ideas on what they put on or left off on theirs. Right now, I'm thinking cordura S-Sarc Plug and Go without zippered bag access, standard sort of other crap. I'm not thinking about ski mountaineering with it right now since I'm not a good enough skier yet but who knows?

Don't worry, they'll find some way to blame it all on Clinton.

Let's not forget that ring and the whole binding in the darkness thing. Dontcha just love English Lit? Write a few chapters like this and you too can get a PhD.

I'm not joining any religion that doesn't involve Katie Holmes having my alien love-maggot.

This year the tradition is get shagged by the wife after skiing all day.

Gary, IN

I think a better use for a rope with electrically conductive fibers would be to: a) shock the shit out of your belayer who's spending WAY too much time scoping out and chatting with the chick on the next route over or just taking a nap, b) shock the shit out of your lead who's placing gear every two meters and keeps losing your gear but not his.

What? What's your problem? No one's getting a blow job in the oval office. Honor and dignity was brought back to the White House. End of story. Move along now, nothing to see here. Oooh, look! A non-specific terror alert based on unverified but credible evidence! Move quickly now or we'll have to violate more of your remaining civil rights.

"Don't worry, the safety's on" "It's ok, I've done this before"

My bro tried to send money back to the government once when they sent him more back in a refund than he paid in taxes. Their response was "Please, sir, for the love of God, don't do that. We aren't set up to handle that". If refusing the mortgage deduction is the right thing to help poor people, then why aren't more conservative Christians doing it? Or were you just making a subtle rhetorical point?

I think we can safely say that this is a case of the pot calling the kettle black.

I got benighted by that one myself.

Given the freaks on craigslist, how can you tell *anyone* is trask?