ken4ord

The short answer is there is no multifunctional rope that is light yet durable. If could reccomend one rope, then I would look at getting a 50-60m X 9-9.5mm since they will last just about as long a 10.2 and they are lighter. You can get 9mm single lines, which I would reccomend, though I have climbed on a single half. Do note that a half rope makes for spongy ride. TR-ing will put a lot of wear on the rope sheath, but if you aren't taking any whippers the core should good for a long time though. I have more problems with skinning ropes developing core shots, so take care to keep your rope of of edges when TR-ing. If you are using it for everything, I wouldn't bother with the dry treatment. They usually last that long. What I would really reccomend though is to get a short 8-9mm for glacier travel and alpine scrambles and then by a 10-10.5mm for TR-ing. You can usually get good deals on short (40-45m) 8-9mm ropes that would work fine for 2 people on a glacier and light for alpine scrambes. 10-10.5mm are very common so it is easy to find close-out sale prices. Talk to shop or call rope manufacturer about getting short ropes. Don't get a static line for TR-ing, you are more likely to break your anchor, harness or self in a small fall. They do make gym ropes, that are somewhat inbetween a static and dynamic, but again I would not reccomend it, they are sort of beastly heavy and usually fat lines. BTW static lines are usually much heavier than dynamic lines. I aggree with Gary, the chance of break a line on crevasse fall is so unlikley.

Definitely looks liek fun. I should live some place where it gets cold.

Nice Kurt, seems like you been getting out a bit on the boards. I am jealous.

Here is Simone at the start of her first V0---- Making her way up to the top where Doggie is hanging out waiting patiently. Doing some studying for her next trip.

Great stuff here. I figured that she could start at any age as long as she is having fun, I just wanted to get idea what others experience has been. Bug, definitely think having other kids around will be key. The other day we had all of guards, cleaner, nanny and there kids (all 20 of them) over at the house. Definitely Simone showed more of an interest on the wall than other times. Most likely due to see all the other kids trying to climb. I must say my arms were quite tired by the end of the 1 hour long bouldering session, which meant catching kids for hour as they fell off the wall. Fun time though. Maybe I will finish up Simone's climbing wall/play fort this weekend.

My daughter is now 1.5 years old and already has shown some promise she might take up the sport. She like hanging on the start hold on my wall, she climbs the metal bars on door and windows and today she was hanging off the underside of the table. So I was wondering when your kids got started climbing? Got any tips when and how to start them out? Also I asked on an other thread, but anyone know what the smallest rocks shoes are?

I just noticed this kids forum today, what a great idea. Thanks!

Someday.....

Very cool, I dream of taking Simone out ice climbing or even better her dragging her old man up hard and scary climbs.

Hey kid rock shoes are concerned, who makes the smallest pair of rock shoes? Simone has already taken an interest in my wall so I figure it a matter time.

This how I approach simu-climbing It definitely not a newbie activity, though I have taken relative beginners and done some simu-climbing to speed the climb up. I agree that leader first for all the reasons mention. I used to do it the other way around, but good leader knows where there hard section are for the second and will be able to either place gear or set up a temporary belay. Also they will have a much easier time at route finding. Mentally I look at simu-climbing the same way I think of soloing with a friend. As someone stated, rule #1 of 1 is don't fall. The idea to simu-climb is to speed up the climbing on easy terrain. What I consider easy is something I would be willing to solo. So why not just solo? Most of the time that I am going to simu is to link the technical sections on a climb or cruise the last bit to the summit. It is much faster to stay tie in together than it is to untie, pack the ropes, then unpack the ropes and tie back in. It also faster than pitching out the easy section. This also why I would not freak around with tiblocs and gadgets like that. It takes time to set and break down those things, it is extra weight and increases drag. In my opinion if you are using these things, I don't understand why you are simu-climbing it is better to pitch things out. Rope length, I prefer to go as short as possible to reduce drag. If the terrain is really featured, easy, lots of horn, lots of ops for gear or ridge then I will go as short as 30 feet. If gear is a little more sparse and not so featured terrain then 50 feet or so. If it a short section say like linking a couple of pitches then don't bother with the coils. Basically assess the simu section coil if needed and go. It trial and error, eventually you will be able to read terrain better with more experience. As for gear and the amount of gear, I like to keep a minmum of 2 pieces or terrain features. If it is a ridge then just being on opposites side. I used to stop and place gear whenever the second was stopping to remove gear, now I sometimes will just take the time to preview what is ahead what I have passed, while the second is working on the gear. What I have passed is important to remember so you can expect when your second gets to tough spots. They maybe at that section that you protected before cranking though a hard section, time to place gear before they start moving through it. Previewing what is ahead is important, because you are generally trying to climb several pitches with a single rack, so you want to plan out the usage of your gear so you can get the most mileage on the rack that you have. Conserve your gear, try to use all different size of gear as you go so that you can always find something. Be creative with gear use, find chock stones, weave around tree or horns. Have fun, move fast, be safe

