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Waldoboro has prison, nuclear plant, lousy winter weather, nice tidal estuary & some summer tourist traffic. Not unlike some towns in Washington except they speak with much different accent.

Does anybody have info on this mountain? I was also wondering about traverse from there to Quinalt E. Fork. I gather Taylor is crux of hike?

Associated Press reported that NASA can make a "space elevator" using principle of ball swinging in circles attached to string. Necessary unavailable component would be ---in this case the string-- made of thin ribbons of carbon with newly developed molecular, or atomic structure, such that some bit of paper-thin tape would be strong as Golden Gate Bridge. NASA scientists report that development of this material is well-within techno-reach, but would require extensive development. This is much of the essence of so-called nanotech-- a field which may or may not be emerging. Imagine climbing hardware, boots, tents, bikes, etc. made of vaguely similar stuff. ----------------

Slightly inane question, but all pack weight could be eliminated in a century or so. Does anybody know if or when this stuff will hit the market?

No incumbent president with four letters in his last name was ever re-elected. (according to Barron's.)

Garmont Towers are extraordinary. What Trango S wishes it was. Now available for $150 at Mt. Gear. Raichles look similar, but the Raichle model mentioned above may not be as robust, and the brand's one-step up model, that is possibly most similar, is a tad heavier.

Uh, if you're going to present a flat-out lie to sway the electorate, I'd say that's pretty swinish. Sorry if you don't like the word, or if for some reason, you're unable to figure it out for yourself. -------

Those poor fools ranting about Kerry's war record look more foolish than ever. http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/20/politics/campaign/20swift.html

I bought some Asolo approach-type shoes last summer that were newly introduced to market, and the fabric lining around the heels blew out in a matter of weeks. This isn't structural so I've still got them & wear them, but Asolo really screwed up. The later versions have heavier lining fabric in heels. Coincidently, in 1996 my then-8-year-old Asolo Yukons delaminated on Mt. Stuart. I don't have anything againt Asolo, but I think they have something against me. ----

------------------ Subtext is Arcteryx is somewhat for the heli-skiier crowd?

Hmm==guess you're right. I'm comparing them almost soley with my old Makalus. They are much lighter. Towers' actual weight is 3 lbs 2 oz for pair, or four ounces heavier, each, than Trangos. I would be afraid to buy Trangos because of uncertain reputation for slush hiking. I must check out the others you mention. Isn't Garmont Ferrata slightly stiffer & heavier than Tower? ----

How is traverse to pass near Chicago?

Amusing story today about Vets4Truth guy's military record.

RBW--- You must be joking? What would you suggest that's lighter?

No, ratings don't relate to boots & of course I meant only subjective comment. These boots are great for rock compared to normal mountain footwear. They even look like the old Royal Robbins rock shoe of late 60s, and may climb nearly as well, which isn't saying much for RRs. I'm enthused. Hey -- nice cruise to Olympus. Taking Towers there is far better than my old Maks. ---

Martin Feldstein, big Reagan economics advisor, had a piece in today's WSJ arguing heavily for W's social security "plan." Indirectly, it was noted, that to keep program sovent & at current level of benefits in the future would require a 3% increase on SS payroll tax, plus a similar level of employer contribution. I suppose this is something like a 1% increase in my total tax burden, & perhaps the same or less for employer. So where's the crisis in the program?? Why mess with it? My employer, by the way gets all of its revenue from financial companies, who stand to see large influx of funds under Bush plan, and who strongly support the idea. Wall Street, for you conspiracy fans, may have a disproportionate influence on policy, relative to its size as an industry. ---- ______________________

Sadly, you are correct. The store in Canmore I think labeled them incorrectly as "Tour," but I may be wrong. Towers are now on sale for $159 at Mt. Gear. Man did I get ripped off, even given Canadian currency. The review you provided compares the boot unfavorably with rock climbing shoes for rock climbing. I'd say a 5.3 climb in rock shoes becomes a 5.4 or even maybe a 5.5 wearing these things... But for a mountaineering boot, they're superior rock climbers.... ____

Hmm -- what is all this thread about? Speaking of girliemen, did anybody ever read the biography of John Menlove Edwards? Harrowing and awful tale of desperate, world-class gay Brit climber, a psychiatrist & suicide of 1950s. I recommend you skip all of his purely awful, unpublished poetry, quotations of which are skattered through the book. I can't remember author's name. _____

correction: "Tower" boots. Nice, superlight mountaineering boot. Climbs rock relatively well & good in snow. Crampon straps seemed a tad uncomfortable at times, flatfooting on moderate ice, & is perhaps too light for lots of heavy ice climbing. But sole is fairly stiff & does have protective rubber rand. Seems nearly ideal for summer climbing & could even do volcanos. Weighs about same as Trango, but has Goretex liner. I wore them with superfeet for three moderate climbing days in Canada & a hellacious hike, and got no blisters, even with semi-soft feet. This boot definitely not for winter. Gave my Yukons to a truck driver in Calgary. --

I spent a week-long tent-camp in April of '72 on large river in upstate Maine. A fellow came down with nausea & fever ?later diagnosis of hepatitis. We were drinking right from the Mighty River, like most of the poor folk in the region did all their lives.... That said, I don't like pills or filters & don't need -em. (see research link.) _____

Is this the part you're referring to? "Taking the highest concentration measured in the Sierra (0.108), we can make some calculations. The probability[iv] of finding 10 or more cysts in a liter of water—to have at least a one-third chance of contract­ing giardiasis—is about 10-17. Ten cysts in 10 liters of water, about 10-7. In fact, one would have to drink over 89 liters to have a 50 percent probability of ingesting 10 or more cysts."

Talk sense everybody.... Read this highly authoritative link that supports my view that water purification is pointless!!! http://www.lomaprieta.sierraclub.org/pcs/articles/giardia.asp "From the beginning, the conclusions have always been that “the Giardia problem” in the High Sierra and elsewhere is grossly exaggerated, and that virtually all of the few cases of giardiasis subsequent to wilderness visits are wrongly blamed on the water. After incorporating the most recent information, those prior conclusions are not only still valid but also considerably reinforced."

Water purification is pointless in the Washington backcountry & similar places. You can't argue with Thinker's link. You get giardisis from sharing food with asypmtomatic, non-hygenic associates. ---------------

Weed is socially acceptable in Canada? The only night I ever spent in jail was for asking a cop if he wanted to get high (1975, in a prairie town)

okay so --I've been traipsing around in my old Yukons, and thinking they're maybe gonna cause blisters because the resoling job before I junked them changed their size and they've kinda dried up & gotten slightly weird (though there's probably plenty of life in them). My choices are a.) do nothing much but monkey with socks. b) buy insoles to take up heel space or c.) buy new boots. I may be afflicted with mere shoppingitis, but I'm thinking maybe these non-leathers, like Trangos and Garmont Vetta/Tower, might actually be possible to wear out-of-the-box without blisters. I'm going to do 4-5 days much on glaciers & rock in BC Selkirks. The Vettas aren't warm enough? The Trangos? The skin on my feet is only in somewhat toughened state at the moment. Am I crazy to think of bringing new boots on such a trip?