olyclimber

I have found that climbing steep hills on my roadbike seems to work the exact same muscle group that I use in steep alpine climbing, even more than running up hills. It is also definitely easier on you legs because there isn't the jarring effect associated with running. If you're carrying a load at all, it seems like it is almost better to go on steep hikes carrying wieght to train for that.

I talked to your friend "John", and he said you were full of shit. He said that you always go around saying "The 1960's ushered in the sexual revolution"......and then something like "Perhaps it is time for the counter revolution"....all because you're repressed and you think everyone else should be too. It is "John's" opinion that you just need to get laid.

Is Renton a wilderness area?

Not to mention $$$ down the tubes just to fuel that beast.

It is a heck of a ride. I wonder if there is Tour stage that compares with this:

Ya, I think that maintaining the 8 minute mile pace for 26.2 miles might be a stretch even though I've been running for 4 months. I'm actually following the schedule for a qualifying pace found in Galloway's "Marathon!" book. I have no doubt I can finish with a reasonable time, but making it in 3:15 is going to be tough. My goal is really to just qualify for the the 2005 Boston, and I want to do it with enough time to plan the trip out to do it (no last moment plane tickets or anything). Do you have any marathons to suggest? I was going for the Portland and Seattle runs, but I'm open to other ideas (and fast, flat courses ... ).

Just wondering what training program works for you, and what your results have been. I haven't run a marthon before, but I want to qualify for the Boston marathon...which means I have to finish in 3:15. I'll be running in the Portland marathon first, and I hope to qualify then. Anyone else training for this run?

I know it is ebay, but this is an opportunity to own a bitchen car.

Seperated at birth?

Good to see a mullet in the Tour:

We could have had a president that had scaled the mighty heights of Mt. Rainier, if Gore had been elected.

We need to make the pie higher. Then there won't be so many fat people, like the guy who flung his bales of fat into me as he jammed his fat ass into the seat next to me on the bus.

killer

"Hello? Is Dr. Wigoda there? Hello?" "I'd like to buy some of this skin you have for sale...does it make a nice lampshade?" "Do you have any celebrity skin? I heard that Courtney Love was on sale. Do you have any?" "I got this Botox crap injected all about my breast, head, neck, and chest....and now I can't see so good! Can you help me??!! Please!"

This is sold, pending inspection by the buyer. I'll repost if that does not work out.

Great work. I only wish it came in print! Here is to your first issue and the work that went into it...

Thanks for the tip. It is a Thommen Classic, measures to 15,000 ft max. 10m (30ft) resolution.

I have a Thommen Altimeter for sale for $75. I don't want to deal with shipping it anywhere, and I live in Seattle. I would also consider trades. PM me if interested.

Last time I was up there, there were two guys sleeping outside in bivy sacks....and plenty of room in the hut.

FYI, cross post from the Yahoo group for FCCC: Meeting with Greg Fitzgerald on Saturday, 040710. John Crock and Steve Cross, FCCC, met with Greg Fitzgerald on Saturday, July 10th at Frenchman Coulee. This was an introductory meeting, as Greg had recently been appointed as the state Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW) land manager for the considerable area that includes Frenchman Coulee. We got to know Greg, and he got to know us. Greg's main concern is for wildlife and habitat. He does not prioritize camping or climbing. He is concerned about the potential impacts of climbing and dispersed camping in the area. Greg pointed out that there may be many sensitive or rare species that in the area, and that the habitat itself is sensitive and slow to recover from damage. Without a baseline study however, he can not say what sensitive species are of concern. Greg indicated that if a survey were performed, federally listed species may be identified, which would give federal agencies control over activities at the Coulee. Greg is dismayed about the plainly visible impacts of motorized access to the camping area. He indicated that it is a high priority for him to block vehicular access to the camping basin with cement "ecology blocks", possibly by the end of July. This would make the camp area walk-in. I am not clear on whether this applies to the Feathers parking area as well, or how to handle parking there. Clearly, the loss of vegetation in the camping area is accelerating and something needs to be done immediately to give more time for a more permanent management plan to be put into effect. The blocks are movable with machinery and could be later re-arranged as management (siting of toilets, etc) became more firm. We promised that if the camping area is made a walk-in area, the FCCC would buy native plant seed and attempt to re-vegetate some of the damaged areas in the campground this fall. As for camping, it will not be sanctioned anywhere other than in the basin (Greg will put up signs indicating that), because the basin provides containment for the wild fires that camping engenders. Greg said that and he would not entertain the idea of building a new campground along the road either above or below the current campground. We walked with Greg in the camping basin, to the Zig-Zag wall area, and up the climbers trail to the top of the descent gully overlooking the head of Echo Basin. We pointed out the success of the Coalition's braided trail obliteration project. We described our litter cleanup projects. We pointed out how we have attempted to control four-wheeler access to other areas. He viewed our trail and informational signage. We pointed out the voluntary falcon nesting closure of Middle East wall. We showed him some top anchors and explained how we had been moving chains off of the top and down onto the vertical surface of the pillars. He appreciated how this would reduce habitat impact along the top. We discussed how the FCCC is sensitive to the habitat, but pointed out that climbing itself had significant impact only in the narrow band at the base of the climbs. Greg explained that there is little action on the management plan for the area. One restraint is funding. There is some money available from a land lease by the Gorge amphitheater that is earmarked to be spent on improvements to DFW land in the area. He will not feel reluctant, however, to take the initiative to intervene in damaging behaviors without a management plan, including banning climbing as a worst case scenario. Greg has money and departmental support for road-closures and limiting vehicle access to the area. Greg also suggested that we initiate contact with the landowner(s) of the cliffs across the Coulee. He said that there is some interest in developing the tops of the cliffs near the entrance for a gated/recreational community. Greg said that depending on how the land is appraised, it may be appraised at a relatively small value. I believe Greg was left with a favorable impression of the FCCC. We hope that he will not see climbers as the problem, rather than the insensitive wheeled campers, such as the concert crowd. We were favorably impressed by Greg's fresh enthusiasm for the habitat and his can-do attitude about controlling the excesses of four-wheeled access. I think that first impressions are important and climbers can help build a strong relationship with the WDFW by reducing impact, staying on trails, not building fires, etc while visiting the Coulee.

Good idea. Is bolting political?