I always favored Mary-Ann over Ginger, and that had changed now. Couloir your sick man. Mrs. Howell = Ewww!

and sticky shoes and costco quantities of chalk and hemp bienies and... ....yeah and lots gardening and paving the bottom of the problem and scrubbing and cutting down the ocassional tree that is in the way of the latest V8 that might never see a second ascent...... ....ah yes "truest" form of climbing

Oh la-la isn't suppose to be in the sex thread.

I have been curious too, what is the deal, any of you know?

Thats what I have heard as well, but on my three last trips (Mt. Kenya, Kili and the Rwenzori's, I have not had any problem.

Looks like you plenty of suggestions, just wanted to congrats.

Does it taste like chicken? I heard cat is really tough and chewy. This from a guy who use to like eating dog.

A couple of documentaries that I just got that look interesting that I have not seen yet are: God Grew Tired Of Us- Follows three men as they leave Sudan and are repatriated in the US. Ghost Of Abu Ghraib- A look at prisoner abuses in Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq My all time favorite documentary is Thin Blue Line, if you haven't seen this it is a must. Now on to movies that I recently have seen that I really like.: Kinky Boots- Son take overs the failing family shoe business and changes the product line to kinky boots. A Mighty Heart- About the report who was behead in Afganastan. Amazing Grace- William Wilberforce's struggle in his fight for the abolition of slavery in Britian Apocalypto- A peaceful village is attacked by Mayan who are in need of humans for sacrifice. The Queen- I didn't think I would be interested in this one, but I enjoyed it. QE II movie Perfume: A Story of a Murderer- Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, creates the world's finest perfumes, but he tries to preserve scents for the ultimate perfume.

I'll second that.

Not me. I am at the most a very part time user…….pot does not make me lazy. Matter of fact it does the opposite. Its like drinking coffee…..I just want to do things……go climbing…..clean the house…..go running….. I sort of hate to say this, but I agree with kevbone. Most of the time the last thing I want to do is sit around and do nothing. The only thing is that I would add mountain biking and snow boarding to the list.

......and still can't spell.

Why? It is not like you can go shooting in the Park. So why would you bring your gun to the Park? I think gun toting is pretty stupid unless you got a purpose like going out and hunting (and no self defense is not purpose either).

It depends on the situation...... Solo, quick blast chillun or bat Solo, more than quick blast spoon Small group, spoon or bong or joint Large group or party, hooka or spliff or blunt When I was younger my favorite pipe was a steamroller or either my 3 foot bong. As for the smell, I love the smell of weed and taste. If it didn't get me stoned, I would be more of regular smoker.

Mine is adjustable, but most of the time I either have it set around 15 degrees overhang or around 45 degrees. Vertical is too easy especially for a bouldering wall if you have a tall enough wall then it is ok. My friend built a 32 foot tall wall it was vertical and that was fine. Now that I have my wall I never want to go without having one.