marylou

LA Times article The proposed changes are spelled out a bit more in this article. Very, very bad.

Petulant Meniscus

Does gravity work differently 30' off the deck than it does 1000' off the deck? I'm sure you'd be happy to explain that to us, since it's apparent you know everything.

I think the nicest one in the Wa Pass area is Blue Lake. Very pretty and super easy hike.

When I fell while leading, and broke both my ankles, I thought: "shit, my mom is going to kill me."

All better.

Are a bobcat and a lynx two different critters? Or are they the same critter with a different name?

I talked to the people at McNett about fixing up my down bag, and they gave me a soap called "Down Cleaner Concentrate" and a bottle of spray-on Revivex. I washed the bag as usual with the down soap, and then used about a whole bottle of the Revivex on it. I did the entire outside, and the inside of the hood since I sleep with the hood open sometimes. It seems like it took forever (2 hours on gentle in the big dryer, and there were still clumps, I airdried it the rest of the way) but the shell feels very nice and water-resistant now. I have not had it out for a test yet, but will report back on how this worked out once I have. The McNett people said that the Revivex sprayed onto the outside of the bag would not harm the down.

I should add one thing. I have had a headache since about when I got bit. It could be a coincidence, but given I never get headaches, I'd suspect it's not a coincidence.

Nat Geo has a gigantic topo for the whole area. I got mine at Pro Mountain Sports last year when I was planning to give it a go. Runs about 20 bucks, and I think you can mail order it from PMS. Does not have route info on it, and is not at the same scale as USGS. Nat Geo map is 1:30,750 versus USGS 1:24,000. That said, it's the whole area on one nice big waterproof map.

I suppose it *could* could have happened at home, I assumed it happened in the woods because I was up there more than I was at home before I left for SLC. Does the Hobo live in Seattle?

I got bit by something last week while I was up on the Middle Fork Snoqualmie, somewhere near Big Snow Mountain. About 24 hours or so later, I had a quarter-sized bruise around each of the bites. There are two bite holes per bite (fangs I assume). I'm kind of surprised I did not feel the bites when the critters were biting given how big the bites are. The whole area was tender to the touch for a few days. I had someone look at it over the weekend, but it was in Salt Lake and I'm not sure if this guy knows our local critters or not, he said probably Hobo Spider. They seem to be getting better and I do not feel sick, so I don't plan to go to a doc here in Seattle. Anyone know what bit me?

Think, me, Mur, Thad. Good fun. Next August we'll try for a little advance notice, and heck, maybe in a few years this Pub Club thing will take off! Great to meet you guys, and special thanks to Think for the lodging this weekend.

How about Thursday? Is everyone going to be there yet? Then I can get a ride "home" with Thinker! Murray, you could meet us later on after your meetings? Looking at my schedule, I think I could meet at 7:30 or 8.

I'll be down there from Thursday through Sunday next weekend. Wondering if there are enough cc'ers that will down for the weekend for us to have a Pub Club in Salt Lake? Thinker's going to be putting me up, so he might be game for hooking up for a beer as well. I have a few random evening things planned, but nothing set in stone at this time.

That is the cat of a friend of mine standing next to a human for scale.

I like down. Primaloft is one of the nicest synthetic fills out there, if you swing that way, which I don't personally. I don't find it as warm (there is a thing about how they drape around your body) and also heavier for the warmth and way bulkier. I'm too lazy to go look it up, but if memory serves, it's the Primaloft One (as opposed to PL Sport) that's the higher end of the two, and I *think* that's what is in the Renaissance. The Ren is a nice bag, but it's cut small, so make sure it's suited to your build/needs.

I'm by no means an expert on the subject, but did get my first AT setup two seasons ago after a long career on an alpine setup. I have the Scarpa Lasers, and Fritschi Freerides mounted on K2 T9X. I tried every combo of AT skis with AT boots, with alpine boots, and both boots with the alpine setup. The AT boots with the AT skis was by far the best combo for me. The AT boots are a dream to ski with, very comfortable and warm. The only thing I find difficult with the AT stuff WRT skiing on ski area snow (as opposed to natural) is ice. In icy conditions, the heft of the regular alpine gear comes in way handy. Otherwise though, the AT stuff really rocks the dome.

I hope it gets easier after the upgrade--this is what I get if I try to use the image tag tool.

I asked the Park Superintendent about this last night at the fish stocking public hearing in Bellevue. He said that if they ever do fees for backcountry camping, it won't be until 2007 at the very earliest, and it would be rolled together with a more sophisticated reservations system that would no longer require being at the Marblemount RS at 7 am to get a permit.

Really outstanding high country high-angle meadow action in the Chiwaukum/Ladies Pass area about ten days ago. Like a meadow, only with tiny versions of all of the flowers. Also Tucquala Meadows up on the way to Daniel is looking really good right now.

I'm trying to get the low-down on this same thing. My Marmot Arroyo sleeping bag has lost its DWR and wets out just from dew. Sleeping bags expensive, don't want to buy new sleeping bag.

Uh, being fat makes it worse.

Being a fatty puts more strain on weight-bearing joints, so yes, it's definitely a mitigating factor. Mine is worse when I'm heavier, better when I'm lighter. You might also look into something called the "anti-inflammatory diet." I have not tried, but it's another course of action. Also ask if they think you should be taking calcium supplements. I do, but I'm 38 and have low bone density, so your mileage may vary.

Mine was diagnosed via x-ray if that's of any help. The bone looks kind of black in the affected area. I don't know if this is the only true indicator or not.