olyclimber

Alpinism is often a ton of hiking or walking in the backwoods with a little climbing/skiing in the middle, so sounds like you're on your way. And basic orienteering is probably the best skill to start with if you don't have it already. Best advice I can give you is to become a hoover for knowledge. Buy Freedom of the Hills, learn some technique. Do your best to extend your knowledge yourself. Ask questions here, or even other climbing related places on the web. Post in the partners forum. Be honest about your experience and ability. Don't be afraid to mention that you don't know much, that is where we all started. I know I still don't know much compared to a lot of people here. There are some people from the Olypen who come to this website...that is actually where I'm from, but now I live in Seattle. From hiking and snowshowing, the next step up is to scramble. There are tons of great easier scrambles in the Olympics. Get the Climbers Guide to the Olympics if you don't have it, and start reading about all the routes you can do...just pick the easier grades and start there. Research routes/climbs/scrambles you want to do, read TRs here, look up others peoples notes on SummitPost. PM people here who have posted routes you would want to do if you have questions. There are lots of climbs that are little more than hikes. And of course there are hikes that end up being something that resembles climbing. Go do the easier stuff...just get on it solo if you have to, and don't be afraid to turn around if you feel out of your comfort level. That can sometimes be a climbers best intuition. There have been some amazing climbers that have gotten their start here. I wouldn't go as far as crediting CC.com for their start, the passion obviously came from within, but this website did serve as a valuable resource for information, stoke, and partners as they got going. But I think it is also important to stress that there are all types of abilities here, and the most important factor is your own enthusiasm and drive. The best magnet for climbing partners (experienced or not) is the ambition stoke to climb and an idea: lets go try this particular adventure/climb/route/mountain.

Wow I thought it was the E-rock! Miss that guy. Welcome to the forums Erock. If you're on a budget I honestly wouldn't worry that much about it...just get SOMETHING (wool or synthetic) that you can afford. Either are going to be good enough. The most valuable commodity is time. I like the stuff you mention: Patagonia Capilene, Montbell (anything), and the wool stuff that the others have mentioned. I think the best thing to do is get out...go climb "lesser" peaks. The volcanoes are great, but I have to say I've had just as much fun climbing some lower peaks and then you'll get a good idea what sort of gear and clothing keeps you most comfortable. Not sure where you're located, but the Cascade and Olympics have tons of less committing adventures awaiting that will help you get your layer and other gear dialed.

[video:youtube]VOnEwFuUwOo I was able to do this myself after watching the video only a couple of times.

DIY

Its winter, time to weatherize your hole. Here is a tutorial: [video:youtube]5adN74aBxZk

yep i keep all the notes and card people sent me from that time in a box. Glad you made it too stillcrankin.

Pardon my sentimental screed, but: I was just going through some stuff, moving things around during a remodel and I came across a stack of papers, stuff printed out and given to me by a friends who printed things out for me when I was in the hospital back in 2007 with an infection in my arm. There were cards from people I had never met (in person), or had only met a few times. There were cards from good friends I have to this day. There were drawings from your kids wishing a quick recovery. I was in a terrible state that time, not sure if I was going to lose my arm or die, drugged up and reduced to baby when it comes to bodily functions. Anyway, those cards, letters, and drawings really helped me remember that it isn't all about me, and what was really important. So I just wanted to thank everyone who helped me get through that time. I know CC.com isn't the busiest place right now...it has always had its ebbs and flows, and who knows what the future holds. But I sincerely hope that it continues on as a valuable database, but more importantly as a community that supports each other.

Bob, it really seems like you need SNUGGLES WITH A WIDDLE KITTEH!!!! This would relieve your tension.

I would support the killing of the kitteh. Those things are terrible.

Hey, is anyone coming over from Leavenworth to Seattle in the next week or so? I was wondering if you could stop and pick me up a couple of jars of that Andreas Keller homemade mustard.

Thanks Jake!

Hope you're having a great time and looking forward to a new year. Thanks for coming to CC.com and being a part of the community here.

The economy has improved during the Obama administration but I can't really think of anything else that is better today than under Bush. My insurance has tripled, our government smuggled weapons into Mexico (Mexicans and a BP officer died) and then covered it up, the attorney general was held in contempt and then threatened by a federal judge, an IRS scandal, heightened race relations tension, etc. The parts of the government Obama actually has direct control over, or heavy influence, is actually in the shitter. But yeah, the economy is better so I guess we have that. Yeah perhaps this is the realist's assessment. Things are not "better" than they were. Looking back, it is easy to idealize the past...like the 50s, etc. Simpler times. Easier to understand. But definitely not great for some people. But it does have to be true that we are worse off today, because things are not headed for the better...things are only going to get worse. For our kids I hope some things do get better though, which they should.

I remember JayB posting this really cool dataviz website that depicted our demise. Curious where that is data is at now..hell, maybe nothing has changed.

I don't actually know how to rate a presidency anymore, but I can note that when Obama entered office he was inheriting a flaming bag of shit, some even predicting a huge collapse. And now the economy seems to be doing quite well. In the meantime a huge number of things have also occurred that I don't agree with happened as well, at Obama's watch or at his direction. Now the opposition to anybody is going to draw it up as the worst ever, he's a dictator, etc. But the country does seem to be in a better place than when Obama took charge. Does anyone dispute that? Is there some way the conservatives can claim that it was all their doing? I mean you can talk all day long and smear all you want, but results are results. I'm not saying I'm super happy with everything Obama has done, but we do seem to be less inclined to fall directly into the shitter at the moment at least.

Merry Xmas and happy new year all.

I actually don't find this whole conversation that interesting or entertaining at all. Especially since we've had it already like 100 times. It would be interesting to talk about something else instead of the same old coyote vs roadrunner. I get it...a couple of you are conservative. Most of you are liberals. Everyone is locked into their views and love rubbing in each others faces. I'm not excluding myself from this, or at least I have participated right along with everyone else. But it is pretty boring and predictable and it isn't that interesting to me. I enjoy an argument, but the arguments have already been presented over and over. Nothing new is being said. The usual actors are here to lecture everyone else even though they know that there is no chance the of an actual dialogue. Dialogue is an exchange of ideas. This stuff is more just tossing grenades over the fence at each other. Boring.

WOW WHAT AN EXPOSE. I never claimed to be PC, you conservatard.

Personally, I like best the ones that don't have any boundaries. BTW, this video and all the ones above are probably NSFW for you. [video:youtube]PkCgkf25Tus

[video:youtube]Vzrxy9A7Ja4

I don't think "libs" have a stranglehold on the concept of comedy, nor is comedy by definition inherently "lib". Its just that at least in the recent past (at least the past 20 years where I've been aware of comedians), the most successful ones (based on popularity and following) are definitely libtards [video:youtube]8xiKqowqbOk Easy to list them. Go ahead and list all the wildly popular right wing comedians. But yes, comedy its self is not a partisan thing.

meh, Colbert is funny. But if you are a conservative who is incapable of laughing at yourself, I could see why you wouldn't be a fan. The whole Colbert brand of humor seems to have been a reaction to the Bill O'Reilly, Limbaugh, and other far right wing shock boys. Never been a fan of Letterman or Franken. But of course its worth mentioning that we're just talking about our personal opinions here. And I personally do think it is possible to be partisan and be funny, and I do think that it is something that conservatives fail to do for what ever reason. I wouldn't describe them as bitter though...just not funny to me...and apparently to most people. I suppose you don't care for George Carlin or Louis CK either.