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Rad

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Posts posted by Rad

  1. MattP,

     

    Clip your helmet on the outside of your pack like the rest of us mortals. Then you won't be pinching it sideways in ways it was not designed to resist....and don't go tumbling down gullys!

     

    Side note: anyone been on a motorcycle in Indonesia or elsewhere? Those helmets are eggshells that are no better than a thin layer of SPF 100 plastic.

    R

  2. You didn't mention what grade or what time of year (raptor closures affect many cliffs in spring/early summer).

     

    I love that park! Beautiful in springtime.

    A few fun climbs spring to mind:

     

    N twin something (slab near reservoir) 5.6

    Lost Horizon 5.8

    Ordeal 5.8

    Wet Kiss 5.9

    Coyote Ugly 5.9

    Lava Falls 5.9

    Truama 5.9

    Jorgie's crack 10a

    Shake and Bake 10a

    The Hatchet 10a

    Dance on a Hot Volcano 10b

    Ali Baba 10b

    Post orgasmic depression 10d

    Buffalo Soldier 10d

    Pistol Whipped 10d

    Sunwheel 11a

    The Verdict 11a/b

     

    Have fun! You'll encounter some loose rock on less traveled routes. Don't let it deter you as it can help you to climb more delicately and efficiently.

  3. I agree with Jens. Simul-climbing is not for newbies.

     

    There are a lot of subtle alpine skills (routefinding, ropedrag management, avoiding causing rockfall) that only come by logging miles on rock.

     

    The consequences for falling while simuling are much higher than regular leading but still lower than free-soloing.

     

     

  4. I have no trouble napping at the crag, particularly when Gene is leading! (yawn)

     

    Remember that nasty Smith accident thread (someone will find it for me) where dad was leading and took a fall and mom didn't catch him because she was chasing the kids around the base of the crag? That was bad. My take-home message was that it's a bad idea to have the belayer doubling as caregiver for a small child. In both cases you need to be able to drop what you're doing and devote 100%. If you don't bad stuff happens. (insert thundercloud emoticon)

     

    That said, here's Ben's first crag nap (on Mambo Jambo):

     

    4222hang1.JPG

  5. 60m + 60m = a lot of spaghetti to snarl at belays!

     

    Trog and I did infinite bolts on 2 ropes. We spent half the day flaking ropes, it seemed. Next time I would climb on a single rope and carry a tag line in a pack for the rapping.

  6. Should be good fun: comp web page

     

    Join us for the University of Washington’s first Intercollegiate Bouldering Competition on Saturday, February 23rd! The “Rain City Send” is a chance for students, faculty, and staff of all Pacific Northwest colleges and universities to test their climbing skills against others or simply enjoy some friendly competition.

     

    Who: College students, faculty and staff of any Pacific Northwest university of college.

     

    When: Saturday, February 23rd, 12:30pm - 6:00pm

     

    Head on over to the Rain City Send page for more event details and registration information! Hurry to ensure that you receive a sweet T-shirt!

  7. Sweet! Congrats.

     

    "On January 22, in perfect weather but feeling unusually tired, likely due to carbon monoxide poisoning inside their bivy sack, they continued over Herron and Egger to reach Cerro Torre."

     

    Yep, that's usually what I do when I'm feeling 'unusually tired'. :rolleyes:

  8. Maybe someone mentioned this already, but this morning around 7:20am NPR ran a 30 second note about how we may be headed for record snow levels this year. On the plus side, they noted, is more water for drinking and hydro power and salmon. The downside has been increased avalanche hazards. They suggested staying in bounds at ski resorts, getting some avalanche training before heading into the backcountry, and avoiding steep open slopes if you must go. I'm not remembering the details as my brain was only operating at 30% power, but it seemed short and sensible.

  9. After a few bonks on really long days I learned I need to eat throughout the day. Like a clif bar or more every hour. I've had no more bonks. Choose something with a mix of fat, protein and sugar for long, medium, and near-term energy. Hydration, including electrolyte replacement, is key too.

  10. As several have said this is the best event of the year, perhaps it should be done TWICE per year. One in April and one in October.

     

    Is someone on the sausage thing for 08? How about earlier this year - like late January or early February? I'd be glad to help.

     

    It's too wet to climb rock, to dry to snowboard, and I need inspiration to get strong for next season so bring on the stoke!

     

    ps. Have I broken some rule of quantum mechanics by quoting myself? Any minute now I'll collide with my own antimatter and be obliterated.

  11. I completed a few new lines last year, and the best one was only ready for leading in September. In this land of moss and choss, route development can be hard work. It took many days, spread over nearly a whole summer, to scope, rap, clean, TR to find the best line, and work out a way to protect it with a combination of gear and bolts. It's got great climbing in a stunning position within an hour of Seattle. Alas, I didn't get an opportunity to try to send this route before the rain started dumping so it will have to wait until spring.

     

    Is it mine, mine, mine and you can't try it until I give you permission? I think not.

     

    Should I draw you a map so you can make the FA before I get a crack at it? I think not.

     

    Will I be heart-broken if I fail on a few redpoint attempts and one of my climbing partners sends it first? I think not.

     

    Should that person be listed as the FA and my contribution not be recognized? I think not.

     

    Converting a vision into something people will climb, enjoy, and find inspiring for years to come is what I strive to achieve in developing new routes. The FA is less important, in my view than the creation.

  12. I think the biggest thing is to take the workouts suggested, and then STICK TO THEM!

     

    Amen. I used to think improving was mainly about getting stronger, with some mental training on the side. I've since come around to the idea that the greatest gains come from mental training (even if only to gain the discipline to stick with your chosed workout scheme).

     

     

     

  13. Do you think that John Harlin III is a worse person because JH II died on the Eiger when III was young?

     

    Well, it certainly left him with demons that haunted him for nearly forty years until he could vanquish them on the big screen for the benefit of his adoring fans. Still can't get over the wife being helicopter short-roped straight from summit to backyard family hug. Ugh!

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