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It is not so much the optimization of the phone. It is an optimization of there service. Phones have to search out a tower and for inbound calls the network need to find you. In much the same way as using a GPS if you have the current almanac loaded the boot takes considerably less time. For a phone once it knows where the towers are for it's location it reaches out quicker. For inbound calls if you have moved from the last tower cell since the last call the network will sometimes have to search for you. (ever get one of those messages that appears even when you have been in service?) You can do that location bit by making any call to any number. By calling Verizon it does help then give you better service but it will be no real assitance if you are considering potential trouble in the backcountry.

Archy, You've probably already gone there but I would consider talkin with her about Reynauds syndrome. Like sherri commented cold hands are usually how this manifests. But it is not just about the cold hands. It is a physiological response to percieved cold. The noggin just shuts down the hands "early." No matter what you do for gloves it won't help. Start with makin sure a hat is involved and good core heat regulation. All those little things so that the brain thinks it is warm. Of course warm gloves really help too but if it is connected to a physiological response it will be better to have good sleeves, good jacket, warm hat all those parts too.

I didn't look at the MSDS on the site but it looks like standard splice tape. It's a quite stretchy silicone self sealing backingless tape used in burial. I don't think I have seen it at box stores but you should find it at most electrical supply houses. 3M makes some as does several others. The name is usually some permutaion of "Self Sealing splice tape".

A recently seen new favorite. "We don't skiny dip, We chunky dunk"

Does that mean that when I use my REI lexan Tiki head pee bottle that it will increase the risk of estogen in my urine.

Yes, Hugh, there is a difference. As with many things it is common to take advantage of consumers. "T6" refers to tha manner in which the material is heat treated. The 6061 refers to the specific alloy of aluminum. It is possible to have a 6064 T6, or a 7071 T6, or a 4034 T6. Any of them would be technically a "T6" Differant alloys react in various ways to heat treatment some not at all. Of course this doesn't rule out operator error.

I rarely carry weapons. But, I have discovered that I was being stalked by a mountain lion on two differant occasions, both of which I was solo and a long way from anywhere. I decided to carry my ice axe in hand all the way to the trail head.

Crackers is right on. If it is a Waterproof zipper the best I have run into is through Kokatat. They are a manufacture of Kayak clothing and deal with these buggers often. A local paddling shop could hook you up.

Strickly Anacdotal but the study that started much of the discusion was from an era when a large part of the function of the peloton in races like the Tour de France was with teammates helping each other smoke a few with out stopping. It was felt that the nicotine helped in the hill climb sections. It made for some interesting pics of the early tour. But,for all the bucks those types spend it's pretty obvious how much they found it to help.

Come on now Sherri. It's the NEW CC.com your supposed to take your confuser along wit ya and log on after each drink and change your mood accordingly. You just need to get into this social network stuff. Now of course if CC ends up as part of myspace we can all revolt.

What is "tune a cube"? Always remember the immortal thought " you can tune a piano but you can't tune a fish."

Hey 111, not quite as close as Hueco tanks but a lot of fun about 200 miles west of you is Deming. Just north of that you will find City of Rocks park. It is a volcanic gritstone outcropping in bizare shapes sort of like the tuff meets Dr Zuess. I've not ever seen traffic aside from tourons there and well worth the search. You will definatley need the weekend off that you were dreamin of.

Stewert has a good idea. Now what I do similar. Especially if you plan on being one of those old rich climber types. I have a Lead rope that is used on the hard trad leads. When I take a big whipper that causes me concern it moves down the list to a general use rope and eventually through top rope use and project use. Consider that a new (or never fallen on) rope has the softest catch and an old rope with a bunch of catches gets stiffer. Ropes don't just decide "i'm gunna fail now" they deteriorate in usefullness. As you build a selection use the most appropriate one and save the best for the most critical leads.

So Lowlander, it's good to know you sport with a 9.5. I use one as well. And I do a fair amount of lead solo. I use a GriGri with modification and like it. I would strongly recomend thinking carefully about your statement. Just what exactly does lead sport have to do with lead solo? I know my Gri will work when I am there tending it or some other compatent belayer. Now, if one take a whipper when solo (especially when a ways from help) it is best to stack the deck in your favor as your probably not going to be focused on good self belay skills in mid-air. Just a thought. If you want to talk about the system I use for lead solo give me a PM

Reread Billcoes post. Now your rope was rated to catch 11 falls a set distance, weight, amd on a prescribed length of rope (look again at those UIAA standards). It is a matter of the length of fall as a ratio compared to the amount of rope that caught it. Most manufactures recommend replaceing anything that has caught a fall that exceeds 1 in that ratio (remember this is the rope sellers reccomend) but in reality a 4 ft fall could toast a rope while it will totally survive a 60 footer if the ratio is in your favor. Do a search on fall factors and you will find all sorts of info.

Not Kevlar but, swing in to your local yacht rigger or boat supply. You can get spectra with individual strands urethane coated. It goes under the name Amsteel, Amsteel blue, or Spectron 12. The plane grey stuff is all you need the others are extra strength versions. It is available in 1mm (3/64") and takes knots quite well.

I should have a projector, small sound system and a generator this year. I even think I can make it for Saturday and Sunday. If someone wants to get up slides and such like previous years post up.

Spoken like a person who has no real knowledge of strainers, siphons, and other fun stuff that are used in irragation ditches. Do you really think that the idea of just climbing out did not occur to the police divers that were killed? Not to say I've never dove into a irragation canal for a quick cool off but I would look real carefull at where the water goes and how fast it gets there.

That guy is a popular tourist attraction when he is town over there. His suit has wheels on the chest, shoulders, elbows, knees, little lobster claw lookin hand things. They are all over. He usually is seen skatin on his face or side or some weird stuff through the park or on some sidewalk. Good to see he has a real use for his custom tux. Definatey competes with tryin a bat suit.

My thoughts are; If you are going to be a 2-man team arrest and rescue is a chore. If one goes in the other must single handedly build an anchore and transfer to it while remaining in arrest. If you can do this you don't need to ask how much rope do I need. If not one should practice and determine for themselves. If your not up for the rescue scenario why are you getting roped up anyway?

Yo Shiva, Success cleaver is a good route. It's a long day and there is no such thing as roped travel. Are you really good at snow trave on steep slopes? I like the route for the novelty of not touching a glacier though. I may be in for the climb lets chat.

I would be tempted to try Sea Specs. They are a sunglass that is designed for water sports. I know you can get them in a prescription lens of various tints or non. Mine stay on comfortably through hours of white water kayak. They are pretty well vented and I have not had fogging issues. As well a trick head strap so that they dont come off even with a full on wave bash to the face. Their web site is this one.

YO Bug, I may be able to go along. Let me in on a few more of the details or concepts (don't know where in the planning this trip is in) I'll let you know once we talk.

Sorry Archy, In Wa state the insurance follows the car. If the vehicle has no insurance the driver is secondary. In that case the owner of the vehicle picks up the fine for no insurance. It is generally not possible to fight the assignments by the state. :(

In real CBS fashion here's your answer CBS . Helium transits the membrane of the balloon by osmosis. Two significant factors are that helium is highly active the higher he got along with the increased UV the faster the helium transits. Also the surface area Gives more membrane available which speeds up the process. In the "balloneering" sculptures I have worked on the way we control it is to use 5' and 8' balloons so as to get more gas with less surface area. Of course a "Real Ballooneer" just wears a chute harness and doesn't have a chair to kick back on. I'm told it's a little uncomfortable to have a few hundred pounds of ballast hanging from your harness while you have the balloons lifting from the other side.