johndavidjr

It's a troll man................... But I'm totally serious about the point. Elite Swedish "Socialist" manufacturer versus whatever (Capitalist Chinese/U.S slave economy). It's like Sarah Palin vs. Democrats. But in this case, point is valid for dumb helpless American "consumers."

Hilleberg Rad specs are essentially similar to the $20 tent. Both are made of impermiable and rather flimsy fabric and include insect netting and vents. Both are roomy one-person shelters, conceivably useful for two people. Their actual weights (with appropriate modifications) are comparable. I get continued lame comments from people who metaphorically, or mentally or in fact are FAT and WEAK, who hope (metaphorically or otherwise) to get laid because they aimlessly spend lots of money.

Thought posting in "spray" rather than gear is probably more appropriate, since all I ever get on this point is mindless abuse from fat people who imagine owning Jaguar will impress women or something. Hilleberg Rad is $365, vs $20 for Wal-mart pup-tent. Their specs are remarkably similar. Both are useful in mild conditions. The Wal-Mart tent requires modification, in form of throwing away heavy poles and stakes, plus careful seam sealing. Relative to full spectrum of conditions that may be encountered in 12-month cycle, both have obvious limitations. Asking self, would I want to use Wal-Mart tent for many weeks in summer in Alpine Cascades? Maybe, but not if funds were unlimited. Would I prefer the Wal-mart tent to a high-priced tarp for extensive summer alpine camping? Probably, because insects are the really dreaded element to alpine Cascade camping in summer. This IS a "troll," but with point about unintential rip-offs and economics.

As some little old lady taught me in 1980s, "A pint's a pound, the world around." A pint of water is trivial; in order to save equivalent weight by dealing with basically crappy zipper and somewhat doubtful shell material, vs. say, two pounds for somewhat more robust construction of light schlafsack, is at least, somewhat questionable. I compensate with very light one-pound bivy, which adds considerable protection and is reasonable solution. Most of these shells weigh considerably more. Probably references to d*cks are relevant to a few posters who in general, don't seem to think broadly about gear.

It will certainly last if you take care. But fiddling and worry is what I question.

Eventually, the technology of cheap manufacturing may catch up with the little elves of Tacoma (or where ever). It may be sooner than y'all think. To a very limited extent, maybe it happened a long time ago. Perhaps that's why the giant conglomerants long ago acquired "high end" gear makers like Marmot, NF SD, etc., etc.,

Actually, a $20, 2-pound (sans poles, stakes), one-person tent that provides complete protection from insects and summer showers is available from discount stores, and can save needless and costly wear on other stuff in gear closet. I think the marginal expense for the "ultralight" sleeping bag may or may not be worthwhile. Reasonable alternatives remain costly and generally unavailable (?) from large-scale discounters. Actually, at "Dick's Sporting Goods" chain recently, I noticed a very cheap, semi-disposable, semi-insulated item in a tiny vacuum package, that seemed a sort of an "emergency bivy bag" that looked slightly interesting.

I have a Western Mountaineering ultralight rated to 40F. Paid sh^t load for it and am generally satisfied. I mainly use it with breathable (discontinued) OR bivy sack for added weatherproofness and durability. Serious trade-off in durability with these items - especially if bivvy is omitted. This is such that I sometimes question their worth. Adding a pound in form of a more robust zipper and shell fabric is well-worth at least considering.

Construction of Rt 20 was opposed by certain elements. It was completed in early 1970s. It ought never to have been constructed. Without it, however, it's doubtful that a Jersey guy like me would know the Rainy/Wa Pass areas on many visits over many years. There are hot-dog stands in certain towns, however, currently, that wouldn't exist.

Actually... you may note that nobody offered comment on your intelligence. "Ironic" is a term with which you are obviously unfamiliar. Maybe you could discuss the definition with an extremely patient and relatively bright friend (if any), since other sources are unavailable to those of your ilk. For you, this is very complicated. Work on it a lot, and after a long, long time, you might partly understand the definition. I know this is a challenge, but I believe you may be up to it, because you THINK you're clever and that's half the battle! Good luck, and get back to me if you make any progress.

Call it a repair. My understanding is, the road would be abandoned in part, and a new route cut along the sidehill. Why not re-open the road north of Staircase Ranger Station? Much cheaper. Rebuild the bridge over Queets? Extend motor access along Hoh? That's a really boring walk; absolutely not necessary and hated by all the really serious and True Climbers. F**k walking!! That's for ignoramuses who haven't read Aynn Rand! Endless stuff you could do like that... many cable car opportunities too for the ubermensch ice-cream stand realtors...so that "people can have access."

My ignorance is all the more regrettable when seen in the blinding light of your remarkable wisdom and humility.

I've never wanted or needed "orthotics," and didn't realize they were produced by "boot fitters." But thanks for all your knowledge on this matter. Do you have, like, weird feet or something? Sorry!

I didn't realize this. Where do you get those wildly expensive custom insoles..?

Going to bat for a Route 101 ice cream stand in favor of "wilderness" is okay if that's what you prefer. Here are some amusing, Palinesque links from Brinnon site. Basically, it's about world-takeover by the United Nations http://www.freedom21.org/what.html Climate change is a hoax http://brinnonprosperity.org/crichton2.html Logging and mining at all cost: http://community.pacificlegal.org/Page.aspx?pid=183 Unknown fantasy http://www.john-daly.com/ Etc. Too bad they removed link to "Christian" eyewitness account of dragon flying over the ocean. I love Washington, not least for its eccentrics.

If so, then what's the difference between a boot-fitter and a podiatrist? For my particular dogs, was amazed at effect of "Superfeet" insoles.

A Canadian guide I met on an ACC trip says after he buys a pair of boots, he always pays a "boot-fitter" a couple of hundred dollars to modify them. Don't really know much about this. I assume he means a cobbler.

Seems to me self-evidently bad idea. Weird group called "Brinnonprosperity.org" sometimes posts on this Web site in favor of multi-zillion-dollar Fed road building into NP. This group also has links to truly extremist wing-nut groups, plus a few very local real estate brokers, buried on its Web site. The road reconstruction would start in Brinnon, (Pop. 803 including children etc.) Brinnon has ice cream stand on Rt. 101. A few regulars here go nuts when I've pointed this weird stuff out.

"Stupid" is hyperbole for intelligent travelers. Troublesome and difficult seems accurate. As for Dosewallips, improving road access to so-called "wilderness" that lies 30 air-miles from one of nation's biggest cities; this would be very short-sighted. Might seem to make sense now, but similar decisions will be made ad infinitum into future, all based on precident. A relatively short time ago (circa 1920s-40s), plans for trans-Olympic highway were put on hold. No reason to believe current status quo is eternal.

For years I looked at Elinor/Washington from Olympia and never went. In basin below Mt. Stone with girl friend, we heard rifle shots from, presumably, illegal bear hunters. Due to this, we left. A year or so later, I passed through "gates" but never went to Mt. Stone.

I really think MSR mouth valves are much much better than platypus valves. Freezing temperature of water is probably something that can't be changed. Never liked these things much, and only time I used them, may have been drinking myself sick. A wise athelete can probably compensate and... use them wisely. I am stupid and not athelete.

Am tired of lack of new posts regarding Olympics. Went up a west-side river some years ago with girl friend, who freaked at ford but was eventually convinced. Magnificent dead-end valley. Saw an otter, a fresh elk horn, & (obviously) perfect climax forest. Met a young Fed ranger and a an old blithering guy. We didn't get too far and only spent one night. Nothing alpine. Apparently only a handful of people have managed to reach Queets Basin via this route, and it's horrible and stupid undertaking. There was road wash-out problems here in recent years and am uncertain of current status.

I guess spray is safer place for this. Avoiding death and a slight chill are different. Is this too subtle a distinction? If so, audience here is unsuitable.

You wanna protect a fall in rock climbing, or protect yourself against some slightly cooling temperatures, mosquitos, a brief rainshower? These are different questions. You want to be identified with super-high-priced clothing, French wine, perfume? "Consumer choice" and moral choice aren't the same thing.

I've spent 40 years knocking around outdoors. My climbing isn't remarkable, not even perhaps my focus, but have hit 30-40 peaks in NW and Canada, etc, plus zillions of crag routes. Met dozens of fools over these years, and the MOST annoying have always been those with ill-informed "warnings" (delivered with arrogant superiority) about danger of inferior equipment. Mostly backpacker wimps, but some with greater pretensions. I've used lots of "inferior" equipment, and used with intelligence in the right circumstances, it's the practical equal to anything. Have encountered this type of essentially stupid and extreme prejudice and hostility here at cc.com (Where I'd expect more intelligence) in a pronounced manner.